This exposition of 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, August 5, 2018.
Intro:
The Brothers had established the monastery centuries before in this out of the way French valley. They had taken the customary vows of poverty and asceticism but the Brothers wanted to go further so they proposed a vow of silence.
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Not a word would be spoken except once a year. On the determined day one of the Brothers would be given the opportunity to speak one sentence. At the end of the first year of silence Brother John was given the opportunity to speak at breakfast. He stood, looked everyone in the eye and said, “I’m really tired of this runny oatmeal,” and he sat down. A year went by and Brother Francis was to speak. He stood and said, “This oatmeal is too lumpy,” and sat down. After the third year Brother Paul stood and said, “I’m really tired of all this bickering about oatmeal!” I’m afraid some in the church feel that way when it comes to talking about money or giving. It doesn’t matter how often it is spoken of – it’s too often. I’m the first to admit I don’t like to talk about money. But money is a legitimate and necessary point of discussion for the church. If you were to note every passage that addresses the subject in both Old and New Testaments you might be surprised by how often it is spoken of. Stewardship is a major emphasis in the Christian life. It is essential to Christian living that we acknowledge that all that we are and all that we have is the result of God’s grace. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price. He is Lord and we have been entrusted with certain things to be used for his glory and that includes whatever wealth comes into our possession. Charles Swindoll suggests there are 4 words that are essential to Christian stewardship – “He owns it all.” If God owns it all then He is free to take whatever He wants, whenever He wants. It is also true that when I am responsible for someone else’s money I’m far more cautious and conscientious with it.
Years ago when I was pastoring in Ponca City our associational children’s camp was at Glenco and various pastors were assigned responsibilities for the week. I hated it the year I was in charge of the store/concession stand. I liked the idea of staying in the air conditioned cabin with the camp pastor – I just hated being in charge of the money. It was not a large camp and thus not huge amounts of money but I counted the money about 12 times each evening. I wanted to make sure I accounted for every penny. This was not my money and I wanted to make sure that their money was taken care of. I felt very responsible. How do you view your money? Do you see it primarily as yours? Or do you see it as yours to be used for the glory of God? I do want to be cautious at this point. I don’t want you to misunderstand me.
I do believe that private ownership is a principle taught in Scripture.
I do not believe in a communistic system that everything you have belongs to everyone else.
I believe that giving is not a matter of legislation but of individual conscience.
While I believe there are biblical commands and principles that ought to guide your giving I do not believe that you are to be “forced” to do anything. Your giving to the work of God is not a tax to be taken from you but rather a gift to be freely given. Thus I do not believe that I or any other person can dictate to you what you ought to be giving to the church. However (you knew that the other shoe was about to fall!) I must say…
Thesis: What, when, how and why you give says something about your love for God and your commitment to the Lord Jesus.
Our text is found in 2 Corinthians chapter 8.
Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
I want to deal specifically this evening with how your giving is a reflection of your love for God and your commitment to Christ.
The fact is your check stubs speak volumes about your commitments. This is what caused one pastor to say, “If you went to demonstrate your spirituality, don’t show me your prayer book show me your check book.” Where your treasure is there your heart will be also. Take an honest look at your giving. What is your attitude?
Grudgingly – “I have to”
Dutifully – “I need to”
Thankfully – “I want to”
There are two things I want to point out from this text.
- Giving is a reflection of a genuine experience of grace. (8:1-5)
- Giving is a proof that new life has begun. (8:6-15)
Conclusion:
Listen to the words of Harry Ironside, one time pastor of Moody Church in Chicago on this point of Christ-likeness in giving: How can I speak of following Christ, how can I speak of being
saved by His grace, if I do not seek to imitate Him in His self-denying concern for those in need? He saw me in my deep, deep need and He came all the way from His home in heaven, laying aside the glory that He had with the Father from eternity, down to the depths of Calvary’s anguish and to the darkness of the tomb. He who was rich became poor so that through His poverty I might be enriched through all eternity. How can I not follow His example by practicing grace giving?
Your giving is an expression of your love for God and your commitment to Christ.
Giving is a reflection of a genuine experience of grace.
Giving is proof that new life has begun.
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