Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
The Cheerful Giver
Intro.
1. God does not need anything you and I possess in order to be sustained or to be worthy of praise and worship, Acts 17:24-25.
2. God is a giving God, Eccl. 12:7; Jno. 3:16; 1 Cor. 3:6; 1 Tim. 6:17.
3. Honor God with our possessions, Prov. 3:9-10.
4. The blessings of giving are received when we give by faith, Acts 20:35.
5. The cheerful giver...
I. ...SOWS BOUNTIFULLY, 2 Cor. 9:6.
A. Heart-Generated Generosity, Prov. 11:24-26.
B. Why?
1. Because God has dealt bountifully with us, Psa. 112:9.
a. Material blessings that sustain and comfort life, Acts 14:17 (Psa. 145:15-16).
b. Spiritual blessings of salvation that revive the soul, Acts 3:19; Eph. 1:3; 2 Pet. 1:3.
2. Because there is an abundant harvest of blessings, 2 Cor. 9:6.
II. ...GIVES PURPOSEFULLY, 2 Cor. 9:7. ("to choose beforehand")
A. Purposeful Giving involves a Deliberate Decision Coupled with Genuine Openness of Heart.
1. Liberality: "singleness", devoted determination, 2 Cor. 9:11.
2. Generosity that comes from sincerity of heart, 2 Cor. 8:1-5.
3. Example: Zacchaeus, Lk. 19:8.
4. Our guideline: According to our prosperity, 1 Cor. 16:2.
B. Gladness (joy, cheerfully), 2 Cor. 9:7.
1. Not grudgingly or of compulsion, 9:7; cf. 8:3, "freely willing"; 9:3-5.
2. Not complaining compulsion, cf. 1 Chron. 29:1-9 (3, 6, 9), 17.
a. Giving that is willing and prompt, cf. 2 Cor. 8:10-11.
b. God does not expect of us what we do not have, 2 Cor. 8:12.
c. But, He expects a joyful heart to give what we have.
3. God loves a cheerful giver, Rom. 12:8 (freely, gladly).
III. ...TRUSTS GOD COMPLETELY TO SUPPLY HIS/HER ABILITY TO GIVE, 2 Cor. 9:8-10 (Prov. 11:25).
A. God is Gracious and Able to Increase Our Ability to Give, 9:10; Matt. 14:17-18; 15:32-38.
B. Trust God to Supply Our Needs During and After We Give, cf. Mk. 12:41-44.
-Contented faith, Phil. 4:11-12.
IV. ...GIVES THANKFULLY, 2 Cor. 9:11.
A. Our Ability to Give Comes from God, cf. 1 Chron. 29:13-15.
B. Thankful to Share in the Service of the Lord, 2 Cor. 8:4.
V. ...SHOWS HIS/HER OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL, 2 Cor. 9:12-13.
A. Individuals: Professed subjection to the gospel without cheerful giving fails to honor the gospel. To do so causes God to be glorified.
B. Local Church (context): Distribution to needy saints and to faithful gospel preachers obeys the Bible pattern, 2 Cor. 9:12; 11:8.
VI. ...PRODUCES THANKSGIVING TO GOD, 2 Cor. 9:10-15.
A. Thanks for the Giver by the Recipient, 9:11.
B. Thanks to God by the Giver and the Recipient, 9:11, 12.
C. Our Reaction to Godly Giving Should Never be:
-Envy, jealousy and covetousness or respect of persons, Jas. 2:1-3.
Conclusion
1. Be "ready to give", 1 Tim. 6:18 (free to impart, liberal).
2. The cheerful giver is tuned in to the needs and welfare of others.
3. The cheerful giver has first given himself to the Lord.
4. God loves the cheerful giver and showers him/her with eternal blessings.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: May 1, 2015