Did you know that God compels your giving to reveal his own purposes? Our offerings are an act of grace, as Paul says repeatedly in 2 Corinthians 8-9, and as that grace flows from God, through us, to others, God’s purposes are revealed. He does it this way for a reason! As we gather on Sunday to continue our current teaching series, we’ll see God’s four purposes for funding the mission as he does in 2 Corinthians 8:8-24. If you missed message one in this series, you can watch or listen to it here.

Series: This Act of Grace

Todd Dugard

Message: 2 – God’s Purpose

Harvest Bible Chapel

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:8-24

February 9, 2025

God compels my giving in order to reveal his purposes:

Purpose 1 – Love as my compelling motivation (v. 8:8; 16-24)

James 2:17

1 John 4:11

Purpose 2 – Christ at the centre of my life (v. 8:9)

Galatians 2:20

It is no longer I who am my wife's husband, but Christ who is her husband in me. It is no longer I who am a father to my children, but Christ who is their father in me. It is no longer I who work for my neighbor in my job; no longer I who contribute to charities; no longer I who put money in the offering plate; no longer I who feed and clothe the homeless: no longer I who give of time, talents, and treasures, but Christ does all of these things in me.

Chad Bird, My Cup Runneth Over (link below)

Purpose 3 – Desires aligned with his (v. 8:10-11)

Purpose 4 – Understanding of the Kingdom’s economy (v. 8:12-15)

Economy – the wealth and resources of a country especially in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services and the careful management of the available resources.

Oxford Languages

θλῖψις thlipsis – trouble involving direct suffering—L&N 22.2

There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.

G. K. Chesterton

According to the Bible, if you’re making money, if God is blessing you with money, it’s from God. It’s not yours; it’s for the purpose of building up community, building up the people who are weaker, strengthening the social fabric. So, the money is not for your own selfish happiness. It’s not yours. It’s for the community.

Timothy Keller

1 Chronicles 29:14b

Matthew 19:23b

Series Resources:

May I Split My Giving Between My Church and Another Ministry?

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/may-i-split-my-giving-between-my-church-and-another-ministry

How Much Should Christians Tithe?

https://www.crossway.org/articles/how-much-should-christians-tithe/

My Cup Runneth Over: Giving and Generosity

Chad Bird

https://a.co/d/5oJlvO5