II Corinthians 8: And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. II Corinthians 8:1-15

5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. II Corinthians 8:1-15

7 But just as you excel in everything— in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. II Corinthians 8:1-15

8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. II Corinthians 8:1-15

10 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. II Corinthians 8:1-15

12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. II Corinthians 8:1-15

14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." II Corinthians 8:1-15

14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." II Corinthians 8:1-15

The Greatest Gift II Corinthians 8:1-15

Terry Mattingly’s Article “Don’t let my car fool you. My treasure is in heaven.”

Circumstances Surrounding Our Text Paul had written a previous letter urging the Corinthians to prepare a money gift for the destitute saints in Jerusalem. I Cor. 16:1- 4 Paul had written a previous letter urging the Corinthians to prepare a money gift for the destitute saints in Jerusalem. I Cor. 16:1- 4 At the time of writing the second letter to them they had not made the collection. At the time of writing the second letter to them they had not made the collection. Paul writes them urging them to fulfill their promise. Paul writes them urging them to fulfill their promise.

Corinth A Grecian city, 48 miles west of Athens A Grecian city, 48 miles west of Athens Noted for its wealth, and for the luxurious and immoral and vicious habits of the people Noted for its wealth, and for the luxurious and immoral and vicious habits of the people “A Corinthian banquet” “A Corinthian banquet” I sat in the Bema (judgment seat); I saw the Agora and I read the name Erastus from a stone. I sat in the Bema (judgment seat); I saw the Agora and I read the name Erastus from a stone.

Corinth A Grecian city, 48 miles west of Athens A Grecian city, 48 miles west of Athens Noted for its wealth, and for the luxurious and immoral and vicious habits of the people Noted for its wealth, and for the luxurious and immoral and vicious habits of the people “A Corinthian banquet” “A Corinthian banquet” I sat in the Bema (judgment seat); I saw the Agora and I read the name Erastus from a stone. I sat in the Bema (judgment seat); I saw the Agora and I read the name Erastus from a stone.

Macedonians They were in a “severe test of affliction.” They were in a “severe test of affliction.” The lived in “extreme poverty.” The lived in “extreme poverty.” They gave: They gave: - according to their means… and beyond their means - of their own free will - begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.

“…they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” “…they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

I want you to understand a very important thing: GOD WANTS YOU God wanted the people of Israel to be a people who belonged to Him and to Him only, even though God knew who these people were and what they had done. God wanted the people of Israel to be a people who belonged to Him and to Him only, even though God knew who these people were and what they had done. God wants US to be a people who belong to Him and to Him only, and He knows who we are and what we have done. God wants US to be a people who belong to Him and to Him only, and He knows who we are and what we have done.

God Loves You Unconditionally He knows who you are; He knows all your failures; He knows every weakness you have; He knows every evil that you commit; He knows every flaw in you; and he knows that you will never be perfect. He knows who you are; He knows all your failures; He knows every weakness you have; He knows every evil that you commit; He knows every flaw in you; and he knows that you will never be perfect. And He still loves you. He wants you to be His and only His. And He still loves you. He wants you to be His and only His. He wants you by your own choice to love Him unconditionally. He wants you by your own choice to love Him unconditionally. He wants you to choose to be a person for His own treasured possession. He wants you to choose to be a person for His own treasured possession.

Paul brags on the Corinthians: “You excel in everything.” They excel in: They excel in:FaithSpeechKnowledge See that you abound in this grace also. See that you abound in this grace also.

Paul Cites the Example of Jesus “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.” II Cor. 8:9

πλούσιος Rich, wealthy. Figuratively meaning happy, prosperous, lacking nothing – 2 Cor. 8:9 πλούσιος Rich, wealthy. Figuratively meaning happy, prosperous, lacking nothing – 2 Cor. 8:9 πτωχεύω: to change to a state of poverty - to become poor. ‘Although (Christ) was rich, he became poor for your sake.’ – 2 Cor 8.9 πτωχεύω: to change to a state of poverty - to become poor. ‘Although (Christ) was rich, he became poor for your sake.’ – 2 Cor 8.9

Paul continues: He cites their own past record. He cites their own past record. He stresses the necessity of putting fine feeling into fine action. He stresses the necessity of putting fine feeling into fine action. He reminds them that life has a strange way of evening things up. He reminds them that life has a strange way of evening things up.

If you take the son, you get it all. If you take the son, you get it all.

If the Son gets you, He gets it all. If the Son gets you, He gets it all.