2 Corinthians 8:8

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit the grace of God bestowed upon the churches of Macedonia, how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yes, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

And this they did, not as we expected, but first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God, insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge, in all diligence and in your love toward us, see that you abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others and to prove the sincerity of your love.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes became he poor, that you through his poverty might be rich. Father, we ask that you would give us wisdom now as we look into your word, that you would continue to instruct us, Lord. Stir us in our hearts to worship you as we recognize how awesome you are, how great you are. Lord, speak to us. Fashion us more and more into the image of your Son, we pray, for we ask this in Jesus' name and all God's people agreed, saying, Amen.

You can be seated. We are currently studying through 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, two chapters that deal entirely with the subjects of treasure, wealth, and giving. We saw last week in the open of chapter 8 that Paul set forth the churches of Macedonia, three churches specifically: the church of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea.

As examples of a pattern of gracious giving, they gave although they were in the midst of severe difficulty. They gave joyfully, in spite of deep poverty, and in abundance and beyond their ability. They gave willfully and eagerly, considering it a privilege to do so. They gave as unto the Lord and in accordance with the will of God. They gave in such a way as to become an example to others—an example for the last 20 centuries, in fact, of what it means to be a gracious giver.

Now, as we continue through these chapters, we will see some additions to that list of 13. But those are the foundational principles for New Testament giving. New covenant giving is not a mandate or a tax. A couple of words that have been in the news this last week emphasize this point. New Testament giving is wholly and completely giving of grace.

Paul uses the Greek word that is translated as grace, the Greek word "charis," seven times in chapter 8. In verses 6 and 7, he specifically uses it to identify the offering that was being received for the church at Jerusalem, a church that was in need. It is very important that we recognize this point: we must give graciously and faithfully. We give not because we've received anything or because we're intending to receive anything. We give as motivated by the grace of Christ.

And seeking to show His grace, we are motivated by what He has done for us. We also desire to see that represented well in the world. The amazing thing is that when we give in this manner, we see scripturally that God does bless this kind of giving.

This is an interesting point to make because, in the very first study three weeks ago, I emphasized that we do not believe, nor do we hold to what is commonly called prosperity theology in our nation. We do not give for the purpose of getting something from God. There are people who teach that, and they do so because there are passages of Scripture that, when taken out of context, would seem to support that idea.

Let me give you a few examples. Jesus said this in Luke chapter 6, verse 38: "Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure, pressed down and shaken together, running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that you meet with all, it shall be measured to you again." This is a powerful verse.

God the Father, through the prophet Malachi, said in Malachi chapter 3, verse 10: "Bring all your tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in My house, and prove Me now herewith, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out upon you a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Then the Apostle Paul, as we will see in a few weeks in 2 Corinthians chapter 9, verses 6 through 8, says this. We see Jesus' words in Luke 6, God speaking through the prophet Malachi in Malachi 3, and Paul the Apostle in 2 Corinthians chapter 9. The wise King Solomon in the Proverbs also said in Proverbs chapter 3, verses 9 and 10: "Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your increase."

So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine. Then again, in Proverbs 19, verse 17, it says, "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He, God, will repay him for his deed." Verses like these, when taken out of context, seem to support the view presented by some and appear to validate the health, wealth, and prosperity teaching. However, if you are giving for the purpose of receiving the praise of men or the blessing of God, you are giving by carnal means. Let me say that again: when you are giving for the purpose of receiving the praise of men or the blessing of God, you're giving by carnal means.

If, in the process of giving, you are blessed of the Lord, then know for certain that God is blessing you for the purpose of making you a greater blessing. God gives to those who have an open hand; this is something I heard many years ago. It is true: God loves to give through people because He is the great giver. For God so loved the world that He gave. He desires that we also freely give, as stated in Mark chapter 10: "Freely you have received; freely give."

The principle we see in the Scriptures is that we are blessed to be a blessing. We see this with the first man of God by faith, Abraham. In Genesis chapter 12, verse 2, God speaks to Abraham, saying, "I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing." God blessed Abraham for the purpose of being a blessing, so that people would see in him and the blessing he would bring to others that this is a man who truly knows God and follows God.

