Teacher: Pastor Chet Lowe
Main Scriptures: Philippians 4, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9, Malachi 3
- Paul has been discipling this church in areas of weakness in regard to humility, obedience and unity
- But this church has a testimony of generously giving
- This is not the false doctrine of the faith movement or prosperity gospel (ie: The more you give the more you get in this life, financial riches = God’s favor and protection from suffering)
- Generously giving is the essence of our faith
- God so loved the world He gave (John 3:16)
- Through His poverty, we’ve become spiritually rich (2 Corinthians 8:9)
- v. 9 Paul has practiced what he’s preaching (Acts 20:34-35)
- He was a hard worker and generous giver (Matthew 6:21)
- v. 10 Generous giving looks like caring
- The Spirit receives all glory because He is the initiator of all generosity
- Do we quench the Spirit when He prompts us to be generous?
- This church was not wealthy, but sacrificial (2 Corinthians 8:1-7)
- Do we care about what God cares about?
- Generous giving is internally and spiritually motivated, not externally pressured
- Do we quench the Spirit when He prompts us to be generous?
- The Spirit receives all glory because He is the initiator of all generosity
- v. 11 Generous giving looks like contentment
- He has learned experientially to be fully satisfied with Jesus (Philippians 3:8)
- v. 12 His circumstances were a part of him learning contentment
- Christ is enough when I’m hungry and when I’m full
- v. 13 He has learned he can do all things through Christ…even trust God
- v. 14 Generous giving looks like sharing
- Sharing is God providing for us so that we can give to others (Philippians 2:3)
- We are simply stewards of the things God, our Father, has provided for us as His children
- Sharing is God providing for us so that we can give to others (Philippians 2:3)
- v. 15-16 Sharing IS caring
- It is not a one-time emotional response to distress; it is a continual process based on the prompting of the Spirit
- v. 17-20 Sharing secures your future reward, not diminishes it
- You cannot out-give God (Malachi 3:8-12)
- The world cannot understand this kind of generous giving
- Sharing does require sacrifice (the loss of something for the sake of another)
- But that sacrifice does not go without blessing
- 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
- The blessing is
- Seeing lives change
- Being a blessing to others
- Becoming like the Lord
- Stewarding God’s kingdom
- God receiving glory
- The blessing is
- 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
- But that sacrifice does not go without blessing
- You cannot out-give God (Malachi 3:8-12)