“The Riches of Their Liberality” – 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
2 Corinthians 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
“Where your pleasure is, there is your treasure; where your treasure is, there is your heart; where your heart is, there is your happiness. There is no happier Christian than the one who lives for Jesus with all their heart.” – Augustine
We have a God Who longs for us to “grow in grace.”
1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
I. Giving with the of God
2 Corinthians 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.
We give to meet a need and to express our love, but the motivation is to show how good God has been to us.
God’s grace inspires us, enables us, and guides us in our Christian lives.
1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
II. Giving Through the of God
2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
The belief was that God could use the offerings to help others and that in response God would keep His promise to care for them.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
III. Giving the of God
2 Corinthians 8:3-4 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Grace not only frees us from sin, but it also frees us from self.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
IV. Giving a of God
2 Corinthians 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
When we think of giving ourselves, we have to think of Jesus.
Galatians 1:3-4 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.
Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.