THIS GRACE ALSO
August 31, 2012
THIS GRACE ALSO
II Corinthians 8:1-9 (7b) “see that ye abound in this grace also.”
Paul is showing here his administrative integrity. He was being very wise. The false apostles at Corinth were just waiting for something to accuse him with. If he had been handling these monies, it would have given them the opportunity. Paul calls it here “abundance”(20).
A lady wrote me recently telling how God had protected her pastor. He had already been accused of some things. This lady had been attending and helping an older lady in town and she had asked for the pastor to come see her, she apparently wanted to give an offering. But the pastor was sick. The lady was getting senile and she accused this lady attending her of taking her money. Well, this lady was well known in town for her honesty and integrity and the accusation was blamed on her senility. But had the pastor gone and taken this offering, he would have been open to accusation. God just protected him. We cannot be too careful in moral matters and money matters!
But Paul sent as a third party one who also who had been proven diligent. When dealing with money it is not enough to be honest, those people must be diligent so that they deal accurately. It takes diligence to stay up to date with the books. Paul had proved this third party diligent.
E. They must be cooperative (8:23,24) Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Note here that Paul calls Titus a “partner” and a “fellow helper”. I am afraid that some people in churches work against the pastor or they work against the forward movement of a project.
Those that administer the finances must be cooperative with those who lead the church and have the vision. In my first church, I had a treasurer who was most uncooperative. He made me feel guilty when I went to him for a check to buy something. It was very difficult.
In actuality, he was checking with a deacon before he would OK anything. So in running the daily affairs of the church, the deacon was running it, not the pastor. He was very uncooperative and made it very difficult for me to get anything done.
People chosen to work with the finances must be “partner” and “fellow helpers”. They must never be antagonistic or hard to get along with. And they must never feel as if the money is theirs to dispense.
For this offering Paul and the churches decided where it was to go. Titus and his two companions were chosen to “administer” the funds.
So what is grace giving?
I. When we give out of our poverty
II. When we give willingly, not coercively (8:3,4)
III. When our Giving is Preceded by Surrender (5)
IV. When our giving is through Church Leaders (7:5b)
V. When we give as Christ gave- (6-9)
VI. When we follow through on our good intentions- (8:10-12)
VII. When we give by faith (8:13-15)
VIII. When we give wisely (8:16-24)
