1. Giving as Sacrifice 2 Samuel 24:18-25

2. Individual Giving at Assembly is Commanded,1 Corinthians 16:1,2. “... I gave orders” Done freely, 2 Corinthians 8:12. “... there must first be a willing mind...” Cheerfully, 2 Corinthians 9:7 “cheerful giver” A way to “lay up treasure,” Matthew 6:19-21. In reality, you give all of yourself – your life is a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1,2.

3. The Church Also Gives 4 Concepts and a Specific Challenge Text: 2 Corinthians 8 & 9

4. Why the Church Gave Concept 1 2 Corinthians 8:19 “The gift which is administered... to the glory of the Lord Himself...” Giving Glorifies Christ

5. Why the Church Gave Concept 2 2 Corinthians 8:2 “... the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality” The Giving Church was Itself Greatly Impoverished

6. Why the Church Gave Concept 3 Individuals will give, Romans 12:13 Churches give too, Philippians 4:15-17, when there is a need. Brethren Elsewhere Are in Need of Church’s Giving

7. Church Gives to Brethren in Need in Other Places Philippians 4:15-17 The church’s giving profited (was credited to) them. “The fruit that bounds to your account” Why? Proverbs 19:17 Luke 6:38 2 Timothy 4:2,5

8. Why the Church Gave Concept 4 2 Corinthians 8:12-15 Church’s giving supplies the others’ needs. No more inequality. No more unfairness. Church’s Giving Creates Equality

9. Equality

10. Annual Median Household Income in US Dollars United States $49,777 United Kingdom $39,000 Scotland $35,000 South Korea $33,105 Hong Kong $31,000 Philippines $ 3,822 Equality?

11. Time Needed for Avg. US Worker to Purchase Things (1895 compared to 2000) CommodityTime to Earn in 1895 Hrs Time In 2000 Hrs Horatio Alger (6 Vols.)210.6 One Speed Bicycle2607.2 Cushioned Office Chair242 100 pc Dinner Set443.6 Hair Brush162 Cane Rocking Chair81.6 Solid Gold Locket286 Encyclopedia Brittanica14033.8 (for paper) Steinway Piano2,4001,107.6 Sterling Silver Teaspoon2634 Source: 1895 Montgomery Ward catalog

12. To Recap – A Challenge for the Church US Households make—on average—13x more per year than the average family from Philippines. Sounds like we have ability to assist, if they should ever ask. It is on average ~10x easier to purchase things than it was in our great grandparents’ generation. Sounds like our lives are easier than 100 yrs ago. Our Philippine brethren have asked for our help to fund them to preach the gospel. $50 per month for 6 preachers. Can we assist them?

13. Christ the Great Equalizer 2 Corinthians 8:8,9

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