Beyond my Possessions II Corinthians 9:1-9
I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.[a] 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece[b] were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”[c] 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,“They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”[d]
- Today we find ourselves yet on another Tithe sermon – the last few Wednesdays we have been reminded about tithing
- One of the Wednesday’s we had this famous word from Pastor Crystals words – “Come at me Bro!!”
- In all seriousness – Money plays a great roll in our lives today and even back then
- Matthew 6:21 (Nlt) -Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be
- Straight from the text we can confirm a few things:
- Paul is either recommending the Corinthian church for their giving or being sarcastic
- One thing we see is that the Corinthian Church inspired the churches in Greece to give – so much so, that they have been waiting for over a year to get the tithe in
- There is caution happening here though, Are they really going to be ready? Let me send some people ahead so that we don’t get embarrassed – Makes me wonder about the hype in the first verses; if they had it under control– does Paul need to send someone to check on them?
- He also reminds them, that it is a willing participant event – No one will be forced to give
- Giving is likened to planting, if you plant less, then the harvest is less and vise versa
- You already know it
- One of the most debated topics in Christianity is giving
- Even the non-Christians can quote the Bible on this part – then continue to fight against it
- Christians do as well: Where your treasures are, you will find motivation or lack of as well
- I believe that when it comes to giving, we Christians have no excuse about what is required of us
- Hence most of the times the enemy will not convince you not to give, because that would be against the Bible – however he brings misunderstanding
- I was speaking with Brother Kenyon (Taylor)– and he said that his father taught him “Man you don’t have to be giving that church all your money, all you need to do is give them a few dollars to pay for toilet paper and paper towels”
- But most of us at FVC do give and give willingly- I want to boast like Paul, that your generosity does inspire others to give
- Paul is telling the Corinthian church – good job for doing your part and by doing it, others are inspired and now they live in obedience
- Which bring me to a great question – If they can inspire a church to get ready a year ahead of schedule to give- What else can we inspire others to do?
- Say amen if you know Adan Serna – Great guy, super disciplined, always happy- never seen him angry
- I work with him, and I noticed something – the dude is always flexing even when he is just hanging out – He could be eating a sandwich, drinking water, taking a nap – it doesn’t matter
- I got to talk to him, and he said, I don’t even like to go to the gym- I hate it but it’s a non-negotiable – a lifestyle
- Guess what – now he is my accountability partner – In the near future I look forward to flexing even in my sleep like him 😊
- If we can be inspired by watching others do life – Perishable things,
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- What is your life saying to others? – What are you teaching by the way you do life?
- Matthew 5:16 (Amp) Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- You already know it – Do an audit of your Spirit led life – if I followed you for a week, every waking moment- and I impersonated you in all that you did, said and more – would I still be recognized as a Christian?
- The other day I was talking to my wife and we both realized that we have a deep desire to see Christians be Christians
- We want you guys to:
- Read the Bible more and do what it says – not just read
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- Joshua 1:8 (Nlt) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do
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- Pray – pray without ceasing – My goodness, we treat prayer like how I treat asparagus – do I have to eat them? – Can I please have a piece of bread instead – I will do 2 pushups instead
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- 1 Thessalonians 5:17( NLT) – Never stop praying
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- Philippians 4:6-7 (Nlt) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
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- Side note: I got to say that we have had a great number of people who have been coming to prayer meeting
- Live a righteous life – desire the things of God -Otherwise what is this struggle for (it doesn’t make sense why we pretend)
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- 1 Peter 1:15-16 – but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.
- When we do these things continuously, we teach others to do the same and God gets the glory
- You already know what you need to do- Just do it !!!
2. Praise God for the messenger
- Vs 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready.
- Why does Paul go to the extent of sending someone before them if they already are such good givers?
- I am sure Paul is not shy of bad press- Have you seen his writings?
- I think Paul knows that if there is a bad report – it will affect the Kingdom of God – it will taint the gospel
- Your giving or lack of affects the gospel
- And I am not just talking about money, I am talking about your time, your sacrifice, your love, your attention, your availability, Wisdom and knowledge, forgiveness,
- Anything and everything you have been given to you! – it all belongs to Him
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- Deuteronomy 10:14-17 (Amp) Behold, the heavens and the highest of heavens belong to the Lord your God, the earth and all that is in it.
- Paul tells them in vs: 3 – I am sending the brothers…so that you may be prepared, just as I have told them you would be
- This evening you might be questioning the character of the Corinthian church – how dare they say they will give and maybe not come through?
- But this is us – We have to be reminded to make sure that we are not caught unaware
- The concept of sending someone before is not a foreign thing
- The president when he is about to travel to a new place – there is secret service dudes everywhere
- All throughout the Bible, we see messengers and they are all for our benefit
- Isaiah 40:3 (NLT)- The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight [a]in the desert A highway for our God.
- John 1:23 (NLT) John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’
- John 14:2-3 – There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
- Why is this important? – It’s not about the money- it’s about the heart condition that is being prepared for the return of Christ – Its what’s beyond your treasures
- Where your heart is – There your treasures are!
- If it’s about the money, it would stop after the money is received – there is more beyond the treasures
- The story of the Ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is a great example of being warned and quickly forgetting or not preparing enough
- There is no hidden agenda with the Lord – He is coming back!
- The Old Testament contains many prophecies about the coming of the Lord, both in reference to His first coming (as the Messiah, Jesus Christ) and His second coming (as King and Judge). While there isn’t an exact count, scholars estimate that references to God’s coming appear over 1,500 times in various ways.
- Malachi 3:1 (NLT) – “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple.”
- While an exact count varies depending on translations and interpretations, the Second Coming of Jesus is mentioned over 300 times in the New Testament alone!
- Matthew 24:44 (NLT) – You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected
- Revelation 22:12 (NLT) Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds
- I love that God does not just leave us and boom – Just comes back unexpected, we have each other to encourage one another and above all we have the Holy Spirit
- John 16:13 (NLT) – When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future
3. Am I willing?
- Paul speaks of the cause-and-effect principle
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 (AMP): Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows [a]generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap [b]generously [and be blessed]
- After the messenger delivers the message, a response is required.
- It doesn’t matter how much the warning goes out – we have part to play
- Luke 9:23(Nlt) – Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me
- There is a full surrender and there is a partial surrender a.k.a no surrender
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NLT) – Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously (there is a measure of faith) will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.
- God, do I give you all of me – My desires, my possession, my goals, my resources or do I just give you only certain areas?
- Same thing applies to Salvation. It’s for a willing participant
- Over 2,000 years ago – A messenger was sent for your benefit – For your most prized possession – Your soul
- That you would not perish but have eternal life and He is reminding you today – That it’s for you that He came
- John 7:16 (NLT)) – So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me
- Hebrews 3:1 (NLT) And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and[a] are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger[b] and High Priest.
- You are loved and precious in God eyes that He would send a Messenger (His own son) not just to deliver a message but to Pay the ultimate price for your sins – with His own life – To redeem us from death!
- This heaven-sent messenger died willingly for our sin- so we can have eternal life – And our response should and HAVE to be – YES LORD here is my life -as a living sacrifice
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