“A CHEERFUL ATTITUDE OF GIVING”
2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8
INTRO: One of the CLEAR INDICATORS of SPIRITUAL GROWTH is maintaining a CHEERFUL ATTITUDE OF
GIVING UNTO THE LORD. Now that statement itself may be enough to cause some Christians to wiggle in their seats,
but it is true. In 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 where the Word of God teaches us principles of FINANCIAL GIVING,
verses 5, 10, and 11 imply that SPIRITUAL GROWTH RESULTS IN INCREASED FINANCIAL GIVING.
1) Verse 5: They “first gave their own selves to the Lord.” (Spiritual growth)
2) Verse 10: Giving is to be “forward a year ago.” (Spiritual growth)
3) Verse 11: A “readiness to will” (Spiritual growth)
MANY EXCUSES CAN BE AND ARE GIVEN TO “EXPLAIN AWAY” GIVING TO THE LORD, BUT NONE OF
THEM IS BIBLICAL! HOWEVER, ALL OF THEM ARE CARNAL AND SINFUL! In fact, IT SEEMS STRANGE
THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS NEED ENCOURAGEMENT TO GIVE WHEN GOD HAS GIVEN US SO MUCH!
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS:
1) Giving is NOT something Christians do. It is what we are!
2) Giving is the WAY OF LIFE for the Christian who appreciates God.
3) Giving is what God did OUT OF HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US – John 3:16
4) Giving is what Christians do out of our LOVE FOR GOD.
Having considered these things, let’s observe THREE PRINCIPLES OF GIVING FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8.
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I. THE PRINCIPLE OF INCREASE – VS. 6
“WE REAP WHAT WE SOW”
A. Any farmer knows this principle. The MORE seed he sows, the MORE product he will REAP! This is called
“THE AGRARIAN PRINCIPLE” which is the concept that THE HARVEST IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONATE TO
WHAT WAS SOWN.
B. This principle is found throughout scripture.
Proverbs 11:24, 25; 19:17; Luke 6:38; Galatians 6:7
THE POINT OF THE PRINCIPLE: THE MORE WE INVEST IN THE WORK OF THE LORD; THE MORE FRUIT
WILL ABOUND TO OUR ACCOUNT. Note: Proverbs 3:9, 10; 28:27; Malachi 3:10
ILLUSTRATION:
II. THE PRINCIPLE OF INTENT – VS. 7
“WE REAP AS WE SOW WITH THE PROPER MOTIVE”
A. Every believer should “PURPOSE IN HIS HEART” what and how he is going to give financially to the Lord’s
work BEFORE the opportunity arrives.
1. Purpose to give Regularly – At least weekly.
2. Purpose to give Sacrificially – An act of love.
3. Purpose to give to Honorably – To honor God.
B. Every Believer should Examine His Attitude for giving
1. Not Grudgingly (This word implies)
a. Not with grief, sorrow or sadness.
b. Not with depression, regret or reluctance.
c. Not with a sense of duty or obligation.
2. Not out of a Necessity (This word implies)
a. Not out of compulsion.
b. