“I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.” -2 Corinthians 8:8
Giving is our greatest privilege. A heart of generosity seeks the good of others. (Example: Zacchaeus in Luke 19…when he trusted Christ, his heart became generous as he gave over 50%.)
Giving is initiated by God’s grace (vs. 1)
Though they were going through persecution and hard times, the Macedonian churches gave joyfully. (vs. 2)
You reap what you sow and you can’t outgive God. (ch. 9:6; Luke 6:38)
The Macedonian believers wanted to fellowship with the believers by serving and sharing. They begged Paul to take the gift (the grace…something that was undeserved and freely bestowed).
Key to Giving? Total commitment to Christ. (vs. 5) When you’re totally committed to Christ, everything else is totally committed to Him as well. (Romans 12:1-2)
Giving shows how much you love. If you love much, you will give much. We are called to fervently love one another…show love as many ways as you can. (vs. 8)
Christ loved us when we were unloveable. He loves us so much that He left His richness and became poor. We are co-inheritors of all He has because He gave all He had. If you love Him, you’ll love like He gives. (vs. 9)
New Life Baptist Church 