Sunday School August 13th, 2006 2nd Corinthians 8(1-15)
2nd Corinthians 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
Giving to the less fortunate
The occasion of this writing is the effort of the Apostle Paul to challenge the Corinthian church to give to their needing brothers back in Jerusalem. Jerusalem had been struck by famine and the brethren were in terrible need. The Corinthians had given once, but Paul is now urging them to give again to benefit the Jewish believers living in Jerusalem. The famine is reported in the Book of Acts 11:29. the importance of this for New Testament believers is to demonstrate the heart of God towards giving to those who are in need. Do we have a heart to give to others?
8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
Macedonia goes beyond the call of duty
The church at Macedonia had every excuse not to give. They had been enduring great trials of affliction which speaks of persecution. The heathen of that area at the time were greatly suspicious of this new “religion.” Christians did not believe in the many gods of the Greeks. They did not believe in making graven images of God so the craftsman of the day who produced statues and idols were threatened financially. The Macedonian church was also afflicted by great poverty. The persecution of the church extended in employment and opportunity. They had every reason to think of only themselves; but they did not. They had two things which made them successful in charitable actions: they had an abundance of joy which came from their relationship to Christ and they had a great desire to do a lot to help. A desire to give will make a lot of things possible which do not seem readily apparent. Some rich folks could give liberally, but they don’t. Some poor people shouldn’t be able to be real generous, but they are.
8:4 Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Begging to help
Listen to the Apostle boast concerning these people. They “prayed with much entreaty” which means they literally begged the Apostle to let them participate in this mission. When you have people begging to give, your chance of success is real good. Oh, that the saints of God in America would develop a bigger desire to give to the things of God. Some pastor’s could leave their worldly jobs and concentrate on the things God would have them concentrate on. Souls would be won in more abundance. Church buildings would be clean and repaired. A church which is run down and in disrepair speaks volumes to the world concerning the importance of God in the members lives. The church would be able to expand ministries to the poor and to the young people in our area. God would bless in a mighty way. We have become like the people of Israel which God reprimanded in the Book of Malachi. Consider these words: Malachi 3:8-12: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”
8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
Better than hoped for
The phrase “not as we hoped” does not mean what it means in modern lingo. The phrase means they gave more or beyond what the Apostles hoped for. Why did they do that? Because they first gave themselves to the Lord and then unto the Apostles by the will of God. The charitable hearts these people possessed were a result of their love for God. They realized God had given them much more than they could give to the Jewish believers. They also trusted the Apostles. That is what is meant by the phrase “and unto us.” Many churches today feel persecuted by their leaders. It ought not be that way. The leaders should love and watch out for the people and the people should have a desire to see the leaders blessed. They should trust their decisions and motivations. I have often said a minister is one place where a church should not look for a bargain. The Scriptures teach churches to give a “double portion” to those who rule well and especially those who minister in the Word of God. A good preacher is important to a church. A bad one will cost you more than you will save in the long run. I am not grinding my own axe as Addison Church takes care of me very well. I am speaking concerning some of my preaching brethren which are mistreated by their flocks. It is not fair for a church to expect a preacher to study the Word to preach unto them, visit them when they are sick, and take care of every other supposed need and then not to pay them a living wage. Often preachers neglect their own families to make time to minister to a church whose actions demonstrate their willingness to take advantage of their willing hearts. I don’t apologize for these statements. Churches who are guilty of such actions should examine their lives and fix the problem. Don’t take my word for it; here’s some Scriptures to prove preachers should be paid for their labors. 1st Timothy 5:17-19 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” The word tranlsted “honour” mans the price or value of a received of a person. The word translated reward means wages or dues paid for work. It is clear the Apostle is teaching that Pastors should be supported and maintained by the flocks they minister to. 1st Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. The word translated “live” means to live well and secure. Remember what I said earlier. It is neither the job nor goal of the church to starve the preacher; they should pay him as they are able. I have often thought a good rule of thumb is that the Pastor should live like his parishioners. If the church is well to do they should pay their pastor very well. If it is a church made up of middle class people, then they should pay him what a factory worker in his area would expect to earn. If the church is poor then they should pay him as well as they can and look for ways to honor him by other means. (Labor, kindness, gifts at special times)
8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
Titus
Titus had inspired this charity so Paul sent Titus to receive this extra gift from them. They trusted Titus. It was good for them to work with a familiar face. They could give without suspicion or doubt.
8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
Excel
These people were not satisfied with the mediocre. They excelled in faith, in preaching and teaching the Word of God (the word translated “utterance” in the Greek is logos, it is the same word used in John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word..”), in knowledge, and in diligence which means they were determined and enthusiastic to follow through with their giving. This is such a good example for modern churches. We should be content, but never satisfied. We need to seek to better ourselves Spiritually, Biblically, and in number. Some folks criticize when you speak of numbers, but never forget; numbers are souls. Every one we get to hear the Word of God has the chance to be saved. Jesus commanded we go out into the “highways and byways” and seek to bring folks into His house. Are we seeking the lost for Christ?
8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Not commanded
God doesn’t demand the New Testament Christian give; He allows them to. Paul wasn’t demanding these folks respond to this need, he was allowing and urging them to. Often people talk about love, but Paul was giving them a chance to prove their love. That is what is meant by the phrase “prove the sincerity of your love.” Often people claim to love the less fortunate, but they are unwilling to give to satisfy the need. Often they claim to love the sinner, but they do not want them to fellowship in the church. I often repeat an old saying; “the proof is in the pudding.” It is the same here: if we love, let’s act like it!
8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
God & Christ the example
God is not asking us to do anything He hasn’t done. God gave His only Son for us. What a gift that is? He didn’t seek a bargain basement Messiah, but He sent the best He had. Jesus didn’t give us a half effort, but poured out His heart and soul for our benefit. He gave us the entirety of His life. He died a terrible death and lived a life of self denial for our sake. If we look to God for an example we will live a generous life. Don’t misread this verse. People often speak of the poverty of Christ and I think they exaggerate that fact. Joseph was a carpenter which would have provided a healthy lifestyle for his family. Jesus had benefactors which gave to His ministry when He began to preach full time. There is no reason to believe He was in want. What is meant here is that anything on earth was poverty when compared to His existence in Heaven. Think about it for a moment. Jesus is the Son of God. If He would’ve come to this earth as a Roman emperor it would still have been a gigantic reduction in glory. No earthly existence can compare with His heavenly circumstance.
8:10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 8:11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
Be a doer of the Word
A very famous verse comes to mind here: James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” The Corinthians church had made a pledge to help; now it was time to fulfill that pledge. It is actions, not words, which feed the hungry and clothe the naked. They truly loved the people in Jerusalem and had given once to their need. Now the Apostle challenges them to do more. Mediocrity is never God’s plan. He wants us to excel in all facets of our life; including giving!
8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
A willing mind
The most important ability a man needs to fulfill God’s plan for his life is availability. Skills can be developed. Plans can be implemented. Examples can be observed and copied, but someone who is unwilling will never, ever accomplish anything. God does not force people to obey Him. He leaves the choice up to us. Those who are unwilling will always choose to disobey. Those who are not as talented or gifted as others, but see a need and have a desire to fill that need, will find a way to accomplish the goal. You take 100 real talented lazy folks and I will take 100 folks who are willing to work and sacrifice of themselves and I will build a much bigger, more Spiritual church than you.
8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
Giving of your abundance
The people of Macedonia gave when there appeared no way they could. The people of Corinth had been blessed by God and the Apostle Paul is encouraging them to give. There is an immutable law of God which some people tend to forget about. The law I’m speaking about is the law of reaping and sowing. The Bible promises that those who sow will reap what they sow. It also promises if we sow bountifully we will reap bountifully. If we are stingy, we will reap sparingly. The Scripture promises that God will see to it that we are treated the way we treat others. If we give when we can, someday God will make sure somebody gives to us. You might say “I will never need any money from anyone. I have my retirement all planned. My investments are well set up. I’m fine.” You’re finances are only as safe as God allows them to be, but I won’t argue with you on this matter. My question is what if your need is not financial. Maybe you will need someone to pray for you. Maybe you will need someone to listen to your cares and sympathize with your pain. Maybe you will need someone to provide assistance to your children. We never know when we will need someone and for what reason. The Scripture tells us that no man lives to himself and no man dies to himself. We are in this thing called life together.
New Living Translation (to be used as a commentary only)
1 Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia. 2 Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the gracious privilege of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem. 5 Best of all, they went beyond our highest hopes, for their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to us for whatever directions God might give them. 6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to complete your share in this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us—now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. 8 I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are eager to do it. This is one way to prove your love is real. 9 You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 I suggest that you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to propose this idea, and you were the first to begin doing something about it. 11 Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give whatever you can according to what you have. 12 If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone’s needs will be met. 15 Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this? “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
THANKS FOR STUDYING WITH US THIS WEEK. OUR LESSONS CAN BE FOUND EACH WEEK ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.ADDISONCHURCH.COM. BE SURE TO SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK WHEN YOU VISIT. WE ALSO WILL EMAIL THE LESSON DIRECTLY TO YOU BY REQUEST AT ADDISONFWBCHURCH@BLUESTARR.NET. YOU WILL NEVER BE ASKED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS, NOR WILL YOUR INFORMATION BE GIVEN OR SOLD TO ANY OUTSIDE SOURCE. SEE YOU SOON!!!!
PASTOR RICK BARCUS
