Sunday

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

"6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.⁹ As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;

    their righteousness endures forever.”^[a]

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

1. God gives to us so that he may give through us.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 "10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."

He gives you something you can then give away -- The Message

Psalm 67:7 "7 May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him."

2. God gives to us so that lives may be changed.

2 Corinthians 9:12 "12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God."

3. God gives to us so that He may be worshiped.

2 Corinthians 9:13-14 "13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you."

"Mission is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever. So worship is the fuel and goal of missions." – John Piper.

4. God gives to us so that ultimately He gets all the glory.

2 Corinthians 9:15 "15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

2 Corinthians 9:7 "7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

1. Sad givers - "reluctantly"
2. Mad givers - "under compulsion"
3. Glad givers - "cheerful"

Generosity is not something we do, but something we are.

Generosity is a way of life for the Christian who understands the grace of God