3.
2 Corinthians chapter 8: 7…The y excelled in:
Faith (faithfulness, trust, belief )
In speech (logos) , in knowledge
In complete eagerness (zeal)
in your love for us (love for God & others)
Church of Corinth
5.
Vs 2….Circumstances facing the Macedonian
Church:
1) Great Ordeal, severe trial, extreme affliction
-run by military force (war torn country)
-Religious persecution
-political persecution (Nero)
I. Our Giving Is Not Determined
By Our Circumstances…
6.
2. Extreme Poverty / Deep poverty
Rock Bottom Poverty: a beggar who has
absolutely nothing and has no hope of
getting anything..
-not simply poor but very, very, poor
Great Trial of Affliction + Extreme Poverty =
ABUNDANCE OF JOY
Cont’
7.
Vs. 3-4…the giving attitude of the
Macedonian Church:
Gave according to their ability
Gave beyond their ability
Gave until it hurts
Gave willingly
They begged to give
II. Our Attitude Towards
Giving
8.
Vs.5
1. They gave themselves first to
God
2. Keeping God’s will
III. Giving Yourself To
God
9.
Excel in giving is just the reflection of our
spiritual maturity (our relationship with
God) vs. 5
1 Chronicles 21:24…. But King David
replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying
the full price. I will not take for the LORD
what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that
costs me nothing.”
Conclusion
10.
1 Chronicles 29: 3-4, 14
Vs 4…Besides, in my devotion to the temple
of my God I now give my personal treasures
of gold and silver for the temple of my God,
over and above everything I have provided
for this holy temple
Vs. 14….“But who am I, and who are my
people, that we should be able to give as
generously as this? Everything comes from
you, and we have given you only what
comes from your hand.