A Scriptural Basis for Giving
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 and 9:6-15.
Here Paul is challenging the Church in Corinth to fulfill a financial commitment that they had made to give towards the relief of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. He uses the churches in Macedonia as examples of generosity.
The Starting Point: A life given to the Lord. (2 Corinthians 8:5)
And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.
The Goal: Excellence in giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)
But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
The Model: Jesus. (2 Corinthians 8:8, 9)
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
The Scope: According to your means. (2 Corinthians 8:11)
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
The Vision: An abundant harvest. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
The Manner: Glad giving, not compulsory. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
The Promise: All that we need. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
The Impact: Thanksgiving/Praise to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11-15)
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