Ultimately, the blessing spoken of in Genesis chapter 12, verse 2, is that the Messiah, Jesus Christ the righteous, would come by the line of Abraham. The greatest blessing we could ever give is to extend the gospel of grace to those who are in need. We live in a world that is desperately in need of the gospel of grace. Amen? Amen. Therefore, we need to always be on watch. We need to have our eyes open and our ears listening, walking about circumspectly, looking for opportunities to be givers of the gospel.

To be giving forth the good news of Christ is to share true riches—riches that extend into eternal life. At the same time, we sit here today in a room of great wealth. When you look at the span of all humanity, we comprise the top 10% or even higher; by some statistics, we may be in the top 3%. Just the people sitting in here, even though you may say, "Well, I don't have a lot, and it's been a hard time," we still have more than most of the rest of the world.

It is interesting to observe what has happened over the last two years with the Occupy movement. They keep talking about being the 99%, but I keep thinking, "You're the 10%." You are the 10% of the world that holds 80% of the wealth. We need to recognize what we have and understand that it comes from God. The Scriptures reveal that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Everything we have is His. Even the ability to make wealth, as the book of Deuteronomy says, comes from God. He has granted it to us.

Of course, there are those who teach a false doctrine, suggesting that you should give so that you can get. They are simply preaching greed. They inspire Christians to continue in greed, which is our natural tendency. That is where our sinful hearts lead us. How many recognize that in your own sinful heart? We are greedy. We are selfish. We live in a culture that fuels the little coals of selfishness in the hearts of children by saying, "You really need that. You need to look out for number one." This is what we do anyway; we don't need to tell people that. It is just mind-boggling to me that there are people who say, "You need to learn to love yourself before you can love others." There is not a single person on the face of this planet who is not deeply in love with themselves. This is evident in the fact that the first person who comes to mind when you wake up in the morning is yourself.

This is why children are such a challenge to our selfish nature. They come running into the room at six in the morning, wanting to be clothed, fed, and have their diapers changed. Immediately, you are forced out of yourself to take care of them. I am convinced that God created it this way. You don't even realize how selfish you are until you get married, and then you realize it even more. It compounds with each child that is born.

Because you see your selfishness reflected in them. Can anybody say amen? Yes, you see that? We are phenomenally selfish. The only people who think that children are born not that way are kids in college who don't have kids. They read it in a psychology book, and then when they have kids, they realize that everything they read in college was wrong, at least in that class. We are selfish because of our sinful nature, inwardly focused and totally concerned about ourselves. The gospel of Christ transforms an individual at the heart level first, and then it begins to permeate their entire life. God changes us in that way, and giving, in one sense, represents the change that He does.

Now, with all this in mind, let's consider 2 Corinthians chapter 8. We're going to start where we left off last week with verse 7. Look at verse 7 with me, if you would. There, the Apostle Paul says, "Therefore," after he has given them the pattern of gracious giving, he shows them the extent of what this looks like in the first six verses. He says, "Because of all that, you abound in everything." These are the kind of words that the sinful heart of humanity just loves. "You abound in everything." Oh, you're so good. You're so wonderful. Oh, come on, tell me more, Paul. Tell me more.

"You abound in faith. You have such great faith, Corinthians." Oh, yes, we do. We have great faith. "You speak so well. Great utterance. You abound in knowledge." Oh, you're right. "And in all diligence and in your love towards us, you are abounding in these things." Aren't these the kind of words that you can imagine the Corinthians were just eating up? Oh, yes, yes, we do. Oh, you're right. We are so good and so loving and so faithful.

"See that you abound in this grace also." See that you are abundant in this, in this giving. Abound in this grace also. The church at Corinth boasted in the abundance of their gifts. They boasted in the greatness of their knowledge, the skillfulness of the ministers in their church, and the bountifulness of their love. Now, Paul challenges them to abound in giving too. This is that interesting little turn where you kind of think, "Whoa, wait, what?" This is, in all seriousness, an audacious exhortation that Paul gives here.

If Paul were to preach in the 21st century, particularly in American churches, he would certainly receive some emails afterwards. In the context of the previous verses, Paul is clearly challenging the Corinthians to outdo the Macedonians in their giving. That's exactly what he is doing when you read this carefully.

