Generosity

Introduction

A. Generosity abounds in this congregation. While I do not know every act, I know enough to know that those who are in need often have those needs met by the generosity of others. It is a wonderful trait to have. Today we are going to look at Paul’s final instructions to the Corinthians concerning giving. The emphasis today will be on the generosity of God. Here is the point. None of us can out give God. Our generosity cannot exceed God’s care and provision. Let’s have a time of greeting one another and then we will sing.

The Text

A. Chapters 8 and 9 deal with the same subject. The Corinthians are being encouraged to finish their contribution to the Christians in Jerusalem. According to 8:10, it has been about a year since they started the contribution. This effort was temporarily set aside because of the accusations made against Paul by the false teachers. Paul’s integrity had been called into question and as a result that which he had asked them to do had stopped. Now he is encouraging them to not only resume the contribution to finish the task.

B. He has given three reasons thus far for the contribution. First, they need to follow the example of others—the church in Macedonia (8:2; 8:5) is used to demonstrate what generosity looks like. Second, they need to give because like other Christian graces, they need to develop the grace of giving (8:7). They have excelled in faith, speech, knowledge, and love, now they need to excel in giving. Being generous then is a virtue. Third, they need to take this contribution because they need to complete the promise made (8:10). A year has passed since the initial pledge. Paul says it is now time to complete the task.

C. In 8:16—9:5, Paul describes the events which have led up to this gift. He is sending Titus to help with this gift. Another highly respected brother is coming with Titus. He goes on to tell them that he knows how eager they are to finish collecting this gift. Paul has bragged on the Corinthians. Those Christians in Macedonia in fact were so deeply encouraged by the generosity of the Corinthians that they (the ones in Macedonia) couldn’t wait to participate in this gift. So Paul says he is sending this advance team for the simple purpose of helping them to finish the gift. It would be embarrassing for Paul to arrive with his group and find the Corinthians unprepared to turn the gift over to Paul. It would be embarrassing for Paul since he has bragged on them so much and for the Corinthians because they had already promised to have the gift ready. This is not manipulation but just making sure everyone is ready when Paul arrives to take the gift to Jerusalem.

D. He picks up then in 9:6 with the fourth and final reason why the Corinthians should finish this task. It is the principle of the harvest (9:6). As a farmer sows a lot of seed, so he anticipates a large harvest. The farmer who sows only a small amount of seed can only expect a small harvest. Furthermore, the Corinthians are to give according to how God has blessed them. God loves a cheerful giver. Two guidelines explain cheerfulness. First, the gift must be according to conviction; rather than, external motivation or standards, perhaps imposed by the collector of the gifts. Second, the gift is not to be given grudgingly. The word “reluctantly” means “out of sorrow” and the term “under compulsion” means being pushed into a situation. The giver is to give freely because of a predetermined commitment.

E. Verses 8—14 focus on God. This gift will result in God being praised. This gift will demonstrate the generosity of God because God will supply their every need. As verse 11 says, their generosity leads to being made rich so that they can continue to be generous and as they are generous, God is praised.

Lessons

A. Some use this text to promote the belief that giving is a guarantee that God will give in return. The more that one gives the more God will give in return. This belief has promoted in our religious culture a belief that God owes us wealth. If we aren’t wealthy it is because we aren’t giving enough. It is a superstitious view of generosity. It is the belief we give in order to get. When you give, then God is obligated to give back to you not only what you give but even more. Our giving obligates God to act on our behalf. This belief is wrong. It makes God look powerless. Paul’s point in this text is that the generosity of the Corinthians is a sure sign of God’s generosity. In other words, God has already given them an abundance so that they can share it with those who don’t have.

B. The first lesson—the wealth we have is for sharing. Notice in verse 11 that Paul says we are made rich in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion. ILL. “Sharing.” God gives to us so that we can share with others. God’s intent for our wealth is that it be shared.

C. The second lesson—We cannot out give God. God’s intent is to share our wealth. The promise of this text is that when we want to give, then God will make sure that it is there for us to give. The point of this text is that just as God worked in the lives of the Corinthians in order to supply the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem, so he can work in the lives of others to supply the needs of those in Corinth. The key here is not the Corinthians giving. The key is recognizing that it is God who makes the giving possible in the first place. Because we want our wealth to be shared; then God makes it possible for us to share. In verse 9, the point seems to be because God is both powerful and faithful, the Corinthians are set free to be generous to others. They can give freely knowing that God will provide for their needs. We cannot out give God.

D. The third lesson—we give so that God can be praised. The end result of giving is that God is honored. Notice in verse 11—13, three times Paul mentions the idea of “thanksgiving to God” or “praise to God.” The ultimate goal of giving is “thanksgiving to God.” When we give, people praise God. When we give, we express in that giving the belief that God is going to take that gift and do something tremendous with it. He is honored in that gift and those who receive the gift will honor him. The point of this text is on what God is doing in the lives of the Corinthians so that they can participate in God’s plans and purposes. As the Corinthians pledge themselves to give, God makes it possible. God will supply their every need so that they can be generous. God gives to us so that we can give to others. As Paul says in verse 15, “thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” What is the gift? It is the surpassing grace of God. It is the grace of Christ. The gift is found in verse 13 as the gospel of Christ. The good news. This gift promotes our giving. As God has given to us so we give to others. As God has shown us his grace in Christ, so we show that same grace to others. Let’s thank God for his gift. Prayer. Invitation.

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