Second Corinthians 8 Part 1 A Willing Mind Required For Our Offerings To God

2 Corinthians 8:1-2  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 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. 

In chapter eight, Paul is going to teach about Christian giving, tithes and offerings. He will point us to the selfless examples of churches in the Macedonian region.

We are saved by grace through faith in Christ that is a glorious gift of God to all who hear and heed the gospel (See Ephesians 2:5-10).

Macedonia was a Roman province where Paul and his helpers planted churches at Thessalonica, Berea and Philippi.

People living in that Macedonia were rather poor in comparison to other provinces, yet these impoverished Christians  generously gave to support gospel ministry.

Corinth as a city was very wealthy due to a confluence of land and sea trade routes. Yet, Paul had to urge the Corinthians to financially support missionaries and gospel ministry.

Paul begins by stating his purpose for the topic at hand. He makes known to the church at Corinth how God's grace was poured out in the Macedonian churches.

Macedonian churches received the gospel in spite of great affliction.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-8  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 

When writing to the Thessalonian Christians Paul noted how the gospel was preached in spite of intense affliction. 

This word means that those who preached the gospel face hostile, strong resistance from the Jews at Thessalonica.

Even so, many Gentiles and some Jews believed the gospel of Christ. It took root and produced fruit in their lives. 

This church became an example, a model of faithfully sharing the gospel with other people. 

The Thessalonians shared the gospel with so many people in  Macedonia, that it spread into the next province of Achaia.

Luke's record tells us what kind of afflictions the Thessalonians faced.

Acts 17:1-9  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5  But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7  Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8  And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9  And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

Paul and his helpers always went right to a synagogue when they arrived at a new city to preach the gospel. 

Paul always preached the gospel to the Jews first because he was a Jew and his heart was for his countrymen to be born again like he was.

For three consecutive sabbaths, Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel of Christ in the synagogue and some Jews did believe. 

However, a great many Gentiles (Non Jewish people) believed the gospel of Christ and the unbelieving Jews stirred up all the city, causing turmoil and riotous behavior.

They broke into the home of a man named Jason and dragged him to the magistrates and lodged many false accusations.

All too often the apostles and new converts to Christ were subjected to verbal abuse, lying accusations and physical assaults. 

When God's Word enters our heart we will be changed and follow Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-14  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 14  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 

Even though the church at Thessalonica was planted amidst opposition, trouble and turmoil, the people received the gospel because they were convinced it was the Word of God.

They were willing to suffer many things for the sake of the gospel of Christ. They endured afflictions and maltreatment because their focus was on things above, not earthly things.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-4  Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2  And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 3  That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 4  For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 

Paul sent Timothy to bring back a report of the state of the church at Thessalonica because he was greatly concerned for their spiritual and physical well being.

He taught them that believers in Christ shall suffer persecution and many afflictions but he wanted to know how they were doing because of his great love for the people.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 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. 

This is the context of Christian tithes, offerings and giving in support of gospel ministry.

Paul told the Corinthians about the Thessalonians and other Christians in Macedonia. 

They did not have much in terms of money, lands or possessions, but they gave generously to help defray the apostle's expenses as they planted new churches and preached the gospel.

The Macedonians, though both poor and persecuted, rejoiced exceedingly for an opportunity of doing good to their more impoverished and more persecuted brethren. 

Even the poor are called to relieve those who are poorer than themselves. The poor and afflicted Churches of Macedonia felt this duty. 

They did all that they could to the best of their ability to relieve the impoverished and afflicted brethren in Judea.

Unselfish giving stems from loving and obeying God as our priority in life.

2 Corinthians 8:3-5  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 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. 

A right attitude toward money and wealth comes when we give ourselves to the Lord. 

We present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God because this is our reasonable service (See Romans 12:1-2).

When God's Word works in our heart to conform us to Christ, we will not be self centered or selfish.

Macedonians Christians pleaded intensely with Paul to take their offering for the church in Jerusalem and Judea.

Paul knew of their poverty and was reluctant to take what little they had as an offering, but the people insisted. They loved God and others and this is a clear testimony of their faith.

Paul used the Macedonian churches example to call Corinthians to give.

2 Corinthians 8:6-7  Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 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. 

Paul observed the readiness, cheerfulness, and generosity of poor Macedonians in giving offerings for poorer saints. 

Therefore the apostle sent Titus to Corinth to encourage them to make their own liberal contribution for the poor saints in Judea.

The early church lived out the gospel by giving food, clothing, shelter or money when needs arose within the church.

It now became a blessed privilege of other churches to help support churches who were afflicted and struggling financially, because of following Christ. 

God's grace  produced changed hearts such that Macedonian Christians freely gave their resources to help others, even though they did not have much.

Jesus gave up everything and became poor in order to redeem us.

2 Corinthians 8:8-9  I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 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. 

Paul framed this as an opportunity for the Corinthians to prove that their love for Christ is real and genuine. 

Would they be a selfish people or would they follow Christ example and be selfless?

Jesus gave up everything and humbled Himself to be born as a man, in the most humble circumstances of a manger. 

He was obedient even to His death on the cross, dying for us, paying our sin debt and opening the door of heaven wide to all who believe on Him.

God to give us a willing mind and an unselfish heart geared toward giving cheerfully. 

2 Corinthians 8:10-12  And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11  Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12  For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 

They began to take up a collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem a year earlier, but for some reason, they had not completed colleting funds for this purpose.

Paul wanted them to see that participation in this offering is a blessing God had for them. They were ready to do this a year earlier and now it was time to finish collecting the offering.

It all begins with having a willing mind to give tithes and offerings for the work of God. 

The principle is that God accepts our offerings and tithes based upon the attitude of our heart, not the amount of money at our disposal.

If all who are able give offerings then the needs will be met in an equitable way.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15  For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15  As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. 

Paul did not ask them to give money so that they became poor in order that others might enrich themselves.

Rather, out of whatever abundance that God blessed them with, they could use it to help the ones who had no resources.

The early church was marked by generosity toward others rather than selfishness.

Acts 2:44-45  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 

Paul is calling the Corinthians to be unselfish and use their surplus to help those in need. We are reminded of the early church after the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost.

Those Christians loved and cared for each other and had all things common. They sold goods and lands and put it in a pool of funds to meet the needs that arose.

This is what Paul was helping them understand. He used the example of manna that God gave the Hebrews every day for forty years

Every morning manna that God supplied was on the ground. Each person was responsible to go and pick up the amount of manna they needed for one day. 

Some picked more and some less according to their individual needs, and there was nothing left over. God's supply was sufficient for each day. 

In like manner, some believers had more resources while others had less. each man gave according to their ability.

Thus, if God has blessed us with a surplus it may be so that we can use it to meet the needs of others.

Christian giving and tithing is a touchy subject for some Christians. 

American Christians often view wealth and assets as "theirs" and forget that everything we have is from God and belongs to God.

Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. Let us seek to live this out as His disciples.

Bob