GRACIOUS GENEROSITY

GRACIOUS GENEROSITY

2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Dr. Wm. J. Maxwell

First Presbyterian Church, Newport, RI

November 6, 2005

I see it often, and perhaps you’ve seen it as well. There, in a grocery story, or in a Walmart or another store, is a parent modeling a certain behavior before the child. Sometimes, the behavior is quite commendable, and sadly at other times it is not.

All parents need to be reminded now and then that much learned behavior is caught from parents, rather than taught. In other words, it is one thing to teach certain principles, and it is another to live them as a parent. The most positive experience for a child is to have important life lessons both taught and caught.

Here, in our passage for this morning, Paul is seeking to teach sound principles regarding Christian stewardship. But he’s primarily teaching through the model of some faithful, exemplary Christians.

You see, the church in Jerusalem had become poverty stricken, whether by famine or persecution or both, we aren’t exactly sure. Paul had called other churches to support the Jerusalem church financially, including making collections on the Lord’s Day.[i] As a result, the Corinthian Christians had promised to take up an offering for the church, but they still had not completed it a year later. Paul encourages them here to be faithful in completing the gathering and sending of this offering.

He attempts to properly motivate them by directing their attention to a shining example, that being the Christians in Macedonia: in Thessalonica, Philippi and Berea. Here, in the example of these Christians, are to be found insights toward what we might call a “gracious generosity.”

THE MACEDONIAN CHRISTIANS TEACH US THAT GIVING

FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS IS THE RESULT

OF THE WORK OF GOD’S TRANSFORMING GRACE.

“And now, brothers, we want you to know

about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy

and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” (vv.1-2)

Paul looked over the landscape of the hearts of those Macedonian Christians. Everywhere he looked, he saw the evidence of God’s transforming grace at work in the lives of these Christians.

Giving for sake of others, and especially sacrificial giving, truly is a result of God’s grace at work. Benevolence does not come to us naturally. Instead, in our fallen, sinful condition, there ever remains an obsessive interest in self. A mere 60 minutes worth of television advertising will substantiate this point!

The amazing nature of God’s grace, however, is such that we are changed inwardly, which then affects our outward behavior. In other words, our doing is a result of our being a work of God’s grace. So it is that sacrificial giving for the benefit of others is a sign of an inner change of heart, brought about in Jesus Christ, and by a gracious work of the Holy Spirit.

When the financial giving of a particular church is solid and strong and vibrant, it actually has very little to do with the number or kind of stewardship sermons the pastor gives, in spite of all the hopes and dreams of the Finance Committee! The basis for solid financial giving in a church goes much, much deeper than that found in the mere content of a sermon.

It has instead to do with an understanding by the membership that we have been saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, a grace that comes to us at great personal cost to God Himself. Christ, rich in glory and honor beyond our greatest imagination, became so poor in His incarnation, suffering and death, so that we, in our poverty, might become rich.

It has also to do with an inner change of heart, one that only God by His grace can accomplish. Yes, God is the one who makes the human heart beat in sync with His in the way of giving unselfishly for the sake of others.

WE ALSO LEARN FROM THESE CHRISTIANS

THAT ONE SHOULD GIVE AS MUCH AS ONE IS ABLE TO GIVE.

“For I testify that they gave as much as they were able,

and even beyond their ability.” (v.3)

Apparently, the Macedonian Christians were extremely generous, in spite of the fact of their own “extreme poverty.” Nevertheless, they willingly gave and they gave as much as they were able. And that is how it ought to be with all of us.

As a child, John Wesley knew grinding poverty. His father, Samuel, was an Anglican priest in one of England’s lowest paying parishes. Samuel and Susannah Wesley had nine children to feed and clothe, and they were rarely out of debt. As a matter of fact, John once saw his father marched off to debtors’ prison.

When John followed his father into the ministry, he was not looking to become rich, only to survive and maintain! However, John Wesley did not live in poverty. He made enormous sums of money from the sale of his writings. In fact, he would have been one of England’s wealthiest men at the time, if he hadn’t also been one of England’s greatest givers!

Wesley wrote and said a great deal about the Christian and money. He said there was one word he absolutely hated when it came to the subject of money. In fact, it was so bad in his mind that he called it “the very cant of hell.” He said no Christian should ever use or even utter the word. This exceedingly evil word? It was the word “afford” - as in, “But I can afford it.”

Wesley at times preached against extravagance in food, dress or lifestyle. And that’s when he would hear that awful response: “But I can afford it.” That was an evil word for Wesley because the line drawn for the so-called “necessities of life” keeps being drawn again and again, as some are heard to say, “But I can afford it.”

Quite honestly, I personally feel the tension here. While serving in my first church as an ordained pastor, it was very difficult financially for my wife and me. I can vividly recall seeing my wife eat plain rice for lunch one day. On another occasion, when we weren’t sure where our next meal was going to come from, a neighbor and member of the church – urged by the Holy Spirit – came to our door with a basket of potatoes. This is not an exaggeration to tell you this. So, years later and now in a much better situation, I sense the danger of being too quick to reply, “But I can afford it.” Perhaps you can, too.

This is why the stewards of the Lord’s blessings must prayerfully seek to discern between “needs” and “wants.” We need to bring all this before the Lord in prayer and then consequently give as much as we are able, and all under the Lord’s direction.

III

AGAIN, FOLLOWING THEIR EXAMPLE,

GIVING SHOULD BE DONE WILLINGLY, EVEN ENTHUSIASTICALLY.

“Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us

for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.” (vv.3b,4)

The Macedonians had not been forced, pressured or cajoled into giving. In fact, it was quite the exact opposite. The New American Standard version puts the verse this way: “They gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.”

Why such begging and pleading over this issue? Why so enthusiastic about giving? It is because they considered it a privilege to help and support brothers and sisters in Christ who were in such obvious need.

Quite honestly, there is a tremendous difference between giving as a duty … and giving as a privilege. For example, do you consider it a privilege to know your mission giving supports Lovemore Home? This house takes in a handful of boys off the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe. They are fed, clothed, sheltered, nurtured and given the good news of Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word.

Is it worthwhile to give to such a cause? Well, how would you feel if you were a boy who had parents who couldn’t care or provide for you, or perhaps having no parents at all, living in a city of 1.3 million people, in a country where 10-30% of the population carries the HIV virus, and where 31% of the population is unemployed? [ii]

Do you see it as a duty or a privilege, when you know that your giving to the regular budget has brought a significant change in so many lives? Have you seen the look of sheer happiness – as I have - on the face of a child during Vacation Bible School?

Have you noticed that young man who is absolutely craving for a deeper study into God’s Word, and finds the opportunity here at First Presbyterian?

Have you observed that woman seeking fellowship with other women, who have somewhat of an idea what she is going through? Have you noticed that older person, no longer able to come to our services, who has received visits, telephone calls, or audio tapes of our services? Have you taken note of that young person who discovers here at FPC an alternative to spending Sunday nights alone … again?

For all this and so much more, how can giving financially here at FPC be anything but a tremendous privilege and joy? The privilege and joy of seeing lives changed is behind all this, you see. I can say this to you, not only as a pastor, but as one who is also personally invested in the life, the fellowship, and the witness of our church. We are partners together in a venture that not only meets the deepest needs, but also one that reaches into the very realm of eternity!

Many years ago, the Apostle Paul could say to the church in Corinth: “Take a look at those Macedonian Christians. What an example of gracious generosity!”

For all the right reasons, I want this to be said of us, too. “Look at those people at First Presbyterian. What an example they are of gracious generosity!”