Studies in 2 Corinthians Series Grace of Giving Studies in 2 Corinthians Series 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 © October 14, 2018 Pastor Paul K. Kim 2

THE NEED & SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS GIVING [2 COR. 8 & 9] THE NEED: Because of the famine, Jewish Christians in Jerusalem became devastatingly poor; as the Jerusalem Church affirmed Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles, Peter asked him to “remember the poor.” (Gal. 2:10). The Corinthian church already expressed their desire to be a part of this giving a year ago (1 Cor 16:1-4), but due to the strained relationship with Paul, the collection for this giving has been halted until now (2 Cor. 8:10-11). THE SIGNIFICANCE: To Paul this collection of giving was crucial because... It would bring greater unity among the Jewish and Gentile churches (giving legitimacy of Gentile believers as one family of God in Christ, cf. Eph. 2:14-19). It would encourage the Gentile churches to share in their material blessings for the spiritual blessings from the Jewish church (Rom. 15:27). It would make a testimony to the unsaved world—especially to the unbelieving Jews—by showing genuine Christian love for one another (Isaiah 66:18-21).

FOUR “GRACE PRINCIPLES” OF CHRISTIAN GIVING Grace Principle #1: Christians are to give as an OUTFLOW OF GOD’S GRACE given to us in Christ. 1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been  given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. (vs. 1-5) The primary reason for NT “grace giving” (vs. OT giving under the Law) is God’s generosity [grace] given to us in Christ. Notice the outflow: their abundance of joy + their extreme poverty = a wealth of generosity on their part. Why? Their joy came from God’s grace! Only those who have received God’s grace can practice “grace giving.”

FOUR “GRACE PRINCIPLES” OF CHRISTIAN GIVING Grace Principle #2: Christians are to give WILLINGLY without compulsion to show our genuine love for others as well as for the Lord. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything— in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you —see that you excel in this act of grace also. 8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. (vs. 6-8) The truth is that God does NOT need our money—we need to give because of our spiritual health and counter-cultural difference in following Christ. Paul here says that this is not a command but a loving encouragement to prove their love for others and Christ is indeed genuine. Jesus said also that “where our treasures are, there our hearts would be also”—meaning giving is a tangible way to show our hearts.

FOUR “GRACE PRINCIPLES” OF CHRISTIAN GIVING Grace Principle #3: Christians are to give so that we may IMITATE CHRIST’S GENEROSITY of becoming poor for our sake. 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 by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it.  11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. (vs. 9-11) Christ’s cross is the supreme model for all Christians to follow in giving. Why? It’s because Christ, though He was rich, gave Himself generously and became poor for our sake so that we might become rich. As followers of Christ, we ought to imitate His generosity tangibly as well by giving ourselves and possessions willingly and generously.

FOUR “GRACE PRINCIPLES” OF CHRISTIAN GIVING Grace Principle #4: Christians are to give PROPORTIONALLY to others’ needs so that their abundance may supply our needs in fairness. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” (vs. 12-15)

15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’” 17 And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. 18 But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.  Exodus 16:15-18 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper,  so that there will be no collecting when I come.  1 Corinthians 16:2

FOUR “GRACE PRINCIPLES” OF CHRISTIAN GIVING Grace Principle #4: Christians are to give PROPORTIONALLY to others’ needs so that their abundance may supply our needs in fairness. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” (vs. 12-15) The “tithe” [giving 10% of income] is OT giving; NT giving is “grace-giving” in which we are to set aside in our own decision with generosity. The point is to give as an “act of grace” proportionally & generously. How? While tithing is not the NT grace-giving’s rule, it is a wise guiding principle that we can practice as a BEGINNING GUIDELINE for Christian giving.

The tithe is a way to get us started on the path of Christian giving The tithe is a way to get us started on the path of Christian giving. It is not the finish line of giving, but only the starting blocks. Tithing is the training wheels of giving. Steady bicyclists no longer need training wheels, but wobbly bicyclists do. If they don’t have training wheels they won’t learn to ride. Likewise, most people who never learn to tithe never really learn to give. Obviously, we need those training wheels! Randy Alcorn

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE In what ways are you more convinced of your need for Christian giving as an overflow of God’s grace that you have received in Christ? What would it mean for you to live out the grace principle of giving willingly as your genuine love for others as well as for Christ? What would it mean for you to live out the grace principle of giving proportionally as you imitate Christ’s generosity of becoming poor for your sake?