The Blessings Of
Helping Others
2 Corinthians 8
When we study the
Books to the Corinthians we see a body of believers who had some
serious problems in trying to become a working ministry of the Lord.
We have seen may
spiritual problems and sadly spiritual problems will always lead to a
financial shortfall.
The churches
throughout Judea were suffering a great poverty and sincerely needed
help to survive. In the Israel of that day if you rejected the
teaching of the Pharisees you were not only not allowed to worship in
the Temple but in most every case you would loose your job and any
other source of income. Many of the Jews had scattered to foreign
lands just to survive but those that could not, faced terrible
poverty.
The only support
that was available was from the "body of Christ".
Corinth was not only
a most wicked city but it was also a rich city. These of this new
church had a desire to help but those controversies within the church
body had not allowed that help to develop.
Today we know that
the needs of missions is a never ending call.
In many places of
worship today we have forgotten that giving is a part of the "Grace"
of God, just as the knowledge of Christ, the love of God, and the
filling of the Holy Spirit!
Giving has been
lowered to just being a burden. Many see giving as just filling the
coffers of the church when it should be about spreading the Word of
God and aid to the body of Christ in times of need.
The "Grace"
of giving should also be included in our prayers because the truth is
God loves the cheerful giver!
2Co_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.
You see God is
specific, if giving has become only a burden to you then you can miss
out on this love of God.
The Grace of God
includes being a "cheerful giver"!
We will all stand
before the Lord at one day and we should remember what He said:
Act 20:35 I
have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support
the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said,
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
We know that love is
the greatest sign of Christian "Grace" and we need to
understand that giving for the cause of Christ “is a part of that
love”!
It was Paul that
wrote that "Charity" was the greatest sign of a Christian
and Paul did not use the word "Love". In our English
language "Charity" is the only word that resembles the
"Love of God".
God gave us life.
God gave us all our necessities. God gave us His Son that we might
live forever.
If we take away
“giving” then all we have left is not really much love!
No one can really
understand this until we have "given" ourselves to the
Lord!
Let's Begin
*****2Co 8:1
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on
the churches of Macedonia;
2Co 8:2 How
that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and
their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
Remember Paul is
writing to the Corinthians. Corinth in that day was a rich city by
all standards. We can be sure there were some poor people here but
like America, Corinth was a city great opportunities financially. You
could get a job in Corinth if you really wanted a job!
Macedonia included
all of Greece and was the doorway to Europe.
We know that Paul
had already established the church in Philippi, Thessalonica, and
Berea.
At one time
Macedonia had been known for its natural resources but over time this
area had been ravaged by the numerous wars and Rome had stripped this
area of its wealth.
Because of these
things most of the people of Macedonia were poor and had very little
opportunity for that to change.
Most of the known
world had realized these things and in the end the greed of Rome was
Rome’s downfall.
It seems this lesson
is never learned today.
Paul used these
places of worship as an example to these Corinthians because they
were extremely wealthy in the "Grace of God"!
Remember "Grace"
is “the unmerited favor of God” and God’s grace is reflected
many times in the good things that God gives so freely.
Ordinarily poverty
is used as an excuse of not giving but this was not so of the people
of Macedonia!
How did Paul
describe these people?
1Th 2:14 For
ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea
are in Christ Jesus: “for ye also have suffered like things of your
own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews”:
How did these people
react to the 'Grace of God"?
*****2Co 8:3
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and “beyond their power
they were willing of themselves”;
2Co 8:4
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and
take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
The truth is they
were willing to give far beyond their power to give!
In verse 2 Paul used
the phrase "deep poverty" which means just at is says
"poverty down to the depths", utter poverty! These same
people were giving more than all others!
What is the truth in
most places of worship?
1) There are those
who say they have nothing to give because they are too poor.
Regardless of this fact God requires the minimum of a 10th of that
income.
2) There are those
who give a great deal thinking that should be enough but they do not
give according to their means or they would hundreds in place of
tens, or a thousand in place of a hundred.
3) There are also
those rich and poor who believe the Pastor will only run people away
from the church because he causes the plate to be passed so often.
All these groups of
people lack the "Grace of Giving" because we all should
give according to our means to give, in order for the ministries of
God to succeed!
If we are to
exercise the gift of faith, and the gift of love, then we need to
exercise the gift of giving according to our means.
What is the truth of
these Macedonians?
In verse 4 we can
see that Paul even cautioned them "much intreaty" not to
cause them own selves harm by their giving, "But They Insisted
That Paul Receive Their Gift"!
So how is this
wonderful gift obtained?