You might not think so, but look at verse 8. Paul says, "I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others and to prove the sincerity of your love." I recognize that perhaps the King James Version uses some romanticized language, so let me read this verse in another version, the New Living Translation. Paul states, "I'm not commanding you to do this, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparing it with the eagerness of other churches."

As I was meditating on this verse last week, especially on Thursday, I sat down and reflected on it for a while. I can honestly say that I was a bit in awe when I started to connect the dots regarding what Paul is saying here. This is truly an interesting verse. Paul is essentially challenging and encouraging the Corinthian church to give more by comparing them to the giving of the Macedonian church.

It is important to note that at the beginning of verse 8, he says this is not by commandment. New Testament giving is gracious giving; it is not mandated or commanded. However, Paul's challenge is clear. If we were to update it, it would be like this: the Macedonians have very little, yet they have willingly and joyfully given a lot. You, on the other hand, have a lot more than they do, and you say that you are loving. So, let's see it. That is essentially what Paul is saying.

Can you imagine someone speaking like that today in a Calvary Chapel church? I guarantee you some people would walk out. It would be something like this: "Listen, Calvary Chapel Fallbrook, that church down in Escondido has outgiven you the last few years, so you need to step it up." I was smart in saying that about Calvary Chapel.

Calvary Chapel. I thought about that. Again, I'm willing to bet some people would get up and move out. We start to wonder how it is possibly okay for us to compare the offering of one to another.

Now, before you completely disregard this, I want you to consider the fact and be reminded that God did this with Cain and Abel in Genesis chapter 4. Let me read to you from Genesis chapter 4, verse 3. "And in the process of time, it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord." So, he was working. He brought some of what he had as an offering unto the Lord. "And Abel also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof." The Lord had respect unto Abel's offering, but unto Cain's offering, He had not respect. Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Now, there's a lot in that. We're not going to unpack Genesis chapter 4 so much today; there is a lot more to the story there. But there's an interesting case for us: God was comparing the offering of Abel with the offering of Cain. Abel's was accepted, and Cain's was not.

Jesus compared the widow's offering in Luke chapter 21 with that of other people. In Luke chapter 21, verse 1, Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box. Now, isn't that like the most uncomfortable thing in the world? Could you imagine as the offering plate is coming by, someone is kind of watching you? Pastors are walking up and down the aisle, and Jesus was doing that. He was watching people put money into the offering, and He comments on it.

He saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins, the widow's mite. He said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them." He was comparing her offering to the offerings of those rich individuals who had put in. "For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on."

Now, I need to clarify: I don't think that the Scriptures support fostering competition within the body as it relates to giving. So, what exactly do we draw from this? We are to give as unto the Lord. We're not to give to show up others.

We're not going to keep a running total and compare people's offerings here at the church. But apparently, God does take notice. It's not necessarily given here that the church and the leadership of the church should take notice and let people know. However, God is watching. We see this in the parable of the talents in Matthew chapter 25. Jesus tells us that God keeps a record. He has given to His people a measured amount. To some, He gave five; to one, He gave two; and to another, He gave one. One squandered what he had, while the others used it for the glory of God. Ultimately, there was a return on what they had.

When their master cleared accounts with them, he looked at those who had been bountiful in their honor to the Lord with what they had been given. He said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the rest of your Lord." Then he addressed the one who had squandered what he had and had not used it properly, saying, "You're a wicked servant." This is challenging when you consider it in the context of what's going on in this passage about giving. It seems as though God measures what is given and the proportion of what is given to what a person has. John Calvin said that rich men owe God a large tribute, and poor men have no reason to be ashamed if what they give is small.

Now, look at verse 8 again because it's a very interesting verse. Paul says, "I do not speak this by commandment, but by the occasion of the forwardness of others or by the occasion of what the church in Macedonia has done. I speak this to prove the sincerity of your love." Paul reveals that giving is a test. It's a test, and I believe it's a test on at least three levels, in at least three areas. If you're taking notes, you may want to write this down.

