Principles of Christian Living

Lesson 11

Lesson Text—Acts 20:35

Acts 20:35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 8:1-4

II Corinthians 8:1-41 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 8:1-4

3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;4 Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 8:5

II Corinthians 8:5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 9:6-8

II Corinthians 9:6-86 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 9:6-8

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 9:9-11

II Corinthians 9:9-119 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and in-crease the fruits of your righteousness;)

Lesson Text—II Corinthians 9:9-11

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Focus Verse—II Corinthians 9:7

II Corinthians 9:7Every man according as he

purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a

cheerful giver.

Focus Thought

A Christian is a conduit through

which the blessings of God flow to

a needy world.

I. Generosity EncouragedCULTURE CONNECTIONA Conduit of Blessing

I was about eighteen when I received the dangerous work assignment. The pipeline company for which I worked was conducting what they called a “tie-in.” In other words, they had laid a new pipeline and were connecting that line into a main, existing line.

I. Generosity EncouragedThis involved using a cutting torch to cut out a section from the existing pipeline, laying the final connecting section of pipe, and welding all the connecting points—a dangerous operation considering that the main line had been conducting a supply of natural gas to the stations up line only hours before.

I was one of four guys with fire extinguishers, who knelt above the huge hole in the ground where the welders were working feverishly to tie together the two lines.

I. Generosity EncouragedWe were there in case of an explosion or fire, although I cannot imagine it would have done any good. Had the line blown, we all would have been blown away!

I was amazed then, and I still am amazed at the capacity of those large pipelines to carry their products. We worked on a line that was about thirty-six inches across. It had a phenomenal capacity to carry natural gas from south Texas to Chicago.

I. Generosity EncouragedIt also is amazing when one considers the capacity of one person to be a conduit of God’s blessings upon others. God is looking for individuals who will allow Him to work through them to deliver His blessings to those who are in need. It is great to give to the work of God in this world, becoming conduits of His blessings!

I. Generosity EncouragedContemplating the Topic

According to the survey “So, where does our church money go?” reported in Christianity Today International in 2003, 84 percent of respondents cited the occasional sermon on giving as the main method of encouragement to give. Seventy-two percent said that teaching on the practice of tithing motivated them to give, while 47 percent said they “left it up to the Lord.” Special programs motivated 35 percent, making pledges appealed to 34 percent, and 12 percent gave other reasons.

I. Generosity EncouragedIn his article, “Who Gives Two Cents

for Missions? We Do, to Our Shame,” which appeared in World Magazine, October 22, 2005, Gene Edward Veith reported that Christians today give less per capita than they gave during the Great Depression. Not only are members giving less, churches also are contributing less. Of every dollar given to a US Protestant church, the average amount allocated for overseas missions is two cents. This compares to 1920 in which the church gave 10 percent of the total offering to missions.

I. Generosity EncouragedThe church’s current spending practice seems to indicate an increased emphasis on internal operations and programs over the broader mission of the church.

Much of the problem can be ascribed to a misconception regarding the nature of giving. Christians generally give because of a perceived need, or in some cases because of a desire for the blessings associated with giving. While both of these aspects are important, they miss the larger point.

I. Generosity EncouragedGiving is fundamentally thanksgiving and worship of God and being good stewards of His blessings.

Children of God should reserve no room in their lives for covetousness. (See Luke 12:15; Colossians 3:5.) In thirteen of the twenty-nine parables of Jesus, He referred to the correct use of possessions. Both coveting and giving are concerned with how individuals view their possessions, and both of these behaviors issue out of the heart.

I. Generosity EncouragedWhereas coveting is a desire for more possessions to please self, true giving is a desire for more in order to share with God and others.

I. Generosity EncouragedSearching the Scriptures

Generosity Encouraged

A. The Macedonian ExampleThe province of Macedonia lay north

of Greece and contained several cities mentioned in the New Testament, including Philippi. The Holy Spirit summoned Paul to this needy territory by a vision of the “man of Macedonia” asking him to go there and preach the gospel (Acts 16:9).

I. Generosity EncouragedPaul alluded to this event frequently in his writings. (See Acts 18:5; 19:21; Romans 15:26; II Corinthians 1:16; 11:9; Philippians 4:15.) On at least three recorded occasions he visited this region, and his first European convert was a woman named Lydia, a citizen of Philippi, the chief city of the eastern division of Macedonia.

