Growing Stronger in your Giving

Dr. Rob Green November 4, 2012 2 Corinthians 8:

Stewardship: God-given responsibility with accountability

1. God owns everything. I own nothing.

2. God entrusts me with everything I have.

3. I am responsible to increase what God has given to me.

4. God can call me into account at any time. It could be today.

I. Our Giving must be Sacrificial

A. The sacrifice of the Macedonians (8:2-3)

2 Corinthians 8:2-3a - that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability…

B. God’s desire for each to contribute their sacrificial share (8:7-15)

C. Organized through careful planning (8:16 – 9:5)

2 Corinthians 9:3-5 - But I have sent the brethren, in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case, so that, as I was saying, you may be prepared; otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to speak of you—will be put to shame by this confidence. So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.

D. With the understanding that reaping is based on what you sow (9:6)

II. Our Giving must be Joyful

A. Joy is seen in the attitude of the Macedonians (8:3-5)

2 Corinthians 8:3-5 - For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

B. Remember that God loves a cheerful giver (9:7)

2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

C. Results in the benefit of others and a blessing for you (9:8-15)

Take Aways:

1. Take one step because big goals begin by taking the first step

2. Seek resources, if necessary, for there are resources here to help

3. Fill out the stewardship commitment tab

Dr. Rob Green

Roles

Interim Senior Pastor of Faith Church East and Seminary Ministries - Faith Church

MABC Department Chair, Instructor - Faith Bible Seminary

Director of the Biblical Counseling Training Conference - Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries

Bio

B.S. - Engineering Physics, Ohio State University
M.Div. - Baptist Bible Seminary
Ph.D. - New Testament, Baptist Bible Seminary

Dr. Rob Green joined the Faith Church staff in August, 2005. Rob’s responsibilities include oversight of the Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry and teaching New Testament at Faith Bible Seminary. He serves on the Council Board of the Biblical Counseling Coalition and as a fellow for the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Pastor Green has authored, co-authored, and contributed to 9 books/booklets. Rob and his wife Stephanie have three children.

Read Rob Green's Journey to Faith for the full account of how the Lord led Pastor Green to Faith Church.