Sermon Notes of Pastor Craig Kuhlman's Sermon on February 18, 2018 "Living Is Giving Giving Is Living 2 Corinthians 8:1-15" [In today's sermon, " Living Is Giving Giving Is Living (2 Corinthians 8:1-15)", Pastor Craig Kuhlman shows that humanity s generosity comes from God s grace rather than from human origin.] Notes Introduction: Today, we re going to take a little detour from our trek through Romans and focus on the topic of generosity because at the end of our message, we ll be taking a look at our 2018 New Hope budget. As we ve been examining what Paul has said in Romans about our transformed life, it should be no secret to us that giving and generosity is one of those paradoxical life issues. Who, in their right mind, just gives money away? This doesn t come natural to us. Now when we do things that are opposite of what we would naturally do and believe, then spiritual transformation comes from that. Now, a message about giving isn t a natural friendly message to give. Churches in Macedonia: We re going to see that it was a special thing for Paul to reach out to the Corinthians to talk about the need to give and what the churches in Macedonia were doing at that time. Now the churches in Macedonia have traditionally been identified as the church at Philippi, the church at Thessalonica and the church at Berea. Now what does Scripture tell us about the churches at Philippi and Berea? They studied the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so (Acts 17:11). So, they were walking on that path of grace, on that path of love as they were studying the Scriptures daily, which is one of the spiritual disciplines in developing that flourishing relationship with Jesus Christ. Now, we know that this doesn t happen without regular conversation (prayer), without regular curiosity (study) and without regular contemplation (meditation). The church at Berea was specifically known because they had a penchant for digging into the Word and proving what Paul was teaching was correct. What do we know about the church at Philippi? It was known for its brotherly love. All the churches in Macedonia had an outgoing concern and love for those who had less. And so, as we walk through the passage of 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, if there is one thing to take away and remember, it s Living is giving and giving is living.
2 Now we all know what happens on April 15 th, right? We either write a check to our government or we re reconciled for overpaying. Bur pastor Craig has never thought about tax time as a time that s spiritually uplifting. But, in the church setting, Paul was reaching out to collect a donation for the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, who were going through difficult financial times. Paul identified this giving process in Macedonia was that something supernatural was going on. Living is giving and giving is living : In this living is giving and giving is living, we find a virtuous circle or a virtuous cycle. Paul commented that doing something that is contrary to the self-survival instincts we all have, then there is something spiritual going on. And in that process, the hearts and the minds of those giving, as well as those receiving, were being changed, were being transformed. And so, in that act of giving, Paul was reminding the Corinthian church that this isn t just writing a check and sending it off to satisfy some obligation or duty, but that this has a heart element to it As we are walking in love, the Holy Spirit works with us in such a way that we now have the supernatural desire and willingness to give for the benefit of others. And in that process, people are changed. And so giving is not just like just taking something out of our pocket and giving it someone else, but there is a supernatural God-plain spiritual relationship that s going on And the more we live in walking in love and having concern for those around us, we actually live more enriched lives. So the paradoxical element of all this is that as we give away money and other things we receive more. Now, we will see very specifically in these verses in 2 Corinthians that God does not require us to give what we don t have. But the amazing thing is that when we give generously and willingly out of a supernaturally inspired heart, God magnifies that. 2 Corinthians 8:1 (NASB), Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2) that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. Now here s the interesting thing those three churches in Macedonia that we earlier talked about, they were not financially abundant churches. There were poor churches. Even though they didn t have a lot of resources, the interesting thing is that didn t stop them from giving generously. 2) that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
3 Here we find a paradoxical relationship going on. The churches experienced joy in their giving from their poverty. 3) For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, Now Paul wasn t forcing these three churches with fear, shame guilt and doubt. There was no arm twisting going on here. It s obvious that they wanted to give by their own desires. 4) begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, What they did of giving and sharing wasn t a typical response unless it s coming from the Holy Spirit. When we give generously, it comes from a spiritual supernatural influence on a Godplain level. So, as the Holy Spirit inspired them to give what they had, they felt those fruits of the Spirit of joy and peace in a way that they wouldn t have otherwise. So this speaks to this virtuous circle or cycle whereas when they gave, they increased their spiritual transformed life. 5) and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. Now this is an extremely important point as it has everything to do with New Hope s motto to love God and to love others. We see that they first gave of themselves to the Lord. They had that relationship with God first and foremost. It s only through loving God first that we can then love others. And the flowing of generosity that comes from God can be hindered by our human nature unless we have that nourishing relationship with Jesus Christ. 6) So we urged Titus that as he had previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. So, what was going on here behind the scenes is that Paul is reminding the Corinthians that they promised to participate in giving to the church at Jerusalem and he encouraged them to live that out. 7) But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. Now the Corinthian church was known for their spiritual zeal, their spiritual disciplines and practices, and Paul is telling them to let their generosity be part of their experience. We also need to realize that the Corinthian church had some negative things going on, as well.
