The Purpose and Principles of Giving in the Church (2 Corinthians 8-9)
This sermon delves into the profound spiritual meaning behind giving, moving beyond monetary transactions to explore the heart's posture. It invites listeners to consider how their generosity reflects their devotion and trust in God's sovereignty.
This sermon explains that giving in the church is not about God's need but about acknowledging His ownership and lordship. It serves as an act of worship, deepens faith, and opens the door for God’s wisdom and blessing in our lives.
Overview
The sermon begins by highlighting the Macedonian churches' exemplary generosity, who, despite deep poverty, gave beyond their ability, first giving themselves to the Lord. This sets the stage for understanding giving as a gracious work, not a legalistic requirement, drawing a contrast with the Corinthian church's potential for similar generosity.
The preacher then outlines seven primary purposes of giving: to acknowledge God as the source and owner of all things, to provide for the body of Christ, to support global ministry, to deepen believers' faith, to protect against greed, and ultimately, as an act of worship. He emphasizes that God does not need our money; rather, giving serves our spiritual development and relationship with Him.
Examining the concept of tithing, the sermon traces its origins back to Abraham and Jacob, demonstrating that it predated the Mosaic Law. This pre-Law practice signifies a voluntary act of worship and acknowledgment of God's ownership. Under the Law, the purpose of tithing was further revealed as a means to "learn to fear the Lord," meaning to reverence and submit to Him, thereby gaining wisdom in managing finances.
Finally, addressing Malachi 3 and 2 Corinthians 9, the sermon clarifies that robbing God of tithes and offerings means robbing Him of the honor due Him, not merely money. Cheerful, bountiful giving, as described by Paul, results in God making all grace abound, providing sufficiency and abundance for every good deed. Our giving, therefore, is presented as a barometer of our devotion and love for God, inviting His wisdom and blessing into our lives.
Key points
- The Macedonian churches exemplified generous giving despite their deep poverty and affliction (2 Corinthians 8).
- The ultimate purpose of giving is not to meet God's needs, but to acknowledge Him as the source and owner of all things, provide for the church, further ministry, deepen faith, protect from greed, and act as worship.
- Tithing originated with Abraham and Jacob before the Mosaic Law, signifying a voluntary act of worship and acknowledgement of God's ownership.
- Under the Law, one primary reason for the tithe was to teach people to "fear the Lord," meaning to reverence and submit to Him (Deuteronomy 14).
- Robbing God of tithes and offerings (Malachi 3) is interpreted as robbing Him of His rightful honor, praise, and the opportunity to demonstrate His faithfulness, not just money.
- God loves a cheerful giver, and bountiful sowing leads to bountiful reaping, with God making all grace abound for sufficiency and abundance for good deeds (2 Corinthians 9).
- Our giving serves as a barometer of our devotion, worship, love, and acknowledgement of Christ's Lordship, positioning us for God's wisdom and blessings.
In Charles Stanley's words
“God doesn't need anything.”
“The fear of God is the reverence for God, acknowledging him as God, acknowledging his ownership, acknowledging his lordship.”
“The money is not even the issue.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: The Generosity of the Macedonian Churches (2 Corinthians 8:1-6)
- II. The Purpose of Giving in the Church
- A. Not because God is in need
- B. To acknowledge God as the source and owner of all things
- C. To provide for needs within the body of Christ
- D. To further the ministry of the church around the world
- E. To deepen and strengthen believers' faith in God's faithfulness
- F. To protect believers from greed and covetousness
- G. As an act of worship
- III. The Portion of Giving: The Tithe
- A. Tithing before the Law
- 1. Abraham's tithe to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20)
- 2. Jacob's vow to give a tenth (Genesis 28:22)
- B. Tithing under the Law (Deuteronomy 14:22)
- 1. Purpose: To learn to fear the Lord always
- 2. Meaning of "fear the Lord": reverence, acknowledgement of ownership and lordship, submission
- 3. An outward manifestation of an inward commitment, not legalism or bondage
- 4. Invites God's wisdom and direction in finances
- C. Robbing God in tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:7-9)
- 1. Not robbing money, but robbing God of honor, praise, ownership, lordship, and opportunity to demonstrate faithfulness
- 2. Focus is on relationship and honor, not just dollars and cents
- IV. Generous Giving and Its Results (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)
- A. Sowing sparingly vs. sowing bountifully
- B. Giving cheerfully, not grudgingly or under compulsion
- C. God is able to make all grace abound for sufficiency and abundance in every good deed
- D. Giving is a barometer of devotion, love, and acknowledgement of Christ's Lordship
- E. Releases God's grace and blessings into individual lives and the church
Scripture references
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-6
- Genesis 14:18-20
- Hebrews 7:3
- Genesis 28:22
- Deuteronomy 14:22
- Proverbs 1
- Malachi 3:7-9
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Insights
Giving begins with recognizing God as the source of all things.
True generosity flows from a heart of adoration, not obligation.
Our finances reveal the depth of our trust in God's wisdom.
Questions & answers
What is the ultimate purpose of giving to the church, according to this sermon?
The ultimate purpose is not because God is in need, but for us to acknowledge Him as our source and owner of all things, to provide for others, deepen our faith, and act as an expression of worship.
Did tithing begin with the Mosaic Law?
No, the sermon explains that tithing predated the Law, citing Abraham and Jacob who gave a tenth over 400 years before the Law was given. Their giving was an act of conviction and worship.
What does it mean to "fear the Lord" in the context of tithing, as discussed?
To "fear the Lord" means to reverence God, acknowledging His ownership and lordship over our lives. It involves bowing before Him, submitting to Him, and acknowledging His rightful place as possessor and master.
How does the sermon interpret Malachi 3's warning about robbing God?
The sermon states that robbing God of tithes and offerings is not about robbing Him of money, as He needs nothing. Instead, it's about robbing Him of the honor, praise, and acknowledgement of His ownership and lordship that He is due.
What are the results of cheerful and generous giving, according to 2 Corinthians 9?
Cheerful and generous giving leads to God making all grace abound to the giver. This results in always having all sufficiency in everything, and an abundance for every good deed, enriching the giver in various ways.
Is tithing considered a legalistic bondage in this sermon?
No, the sermon emphasizes that tithing is not meant to be a legalistic bondage. If it feels like bondage, it's due to a misguided attitude. Instead, it's an outward exercise of an inward commitment, designed to teach about relationship with God, dependence, and wisdom.
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