Sermon, February 3, 2008 2 Corinthians 8.1-12 The Gracious Act of Giving
2 Corinthians 8.1-12 The Gracious Act of Giving
1. There was a need among God’s people
2. Paul sought to bring relief to those who were in need
3. Paul had written previously about giving [1 Cor 16.1-3]
a. Bring your gifts on the first day of the week
b. Each believer is to do this
c. Give as God has prospered you
4. Paul makes an appeal to finish what was started
A. THE EXAMPLE OF THE MACEDONIANS
Their giving was characterized by…
1. Self denial [2]
2. Sacrifice [3a]
3. Freedom [3b-4]
4. Self [5]
5. God’s grace [1]
B. THE EXAMPLE OF THE MASTER, JESUS CHRIST [9]
1. Though He was rich… [Col 1, 2; Heb 1; Rev 1]
2. …for your sake He became poor… [Phil 2; Heb 10; Heb 12; 1 Pet 2]
3. …so that by His poverty He could make you rich. [Eph 1; Rom 8]
C. A WARNING
1. Don’t try to pay God back!
2. But use His example to inspire and guide you in your own sacrificial giving
John Olson