I. Generosity Encouraged1. Gave of Themselves First to the

Lord. Paul boasted of the Macedonian believers in his letter to the Corinthian church when he wrote that they “first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (II Corinthians 8:5). Giving follows a natural progression: before the Macedonians gave money, they gave themselves. The giving of the Macedonians began toward God, but then it extended unto others as well.

I. Generosity EncouragedTrue giving begins with the

dedication of oneself. Then dedicated individuals demonstrate their devotion by giving such things as time, talent, money, and possessions.

2. Gave with Joy. Not only did the Macedonians give, but their giving produced a spirit of tremendous joy in their lives. There is a direct correlation between giving and joyful living. Selfish, self-absorbed people are rarely happy, possibly because they do not have a giving attitude.

I. Generosity EncouragedPeople who take the time to serve other people—especially children, the elderly, or those in crisis—frequently report a deep, abiding joy. One noted therapist who treats patients suffering from depression requires them to serve others as part of their treatment because of the profound effect it produces.

The blessings of giving are both intangible and concrete. Often when believers suffer from financial distress, they discover how giving results in unexpected blessings.

I. Generosity Encouraged3. Gave in Great Trials and Deep

Poverty. The giving of the Macedonians noted in Scripture did not occur during a time of their prosperity. Paul shared, “In a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (II Corinthians 8:2). Their giving did not come out of abundance but out of difficult times. Ironically, they sent money to needy fellow Christians in Jerusalem during a time they themselves were suffering.

I. Generosity EncouragedII Corinthians 8:4 implies that Paul tried to discourage them from giving so much, but they insisted on doing it. They understood their great investment and their largest returns would come from giving to the kingdom of God.

4. Desired to Minister to the Saints. Their love for God and for God’s people motivated the Macedonians to give. The Shunamite woman in the Old Testament was another example of this type of benevolence.

I. Generosity EncouragedShe built a dwelling place for the prophet Elisha and his servant. When the prophet examined her motive, he discovered she simply loved the work of God. Because of this pure motive, God granted the woman her deepest desire, a child. She gave without being asked or prompted, and with no expectation of any return. As a result, she received a great blessing from God.

B. Exhortation to the Corinthian Church

B. Exhortation to the Corinthian Church

Corinth was the most celebrated city of the Roman Empire, second only to Rome itself. About one hundred years before the time of Paul, the Roman emperors rebuilt the city of Corinth. Two hundred thousand citizens comprised the free population of Corinth, and five hundred thousand were slaves. Situated on the narrow, five-mile Isthmus of Corinth, the city lay between important ports on the Ionian Sea and the Aegean Sea.

I. Generosity EncouragedBeing a military and commercial

center and a transportation hub for both land and sea travel gave the city importance. To avoid the treacherous seas south of Greece, passengers and cargo were at first shuttled across the isthmus and later by a canal. Corinth hosted numerous athletic events, gladiatorial contests, theater productions, and the Isthmian Games held at the temple of Poseidon. This athletic event was second in importance only to the Grecian Olympics.

I. Generosity EncouragedPaul wintered in Corinth (Romans

15:19-21; Acts 20:2) before departing for Jerusalem with the contributions for the poor churches in Judea. Paul wrote two extant letters to the Corinthian church, the second in which he presented the Macedonians as an example for the Corinthians to follow.

1.Abound in Christian Grace. Paul identified the grace of God as the motivating factor for the Macedonians’ giving. (See II Corinthians 9:1-8.)

I. Generosity EncouragedHe reminded Corinthian believers to give out of the overflow of God’s abundance. Today, God still provides enough both to sustain us and to use us as channels of His blessings toward others. The New Testament frequently alludes to this. • Ephesians 2:7; 3:8—riches of God’s grace in Christ Jesus• Ephesians 1:3—spiritual blessings in heavenly places• I Corinthians 3:21-23—all things belong to you

I. Generosity Encouraged• II Corinthians 8:2—abundance of joy• II Corinthians 8:7—abound in everything

In writing to the Corinthian church, Paul quoted Exodus 16:14-21, which describes God’s gift of manna to the Israelites in the wilderness. At first some people gathered extra manna and were disappointed to find it infested with maggots. Any manna left on the ground melted after everyone gathered their daily ration.

I. Generosity EncouragedGod promises a sufficient supply to all, and it displeases Him when believers become greedy and selfish with their blessings.

