2 Corinthians 8 and 9

Introduction: How many of you like a BARGAIN? Speaking of bargains, my granddad used to spend hours cutting out of the paper coupons that would save money. Then he would pass some of those coupons along to us grandchildren at Christmas time. He was known as “Thrifty”! Paul, on one of his missionary journeys, wrote a second letter to the believers at Corinth (who had money), encouraging them to give to the Lord like other Churches had done; i.e, those in Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea). The money would be used to meet the needs of those less fortunate saints in Jerusalem. Three (3) steps were given to the believers that guarantee a BLESSING from God:

1. In order to Discover the BEST BARGAINS, we must 1st GIVE of OURSELVES to the Lord! (2 Cor 8:1-5)
“Moreover, brethren we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality….Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”

• His grace, freely given
• His grace, freely received
• His grace, freely lived

2. In order to Discover the BEST BARGAINS, we must GIVE of our SUBSTANCES (resources) to the Lord! (2 Cor 8:12-9:8)
“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not…..Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf….He which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall really bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

• Give from A willing mind (2 Cor 8:12)
• Give from A loving heart (2 Cor 8:24)
• Give from A cheerful hand (2 Cor 9:6-8)
{“cheerful” is the word hilarios… our word hilarious!}
Do we give hilariously?