4 8) I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. So, when it comes to giving, please don t ever, ever, ever think for a moment that God is somehow forcing us to do something beyond what we able to do. That s not how God works. God is not twisting our arms today, nor did He twist the arms of those in Corinth or in Macedonia back then to give in a way that would have hurt them financially. That s because we will see here, Paul changed the Old Covenant paradigm that went from a forced system of percentage giving to now a system of proportional giving. And that s a big difference. Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to live out their love, but he wasn t doing it with a two-by-four in his hands. And so please, don t think today that pastor Craig is out here delivering the traditional arm-twisting give it until you feel it offering message. Pastor Craig has all faith and confidence that God will provide what we as a church need without him even having to open his mouth. Although, later he will show all of us the financial challenges we will face in 2018. 9) 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. Can we not all say that if it weren t for the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ that we all would be pretty poor-off? Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, gave up what He had in that parachoretic union of the Father, Son and Spirit face to face relationship for all eternity and set that aside to come down to this earth and live as a human being, apart from His Godly prerogatives so that we could be enriched. 10) I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. Now this is critical. Paul is pointing out this paradoxical notion that their freewill offering will enrich their lives. But, if they don t do it from a cheerful and willing and gracious and generous heart, then there will be some sort of blockage that will prevent them from receiving the full blessing from God. Now, let s remember Paul isn t asking them to give what they don t have. Paul understood that God magnifies what we give especially when we do it with a glad and generous and willing heart. So, Paul wasn t pressuring them in any way. God wants us to give in a loving and cheerful way, because no matter what we give or how much we give, God magnifies it not only for the benefit of those receiving but for the benefit of those giving. So Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to take the next step beyond the desire they expressed to actually follow through in the giving. 11) But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. 12) For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not
5 have. 13) For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality So, here again, Paul shows us that we should never ever, ever feel fear, shame, guilt or doubt about what we give to the church, when it s motivated by the Holy Spirit. Now remember, there are three types of giving, the giving of our treasure (financially), the giving of our time and the giving of our talent. Paul didn t say that the Corinthians had to be less so that others could have more, rather he was saying, let s be proportional about what we have and what we don t have and then share that among the other churches. 14) at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; 15) as it is written, HE WHO GATHERED MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO GATHERED LITTLE HAD NO LACK. [Exodus 16:18] Paul is referring to the time when the people of Israel gathered the manna. Heavenly manna supplied their daily needs. Everyone had what they needed proportionally. At the present time, the church at Corinth had more than the church at Jerusalem, so Paul is asking them to give with a willing heart. So, the bottom line is: Living is Giving Giving is Living Giving not only flows out of our heart, but it also builds up our heart. 18 Principles of Generosity (from 2 Corinthians 8-9): 1. Our generosity comes from God s grace, not of human origin. o This is our response to God s love for us. 2. Although seemingly counterintuitive, it s possible to show extreme generosity during times of extreme affliction and poverty. o This is what the three churches of Macedonia showed. 3. Generosity must be voluntary (not coerced out of guilt or fear) and balanced within our means, at times beyond our means (sacrificial). o The churches at Macedonia were giving sacrificially because they knew God would take care of them. 4. Generosity will cry out for the privilege and opportunity to participate. 5. Our priorities in giving begin with giving ourselves first to God. 6. We are encouraged to excel in generosity (it is good for the soul). o Pastor Craig realizes that this applies to his circumstance as much as it does to everyone else s. o Pastor Craig is in the same boat as everyone else. 7. Generosity can t be generated by command because it is a test and proof of our love for God and others.
6 8. Jesus modeled generosity in that while he was rich, he became poor for our sake. 9. Generosity is measured and leveraged by the degree of our eagerness and attitude, not in dollars and cents. 10. A desire and willingness to give is not enough, it must be completed. 11. Generosity is completed when we act and give based on the initial eagerness and attitude God places in our hearts. o There have been times in pastor Craig s life where he knew that he had to do something or give something because he was inspired by God to do so. o And each of you are able to tell similar stories where the Spirit of God moved you to help others in various ways. o This generosity isn t just limited to church members, but to others we come in contact with. 12. Generosity is contagious and creates a virtuous cycle. 13. God is able and willing to provide for what we give up in generosity, enriching us in every way. 14. Generosity displays righteousness. o Now we need to realize that giving doesn t make us righteous. o Jesus Christ makes us righteous, not us or our actions. o And in our relationship with Jesus, there flows out of us certain things, which reflect the righteousness that Jesus has given us. 15. Generosity produces thanksgiving to God. 16. Generosity is a ministry to God and others; it is both spiritual and practical. 17. Generosity shows that we are obedient to our confession of the gospel of Christ. 18. Generosity glorifies God, by beginning with Him, and ending with Him, it is not of human origin. o Now if any of you this morning thought that pastor Craig implied anything about giving that leads you to have fear, shame or guilt or doubt in your relationship with the Father, Son and Spirit, you didn t really hear him say it. o Giving is always one of those difficult messages to bring. Living is Giving Giving is Living: There are 4 practical ways in which we can apply this principle. 1. If we ve never given to the church before, we can become a first time giver. 2. If we have been giving, we can become a consistent giver. 3. We could become a percentage giver. 4. We could increase the percentage we have been giving. We need to remember that Paul did away theologically with the Old Covenant prescribed percentage giving of a tithe.
Now, pastor Craig is not saying that there is anything wrong with tithing. He personally tithes 10% of his income to the church. Cheerful giving is what God has prescribed in the New Covenant, which can mean a lot of things to different people. What it comes down to is where you feel led by the Holy Spirit in the blessings you have been given and the resources you currently have and then respond in the giving of your offerings. Giving is really a thing between you and God. 7 Closing Prayer: