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The Grace of Giving The Grace of Giving

Part ThreePart Three

II Corinthians 8:16-9:15II Corinthians 8:16-9:15


Four Primary Reasons Why Four Primary Reasons Why people Don’t Givepeople Don’t Give•Consumer DebtConsumer Debt

•Generational ShiftGenerational Shift•Lack of Biblical Stewardship Lack of Biblical Stewardship

TeachingTeaching•UnbeliefUnbelief


FAQFAQ•Average giver in church – 2%Average giver in church – 2%

•Giving base has been dropping since 1956Giving base has been dropping since 1956•Demands for programs, amenities, and Demands for programs, amenities, and technology are on the risetechnology are on the rise•25% gives 90% of total offering – of this 25% gives 90% of total offering – of this group the top 5% gives 50% - the remaining group the top 5% gives 50% - the remaining 20% gives the other 40%20% gives the other 40%•That means a whopping 70 percent of the That means a whopping 70 percent of the typical congregation contributes only 5 typical congregation contributes only 5 percent of the incoming dollarspercent of the incoming dollars

What does all this mean? One thing: What does all this mean? One thing: Potential To Grow In Grace!!!Potential To Grow In Grace!!!


Last Weeks ReviewLast Weeks Review

4. Two examples of great giving4. Two examples of great giving

3. Giving is a voluntary expression 3. Giving is a voluntary expression of sincerity of sincerity

1. Giving is a grace that is active1. Giving is a grace that is active2. Giving should be developed to 2. Giving should be developed to excellence, just as other graces excellence, just as other graces

5. The “why” of giving is more than 5. The “why” of giving is more than the “how much” the “how much” 6. God gives us more for the 6. God gives us more for the purpose of meeting needs purpose of meeting needs


What we will learn todayWhat we will learn today

1. Three things leadership can 1. Three things leadership can do to properly protect the do to properly protect the gifts of God’s people in order gifts of God’s people in order to prevent criticism. to prevent criticism.

2. How to properly promote 2. How to properly promote giving among God’s people. giving among God’s people.


TODAY’S MESSAGETODAY’S MESSAGE

1. The Protection of the Gift1. The Protection of the Gift

Leadership Responsibility In Leadership Responsibility In StewardshipStewardship

Paul reveals two essential leadership Paul reveals two essential leadership requirements in order for men to be requirements in order for men to be good stewards of the goods of others.good stewards of the goods of others.

2. The Proper Promotion of the Gift2. The Proper Promotion of the Gift


I thank God, who put into the heart of I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him sending along with him the brotherthe brother who is who is praised by all the churches for his service to praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches…by the churches…

Protection of the GiftProtection of the GiftGreat care must be taken to do things Great care must be taken to do things

right so that integrity and assurance is right so that integrity and assurance is maintainedmaintained


……to accompany us as we carry the to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help…vs. 16-19 For we are eagerness to help…vs. 16-19 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. 22 In addition, we are sending with men. 22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, brothers,


they are representatives of the churches they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore

show these men the proof of your love and the show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.churches can see it.

1. People who are well known, 1. People who are well known, faithful, and trusted by faithful, and trusted by leadership and the saints. leadership and the saints.

First - Picking Proper PersonnelFirst - Picking Proper Personnel

In these verses we discover In these verses we discover three ways to protect the gift:three ways to protect the gift:


Paul’s appointee: TitusPaul’s appointee: Titus

Paul’s Paul’s “partner and fellow worker”“partner and fellow worker” He was a He was a passionate volunteer passionate volunteer ““coming to you with coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.” much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.”

The Churches appointee: “the brother” The Churches appointee: “the brother” ““praised by all the churches for his praised by all the churches for his

service to the gospel.” service to the gospel.”


Another appointee: “our brother” Another appointee: “our brother” ““often proved to us in many ways that he is often proved to us in many ways that he is

zealous, and now even more so because of his zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.”great confidence in you.”

