Notes from 2-8-2009 Sermon – Remember

Anecdote: The church is in trouble. Adultery and worse. Believers suing others and arguing over pastor’s pay, as a result the pastor takes no salary. Factions in the church – power struggles… Would you look to the church as a model? God did…

2 Corinthians 9:1-7

*** Principles of Giving ***

** Purpose of Offering **

* Missions (2 Corinthians 9:1)

History of the faith offering. Founder of (?) church: A.B. Simpson. Also, Dr. Oswald J. Smith of The People’s Church in Toronto, Canada.

* Motivation (2 Corinthians 9:2)

To motivation Corinthians to give, and to use them as a model for Macedonians.

2 Corinthians 3:2 commentary: “The best proof of Paul’s ministry validity.”

Acts 17:11.

** Plan for Offering **

2 Corinthians 9:3 – Sent team ahead to prepare the people for the offering.

Titus (2 Cor 8:6,16), and two others (2 Cor 8:18-19,22).

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9.

Bro Jeff: “Did Paul lose his mind here? This is a very pragmatic – I don’t even like that word in church – pragmatic approach… to getting people to give.”

The Bible allows for great flexibility in how a church supports their ministry. “Give it all to the Lord” – don’t make needs known – that’s ok too. But so is Paul’s pragmatic approach here.

** The provisions for the offering **

2 Corinthians 9:6-7.

Founded by men who faithfully tithed: Colgate, Heinz, J.C. Penny, Quaker Oats Cereal.

“If you can’t give joyfully, don’t give… Our God honors not the size of your gift, but the greatness of your sincerity.”

* Moonlighting for missions
* Lifestyle adjustments for missions
… examples: coke a day, family eating out, turning cable off, not buying a boat.
* Caution: ‘Money from nowhere’ – if you really feel led to do so, giving on complete faith.

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