January 26, 2003
Sermon: by Pastor Dan Folden, New Heights Christian Church, Kent, WA 98031
Growing in Generosity:
How to be a pacesetter in generosity.
2 Corinthians 9 NIV
Have you ever noticed the hold money has on people?
Sometimes we find it very hard to let go of it, don’t we?
ILL: Money (ten dollahs)
Stumpy Grinder and his wife Martha found it hard to let go of it. Stumpy and Martha were from Portland, Maine. Every year they went to the Portland Fair, and every year Stumpy said, “Ya know Mahtha, I’d like ta get a ride in that theah aihplane,” and every year Martha would say “I know Stumpy, but that theah aihplane ride costs ten dollahs…and ten dollahs is ten dollahs.” So Stumpy said, “But ya know Mahtha, I’m 71 yeahs old, if I don’t go this time I may nevah go.” Martha replied, “Stumpy, that theah aihplane ride is ten dollahs…and ten dollahs is ten dollahs.”
But the pilot overheard them and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you both up for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say ONE word, I won’t charge you. But just one word, and it’s ten dollars.”
They agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of twists and turns, rolls and dives, but not a word was heard. He did it one more time, still nothing…so he landed.
He turned to Stumpy as they came to a stop and said, “My Stumpy, I did everything I could think of to get you to holler out, but you didn’t.” And Stumpy replied, “Well, I was gonna say something when Mahtha fell out…but ten dollahs is ten dollahs!”
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=46430&ContributorID=7538
In our series on generosity, we are addressing the grip that money has on us and discovering the joy of giving, of releasing resources that God has placed in our care for the benefit of others.
My prayer for this series is that we would make room in our hearts for God’s heart of generosity.
Growing in Generosity:
How to be a pacesetter in generosity.
2 Corinthians 9 NIV
Paul has left the Macedonian churches with a generous gift for the Jerusalem church. According to our text in 2 Corinthians 9, the Macedonian churches were inspired to generosity by the promise to give by the church in Corinth. The Macedonian churches became pacesetters in generosity, spurred on by the resolve to give by the Corinthians. The churches in Macedonia, churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, set an example of what true Christian giving is like.
These followers of Christ had experienced the grace of God through Paul and his preaching of the gospel. Paul told them of the Corinthians’ enthusiastic response to the grace of God. Almost in a spirit of not wanting to be outdone, these believers not only promised to collect a gift for the needy brothers in Jerusalem, they did it. They took action. They set an example.
There seems to be an ironic twist in the story line. A church that initially set the tone for generous giving is being challenged by a church that has run out ahead of the original pacesetter.
Some of us got a good start in our walk with the Lord and even inspired others to give their lives to the Lord. Then, to our surprise, some that we initially inspired are now by their example challenging us to pick up the pace and follow through with our commitment. This is what I am calling the Macedonian Challenge.
I think about children of Christian parents who have watched their parents in their day to day commitment to follow Christ. These parents have done well in inspiring their children to walk with our Lord. Yet, how ironic it is when these young people become captivated by God’s grace and begin to set an example for their parents.
That appears to be what is going on in our text. The original pacesetter is being outrun.
This morning I would like to see if our text can help us in becoming pacesetters in generosity. Have your Bibles open, if you would, to 2 Corinthians 9.
Now last week we learned that at the heart of Christian generosity is God’s grace. God gives. He is the first to give. His giving inspires us to give. Since God inspired the giving, He then deserves the credit.
What we saw among the Macedonian churches is the power of God’s grace in the midst of poverty. In verse 2 of chapter 8, Paul says, . . .
2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
It’s an unlikely combination; Joy and poverty. They hardly seem like partners. Yet, when the grace of God is received, even in the midst of severe trials and extreme poverty, that grace makes us rich in joy and enthusiastic about giving. When we welcome God’s grace into our lives it turns us into generous people. And, not only generous, but joyful. When grace inspired joy fills our hearts, even poverty cannot stop us from giving.
As Paul travels from Macedonia to Corinth, he becomes concerned about the follow through of a promise made by the Corinthian church. Would they have their gift ready to go at his arrival or would everyone be embarrassed when Paul arrived?
2 Corinthians 9 (NIV)
1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.
That’s Paul, speaking to the original pacesetters, reminding them how their enthusiasm inspired others. But Paul seems a bit nervous. There is some uncertainty about whether the Corinthians have followed through on their promise.
3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.
Had Paul’s boasting about the Corinthians turn out to be just empty words? Paul couldn’t let that happen.
5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Though Paul did not want the Corinthians giving out of compulsion, he did, however, want to hold them to their promise. Promises are sacred commitments. Don’t make them lightly. Even promises of generosity need to be kept.
David, in Psalm 15 asks and answer a question.
LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?
(he) who keeps his oath even when it hurts.
Ron Clements reminded me that Paul’s strategy here was borrowed by President Reagan – Trust but verify. If you are relying on someone else and their failure to follow through will cost you big time, you better consider verifying that those you have entrusted with responsibility actually do it.
How to be a pacesetter in generosity.
#1. Pacesetters in generosity follow through on their promises.
Recognizethat promises are sacred commitments, not to be taken lightly.
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
#2. Pacesetters in generosity are deliberate and enthusiastic.
They have a plan and work it passionately. Thoughtful yet in faith. They understand the law of harvest.
8 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.
#3. Pacesetters in generosity know their source of generosity.
Christian generosity starts with God. It is founded in His ability and in His grace. God is able to make all grace abound to you.
God’s ability – We know that nothing is impossible with God. The same God who created the universe is the same God who makes His grace abound to us. Certainly, He is able.
Our response to God’s ability needs to be trust.
All grace – God is not shorting us on grace. He brings to our table everything we need and more.
so that – There is a purpose in God’s generosity. What is it?
in all things -
at all times -
having all that you need, -
you will abound in every good work. -
#4. Pacesetters in generosity know the purpose of their generosity.
The abundance of God’s grace is ours so that we can have a fruitful ministry.
“God’s work done in God’s way will not lack for adequate resources.”
God can, therefore, guide us with His resources. If He doesn’t supply, then we should not move ahead. This advice, however, needs to be balanced with our need to exercise faith. Faith, as you recall, is a response to God’s instruction or command. If God has asked us to give and at the same time we assess our resources and find them lacking, God may be asking us to step out in faith, trusting God’s ability to have the resources available just in time.
I think God likes the “just in time” approach to supply.
Much of industry today has moved to a “just in time” approach. Financial responsibility has created this necessity. Small margins of profit drive us to look for ways reduce waste and excess. To hold resources in storage may not be good stewardship. Space costs money, possibly more than the object we are storing.
If a system can be developed where the things we need are ready just before they are needed, profit margins may increase.
Well, it’s possible that God likes to work this way with us. Think of the trust that is required when God says “go,” but we don’t even know where to go.
How to be a pacesetter in generosity.
#1. Pacesetters in generosity follow through on their promises.
#2. Pacesetters in generosity are deliberate and enthusiastic.
#3. Pacesetters in generosity know their source of generosity.
#4. Pacesetters in generosity know the purpose of their generosity.
9 As it is written:
“He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 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. 11 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.
The purpose of generosity –
a. enlarges the harvest of your righteousness.
b. results in thanksgiving to God.
12 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. 13 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. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
The purpose of generosity –
a. enlarges the harvest of your righteousness.
b. results in thanksgiving to God.
c. supplies the needs of God’s people.
d. extends God’s grace that turns receivers into givers.
15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
Amen.
Benediction:
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.