Canaan Fellowship

The Grace and Principles of Giving

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Canaan Fellowship
Canaan Fellowship
The Grace and Principles of Giving
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Bill Teubl begins a two-part sermon series on 2 Corinthians 8-9, focusing this week on chapter 8. He frames these chapters around the themes of the grace, principles, and blessings of giving, using the context of a collection for the needy saints in Jerusalem to explore how God nurtures generosity in the hearts of believers.

  • [00:01:22] The sermon is structured into three sections:
    1. The Grace of Giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-7)
    2. The Principles of Giving (2 Corinthians 8:8 – 9:7)
    3. The Blessing of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:8-15) – covered in part 2
  • [00:02:18] The Example of the Macedonians: Despite severe affliction and extreme poverty, their abundance of joy overflowed in a wealth of generosity.
  • [00:08:42] Purpose of Comparison: Paul shares the Macedonians’ example not to command giving, but to prove the Corinthians’ own genuine love and stir it into action.
  • [00:13:57] Affliction and Generosity: God can use the constraints and afflictions in our lives, if embraced, to produce both joy and generosity.
  • [00:20:30] Generosity is an Attitude: The Macedonians’ example shows that generosity is a matter of the heart, not a function of one’s financial wealth.
  • [00:25:50] The Ultimate Example: The grace of Jesus Christ, who though rich became poor for our sake, is presented as the supreme motivation for giving.
  • [00:27:49] Giving Benefits the Giver: Paul’s judgment is that completing this act of giving benefits the Corinthians themselves.
  • [00:28:43] Act on Your Readiness: Believers are encouraged to finish what they started, ensuring their readiness and desire are matched by completion.
  • [00:30:52] Give According to What You Have: Giving is acceptable based on what one has, not on what one does not have. It is not about comparing oneself to others or to one’s past self.
  • [00:33:13] Aim for Fairness: The goal of giving is not to burden the giver while easing others, but to achieve fairness, where abundance supplies need.
  • [00:35:32] The Cycle of Giving: When you give to someone in need, a spiritual dynamic is released where God can multiply grace in their life, creating an abundance that may one day supply your need.
  • [00:39:33] Seek Help in Giving: If you struggle with how to give, it is a biblical principle to seek help and mentorship from others who are experienced and earnest.
  • [00:41:30] Giving Preaches the Gospel: A genuine, sincere act of giving is a powerful testimony that preaches the gospel to the world.

Scripture References

  • 2 Corinthians 8
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
  • 2 Corinthians 9
  • Romans 9-11
  • Exodus 16:18

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