Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, March 5, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

GROWING IN THE GRACE OF GIVING

By Michael D. O'Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:7

2 Corinthians 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.

Introduction: Some people think that they are going to heaven because they give money to charitable causes. Well, it is true that people are saved by giving. However, they are not saved by THEIR giving, but by GOD'S giving. Grace is GOD giving you something good that you do not deserved. We are saved by GOD'S grace, not OUR grace. The grace of God is defined in our scripture reading today:

2 Corinthians 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.

I. THERE WAS A DEEP POVERTY IN THEIR GIVING

2 Corinthians 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.

A. They were humble

Poverty-stricken, these saints were not the rich and financially successful members of society.
Some of the greatest examples of giving in the Bible were associated with poor people -- the widow's mite, the dying woman's meal for Elijah

B. They were hungry

They were experience "deep poverty" - 2 Cor. 8:2.
Although the Bible says God SHALL supply all our need, it also indicates we may have times of need - Phil. 4:12.

C. They were happy

They knew their own needs would be met - Phil. 4:19.

II. THERE WAS A DYNAMIC POWER IN THEIR GIVING

2 Corinthians 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

A. Their giving was impractical

It caused them to suffer.

B. Their giving was impossible

It was "beyond their power" - 2 Cor. 8:3.
Giving as God would have you to give sometimes involves "supernatural" giving.
That is, it doesn't fit your budget.

C. Their giving was illustrative

It illustrates the gospel.
Jesus gave His all, suffering loss, that others might be saved.
We should be willing to suffer loss, that others might gain.

III. THERE WAS A DETERMINED PERSISTENCE IN THEIR GIVING

2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

A. They were determined to serve the Lord with their gifts

B. They were determined to sacrifice for Him

C. They were determine to supply the need

IV. THERE WAS A DIRECTED PRESENTATION IN THEIR GIVING

2 Corinthians 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.

They gave in such a way that

A. They passed Paul's expectations

B. They placed themselves upon the altar

C. They pointed in the right direction

To the Lord first.
To others next.

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