Lord’s Day 15th September 2013

Ballymacashon Congregational Church

Service Theme: Practical Guidelines about Giving

 Announcements:  Next Lord’s Day at 11.30am, Morning Worship

Tuesday at 8pm Bible Study and Prayer

Next Monthly Rally – Lord’s Day 7th October with Rev Wm Malcolmson

Praise:

Psalm 23 (Tune: Crimond)

Hymn: ‘I Once was a Stranger to Grace and to God’

Psalm 72: 15-17 (Tune: Effingham)

 

More Advice on Giving for Believers…

Text: 2^nd Corinthians 9

Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35. Giving can be a joyful experience, even when we are poor! 2 Corinthians 8v1-5  So, what is the secret to giving joyfully and willingly?  how can we truly become “cheerful givers”? In 2 Co 9:6-15 Paul discusses the matter of giving to help needy Christians. In this passage, we find several principles and truths which can help us become “cheerful givers”.  The first principle to remember is…

1. The Blessing of Giving is to be able to Give More! V.6 (cf v.8)

Verse 6 can often be misused by those who teach “the gospel of health and wealth” and seek to motivate people to give (sow) more by saying this passage teaches they will receive (reap) more.  2 Cor. 9:6 The context of the passage shows us something entirely different.

• What’s the purpose of reaping “bountifully?” Look carefully at verse 8. To have all sufficiency (what you need), yes. But then to “have an abundance for EVERY GOOD WORK”! In other words not to spend the abundance on ourselves, but to help others! 2 Cor. 9:9 Paul uses this verse to confirm that the abundance would be for every good work (not self-consumption)! God will supply and multiply the seed sown, to increase the fruits of their righteousness (to increase their good works!) To be enriched in everything “FOR ALL LIBERALITY” (so they can give even more to others!)
• Now there is an important principle here. We ought to be willing to give cheerfully… Because the more we give… the more God will enable us to give!

Indeed, the ability to give (because we have been materially blessed) is a gift from God, one that should be used liberally Romans 12:6-8 

 

2. Giving is Something we must PLAN! (V.7)

2 Cor. 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

Giving, like other good works, should be done with thought and purpose! Some do good only by accident. They give because others are giving, or they give on impulse, or even possibly, they give more than they intended, and then they regret it later.  Or possibly, had they considered their actions, they would have given more. So

• We must give thoughtfully! And especially with much forethought.  We must consider our own circumstances!  We must consider the need of those who will benefit from our giving.  Only then can we determine just how much we can afford to give.  So:-
• We must give FREELY! freely, whatever we give, be it more or less: Not grudgingly, nor of necessity, but cheerfully, 2Co_9:7.  

It is much easier to give when you are PREPARED to give! Here is something else that ought to encourage us…

 

3. God Loves a Cheerful Giver. V.7b

2 Cor. 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

Think for a moment about the implications of this teaching.

1. A cheerful giver can rest assured that God will watch over him and provide for his own needs!  See how God cares for the one who gives to others… As David taught in Psa 41:1-3. As the LORD spoke through Isaiah in Isa 58:6-11
2. A cheerful giver is LOVED and so need never worry!  Mt 6:30-33. For “God loves a cheerful giver”, and watches over those He loves! – cf. Lk 12:6-7

 

4. It is God who REALLY Supplies. V.10

2 Cor. 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.  Now this is the fourth great principle.  Everything that we have to give belongs to the Lord, not to us!  It is God who provides the seed for the sower!  God puts the bread on our tables!  God makes the crops grow. God gives us this seed, so that it can be sown!  The Amp. renders the verse, And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].

 

5. Giving Glorifies God! V.11-13

This would all bring praise and glory to God. Think about this!

1. The people who were organising the offerings would be so thankful, and would praise God!  
2. The Recipients would thank and praise God!  When the offerings would reach the needy saints in Jerusalem, think how they would rejoice and thank and glorify God that their needs were at last being met!  God would be given all the praise!
3. The apostles would thank and praise God!  They would see the fruit of their labours among the Corinthians and bless and thank God for this evidence of his grace and his blessing upon their ministry, evidenced in the response to their teaching and example.

 

6. Giving builds FELLOWSHIP in the Church. V.14

2 Cor. 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.  When Christians see the evidence of the grace of God, practically worked out in the lives of other believers, they long to have fellowship with them!  Help your brethren! It causes them to love you and long for you even more!  Listen to what Paul wrote about the Philippians: Philip. 1:3-8 

Do you know, evidence of cheerful, unselfish charity can have the same effect among unbelievers?  They see the truth of your testimony by your example!  We teach a gospel concerning One who became poor, that we might become rich – cf. 2 Co 8:9. Lastly, The apostle concludes this whole matter with this doxology, Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, 2Cor. 9:15.

 

Bob McEvoy, Ballymacshon, Sabbath Morning 15th September 2013