2. Add the Grace of Giving. We can observe a fundamental difference between giving under the Law and giving under grace. Under the Law, men often thought, I must give in order to be accepted by God. This is common among many religions that teach doing good works in order to earn God’s approval.

I. Generosity EncouragedUnder grace, however, we give because God has accepted us already. In other words, we serve God and give to His kingdom because He saved us, not as a means to merit salvation. Many religions, including the Jewish religion, require their members to give, and it fosters resentment. Under grace, giving is a privilege that brings joy and a means by which the giver demonstrates his gratitude toward God.

I. Generosity Encouraged3. Jesus Christ Is Our Example in

Giving. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (II Corinthians 8:9). The Lord left behind all the riches of Heaven in order to save mankind. He never considered Himself but gave because of His love. This became the basis for our giving as well.

In II Corinthians 8:10-15, Paul continued to explain about giving to others.

II Corinthians 8:10-12 “And herein I give my advice: for

this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but

also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it;

that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also

out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is

accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he

hath not” (II Corinthians 8:10-12).

II Corinthians 8:13-15 “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: but by an equality, that now at this time your

abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: as it is written, He

that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little

had no lack” (II Corinthians 8:13-15).

I. Generosity EncouragedBelievers should not need to be

urged or even asked to give, but they should give because Jesus gave Himself without reservation. Everyone should be involved in the process of giving; it is not limited to the wealthy or to the poor. Further, poverty is no excuse for refusing to give. Jesus commended a very poor woman who gave to the Temple treasury what was, for her, a large amount.

Mark 12:42-44 “And there came a certain poor

widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called

unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you,

That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had,

even all her living” (Mark 12:42-44).

I. Generosity EncouragedIn this example, Jesus explained

that sacrificial giving is proportional to what we have. As such, a rich man can give much and God might not consider it as sacrificial, while a poor woman could give little and God could consider her giving a great sacrifice.

4. Willingness Is the Motive of True Generosity. Christian giving is a choice. For example, the Macedonians gave liberally in spite of their poverty. (See II Corinthians 8:1-4.)

I. Generosity EncouragedWhen individuals share money, time, or service cheerfully because they desire to give, and not because of pressure, a guilty conscience, or a hope to receive in return, they bring pleasure to God. “For God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7).

A. God’s Law of the HarvestThe Promise Given for

Generous GivingA. God’s Law of the Harvest

Christian giving involves a return on the investment. Scriptural passages indicate this, such as “thy Father . . . shall reward thee” (Matthew 6:4); “give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38); “he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (II Corinthians 9:6).

I. Generosity EncouragedSome people pervert this concept of a return when they give in order to receive. The prosperity doctrine falsely guarantees health and wealth as a reward for giving, and yet many of the faithful givers in the Bible lived in poverty and suffering. However, the Scriptures teach certain aspects of sowing and reaping. We can sum them up in the following seven laws:

I. Generosity Encouraged1. We reap only what we have sown. 2. We reap the same in kind as we

sow.3. We reap in a different season

than we sow.4. We reap more than we sow.5. We reap in proportion to what we

sow.6. We reap the full harvest of the

good only if we persevere.7. We cannot do anything about last

year’s harvest, but we can do something about this year’s harvest.

B. God’s Rules for GivingB. God’s Rules for Giving

Jesus taught that we should never give as a public display or for self-promotion.

Matthew 6:1-2 “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them:

otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the

hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may

have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward”

(Matthew 6:1-2).

Matthew 6:1-2

“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right

hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which

seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:3-4).

I. Generosity EncouragedIn our current culture and

governmental rules in North America, corporations, businesses, and individuals often make donations to nonprofit organizations and receive a beneficial tax deduction. It is a blessing to believers to be able to receive such benefits in association with their taxation, but they should give whether or not there is any financial benefit awaiting them. Their motive for giving should be pure, from the heart, and without ulterior designs on benefiting personally.

I. Generosity EncouragedConsequently, should they ever lose the benefit of tax deductions for their giving, they will not lose their motivation to give.

C. God’s Promise to SupplyC. God’s Promise to Supply

When a believer desires to give, God always supplies a way. Individuals sometimes postpone giving until they reach a certain level of success, but this is inappropriate. Believers should exercise true giving regardless of their level of success. Jesus taught this principle in the parable of the wise steward.

