1. Put Your Money To Work
2 Corinthians 8:10-15; 9:1-5
John R. Wible
3/23/2014
1John R. Wible, 2014
2. Many Ways to Give
⢠The lesson is about giving our money today.
⢠Before, letâs discuss other things than âstuff.â
⢠Q: What can we give that is not stuff?
⢠Q: Is there a way that we could involve other
classes in a ministry to consistently look after
those of us who arenât here every week?
⢠Gussie and caregivers, for example?
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3. Many Ways to Give
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4. Budgets
⢠A Budget is like a New Yearâs
Resolution to lose weight.
⢠Some canât make it
⢠Some make it but canât do it
⢠Some try and fail
⢠A few succeed
⢠Resolutions and budgets tell on us
⢠This lesson gives a suggested system.
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5. The Point 2 Cor. 8:10-15;9:1-5
⢠We should be ready to
give as the need arises.
⢠See picture, Page 44
⢠Q: Whatâs the hardest part of budgeting?
⢠See âThe Bible Meets Life,â p. 45.
⢠Q: Where do you fall on those scales?
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6. Review
⢠Good Work â work is a gift not a curse
⢠We should work as unto the Lord
⢠Give out of the proceeds of our work
⢠Paul continues urging the Corinthians by
example of the Macedonians
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7. The Setting
⢠Macedonians collecting
for Church in Jerusalem
⢠This was of great importance to Paul
â Jerusalem was poor, but
â Gentiles needed to be seen as caring
⢠The Church at Corinth was to participate,
but needed encouragement
⢠Paul uses other Macedonian churches as
an example of giving out of poverty
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9. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11
10 Now I am giving an opinion on this
because it is profitable for you, who a year
ago began not only to do something but
also to desire it.
11 But now finish the task as well, that just
as there was eagerness to desire it, so
there may also be a completion from what
you have.
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10. I Wonder . . . ?
⢠Why is it hard to be generous over
the long haul?
⢠What does Paul mean in v. 10 when he
states that he is âgiving an opinion?â
⢠If itâs his opinion, can Paulâs opinion be
considered âinfallible scripture?â
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11. John MacArthur Says:
⢠âGenerosity is impossible apart from our
love of God and of His people. But with such
love, generosity not only is possible but
inevitable.â
⢠Previously we learned giving springs from a
heart transformed by the gospel of Christ.
⢠So, what about non-Christians who
donate huge sums of money to
benevolent causes like the âBill
and Melinda Gates Foundation?â
⢠Can giving be considered an âinvestment?â
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12. Francis Schaefer states:
⢠Our society has lost its Christian
base. Even we, who still hold to Christians
teachings are affected. The Non-Christian
worldview has two guiding principles,
âpersonal peaceâ and a desire for affluence.
⢠Q: If that is the case, what do we say to the
person, who when confronted to give says,
âBut if I give, I might not have enough for
myself?
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13. 2 Corinthians 8:12-13
12 For if the eagerness is there, it is
acceptable according to what one has, not
according to what he does not have.
13 It is not that there may be relief for others
and hardship for you, but it is a question of
equalityâ
(continued)
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14. 2 Corinthians 8:14-15
14 at the present time your surplus is available
for their need, so their abundance may also
become available for our need, so there may
be equality.
15 As it has been written: The person who
gathered much did not have too much, and
the person who gathered little did not have
too little.
What is this passage about?
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15. The Platonic Worldview
⢠The passage is not about giving up all
wealth or redistributing it â Communism.
⢠These ideas are not Biblical but grew up
later in the history of the church it
adopted a Platonic ideal
⢠All things material are bad. All things
spiritual are good, therefore, of all things
material so as to inherit the things
spiritual.
⢠That is to say we should become ascetics.
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16. But, Paul says . . .
⢠Paul quoted Exodus 16:18 urging âequality.â
⢠That verse relates to Godâs provision of
manna to the Israelites in the wilderness.
⢠No matter how much or little you gathered, it
was âenoughâ but not âtoo much.â
⢠What principles about healthy giving did Paul
communicate in this passage?â
⢠Read: âDigging Deeper,â p. 49.
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17. Our Author says:
⢠There is a process of gracious giving in
determining exactly how much we have to
giveâwhat one has.
⢠Two complicating factors:
â Uncertainty and
â Our tendency to compare
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18. The Process
Two great proponents of fair process:
â Immanuel Kant and Nick Saban
⢠Another great philosopher, another
âSt. Paul,â Paul Bryant says of the
process (plan)
â First, Have a plan
â Second, Work your plan
â Third, Plan for the unexpected.
⢠Letâs apply this wisdom to the
process of giving.
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19. The Process for Giving
⢠Give the tithe, then in a special need,
⢠Remember 3 facts:
1. All we have is the Lordâs.
2. He knows what we have now and every
future need. He is loving, righteous, and
trustworthy.
3. Following Him has no regrets.
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20. The Real Question
⢠âWhat does God want us to give?â
⢠Pray until youâre at peace with an amount.
⢠Give it! And If we have a later need:
⢠Blame God, begrudge it, recriminate, say
âwoulda, shoulda,â or worry about it?
⢠No, God will provide. He can âmake love out
of nothing at all.â
⢠If necessary, be humble and accept help.
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21. What is Your Legacy to Be?
⢠We can leave a legacy for succeeding
generations to follow.
⢠Will they see us ready to give when the
need arises?
⢠What, by our actions, did we teach them
about it?
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22. 2 Corinthians 9:1-3
⢠1 Now concerning the ministry to the saints,
it is unnecessary for me to write to you.
⢠2 For I know your eagerness, and I brag about
you to the Macedonians: âAchaia has been
prepared since last year,â and your zeal has
stirred up most of them.
⢠3 But I sent the brothers so our boasting
about you in the matter would not prove
empty, and so you would be prepared just as
I said. (continued.)
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23. 2 Corinthians 9:4-5
⢠4 For if any Macedonians come with me
and find you unprepared, we, not to
mention you, would be embarrassed in
that situation.
⢠5 Therefore I considered it necessary to
urge the brothers to go on ahead to you
and arrange in advance the generous gift
you promised, so that it will be ready as a
gift and not as extortion.
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24. Key Words
⢠See key words on page 51.
⢠Read, âeagerness is contagious. . .â
⢠What will your example be?
⢠Our good example can spur others to good
actions.
⢠Conversely, our negligent actions can lead
others into likewise negligent actions.
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25. Accountability
⢠Is the wrong with holding people
accountable? Should we send âdunsâ like
the Methodists? How about a public
statement of our intent to give followed by
a public report? Anybody go for that?
⢠Note the authorâs emphasis on
accountability. See the paragraph that
begins with âHolding others accountable
also is acceptableâ (BOOK, p. 52).
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26. The kind of giving God desires from
His People
⢠Expects nothing in return.
⢠We should desire to give:
â because God has given to us,
â because God leads us to give,
â to meet the needs of other people,
â To be a blessing to other people.
⢠See âReady or Not,â p. 53.
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27. The India Quandary
⢠My Plan
⢠My Commitment
⢠Will You join?
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28. Will You Join in Our Crusade?
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