Gospel Generosity

2 Corinthians 8:1

1We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2 Corinthians 8:2

2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed

2 Corinthians 8:2

in a wealth of generosity on their part.

2 Corinthians 8:3

3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

2 Corinthians 8:4

4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—

2 Corinthians 8:5

5and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

2 Corinthians 8:6

6Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.

2 Corinthians 8:7

7But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all

2 Corinthians 8:7

earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

2 Corinthians 8:8

8I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

2 Corinthians 8:9

9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,

2 Corinthians 8:9

so that you by his poverty might become rich.

I. The example of the believers in Macedonia

2 Corinthians 8:1

1We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2 Corinthians 8:2

2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed

2 Corinthians 8:2

in a wealth of generosity on their part.

2 Corinthians 8:3

3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

2 Corinthians 8:4

4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—

II. The example of Jesus’ genorosity

2 Corinthians 8:6

6Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.

2 Corinthians 8:7

7But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all

2 Corinthians 8:7

earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

2 Corinthians 8:8

8I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

2 Corinthians 8:9

9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,

2 Corinthians 8:9

so that you by his poverty might become rich.

1. Generosity is enabled by the grace of God in Christ!

2. Generosity isn’t determined by the amount of our gift but the degree of sacrifice!

3. Generosity proves the genuineness of our love for God and others!

4. Generosity is motivated by Jesus’ self-giving, generosity to us in the gospel!