Luke 12:42-44, NIV “The Lord answered, Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom

the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food

allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the

master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will

put him in charge of all his possessions”

(Luke 12:42-44, NIV).

I. Generosity EncouragedWhen God searches for people to whom He can entrust His riches, He seeks for those who already are faithful in using for His kingdom what they have received in life. If believers are not faithful with what God has given them already, it is unlikely He will trust them with more. Conversely, God blesses and uses in even greater ways those who give faithfully.

D. God’s Provision of SeedD. God’s Provision of Seed

It is important that Christians understand they are stewards of what God has given them. Ultimately, everything the believer has belongs to God, but He delegates stewardship of possessions to use for His purpose.

I. Generosity EncouragedA wealthy man went shopping with his sixteen-year-old son. The son saw a new computer system and told his dad he wanted it. The wealthy man said, “Why, Son, that costs $2,000!” The son replied, “Yeah, Dad, but we’ve got the money.” To which the dad said, “We? Who said anything about ‘we’ having anything? I know I’ve got the money, but I know you don’t.”

I. Generosity EncouragedThe son misunderstood the nature of the relationship with his father. God owns it all and we must be careful about how we treat His possessions. Every person receives something in life over which he should exercise good stewardship, and every person has something he can give back to God in support of His kingdom.

I. Generosity EncouragedIn the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the amount each servant received was based on how much the Master believed he had the ability to handle, or on how he had performed in the past. It is possible God blesses us today based on how we have utilized His previous blessings.

E. God’s Rewards—Temporal and Spiritual

E. God’s Rewards—Temporal and Spiritual

The rewards that come to a faithful giver are tangible and intangible; temporal and spiritual. Examples of spiritual rewards include joy, satisfaction, peace, and contentment. Temporal rewards come as well when God entrusts faithful givers with more material possessions and talents they can utilize for His kingdom.

I. Generosity EncouragedTwice Paul pointed out that laborers

for God share in the blessings God sends their way. They serve as conduits for His blessings to flow to others, but first they received the blessing. He illustrated this principle by citing an Old Testament law concerning oxen.

I Corinthians 9:9-10 “For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of

the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or

saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is writ-

ten: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be

partaker of his hope”(I Corinthians 9:9-10).

III. God’s Greatest GiftGod’s Greatest Gift

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (II

Corinthians 9:15).

I. Generosity EncouragedGod gave us the greatest example of

giving when He became flesh and offered Himself as the supreme sacrifice for sin. He now gives us the opportunity to show our gratitude toward Him by providing us with time, talent, and possessions, from which we have an opportunity to give back to His kingdom.

One of the most important questions in life that any of us will ever ask ourselves is, “What will I do with what I have been given?”

I. Generosity EncouragedINTERNALIZING THE

MESSAGE

Terry Mattingly, syndicated columnist for Scripps Howard News Service (2001), reported that over 50 percent of the members of any given Christian congregation donate little or nothing toward their church’s upkeep and ministries.

I. Generosity EncouragedWhen researching for their book Behind the Stained Glass Windows: Money Dynamics in the Church, John L. and Sylvia Ronsvalle discovered that many people who occupy the pews on Sunday morning are not concerned about growth. They give to keep the church facilities beautiful for such activities as weddings and funerals, to repay the minister for sermons, or to support youth programs and provide for pastoral counseling in times of crisis.

I. Generosity EncouragedThe Ronsvalles also observed that the higher level consumerism and the greater level of personal debt leave smaller amounts of resources available for personal giving. Across denominational lines trends in giving are surprisingly similar. Christians frequently view giving as a payment for services rather than a biblical concept of stewardship.

I. Generosity EncouragedLocal congregations tend to keep a higher percentage of their resources rather than pouring them into missions and other ministries, particularly when compared to previous generations. Further, ministers frequently are reluctant to teach on biblical principles regarding the use of money for fear of criticism from the congregation.

A study of the Scriptures reveals that giving is more than making a donation or contribution; it means to be a steward of God’s blessings and a pipeline through which He can channel them.

I. Generosity EncouragedIt is also clear that giving is not just an event, but a lifestyle and a state of the heart. Also, giving does not depend on being wealthy or being poor. The spirit of giving is an attitude that all Christians should desire and pray to have in their lives. When Christians discover this and allow God to send blessings through them, their giving will bring them much greater joy, and they will become more effective as instruments of God’s blessing.