February 27 , 2005
"The Joy of Grace Giving"
The Treasure Principle—Part 2
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Review:
Treasure Principle #1
I am God's Treasure
1. God owns everything.
Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.
—Job 41:11
The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it...
—Psalm 24:1
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
—1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Treasure Principle #2
God owns everything. I am His money manager.
2. God loves a cheerful giver.
...God loves a cheerful giver.
—2 Corinthians 9:7
Your giving will bless you!
Note: If our giving is to bless us and build us up, we must be careful to follow the principles that Paul explained in this passage.
The principle of increase
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
—2 Corinthians 9:6
The principle of intent
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
—2 Corinthians 9:7-9
The principle of immediacy
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
—2 Corinthians 9:10-11
Your giving will meet needs!
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
—2 Corinthians 9:12
Your giving will glorify God!
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
—2 Corinthians 9:13
Your giving will unite God's people!
And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
—2 Corinthians 9:14-15
Lifework
This morning we have seen the overwhelming grace of God. We are saved because God believed in grace giving. If Christians got back to grace giving, I believe the world would sit up and take notice. Through that type of giving we magnify the grace of God.
The Treasure Principle—Week 2
Personal and Group Study
Getting Started
- With what are you generous? When you are generous, how does it make you feel?
- In what ways have you learned the lesson, "God owns everything?"
- What is one lesson about money you can recall learning from your parents?
Digging Deeper: Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
- By the sowing and reaping imagery, is Paul saying that if you give $100 you will get $1000? Why or why not?
- How is giving money away a source of cheer for the giver?
- What do you make of all the "alls" in verse 8?
- For what purpose will God materially bless these people? How does generosity reflect righteousness and ever-widening circles of people giving thanks to God?
- How is giving contagious? How does it reflect God's grace?
Applying It To My Life
- How have you reaped by being generous to others in need?
- How can God's promise (v.8) enable you to be more generous?
- If you were to write a thank-you note to God for His indescribable gift, what would it say?