PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED]

GIVING2 Corinthians 8:1-7

PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING

$$Why talk about money?• Spotlight on one’s

spiritual condition.• Index to a person’s

character.• Reflection of a person’s

heart.

PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING

Macedonian churches:• Severely impoverished• Roman territory for 200 years (taxed, persecuted…)Paul’s Fundraising Campaign:• Jerusalem church (growth, provision of needs…)• 10 year campaign• Church in Corinth already pledged to give

PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING

Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. Initiated by God’s grace.

“And now brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the

Macedonian churches.” (8:1)

PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING

Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. initiated by God’s grace.2. transcends difficult

circumstances.“Out of the most severe trial...” (8:2a)

“Remember this – you can’t serve God and money, but you can serve God with money.” –

Rev. Selwyn Hughes

PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING

Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. initiated by God’s grace.2. transcends difficult

circumstances.3. generous.“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing

joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” (8:2)

PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING

Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. initiated by God’s grace.2. transcends difficult

circumstances.3. generous.“Generosity” = single-mindedness (oneness in purpose)

“…but she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4)

PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING

Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. initiated by God’s grace.2. transcends difficult

circumstances.3. generous.“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this

service to the saints.” (8:3-4)

PRINCIPLES FOR [GRACE-ORIENTED] GIVING

Grace-Oriented Giving is:1. initiated by God’s grace.2. transcends difficult

circumstances.3. generous.4. and act of worship.“And they did not do as we expected, but they

gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” (8:5)