Number one, it is a test of our love. Giving is a test of our love. As Paul says right there, "I'm proving the sincerity of your love." Now, 1 Corinthians chapter 13, the love chapter, makes it very clear that an individual can give without giving out of love.

They can give in a fashion that is not necessarily loving. However, the reality is that if you want to turn there just for a moment, look at 1 Corinthians chapter 13, specifically verse 3, to illustrate this point clearly. A person can give without love. Paul says, "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned and have not love, it profits me nothing."

We see expressions of this kind of love around us. Some people give not because they are motivated by love or by the grace of God, but because they are driven by a desire to receive the praise of men. So, you can give without love, but you cannot truly love without giving.

The most translated word for love in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, is the Greek word "agape," which is the one used in 1 Corinthians chapter 13. It appears over 100 times—116 times, to be exact—in the New Testament. Of those, 27 times it is translated as "charity" in the King James New Testament. Charity represents a kind of love that is demonstrated in giving. It is shown in our reaching outside of ourselves.

Agape is a sacrificial love that expects nothing in return. This concept applies on many levels; it is not just about our finances. It includes giving of our time and using the talents that God has given us for His glory. It also involves giving of our treasure, to which our hearts are often inordinately attached. If we are honest, we will recognize this to be the case.

We see evidence of this in the fact that Gallup, one of the largest polling agencies in America, has reported a downward trend in the overall happiness of Americans over the last five years. What has happened during this time that might contribute to this decline in American happiness? It seems that the downward trend in people's pocketbooks has coincided with this decline.

The happiness of the people in our nation is affected by what they have, which reveals that we are inordinately desirous of our treasure, connected to our treasure. This is exactly what Jesus said, isn't it? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I recognize this is an incredibly uncomfortable message to hear. I promise you it's a more uncomfortable message to preach because it hits very close to home for each of us.

First, giving is a test of our love. Second, it is a test of our faith. Many people will say, "I cannot give because I won't have enough to meet my needs." They insist, "I just can't. You don't understand. Things are tight." And so, giving is a test of faith.

In the Gospel of Matthew, specifically in Matthew chapter six during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said in verse 31, "Therefore, take no thought or do not be anxious, saying, 'What are we going to eat? What are we going to wear? Where are we going to live?'" He instructs us not to worry about those things.

Has anyone ever worried about those things? For after all, these are the things that unbelievers seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

So, giving is a test of our faith. It says not to worry about what you're going to eat, where you're going to sleep, or what you're going to wear because you have a heavenly Father. Trust Him. Seek Him, and He will take care of those things.

Some might respond, "Oh, come on. You don't understand. I have to make sure that I'm doing everything, taking care of everything. I can't just trust the Lord." It sounds so bad when you say it like that, doesn't it? And yet, we are told to trust in the Lord with all of our heart, to lean not on our own understanding. In all our ways, we should acknowledge Him, and He shall direct our paths.

In 1 Kings chapter 17, the prophet Elijah, through the work of God, has brought about a drought upon the nation of Israel that has lasted for a few years. We experience droughts here; it's not a good thing. However, in our day, we have aqueducts bringing most of our water from other places, so it's not as big of a deal as it was in Elijah's day in Israel. This drought was God's judgment upon the wicked ten tribes in the northern part of the nation of Israel.

Because of a famine and their complete dependence on what they could produce in their fields, these people were suffering due to the drought. Elijah was also experiencing the effects of the famine. In 1 Kings 17, he encounters a widow in a town who is on the brink of death. She has no husband and nothing being produced to sustain her. She is about to die, along with her son, because of the famine. All she has left is just enough meal and some oil to make one final meal for herself and her son.

When Elijah meets her, he speaks with her, and she explains that she only has enough for her and her son. They are preparing for their last supper, as they believe they will die afterward. In the midst of this dire situation, Elijah, as recorded in 1 Kings 17, says to her in verse 13, "Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said, but make me thereof a little cake first. Make me some food first. I know you are going to have your last meal with your child, but make me some food first and bring it to me. Afterward, make for you and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruise of oil fail until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth."

Do you think that required a little bit of faith? He asked her to cook him a meal first before preparing her and her son's final meal. He assured her that if she did this, God would take care of her needs. I believe I would find that quite challenging if I were in her position at that time.

