Podcasts about scripture: 2 corinthians 8:8-8:15

Grace Family | Pleasant Hill

Grace Family | Pleasant Hill

We all want to be more generous. Here's some things we can do.

What if instead of our focus being on our standard of living, it was on our standard of giving? How would that change us? How would it change our world? Together we’ll discover God’s plan for us to live large and make our life count!

Week 15 of our series on 2 Corinthians, following up with a mini series within the series about Generosity. This week how Generosity is a result of being connected to God, His Kingdom, and His people

2 Corinthians 8:8-15

2 Corinthians 8:8-15

Last week we began to look at Paul's encouragement to the Church at Corinth regarding a special offering. The Corinthians had previously indicated a desire to raise a special offering for the believers in Jerusalem who were going through a time of severe persecution and poverty. Paul says let your desire now become a reality – and encourages generosity. Earlier in the text (2 Cor 8:1-7) he uses the example of the Macedonians to encourage generosity and in our text this morning he is using the example of Christ to encourage generosity. As believers we are called to be imitators of God (Eph 5:1). God's will for us is to be Christ-like in every area of our lives – and this includes sacrificial giving. When we are generous we are reminding ourselves and others of the generosity of God. Paul also reminds them generous giving is proof, or evidence, of sincere love (v.8). Love that is real will go beyond mere words or just a feeling. And lastly, Paul reminds them that generosity is measured proportionately. The value of the gift is not determined by the amount, but by the spirit in which it is given. Is there a willingness to sacrifice? In our consumer driven world today it can be hard to live generously – even though we understand its importance and agree with the biblical directives. There are practical steps I can take to help me move towards living generously: (a) Avoid the trap of comparing my situation to others. (b) Be thankful and rejoice in the many blessings I have. (c) Tithe – this is an antidote to materialism. Every time you give you're winning a spiritual battle over materialism. (d) Focus on permanent values. What you live for is much more important than what you live on. Questions for Discussion: 1. What, if any, were the ‘aha’ moments you had while listening to the message? Discuss 2. Read Eph 5:1-2. What does it mean for you to be an imitator of God? 3. How does the 'story of Christ' (2 Cor. 8:9) motivate you to generous living? 4. What elements of the 'story of Christ' are most significant to you personally? Why? 5. Giving that counts is giving that stems from a heart of love (2 Cor. 8:8, 1 Cor. 13:3). How does one cultivate a 'heart of love'? 6. Generosity is measured proportionately (vs.12) – It's not the amount, it's the attitude. Do you think it's easier for a rich person or a poor person to be generous? Why? 7. Of the four practical suggestions for embracing generosity in today's world, which is most important to you and why? a. Don't compare b. Be Thankful c. Tithe d. Focus on permanent values 8. What is one thing you will do differently this week as a result of our discussion today?

Last week we began to look at Paul's encouragement to the Church at Corinth regarding a special offering. The Corinthians had previously indicated a desire to raise a special offering for the believers in Jerusalem who were going through a time of severe persecution and poverty. Paul says let your desire now become a reality – and encourages generosity. Earlier in the text (2 Cor 8:1-7) he uses the example of the Macedonians to encourage generosity and in our text this morning he is using the example of Christ to encourage generosity. As believers we are called to be imitators of God (Eph 5:1). God's will for us is to be Christ-like in every area of our lives – and this includes sacrificial giving. When we are generous we are reminding ourselves and others of the generosity of God. Paul also reminds them generous giving is proof, or evidence, of sincere love (v.8). Love that is real will go beyond mere words or just a feeling. And lastly, Paul reminds them that generosity is measured proportionately. The value of the gift is not determined by the amount, but by the spirit in which it is given. Is there a willingness to sacrifice? In our consumer driven world today it can be hard to live generously – even though we understand its importance and agree with the biblical directives. There are practical steps I can take to help me move towards living generously: (a) Avoid the trap of comparing my situation to others. (b) Be thankful and rejoice in the many blessings I have. (c) Tithe – this is an antidote to materialism. Every time you give you're winning a spiritual battle over materialism. (d) Focus on permanent values. What you live for is much more important than what you live on. Questions for Discussion: 1. What, if any, were the ‘aha’ moments you had while listening to the message? Discuss 2. Read Eph 5:1-2. What does it mean for you to be an imitator of God? 3. How does the 'story of Christ' (2 Cor. 8:9) motivate you to generous living? 4. What elements of the 'story of Christ' are most significant to you personally? Why? 5. Giving that counts is giving that stems from a heart of love (2 Cor. 8:8, 1 Cor. 13:3). How does one cultivate a 'heart of love'? 6. Generosity is measured proportionately (vs.12) – It's not the amount, it's the attitude. Do you think it's easier for a rich person or a poor person to be generous? Why? 7. Of the four practical suggestions for embracing generosity in today's world, which is most important to you and why? a. Don't compare b. Be Thankful c. Tithe d. Focus on permanent values 8. What is one thing you will do differently this week as a result of our discussion today?

Part 4 of our month long series on stewardship: Extravagant Generosity. Generous giving is a big part of how we live out the reality of the Kingdom of God in our present time.