*****2Co 8:5
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves
to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
They had an
abundance of joy because they had given themselves to the Lord and
they were saved and they knew it for certain!
1) They gave
themselves over to the Lord!
Rom 12:1 I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And
be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God.
2) They then gave
themselves over to God's representatives.
2Co 4:5 For we
preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your
servants for Jesus' sake.
2Co 4:6 For
God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in
our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in
the face of Jesus Christ.
3) They then obeyed
the will of God to carry out His will. Above all others these
Macedonians had volunteered to help those in Judea who were actually
dieing of starvation.
What did Jesus
teach?
Mar_3:35 For
whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my
sister, and mother.
After all the gifts
that were gathered were to aid the poor Jews that remained in
Jerusalem, a people who were suffering even more greatly because they
had given themselves over to the Lord!
We must understand
that giving is also the means of getting!
What is God's
principle of giving?
Pro 3:9 Honour
the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine
increase:
Pro 3:10 So
shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst
out with new wine.
We give so that we
can receive!
This is one of those
principles that the world cannot understand, just like the certainty
of the "Glorified Body".
Pro 3:5 Trust
in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all
thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
There are many good
reasons to be charitable with all our possessions but the best reason
is "that it shows the grace of God in our own lives"!
*****2Co 8:6
Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would
also finish in you the same grace also.
2Co 8:7
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.
2Co 8:8 I
speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of
others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
So what is
stewardship?
In the Bible times,
a steward was one who managed the affairs of the household of another
person.
This showed a great
confidence to those who held such office!
It could be said
that the Apostle Paul was the steward of God's church, "the body
of Christ" and this is a function of all those who are called of
God to minister the Word of God.
But the fact remains
that every "born again" child of God is to be a good
steward. After all we become
God's Temple if we
are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and “we are responsible for the
affairs of that household”.
1Pe 4:8 And
above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity
shall cover the multitude of sins.
1Pe 4:9 Use
hospitality one to another without grudging.
1Pe 4:10 As
every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1) We are to give
because it will remind us that we are dependent on God to meet all
our needs.
2) We are to give
because it will remind us that our Redeemer gave all of Himself in
order that we can live forever.
3) We are to give in
order to promote spiritual welfare.
The problem with us
humans, is that we are born selfish and we wish to hold onto all our
possessions, even those gifts that God has given to us so freely!
Some would ask then,
when should we give and God gives us a good suggestion of a good
time.
1Co 16:2 Upon
the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store,
as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
We know the first
day of the week in the Scriptures refer to Sunday!
Paul challenged
these Corinthians to give and even excel beyond what these
Macedonians had given.
They had actually
began this at one time but those controversies they had been through
had stopped most all support for the church and the church
ministries.
1) “Faith” is
our ability to trust in God and to live a victorious life.
2) “Utterance”
is our ability to share the "Gospel" with others we meet.
3) “Knowledge”
is our ability to understand the Word of God.
4) “Diligence”
is our energy and zeal to be ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
5) “Love” is our
ability to care for the minister of God that He has given us and to
care for all brothers and sisters everywhere, along with the work of
the Lord.
If we have done all
these things then we are not complete unless we become “cheerful
givers” also!
We should give
cheerfully.
We should give
frequently.
BUT, We should give
intelligently.
The intent of
bearing our own cross for Christ Jesus is self denial and we may also
have to deny ourselves of some things, to be able to give in a
Christlike manner!
God does not give us
a command to give becauseif giving is forced or even coerced it
looses all it's benefits because it will not please God!
Giving proves the
state of our hearts in the eyes of God!
We already know that
love is an action word “so love is proven more by action than by
word of mouth”!
1Jn 3:18 My
little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; “but
in deed and in truth”.
Again who is our
example in all things?
*****2Co 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, “that, though he
was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his
poverty might be rich”.
The Lord Jesus
Christ was rich and as the Son of God He possessed all the nature,
all the being, and all the fullness of God, who just speaks and
things just happen.
**Jesus Christ dwelt
in the power and the majesty of the Godhead, the Holy Trinity!
Col 2:9 For in
him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
**Jesus Christ
possesses every good and perfect thing!
Jas 1:17 Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from
the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning.
**Jesus Christ had
all the worship and adoration of all heavenly things!
Rev 5:6 And I
beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts,
and in the midst of the elders, “stood a Lamb” as it had been
slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits
of God sent forth into all the earth.
Rev 5:7 And he
came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the
throne.
But the Lord Jesus
Christ gave all these things up just to come to this earth to be a
substitute in death for all our sins!
Jesus became poor
"for our sakes" that we through His poverty could be rich
in all things in Heaven and Earth.
And these are things
that we know to be true, so how can we not give a little something of
our selves and our possessions that He has shared with us “for all
good things truly belonged to Him”!
So what was Paul
advice to these Corinthians and to all of the Church everywhere?
*****2Co 8:10
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have
begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
If we take that word
"expedient" as meaning "profitable" as it does,
we can then understand what Paul is saying:
1Ti 6:18 That
they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,
willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19
Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time
to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Before the
controversies had divided this church they had made a commitment to
support missions. In fact they obligated themselves to help their
brothers and sisters in Judea.
Paul had already
taught about the "judgment seat of Christ" and the gain or
the loss of rewards. Paul is saying, why would anyone want to change
a gain into a loss!
It is certain God
expects us to uphold our commitments because if not then a commitment
becomes meaningless!
Certain of these
Corinthians had made a commitment to help the Christians in Judea and
they were persuaded that it was absolutely the right thing to do.
So what does God
say?
Jas 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it
is sin.
Here is another case
of a gain becoming a loss!
This commitment was
made a year ago, so we can see that these disputes within the church
and the lack of Church discipline had stopped the Church outreach
which is also where a gain becomes a loss.
It was surely
profitable or expedient that this church get back to the work of the
Lord!
*****2Co 8:11
Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness
to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye
have.
2Co 8:12 For
if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a
man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
The greatest
challenge in giving is not only to give but to give willingly and to
give readily.
A church that has no
outreach is not much of a church and this holds true to every
individual. We must all give of ourselves in some way to the missions
of the Church!
We see that Paul
adds that phrase "out of that which you have". In other
words according to your own means!
If we accept what
God is saying then, if we have undertaken a mission project then we
need to complete that project but also that this should be a
continuous and ongoing thing for all churches.
There is always a
need somewhere and this will remain until Lord returns!
The world is full of
sin.
The world is full of
disease.
The world is full of
poverty.
The world is full of
death and hunger and thirst.
We know that a small
child cannot hear you when their stomach is empty and so is a
grownup.
Many in our world
die without Christ everyday just because no one cares enough to help
them.
Mar 14:7 For
ye have the poor with you always, "and whensoever ye will ye may
do them good": but me ye have not always.
Until the Lord
returns there will always be a need for missions and the support of
those missions!
Giving can happen
when we have a willing mind!
But there must also
be a readiness to give when an opportunity arises.
We should judge our
own selves. God accepts everyone according to what they have and not
according to what they have not.
We should remember
the story of the little old lady in the Temple.
Luk 21:3 And
he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in
more than they all:
Luk 21:4 For
all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God:
“but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had”.
The point being that
God does not expect us to give all that we have of our finances as
this sweet lady had done, but in the eyes of God, her small amount
counted for a much greater reward that what the others had given even
though they had given a far greater amount!
God says give what
we can and even if it hurts a little, no matter the amount with this
thought in mind, God will judge us on “what we give compared to
what we could give”. God has a way of multiplying things!
What is the truth of
giving?
*****2Co 8:13
For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
2Co 8:14 But
by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply
for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your
want: that there may be equality:
2Co 8:15 As it
is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that
had gathered little had no lack.
After all what is a
Christian? A Christian is someone who learns the principles of Jesus
Christ and then applies those principles to their own lives.
Christian still
means Christlike and not worldlike and much of the church has
forgotten this main principle!
We should also
remember Jesus was no wimp. Jesus stood His ground on the Word of God
even before all obstacles.
In the Christian
mind, Christ must be all in all, the measure of all things, and the
standard that we are to use to set our goals in this life!
As Christians we are
all in this thing together. We are one family! If one suffers we all
suffer! We should help meet the needs of one another.
The truth is, God
has given all of us a certain capacity for enjoyment. If God
increases our riches beyond that point of enjoyment and we hoard
those things and they cause sadness in any way, we cannot blame God,
we should have given that extra it to those who who do not have and
stayed at the place where we enjoyed the life that God had given to
us already!
More does not make
happy into happier!
We should remember
“the manna” that fed the children of Israel for 40 years. They
could only gather what they needed and as much as they needed. If
they tried to gather more than they could eat it would
spoil. If someone
was sick or injured then another could gather enough for them so that
they all had all that they needed.
God's principles do
not ever change and we are wrong to think so!
God still made this
giving to be voluntary.
God left it in our
power to keep or to give away!
God left it in our
own power to give a little or to give much!
But God also gives
us good advice in how to deal with giving.
Gal 6:9 And
let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.
Gal 6:10 As we
have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith.
We can be sure if
God has provided something extra, then He will soon show us a place
where that extra is needed to have an opportunity for a reward saved
in Heaven but also joy in this life!
We should have this
thought in mind, “that whatever is done for another Christian or to
those in need, is the same as if it were done for Christ Himself”!
Mat 25:40 And
the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Since we know that
giving is truly important to the Lord and to the spread of the
Gospel, then we should surely know that those who collect that
ministry also have a great responsibility to make sure those
offerings gets to where it is needed and it is used for what it was
intended!
*****2Co 8:16
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart
of Titus for you.
2Co 8:17 For
indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his
own accord he went unto you.
2Co 8:18 And
we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel
throughout all the churches;
2Co 8:19 And
not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with
us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the
same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
2Co 8:20
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is
administered by us:
Those that gather
the collections of the church also have an important function and it
should be taken very seriously!
The truth is, the
"body of Christ" must always be aware of who handles the
money!
These people must be
trustworthy!
Titus was an
evangelist who assisted the Apostles and became a church planter
himself.
Titus cared for this
church at Corinth as much as Paul did!
This church clearly
understood this fact and placed great trust in Titus.
So those that take
up the collections must also have a great love and care for the
church!
The name of this
other person is not as important as is his qualifications. "His
praise is in the Gospel throughout all the churches".
He was a Christian.
He was treated as a brother in every church. He had a strong
testimony in the "Gospel of Jesus Christ".
It would only be a
wild guess to assume that this was Luke because we cannot possibly
know, and it is his qualifications that are most important!
This person had been
hand picked to keep the collections secure until they were delivered
to the place of their need.
You see the men who
secure the collections of the church “should be chosen by the
church”.
If Paul had handled
these offerings himself, he would have left himself and his ministry
open to being charged with confiscating or even stealing church
money.
Every Pastor needs
to consider these things in his own ministry!
In reality Paul sent
3 messengers to Corinth to gather this offering and we should observe
another Godly principle.
Mat 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him
his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou
hast gained thy brother.
Mat 18:16 But
if he will not hear thee, “then take with thee one or two more,
that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established”.
These Corinthians
had made a commitment and if they did not follow through then there
would be 3 witnesses and not just the word of the Apostle Paul.
Paul wanted all men
to know that he was honest and that he would never take money out of
the offerings for his own use.
Paul wanted no one
to question his personal conduct because he had dedicated his life to
the "Gospel" and to helping people and his reputation was
everything to him for his work to have meaning and to produce fruit.
This should not only
be the goal of every Pastor but also for every child of God!
*****2Co 8:21
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but
also in the sight of men.
Paul said above all
things we give no one an occasion for suspicion, not only in the
sight of all men but also in sight of the Lord.
God is not sitting
in Heaven just waiting on us to make a mistake so he can punish us
but He is certainly aware of all the things we do and at all times.
Psa 139:1 To
the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me,
and known me.
Psa 139:2 Thou
knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my
thought afar off.
Psa 139:3 Thou
compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my
ways.
Psa 139:4 For
there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it
altogether.
Psa 139:5 Thou
hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Psa 139:6 Such
knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto
it.
If we are to be
disciples of Jesus Christ then we must have a reputation that
resembles Christs reputation and above all Christ Jesus never sinned
and even those that hated Christ knew Him as a good man!
We as Christians
must have a clear conscience and it must appear to the world that we
have a clear conscience!
Mat 5:16 Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The two men who Paul
had sent with Titus had met all these qualifications and everywhere
this was known.
*****2Co 8:22
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes
proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the
great confidence which I have in you.
2Co 8:23
Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the
messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
2Co 8:24
Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your
love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Paul had sent Titus
who the Corinthian Church had come to trust, a Christian brother whom
all the other churches had selected to trust, and this third
Christian who had been tested frequently by the Apostle Paul himself.
Again if this this
church was not ready to honor its commitment then there would
qualified witnesses and these things could not be blamed on God's
Apostle.
Paul had requested
no particular amount and remember they already were giving in support
of their own church.
Paul had said to be
liberal. (of bounty and not covetousness)
Paul had said to be
deliberate. (Christian charity is a calm and wise thing, with courage
to refuse if necessary, not an impulse but with purpose of heart)
Paul had said to be
cheerful. (The Lord loves a cheerful giver)
Giving is also a
proof not only of the love of God in our lives but also the love of
all our brothers and sisters in Christ!
Love is an action
word that calls for proof sometimes if not all the time!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