Verse 15 states that she went and did according to the word of Elijah. She and her household ate for many days, and the barrel of meal did not waste, nor did the cruise of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke to Elijah. When we give of our first fruits, we are tested in our faith.

Giving is a test of our love. Giving is a test of our faith. Giving is a test of God's faithfulness. Malachi 3:10 states, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house," says the Lord. "And prove me now herewith, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out upon you a blessing."

There shall not be room enough to receive it. In Second Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 6 through 8, Paul says, "But my God shall supply all of your need according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus," as stated in Philippians chapter 4, verse 19.

Giving is a test of our love, a test of our faith, and a test of God's faithfulness. Every single one of you who have taken that test has found that He is faithful. Amen? I've seen it repeatedly.

Now, I recognize that taken out of context, and this is going to be broadcast on TV, this sounds like some other preachers on TV. If we are giving for the purpose of receiving the praise of men or the blessing of God, we are merely doing it to get something that is carnal. However, if in giving we are doing it in faith as unto the Lord, we can trust that He will meet our need.

That does not mean that He will meet our greed; He will meet our need. If we are honest, every single one of us has in our hearts an area of greed, and it is very easily tickled in this culture. How do I know? Well, the Super Bowl lottery, just a few months ago, was given away for how much money? I'm so glad there is nobody that answered me. It was hundreds of millions of dollars, something like that.

There were lines of people. I saw it on the news—people standing in line for two hours to get a lottery ticket. There were people who couldn't get that lottery ticket in the state of Nevada; they were driving to California to get a lottery ticket. Why? Because there is greed in our hearts. They say, "Well, it's just a dollar, and I might win millions."

Now, I tweeted back then a statistic that came out from a university in Iowa.

I believe it was. You're more likely to be struck by lightning. You're more likely to be murdered in America. You're more likely to die in a plane crash. The statistics for plane crashes are relatively small. You're more likely to have every single one of those things happen in your family than to win the Super Bowl lottery. But that doesn't matter. Huge jackpots will happen again because there's greed in our hearts.

You can be sure. I even read it on some websites. People are saying, "Listen, if I win that, I'm going to give a lot." It's a test. Paul says God proves the sincerity of our love by our giving. John MacArthur said it verifies the level of your love. It's challenging. Our actions, not our intentions, are the true tests of our love. We know this to be true in every other area of our lives.

God sees both the gift and the motivation behind the gift. He apparently keeps a record, and somewhere, somehow, comparisons are made. Paul compared the loving liberality, the gift of the Macedonian church, with that of the Corinthians. But in verse 9, he makes the ultimate comparison. This is the ultimate bar of comparison.

Look at 2 Corinthians 8, verse 9: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." In verse 6, he says, "See to it that you make good on this grace, this gift also." In verse 7, he says, "Abound in this grace, in this gift also." Consider what the Macedonians have done. They've given so much, yet they have so little.

Then he says, "But wait a minute. Let me give you another bar for comparison. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." The word to know there is the Greek word "gnosko," and it speaks of an experiential love or experiential knowledge.

Where have you experienced the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ? Now, of course, the question comes: Have you? Have you experienced, have you come to know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ? The grace as displayed in the gospel? That He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus? This is found in 2 Corinthians 5, verse 21. Do you know that experientially? Have you laid hold of the gift of God's grace?

You who were once dead in trespasses and sins, as it says in Ephesians chapter 2. In fact, turn there. Just to the right of 2 Corinthians, you will find Ephesians chapter 2, verse 1. "And you, has He quickened, made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins." In times past, you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. Among whom you also had your conduct in past times, fulfilling the desires of your flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us. He has made us alive together with Christ. By grace are you saved. He has raised us up together and made us to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace towards us in kindness through Jesus Christ.

Why? Because we worked so hard for it? Because we're going to work so hard for it? Look at verse 8: "For by grace are you saved through faith." Not, it is...

And not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto or for good works, which God before ordained that we should walk in them.

