Overflow: Cultivating

a Generous Spirit
2 Corinthians 8:1-15

GCC Sunday 10/30/2011

2 Corinthians 8:1-11 (NIV)
[1] And now, brothers, we want you
to know about the grace that God has
given the Macedonian churches. [2]
Out of the most severe trial, their
overflowing joy and their extreme
poverty welled up in rich generosity.
2 Corinthians 8:1-11 (NIV)
[3] For I testify that they gave as
much as they were able, and even
beyond their ability. Entirely on their
own, [4] they urgently pleaded with
us for the privilege of sharing in this
service to the saints.
2 Corinthians 8:1-11 (NIV)
[5] And they did not do as we
expected, but they gave themselves
first to the Lord and then to us in
keeping with God’s will. [6] So we
urged Titus, since he had earlier
made a beginning, to bring also to
completion this act of grace on
your part.
2 Corinthians 8:1-11 (NIV)
[7] But just as you excel in everything
— in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in
complete earnestness and in your
love for us—see that you also excel in
this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8:1-11 (NIV)
[8] I am not commanding you, but I
want to test the sincerity of your love
by comparing it with the earnestness
of others. [9] For you know the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though
he was rich, yet for your sakes he
became poor, so that you through his
poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians 8:1-11 (NIV)
[10] And here is my advice about
what is best for you in this matter:
Last year you were the first not only
to give but also to have the desire to
do so. [11] Now finish the work, so
that your eager willingness to do it
may be matched by your completion
of it, according to
your means.
1
A Generous Spirit
Often Flows Out
of Pain
2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (NIV)
[1] And now, brothers, we want you
to know about the grace that God has
given the Macedonian churches. [2]
Out of the most severe trial, their
overflowing joy and their extreme
poverty welled up in rich generosity.
2
A Generous Spirit
Does as Much as
It Can
2 Corinthians 8:3-4 (NIV)
[3] For I testify that they gave as
much as they were able, and even
beyond their ability. Entirely on their
own, [4] they urgently pleaded with
us for the privilege of sharing in this
service to the saints.
Matthew 13:44 (ESV)
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure
hidden in a field, which a man found and
covered up. Then in his joy he goes and
sells all that he has and buys that field.
2 Corinthians 8:3-4 (NIV)
[3] For I testify that they gave as
much as they were able, and even
beyond their ability. Entirely on their
own, [4] they urgently pleaded with
us for the privilege of sharing in this
service to the saints.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)
For you know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor, so
that you through his poverty might
become rich.
3
A Generous Spirit
Gives Itself First
to God
2 Corinthians 8:5 (NIV)
And they did not do as we expected,
but they gave themselves first to the
Lord and then to us in keeping with
God’s will.
Matthew 6:24 (NLT)
No one can serve two masters. For
you will hate one and love the
other, or be devoted to one and
despise the other. You cannot serve
both God and money.
Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
For where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also.
4
A Generous Spirit
Keeps Its
Promises
2 Corinthians 8:10-11 (NIV)
[10] And here is my advice about
what is best for you in this matter:
Last year you were the first not only
to give but also to have the desire to
do so. [11] Now finish the work, so
that your eager willingness to do it
may be matched by your completion
of it, according to
your means.
2 Corinthians 9:2 (NLT)
For I know how eager you are to
help, and I have been boasting to
our friends in Macedonia that you
Christians in Greece were ready to
send an offering a year ago. In fact,
it was your enthusiasm that stirred
up many of them to begin helping.
Luke 12:48b (NIV)
From everyone who has been given
much, much will be demanded; and
from the one who has been entrusted
with much, much more will be asked.