COMPELLED TO BE GENEROUS

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

1)     The Motivation for Generosity

a)     Generosity is the expression of our gratitude.

i)      “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” vs 15

ii)     “Not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” vs 7

b)     Generosity is the outpouring of God’s grace

i)      “God is able to make all grace abound to you.” vs 8a

ii)     “So that having sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work.” vs 8b 

c)     Generosity is from the heart.

i)      Psalm 86:12, “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart.”

d)     Generosity is NOT motivated by resources 

e)     Generosity is NOT a predetermined amount

f)      Generosity comes from Christ

i)      2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, to that you by His poverty might become rich.” 

2)     The Example of Generosity

a)     Giving Joyfully

i)      verse 2, “for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” 

ii)     verse 4, “begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints”

b)     Giving Sacrificially

i)      verse 2, “extreme poverty”

ii)     verse 4, “according to their means…beyond their means, of their own accord.”

c)     Giving Graciously

i)      verse 9, “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich…became poor, so that you…might become rich.”

ii)     “My grace is sufficient for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

iii)    “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

iv)    “But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7