z

Participation in
God’s Ministry

Thanksgiving
Through
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Giving:
2 Cor 9:6-15
 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
z

The point is this: whoever

6 

sows sparingly will also reap

sparingly, and whoever sows
bountifully will also reap
bountifully. 7 Each one must
give as he has decided in his
heart, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver.
z

Paul’s Expectations for Corinth

 Macedonian churches gave beyond
their means by their own desire
 For the privilege of helping believers
in need
 Gave themselves first to the Lord
then to those in need
 Jesus was rich (beyond all) yet for
our sake became poor
 z
Mark 12:41-44
And [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury
41 

and watched the people putting money into the

offering box. Many rich people put in large
sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in
two small copper coins, which make a
penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and
said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor
widow has put in more than all those who are
contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all
contributed out of their abundance, but she out
of her poverty has put in everything she had,
all she had to live on.”
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Thankful Hearts Give

 Giving does not make you
righteous in itself.
 We give because he first
gave to us.
 It expresses our love for God
and each other.
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2 Corinthians 9:8-9

And God is able to make all grace

8 

abound to you, so that having all

sufficiency in all things at all times,
you may abound in every good
work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has
given to the poor;
his righteousness endures
forever.”
z

God knows what we

need
 God by his grace gives us
what we need
 Do not be anxious
(Matthew 7)
 Give to the poor, those in
need
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2 Corinthians 9:10-11
He who supplies seed to the
10 

sower and bread for food will

supply and multiply your seed for
sowing and increase the harvest of
your righteousness. 11 You will be
enriched in every way to be
generous in every way,
which through us will produce
thanksgiving to God.
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John 15:7-8
If you abide in me, and my
7 

words abide in you, ask

whatever you wish, and it will
be done for you. 8 By this my
Father is glorified, that
you bear much fruit and so
prove to be my disciples.
 z How do we abide in Jesus
with our giving?
 Trust him to provide (each day has its own
troubles).
 You cannot serve both God and money,
because you can only love one of them
(Matthew 7:24).
 Do not let your left hand know what your
right hand is doing, give in secret and God
will reward you (Matthew 6:1-4).
 z How do we abide in Jesus
with our giving?

 Give to those in need. Jesus said people

will know we’re disciples by our love for one
another (John 13:35).
 If you give to the poor do not change them
interest (Exodus 22:25).
 z

Serving Money vs God

 If you need all of your money every
month to have clothing, housing, and
food—God bless you.
 If you do not have enough money every
month but you have enough of clothing,
good housing, nice food, and other
things….
 z

Serving Money vs God

 If your friend who is not a believer has
the same job and the same salary your
things should not be as nice or as
many, because you use your money for
other purposes.
 You cannot keep up with the world and
be generous to the Body of Christ. You
cannot serve two masters.
 z
Using Money for God
 Plan your housing. Plan your
transportation. Plan your shopping. Plan
your entertainment. Plan them all to have
more money to give.
 Avoid debt. The borrower is the slave of
the lender.
 Give where there is need (not just things
you want to give).
 Don’t give for earthly reward
 z

2 Corinthians 9:12-15

For the ministry of this service is not only

12 

supplying the needs of the saints but is also

overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By
their approval of this service, they will glorify God
because of your submission that comes from
your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the
generosity of your contribution for them and for all
others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you,
because of the surpassing grace of God upon
you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
 z

If You Give
 More ministry will be
possible!
 People will give more
thanks to God!
 People will pray for you!
 God gives to us,
so we can give
z

to others, for
His glory.