BIBLICAL GIVINGBIBLICAL GIVING I. INTROI. INTRO II. TWO DEFINING STATEMENTSII. TWO DEFINING STATEMENTS  Read Lk 6:38 & Acts 20:35. III. THE “LOAF OF BREAD” PROMISEIII. THE “LOAF OF BREAD” PROMISE  Phil 4:19

IV. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BIBLICAL GIVING IN 2Cor 8: GIVING MOTIVATED BY GOD’S GRACE – 2Cor 8:1 2. GIVING IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES – 2Cor 8:2 3. GIVING WITH JOY3. GIVING WITH JOY  Giving is not righteous unless it’s accompanied by sincere, heartfelt joy. ~ Read 2Cor 8:2.~ Read 2Cor 8:2. ~ 2Cor 9:7~ 2Cor 9:7

 R. C. H. Lenski: “They made a joy of robbing themselves.” ~ Their devotion to God’s kingdom, His local church, and to fellow believers they had never met was profound. ~ Their joy rose above the pain, sorrow, and struggle of difficult circumstances as, for the sake of others, they were happy to divest themselves of what little they had.

 The Macedonians had the attitude toward giving that God wants you to have — AN UNHINDERED JOY THAT REMEMBERS THE BLESSING OF LAYING UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN, OF GIVING RATHER THAN RECEIVING, AND OF KNOWING THAT GOD GIVES BACK TO YOU IN GREATER MEASURE THAN WHAT YOU GIVE TO HIM.

4. GIVING WITH GENEROSITY4. GIVING WITH GENEROSITY ~ Read 2Cor 8:2.~ Read 2Cor 8:2.  That indicates two important aspects of the Macedonians’ generosity.  First, it was not based on money or possessions.  Second, their generosity stemmed from an attitude of single-mindedness  Second, their generosity stemmed from an attitude of single-mindedness. ~ “Liberality” is also translated “sincerity,” but more precisely the term conveys the idea of being single-minded.

 IF YOU’RE DOUBLE-MINDED ABOUT GIVING, THEN YOU’RE WORRIED TOO MUCH ABOUT YOUR OWN NEEDS. ~ Phil 2:3-4~ Phil 2:3-4 ~ You may not be rich in money or possessions, but with the Spirit’s help you can be rich in single-minded, selfless, humble devotion to God and the needs of others.

5. GIVING WITH PROPORTIONATE SACRIFICE.  Read 2Cor 8:3.  The Macedonians’ individual capability was the starting point for the amount they gave. ~ And that should be your starting point, too. ~ See 2Cor 8:12.~ See 2Cor 8:12.

~ GOD DOES NOT EXPECT YOU TO GIVE WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE. ALL HE ASKS IS THAT YOU GIVE PROPORTIONATELY, ACCORDING TO YOUR ABILITY.  As the Macedonians gave according to their ability, they also made sure they were doing so in proportions that were sacrificial. ~ Matt 6:25-34~ Matt 6:25-34

 David’s conviction: Sacrificial giving is really the only kind of giving, “... I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing” (2Sam 24:24). 6. GIVING VOLUNTARILY6. GIVING VOLUNTARILY  Read 2Cor 8:3. ~ They were self-motivated and spontaneous in giving what they believed the Lord wanted them to give.

 Macedonians’ giving is the encouraging reality that they viewed the entire ministry of giving as a privilege, not simply an obligation. ~ Read 2Cor 8:4.~ Read 2Cor 8:4.  First, they were “begging,” a word that is always used in the New Testament to denote a very strong pleading.

~ Second, they were asking for the privilege of giving “with much urging,” which means they were making their case aggressively, with a lot of exhortation and importunity. ~ And last, they were entreating Paul “for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.” ~ The churches of Macedonia were begging for the grace of having a fellowship or partnership in the support of other believers.

7. GIVING WITH WORSHIP AND SUBMISSION  When you follow the Macedonians’ example, it actually rises to the level of spiritual worship. ~ Read 2Cor 8:5.~ Read 2Cor 8:5. ~ This demonstrated that their first priority was to make all they owned completely available and dispensable to the Lord. ~ Rom 12:1-2~ Rom 12:1-2

 When we praise God and honor His name we are worshiping Him, but the Lord is most pleased when we worship Him by unreservedly offering ourselves. ~ That’s the beginning of genuine worship. ~ All that happens only as you allow the Spirit to renew your mind, and as you become obedient to God in every area of life, including giving.

 The Macedonian believers were examples of those whose giving was worship. ~ 1Pet 2:5~ 1Pet 2:5 ~ We are simply stewards who generously and sacrificially offer our resources back to Him.  If biblical giving is worship, it will also be an act of true submission to one’s spiritual leaders.

~ They realized that those men were undershepherds of Christ who stood in His place giving direction and leadership to the church in all matters — including giving — and they responded to that godly leadership. ~ Read 2Cor 8:6.~ Read 2Cor 8:6.

8. GIVING IN LOVE8. GIVING IN LOVE ~ For your giving to be biblical, it should occur in perfect harmony with all the other positive traits of your regenerate nature. ~ Read 2Cor 8:7.~ Read 2Cor 8:7.  IF YOUR GIVING IS OPERATING RIGHT ALONG WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN VIRTUES, YOU’RE MOTIVATED BY THE GREATEST VIRTUE OF ALL, LOVE. (1Cor 13:3)

~ YOU CAN GIVE WITHOUT LOVING, BUT YOU CAN’T LOVE WITHOUT GIVING.  Biblical giving is perhaps the surest way to demonstrate genuine love for others. ~ Paul asks us again to measure ourselves against the example of the Macedonians to verify the quality of our own love: 2Cor 8:8.

~ The true test of sincere love is not positive emotions and good intentions, but tangible actions (Jas 2:14-18). ~ IT IS THE PATH TO GOD’S ABUNDANT BLESSING.