EmmDev 2016-11-15 [Treasure in Clay Pots (2Cor)] Generosity (2): Because of Jesus

Generosity (2): Because of Jesus

So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.      (2Corinthians8:6-9)

This chapter and the next one are all about giving and generosity. The practical situation is a famine that left the church in Jerusalem in great need. Verses 1-5 looked at generosity as something that was prompted by grace, spontaneous and directed toward God.

The section we are looking at today highlights two key aspects around this important passage about generosity...

Firstly, generosity is best accompanied by the attitude of sincere love. Although Paul could be accused of "nagging" them (he spends two whole chapters on this issue of giving) he repeatedly makes it clear that giving will be their decision.

Paul walks a fine line - he's reminding them and not commanding them. He's coaching them in the discipline of kindness and generosity.

Sometimes we don't give because we are distracted by all sorts of things - this is an attention deficit problem. Sometimes we don't give because our love for others has grown cold - this is a heart problem and it is a much more serious one.

Paul is saying: "I think you have an attention deficit problem, make sure it's not heart trouble."

Secondly, Paul reminds us that we learn generosity from Jesus who, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor..."
Take a moment to consider just a few facets of His generosity:

• A cattle trough in place of a throne
• A feeble, finite, and fragile human body in place of omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence.
• The confines of time, space, hunger, thirst, fatigue and dependence in place of the glory at God's right hand
• The cruelty of the cross compared to the worship of the angels

And Hebrews 12 tells us that He paid this price because it gave Him joy to do so because it would secure our salvation.

How do these two views impact your perspective on generosity?

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