Ep 307 – 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Giving. It's become a dirty word within the church today. We hate sermons that talk about giving. We can't stand it when the church begins yet another giving campaign. It can almost seem like all the church is interested in is money. But in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, we are going to see the apostle Paul unapologetically broach the subject of giving. He isn't embarrassed by it and feels no remorse for asking the Corinthians to generously and sacrificially give to meet the needs of others within the body of Christ – even those living in another part of the world. For Paul, the ultimate model for giving was Jesus Christ Himself, who gave His own life in order that sinful, condemned men and women might be made right with God. Paul describes it this way: "he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich." So, why wouldn't believers who have been richly blessed by Christ, be willing to sacrificially give of what they have in order to bless the lives of those in need? For Paul, giving was a privilege, not a burden. It was a right, not a requirement. Giving was another form or worship, passing on the love and grace of God to those who were in need. The degree to which we are generous to others is directly tied to our understanding of God's generosity to us.