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GENEROSITY

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2 CORINTHIANS 8: 7-9 (MESSAGE)

“You do so well in so many things - you trust God, you're articulate, you're insightful, you're passionate, you love us - now, do your best in this, too. 8 I'm not trying to order you around against your will. But by bringing in the Macedonians' enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, I am hoping to bring the best out of you. 9 You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us - in one stroke he became poor and we became rich.”

GIVING FROM A GRACE PLACE

The nature of this gift from the Macedonians:

(Churches in Thessalonica, Philippi, and Berea - Planted during Paul’s Second Missionary Journey)

• They gave “beyond their ability” (v. 3)

• They first gave themselves to Christ and to Paul (v. 5)

• They pleaded to be included in a relief effort that would benefit fellow Christians who were, nevertheless, strangers to them (v. 4)

• Their actions indicated that God had given them the grace to be generous (v. 2)

A KEY SIGN OF GRACE = GENEROSITY

Grace is revealed in God’s generosity towards us in Christ:

 ”For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (v. 9)

Grace moves us to participate in someone else’s blessing. Grace makes us really happy when we know we are direct participants in someone else’s blessing!

STIMULATED TO ACT ON LOVE

Paul used the example of the Macadonians as a stimulus and inspiration for the Corinthians.

When have you been stimulated or inspired by another’s example to be more giving – financially or otherwise?

Have you ever experienced the grace to be generous – financially or otherwise?

GENEROSITY ROUNDS OUT THEIR CHARACTERYou do so well in so many things - you trust God, you're

articulate, you're insightful, you're passionate, you love us - now, do your best in this, too”. (v. 7)

Paul praised them:

• You trust God

• You’re articulate

• You’re insightful

• You’re passionate

• You love us

WHEN DO YOU THINK OF YOURSELF AS HAVING BEEN REALLY, REALLY GENEROUS?• What were the circumstances?• What inspired you?• How do you feel afterward?• Would you do it again?