1. Gift Day The Grace of Giving

2. 2 Corinthians 8 v 1 - 9 1 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. 2 Corinthians 8 v 1 - 9 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.

4. 2 Corinthians 8 v 1 - 9 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.

5. 2 Corinthians 8 v 1 - 9 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.

6. 2 Corinthians 8 v 1 - 9 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

7. 2 Corinthians 8 v 1 - 9 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.

8. ( 1 ) Giving is underpinned by Grace

9. 2 Corinthians 8 v 1 “we want you to know about the GRACE that God has given the Macedonia churches”.

10. 2 Corinthians 8 v 8 - 9 “I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

11. 2 Corinthians 8 v 8 - 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”.

12. 2 Corinthians 8 v 5 “…. they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to us in keeping with God’s will”.

13. John 3 v 16 “for God so loved the world that he GAVE his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.

14. ( 2 ) Giving in the New Testament is based on attitudes not a %

15. 2 Corinthians 8 v 2 “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing JOY and their extreme poverty welled up in rich GENEROSITY”.

16. 2 Corinthians 9 v 7 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a CHEERFUL giver”.

17. 2 Corinthians 8 v 4 “they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of SHARING in this service to the saints”.

18. Three Practicalities Regular giving….Standing Order Gift Aid – extra 25% to SCC at no extra cost to you Gift Day envelopes – IOU

19. ( 3 ) The Macedonian Churches realised that all wealth “goes back in the box”

20. 2 Corinthians 8 v 3 - 4 “… they gave as much as they were able… they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing….”

21. Matthew 6 v 19 - 21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

22. Matthew 6 v 19 “But store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart is also”.