The Stewardship of Grace Pt. #1: 2 Corinthians 8:1-14

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The Stewardship of Grace Pt. #1:

2 Corinthians 8:1-14

Preached @ Harambee Church by Pastor Michael Gunn on September 13

th, 2009

Intro

As we celebrate Harambee’s 7

maybe some uncertainty, we enter in hope, because of the gospel of grace. This year we will be in the

book of Acts (Starting November 2009), but we are going to look at stewardship for these next few weeks.

Stewardship (Or giving) is a tough subject since it is so connected to our circumstances and idols. Some

churches certainly talk too much about giving, while other, such as Harambee do not talk enough about it.

It is my apology that we have not preached the full counsel of God’s word. Stewardship is spoken about

quite often in the bible, and it is a subject that can bring out many emotions, because we are so controlled

by our time and our money. We don’t think that the gospel ought to make any demands on our life;

certainly not in the area of what we do with our money. I could take the tactic of causing you guilt so as to

raise our giving, but that would be quite un-gospellike. If we have yielded our lives to God, then we have

yielded that which is most important to us; our time, talent and treasure. Discipleship is connected to

giving and the proper stewarding of the many gifts that God has graced us with. We are called to die to

ourselves and empty ourselves and it is there (In Christ) that we find our joy and abundance.

One thing is for sure giving is a heart issue, related to grace, and not related to our procuring a new

identity and standing with the Lord.

lives. It is a sign of grace residing in us

subject.

th year of existence and enter into a new year; albeit a year of change andGrace giving is a natural by-product of the gospel working on our. Let’s take a look at 2 Corinthians 8 for the words of Paul on this

From the Head…

First of all, we note that Paul is discussing the giving of the Macedonian church to the Jerusalem church

as a way of relief. However the principles of giving here (

stewardship of all kinds. Paul is commending the Macedonian church (These are churches that Paul

founded near Greece) to the Corinthians as a way of teaching them in regards to giving. Paul took no

money from them (See

too can say the same thing, as I now raise all of my support outside of Harambee, so I am freed up to do

what God has called me to do. Paul can talk about giving freely knowing that he has no ulterior motive.

So many of the TV preachers preach about giving as a way to blessing, so that they can be the one being

blessed.

Giving is not the path to the blessing, it is the result of the blessing (

Generosity is an affect, not a cause. Giving sacrificially is a result of the reality of the joy of Christ in our

lives. Giving isn’t a pathway, or a work to be done because we ought, but a result of the gospel working in

our lives. It is a showing of God’s grace. Joy is connected to contentment, which leads to the ability to live

with any means since we are filled in Christ (See

create that joy through circumstances and new toys. Paul so clearly indicates this point in

he uses the prime example of God’s grace in our life; Jesus’ death in our behalf. He was made “Poor” just

like the Macedonian church was, so that we could be made “Rich.” It is when we are content and joy filled

in Christ that we can be givers of ourselves and our stuff as an act of “Re-Gracing” to others.

Giving is motivated by a restructuring of our understanding of our possessions (

They weren’t motivated by guilt and human expectations, but the desire to participate in what God was

doing. This wasn’t done as an expectation of Paul and his people; it was done because they

themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God, to us

instance was ascertained by the fact that they had given themselves and their stuff to the Lord. This is a

key to stewardship; that we see all of who we are and the things we have as the Lord’s and not our own

(See

emphasizes material possessions as a symbol of our success and significance. This makes giving things

up in accordance with God’s will harder for us to obey. The Macedonian church saw their possessions as

first the Lord, then they recognized that God was working through the ministry of Paul and his men, so

they were happy to participate in the work of the Lord in this circumstance.

Giving is an act of grace and love (

While giving is a consequence of grace in our lives, it is also an act of grace and love demonstrating

God’s grace and love in our lives. When we withhold giving, we are missing out in the grace opportunities

we are given to bless others with a symbol of the grace we are blessed with. Paul is urging Titus and his

team to complete what their intentions were, and to demonstrate the grace of God to others through their

gift.

Giving is the result of restructured desires (

This last point is crucial to biblical stewardship. It was their desire that motivated them to give. Desire is

ultimately what motivates us to do anything. We do what we desire. We can try to do something else, but

it is the desires of our heart that we ultimately follow. It is a restructuring in this area that happens to us

through the preaching of the gospel. If our desires are truly self-centered then giving is not going to be a

part of who we are. It is our desires that bring glory to God or ourselves. Anyone can give money and

actually have a desire to help others, but if their desires are not motivated by God and His glory, the work

is not pleasing to the Lord, because their motives of their heart are self-centered. This is why two people

can do the same act, yet one is doing for completely different reasons than the other.

2 Corinthians 8-9) are good guidelines to2 Corinthians 11:7-9). Paul was a tent maker, and he raised his own support. I2 Corinthians 8:1-3)Philippians 4:11-13). When we are joyless, we need toverse 9 when2 Corinthians 8:4-5)“Gave(2 Corinthians 8:5). The will of God in thisPsalm 24:1). It is easier to depart with things that aren’t our own. We live in a culture that2 Corinthians 8:6-8)2 Corinthians 8:10-11)

…to the Heart

Anyone can be a giver, and as a matter of fact, many non-believers are more hospitable and gracious in

their giving than non-believers. This does not negate the gospel in our lives. Biblical giving to help others

is not based on nationalism, moralism, self interest, or guilt; it is based on the grace that God has shown

us in Jesus Christ, which restructures our desire and understanding of our possessions, so that we are

free to give of ourselves for the glory of God in this world. As believers, we have more reason to be

givers than anyone else. There is no greater motivation to care for the world’s poor than the grace of

God when we truly understand what that means.

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