A Growing Relationship Leads to a Generous Heart (2 Corinthians 8-9)
This sermon explores the profound connection between spiritual growth and a generous heart, inviting listeners to consider the deepest motivations behind their giving. It gently guides us to understand God's nature as the ultimate provider, shaping our perspective on stewardship and trust.
This sermon explains that true spiritual growth in Jesus leads to a generous heart, cultivated by understanding God as the ultimate giver and replenisher. It calls believers to respond with cheerful giving from a place of worship and trust, not compulsion.
Overview
The sermon opens by establishing that following Jesus involves both a relationship and a journey of growth, often challenging us to surrender all areas of our lives, especially personal finances. Citing 2 Corinthians 8:7, the preacher highlights 'the grace of giving' as an area where many struggle, despite excelling in other aspects of faith. The core argument is presented: a growing relationship with Jesus inevitably leads to a generous heart, implying that a mature faith cannot exist without generosity.
The preacher sets the context by explaining that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church to encourage an offering for the struggling church in Jerusalem. This forms the backdrop for Paul's extensive teaching on generosity, particularly in 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, which serves as the sermon's central text. From this passage, two key aspects of God's character emerge: He is the ultimate Giver and the ultimate Replenisher.
God is presented as the Giver, the source of all 'seed' and 'bread,' meaning everything we possess originated from Him. This perspective shifts the question from 'How much do I give?' to 'God, how much of what you gave me do you want me to keep?' Furthermore, God is described as the Replenisher, capable of blessing us abundantly so that we will always have all we need to abound in good works, emphasizing His limitless capacity to provide for His children.
Given God's nature, the sermon outlines what God desires from us in return: our hearts and our trust. Generosity is portrayed not as a reluctant duty or compulsion, but as a joyful decision made from the heart, an act of worship and gratitude. The preacher urges listeners to give themselves fully to the Lord, surrendering all areas of life, including finances, to experience the profound joy and faithfulness that comes from trusting God as the ultimate provider.
Key points
- A growing relationship with Jesus should lead to a generous heart, which is a mark of mature faith.
- The Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to give an offering to support the struggling church in Jerusalem.
- God is the ultimate Giver, the source of all resources and provision in our lives.
- God is also the ultimate Replenisher, able to bless abundantly and provide all we need, never running dry.
- God desires our hearts in generosity, not reluctant giving under compulsion, but cheerful giving as an act of worship.
- God wants our trust, not placed in unreliable money, but in Him who richly gives us all we need.
- True generosity flows from a complete surrender of oneself and one's resources to the Lord.
In Rick Warren's words
“There's no such thing as a mature faith without a generous heart.”
“God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.”
“Everything comes from you and we have given to you only what comes from your hand.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: A Growing Relationship with Jesus Leads to a Generous Heart
- A. Following Jesus: A Relationship and a Journey of Growth
- B. The 'Grace of Giving' (2 Corinthians 8:7)
- C. The Goal: A Generous Heart, Not Just Material Growth
- II. Context: Paul's Letter to Corinth and the Jerusalem Offering
- III. Two Truths About God in Generosity (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)
- A. God is the Giver
- 1. He supplies seed to the sower and bread for food (2 Corinthians 9:10)
- 2. We are receivers of His initiated goodness (Romans 5:8, Psalm 23)
- 3. All belongs to Him (Psalm 24:1)
- B. God is the Replenisher
- 1. He blesses abundantly so we abound in good work (2 Corinthians 9:8)
- 2. He is a constantly flowing river, not a cistern
- 3. He never runs dry; His capacity is limitless
- IV. What God Wants From Us
- A. Our Hearts
- 1. Give what you've decided in your heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion
- 2. God loves a 'cheerful' (hilarious) giver
- 3. Giving is a decision from the heart, an act of worship and gratitude
- 4. Culture often removes heart from wallet; generosity must involve the heart
- 5. Cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24)
- B. Our Trust
- 1. Do not trust in unreliable money, but in God who provides (1 Timothy 6:17)
- 2. Macedonian church gave themselves first to the Lord, then their resources
- V. Invitation to Response
- A. Give Yourself Fully to the Lord (Romans 14:8-9)
- B. Give Something (Start the journey of generosity)
- C. Give Consistently (Anchor giving as a habit)
- D. Grow in Giving (Experience growth in generosity over time)
Scripture references
- 2 Corinthians 8:7
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
- Romans 5:8
- Psalm 23
- Psalm 24:1
- 1 Chronicles 29:14
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- 1 Timothy 6:17
- Matthew 6:24
- Romans 14:8-9
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
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.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
1 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
Insights
A life of growth in Jesus naturally overflows into generosity.
God's boundless generosity inspires our own willingness to give.
True giving flows from a heart full of adoration and gratitude.
Questions & answers
What is the sermon's main point about spiritual growth and generosity?
The sermon argues that a growing relationship with Jesus ultimately leads to a generous heart, stating that there is no such thing as a mature faith without generosity. It suggests that financial generosity is often the last area of life surrendered to God.
How does the sermon define God as the 'Giver' and 'Replenisher'?
God is the 'Giver' because every resource and gift we have originally comes from Him, as He supplies the 'seed' to be planted. He is the 'Replenisher' because He is able to bless us abundantly, ensuring we always have what we need to do good works, demonstrating His limitless capacity to provide.
What does it mean that 'God loves a cheerful giver' according to this sermon?
It means God desires giving that comes from a heartfelt decision, not from reluctance or compulsion. The sermon explains that 'cheerful' in the original language implies a joyous, almost 'hilarious' giving, rooted in gratitude and adoration for God's goodness.
What two things does the preacher say God wants from us regarding generosity?
The preacher emphasizes that God wants our hearts and our trust. Our giving should stem from a heart of worship and gratitude, and our trust should be placed in God's provision rather than in the unreliability of money itself.
What practical steps does the sermon suggest for a journey of generosity?
The sermon invites listeners to give themselves fully to the Lord, to start by giving something, to give consistently as a habit, and to intentionally grow in their giving over time as a follower of Jesus.
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