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Gospel-Centered Giving 2 Corinthians 8-9

Honor the Lord 9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your income; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10) 9 Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your income; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Giving an Account For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Fellowship / Partnership Through the evidence of this service they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing [koinonia] with them and with everyone. (2 Corinthians 9:13)Through the evidence of this service they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing [koinonia] with them and with everyone. (2 Corinthians 9:13)

Fellowship / Partnership 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation [fellowship/koinonia] in the support of the saints… (2 Corinthians 8:3-4) 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation [fellowship/koinonia] in the support of the saints… (2 Corinthians 8:3-4)

Fellowship / Partnership 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:13-14) 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)

Fellowship / Partnership 5 Beloved, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers). 6 They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone forth on behalf of “The Name,” accepting nothing from the pagans. 8 Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we become fellow workers in cooperation with the truth. (3 John 5-8) 5 Beloved, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers). 6 They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone forth on behalf of “The Name,” accepting nothing from the pagans. 8 Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we become fellow workers in cooperation with the truth. (3 John 5-8)

Fellowship / Partnership 17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18) 17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18)

Statistics 966 givers966 givers 200 gave regularly - once a month200 gave regularly - once a month 284 gave occasionally - once every 2-3 months284 gave occasionally - once every 2-3 months 482 gave irregularly - less than once every 3 months482 gave irregularly - less than once every 3 months

Statistics 284 (occasionally) (irregularly) _________ 766 out of 966 givers do not give on a regular basis 766 out of 966 = 79% of CCC766 out of 966 = 79% of CCC

Statistics 558 out of 966 givers give an average offering of $264 a year558 out of 966 givers give an average offering of $264 a year The average salary in Tucson ranges from 30K to 60K depending on the “industry”The average salary in Tucson ranges from 30K to 60K depending on the “industry” $264 is about.5% of the average salary$264 is about.5% of the average salary

Statistics “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24)“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24)

Statistics 558 givers ($264 a year) out of 966 givers is 58% of CCC givers558 givers ($264 a year) out of 966 givers is 58% of CCC givers 40% of givers contribute to 79% of the budget40% of givers contribute to 79% of the budget 2% (who give larger gifts) contribute to 14% of the budget2% (who give larger gifts) contribute to 14% of the budget 58% contribute to 7% of the budget58% contribute to 7% of the budget

Statistics If 558 givers gave $20 a week, it amounts to over $580,000 a yearIf 558 givers gave $20 a week, it amounts to over $580,000 a year

1. Giving is an act of worship Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name; bring an offering and come into His courts. (Psalm 96:8)Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name; bring an offering and come into His courts. (Psalm 96:8) For the ministry of this service [leitourgia] is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. (2 Corinthians 9:12)For the ministry of this service [leitourgia] is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. (2 Corinthians 9:12)

1. Giving is an act of worship For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I am amply supplied because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent— a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18)For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I am amply supplied because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent— a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18)

1. Giving is an act of worship “You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.” (Deuteronomy 14:23)“You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.” (Deuteronomy 14:23)

1. Giving is an act of worship 9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10) 9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

2. Giving is an obligation Contribute to the needs of the saints... (Romans 12:13)Contribute to the needs of the saints... (Romans 12:13) The one who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need. (Ephesians 4:28)The one who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need. (Ephesians 4:28)

2. Giving is an obligation If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed. (1 Timothy 5:16)If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed. (1 Timothy 5:16)

2. Giving is an obligation If you love me, you will obey my commandments. (John 14:15)If you love me, you will obey my commandments. (John 14:15) “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)

3. Giving flows out of gratitude for Christ 1 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 suffering their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their means, they gave of their own accord, (2 Cor. 8) 1 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 suffering their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their means, they gave of their own accord, (2 Cor. 8)

3. Giving flows out of gratitude for Christ 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God… (2 Corinthians 8-1-5) 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God… (2 Corinthians 8-1-5) For you know the grace [or generosity] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)For you know the grace [or generosity] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

3. Giving flows out of gratitude for Christ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

4. Giving is more of a blessing than receiving “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

5. Giving is the opposite of robbing God 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!” (Malachi 3:8-9) 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!” (Malachi 3:8-9)

5. Giving is the opposite of robbing God Tithing was for Israel under the Old Covenant and was a national taxation systemTithing was for Israel under the Old Covenant and was a national taxation system The tithe in Israel was not 10% it was about 25 percent annually (2 annual tithes, one tri-annual)The tithe in Israel was not 10% it was about 25 percent annually (2 annual tithes, one tri-annual) The tithe funded the government/theocracy of Israel, religious festivals, and provided support for the needyThe tithe funded the government/theocracy of Israel, religious festivals, and provided support for the needy See Lev. 27:30-34; Num. 18:21; Deut. 12:10-18, 14:22-29, 26:12-14, see also Lev. 19:9-10; Neh. 10:32-33See Lev. 27:30-34; Num. 18:21; Deut. 12:10-18, 14:22-29, 26:12-14, see also Lev. 19:9-10; Neh. 10:32-33

5. Giving is the opposite of robbing God “Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” (Leviticus 27:30)“Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” (Leviticus 27:30)

6. Giving is God’s challenge to us to prove His faithfulness 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!” 10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. (Mal. 3) 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!” 10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. (Mal. 3)

6. Giving is God’s challenge to us to prove His faithfulness 11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field be barren,” says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:8-11) 11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field be barren,” says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:8-11)

6. Giving is God’s challenge to us to prove His faithfulness “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” (Luke 6:38)“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” (Luke 6:38)

6. Giving is God’s challenge to us to prove His faithfulness 6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; (2 Cor. 9) 6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; (2 Cor. 9)

6. Giving is God’s challenge to us to prove His faithfulness 9 as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9) 9 as it is written, “HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9) 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11) 10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

Gospel-Centered Giving 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. (2 Corinthians 8:9)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. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Gospel-Centered Giving 2 Corinthians 8-9