Second: Plurality of OversightSecond: Plurality of Oversight •The gift was protected with good personnelThe gift was protected with good personnel

1. Three men were chosen between 1. Three men were chosen between Paul and the Macedonians. Paul and the Macedonians.


Thirdly: Positive CertaintyThirdly: Positive Certainty

Protection came from good personnel. Protection came from good personnel. Protection came by Protection came by

plurality of oversightplurality of oversight

We want to avoid any criticism of the We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. Vs. 20-21men. Vs. 20-21

1. Great care was given to promote 1. Great care was given to promote confidence and trust confidence and trust


Leadership Responsibility In StewardshipLeadership Responsibility In Stewardship

1. To Protect the Gift1. To Protect the Gift2. To Properly Promote the Gift2. To Properly Promote the Gift

Great care must be taken so that no Great care must be taken so that no fleshly pressure or carnal tactics are put on fleshly pressure or carnal tactics are put on

the saints.the saints.II Cor. 9:1-5 - There is no need for me to II Cor. 9:1-5 - There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2 write to you about this service to the saints. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.stirred most of them to action.


But I am sending the brothers in order But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say anything about unprepared, we--not to say anything about you--would be ashamed of having been so you--would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.


Paul did not want to put sudden Paul did not want to put sudden pressure on them pressure on them …I am sending the brothers…that …I am sending the brothers…that you may be ready, as I said you would be.you may be ready, as I said you would be. V.3V.3 Paul did not want them to be ashamed, Paul did not want them to be ashamed,

after doing so much boasting. after doing so much boasting. …For if any Macedonians come with me and …For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say anything find you unprepared, we--not to say anything about you--would be ashamed of having been about you--would be ashamed of having been

so confident. V.4so confident. V.4

Things to Avoid in Things to Avoid in Stewardship LeadershipStewardship Leadership


Paul did not want to put undue pressure on Paul did not want to put undue pressure on them with his presence, less the gift be given in them with his presence, less the gift be given in a grudgingly manner. a grudgingly manner.

… … So I thought it So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. V. 5grudgingly given. V. 5


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

Great care must be taken to properly teach Great care must be taken to properly teach and share the blessings that come with and share the blessings that come with

stewardshipstewardship


8 And God is able to make all grace 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. II Cor. 9:6-the harvest of your righteousness. II Cor. 9:6-1010


People need to know the Farmer’s Principle People need to know the Farmer’s Principle

Remember this: Whoever sows Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and whoever sows and whoever sows generously will also reap generously will also reap

generously. generously.


People need to know all giving should be People need to know all giving should be well prayed out in the heart with well prayed out in the heart with expectation and with no pressure… expectation and with no pressure…

Each man should Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, not reluctantly or under compulsion,


People need to Know that the grace of People need to Know that the grace of giving can be so great in us that our giving can be so great in us that our

giving can become a blast!giving can become a blast!

for God loves a cheerful giver…for God loves a cheerful giver…


People need to know that gracious giving People need to know that gracious giving provides a promise from God that we provides a promise from God that we

will never lack ability to give to the work of will never lack ability to give to the work of God God

And God is able to make all grace And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." his righteousness endures forever."(Ps. 112:4) (Ps. 112:4) 8-9 8-9 Give, and it will be given to you. A good Give, and it will be given to you. A good

measure , pressed down, shaken together and running measure , pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. over, will be poured into your lap.

Lk. 6:38Lk. 6:38


People need to know that God is sowing People need to know that God is sowing opportunities of grace into our lives so their opportunities of grace into our lives so their

can be a harvest of righteousnesscan be a harvest of righteousness

Now he who supplies seed to the sower Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God…God…


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


Let’s take a look at the harvest!Let’s take a look at the harvest!1. It produces gratitude 1. It produces gratitude overflowing in many overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. expressions of thanks to God.

2. It stimulates prayers of blessing 2. It stimulates prayers of blessing And in And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you…to you…

3. It glorifies God 3. It glorifies God …because of the …because of the surpassing grace God has given you. surpassing grace God has given you.


Paul gets so enraptured with all the Paul gets so enraptured with all the possibilities, and results of the possibilities, and results of the gift of gracegift of grace as as

well as the well as the action of graceaction of grace he closes his he closes his exhortation with:exhortation with:

Thanks be to God Thanks be to God for his indescribable for his indescribable

gift!gift!


Heavenly Father, Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the wonderful grace Thank you for the wonderful grace of giving. Help us to excel in it every way of giving. Help us to excel in it every way so that gratitude, prayer, the giving of so that gratitude, prayer, the giving of thanks, goes forth to the praise of your thanks, goes forth to the praise of your glory. glory.

Help us to be observant, ready, and Help us to be observant, ready, and willing to give in every way you would willing to give in every way you would desire for us to give that our delight in desire for us to give that our delight in you and our joy may abound. Amenyou and our joy may abound. Amen

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