2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15

Memory Verse: 10

Questions

Outline

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I. The Grace that God has Given the Macedonians (8:1-7)

>1. What grace did God give the Macedonian churches? (1; Rom. 15:24-29)

* 2 Corinthians 8:1 "And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches."

* Romans 15:24-29 "I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ."

* The eastern shore of the Mediterranean was experiencing a drought. The Judean churches were experiencing hardships not only because of the drought but also because they were ousted from the synagogues, forbidden from taking some jobs (i.e. priests), and became social outcasts. Paul was coordinating a free-will gift from the Gentile churches to help their brothers in the Lord in Judea (4, 10).

Charity is something that Jesus taught his people through his life and in his words. Jesus created everything. His Father gave him everything. He is the ruler of all. He could have done anything he wanted. He chose to leave everything to save me and the whole world. Though the Lord Jesus Christ was rich, yet for my sake, he became poor, so that through his poverty I became rich (9). Humanly I am not rich. In fact, I am quite poor. Yet spiritually I am rich and when my physical body ends I will be a co-owner of everything.

God does not want anyone to give charity beyond their ability (12) i am to not make myself poor so that the poor might be made rich (14-15). Many become rich at the expense of others in the name of charity and in the name of God. Just because God is mentioned in a charity pitch does not make it from God nor does it make it holy, right, and good. Also giving money and time may be harmful to the one I give. So I am careful in my charity giving.

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>In what respects were they exemplary in their Christian life? (2-4)

* 2 Corinthians 8:2-4 "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints."

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>2. Why is offering a spiritual matter? (5)

* 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."

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>In light of the Macedonian example, what does Paul urge the Corinthians to do? (6-7)

* 2 Corinthians 8:6-7 "So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

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II. Though He was Rich (8:8-15)

>3. What is Paul's tone in speaking about the offering? (8)

* 2 Corinthians 8:8 "I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others."

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>What grace of Jesus Christ does Paul remind us of? (9)

* 2 Corinthians 8:9 "For 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."

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>4. How and why did the Corinthian Christians commit themselves to the offering at first? (10)

* 2 Corinthians 8:10 "And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so."

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>Did they follow through?

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>What does Paul ask them to do? (11)

* 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."

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>5. What makes our offering acceptable to God? (12)

* 2 Corinthians 8:12 "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have."

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>Why does God bless some people more than others? (13-15)

* 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

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III. We are Taking Pains to do what is Right (8:16-24)

>6. Who was Titus? (23)

* 2 Corinthians 8:23 "As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ."

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>What was Titus' mission? (16-19)

* 2 Corinthians 8:16-19 "I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help."

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>What is done to preserve the integrity of God in dealing with offerings? (20-24)

* 2 Corinthians 8:20-24 "We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it."

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>7. Why is this so important? (1 Sam. 2:17, 12:3; Num. 16:15; John 12:6; Acts 5:1-6; Lk. 16:10-11)

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IV. God Loves a Cheerful Giver (9:1-15)

>8. How does Paul explain the circumstances in regard to the offering for the Jerusalem saints? (1-5)

* 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 "There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say anything about you--would be ashamed of having been so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given."

* Paul is continuing the instruction of giving to the poor suffering believers in Judea. The principle that when I give to the poor God supplies me back and increases my money and makes me more profitable is introduced (12). This is true. Yet, not all the time is it applied correctly.

What I mean is this, the believers in Judea were poor. The Gentile believers had money. Does that mean that the Judeans did not have faith in Jesus or that God was not pleased with them and their giving? No. Does this mean that God was happier with the Gentiles and their giving? No.

Jesus was poor and he is the Son of God. The apostles were poor and they were hand-picked by Jesus and God performed miracles through them. My faith should not be measured by my wealth. If this was a true measure then Caesar and Hitler were blessed more than everyone. They were not. They were evil.

I should not give to the poor as a measure of my spirituality nor as a financial investment (6-7). I have heard messages that present these false beliefs. Rather, I should give lovingly because someone is in need. I am to be happy to help and I should not be concerned that God won't meet my needs too.

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>9. What spiritual laws and principles must be applied to the offering? (6-7)

* 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

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>What assurances do Christians have in the grace of God? (8-10)

* 2 Corinthians 9:8-10 "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."

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>10. How should that assurance be expressed? (11)

* 2 Corinthians 9:11 "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."

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>What are the practical fruits of sacrificial offering? (12-15)

* 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 "This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

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