The grace of God is expressed in a Christian’s life in many ways. Grace, of course, is God’s undeserved and unearned favour in our lives. In a real sense it is the gift of God himself to us. It is the overflow of Christ flooding our new life as believers. One of the several hallmarks of that new life in Christ is generosity. The Apostle Paul calls the Christian’s offerings, “This act of grace” which, he says, flows from giving ourselves “first to the Lord,” but more so because he gave himself for us. In this new, four-part series in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, the apostle carefully explains what it means to allow ourselves to be a conduit of his grace to others with respect to the giving of our financial resources. This is a hard one for many, especially given the economic times we find ourselves in. The series will not be a hammer blow of “you must give more” but rather will lay out principles of discipleship that will make it possible for you to overflow in this act of grace while setting your sights on improving your overall financial health. This is about expanding our capacity to engage in this act of grace and experiencing the blessing that follows. Mostly it is about Jesus Christ and his act of grace toward us.

Series: This Act of Grace

Todd Dugard

Message: 1 – The Example

Harvest Bible Chapel

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

February 2, 2025

Excelling in “this act of grace” of giving is founded on four values.

Value 1 – Regular people like me fund the mission (v. 1)

Greek: χάρις (charis) – favour, goodwill, grace. Variants: gift, gratitude.

Value 2 – My life circumstances are not the determining factor in my giving (v. 2a)

It is interesting that Paul understands that God’s grace does not lighten the Macedonians’ afflictions nor remove their deep poverty. Instead, it opens their hearts and their purse strings to others.

David E. Garland.

Value 3 – The tithe is out; generosity and sacrifice are in (v. 2b-3)

Forget tithing. It is an Old Covenant practice. Multi-layered (not just 10%). Tied to Israel. Woven into that theocracy's taxation system. New Covenant giving is to be joyful, willing (not compelled), proportionate to one's income (maybe more, maybe much more, or maybe less than 10%), sacrificial, and given regularly (part of your household budget).

Todd Dugard

The point is not that we be governed by percentages. They are not mandated. Rather, we should be governed by lavish sacrificial generosity that overflows freely and joyfully. In other words, we have become so accustomed to our Western prosperity and its way of life that we think five or ten percent is generous.

John Piper

Value 4 – It naturally follows giving myself first to the Lord (v. 4-7)

1 John 3:16

If the one of the top qualities you want in your pastors is "nice" then you're very likely going to have a weak church. Weak pastors defend the Gospel against no one and often compromise on teaching the Scriptures to keep people happy.

Honest Youth Pastor

2 Corinthians 2:3-4

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/?utm_source=Crossway+Marketing&utm_campaign=3342e03510-20241026+Gen-HowMuchShouldChristiansTithe%3F&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-3342e03510-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D