Wherefore, remember that you, being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, were called the uncircumcision by those who are called the circumcision made with flesh by hands. At that time, you were without Christ, poor, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants and promises, having no hope and without God. But now, in Christ Jesus, you who were sometimes far off have been made near, brought near by the blood of Christ.

Do you know the grace of Christ? Paul speaks of it here as a foregone conclusion for the church at Corinth. He says, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." I'm so thankful that he specifically identifies the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because you know the grace of our Lord. Although He was rich, He gave all His riches to you that you might be made rich in Him.

There are other masters, other lords in this world that people bow to and surrender to. Yet, Paul is very specific here about the Lord Jesus Christ because he wants us to remember what it is that Jesus Christ did for us. There may have been other masters, other lords, who made themselves poverty-stricken by giving to those under them, but it is the Lord Jesus Christ who gave everything for us so that we could be eternally rich in Him, knowing the exceeding riches of His glory forever.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich. Where and how did He do this? Well, in Philippians chapter 2, verse 5, we read, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, was made in the likeness of a man, and being found..."

In a fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. I find it interesting that Paul says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." He desires, God desires, that we would be like-minded with Him in this. He who knew no sin became sin for us.

We could spend weeks talking about the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do I know that? I mean, we could spend years talking about it because the riches of His grace are unsearchable, the Scriptures say. Throughout eternity, God is going to be revealing the exceeding riches of His grace toward us in Christ Jesus. We barely scratch the surface in our understanding of how deep the grace of God is and what it means for us and what He has won for us in that.

But in the context of 2 Corinthians chapter 8, Paul's logical progression is clear. The offering that Paul has requested of the churches of Macedonia and Corinth is a gift of grace. He says, "I'm asking you, I'm petitioning you that you would give for the church in Jerusalem." Not because they've given you anything, although the gospel came to you through them. You're not giving it as a payment because the gospel is free. Not because you're going to receive anything from them, but if the tables were turned, they would give for you. We'll see that in our next passage next time.

But you give of grace, motivated by what God has done for you. The Macedonian church gave graciously out of poverty for the church in Jerusalem. The Corinthians had more than the Macedonians. Again, as we'll see in our text next time, by comparison, they had more. And so Paul says, "You ought also to give graciously," remembering Jesus is the supreme giver, having graciously given everything for our sakes.

In verse 9, we learn that God makes us rich who were once poor in spirit, completely poverty-stricken and dead, having no hope and estranged from the covenants and promises of God. We see this in Ephesians 2. If you know the grace of the Lord and have experienced it, then motivated by His grace, you will show the grace of the Lord. If you know it, you will show it. It will be evident in a person's life; they are transformed.

Transformed at the heart level, they move from being greedy, selfish sinners to being completely renewed because He has given us a new heart. That is what the gospel declares: all things have become new. However, there is still a conflict because we bear in our bodies the dying of the old man. We all experience this when a need is presented. I encountered it just last week. I won't give you the specifics, but I remember someone presenting a need to me, and I thought, "Why should I give to that?" In that moment, I realized the old man needs to be crucified.

Knowing grace is showing grace, and it's not an easy principle to live by because our hearts are bound up with the treasures of this world. They just are. We need to ask the Lord to uproot that and remove it. Personally, I have seen the Lord do that every time I extend myself in giving of my time, my talents, and my treasures. He is building in me a greater trust in Him and a recognition that whatever I have is His.

And I'll be the first to say it's not an easy lesson. It's challenging to the depths of our old nature. But would to God that He would transform us in such a way that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ would be seen in us, His church. It is in many, many ways, and the world can't understand it because it just doesn't make sense.

In the economy of 21st-century Western civilization, the kingdom of God principle that we see here is so countercultural to the world in which we live. It sticks out as a bright shining light, and that's a good thing. May it shine all the brighter as the darkness of this world grows darker.

Let's stand and pray. Father, I thank You for this great passage of Scripture. I thank You, Lord, that You speak tough, hard things to us because You are desiring to transform us. Lord, work through us, Your church, to extend Your glory by showing Your grace in this world. Help us share the truth of the gospel with people we come in contact with and share the goodness that You've given to us with others that we meet.

May it be that this world will know that we are Your followers by the love that we have one for another, an agape love that is self-sacrificing. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen.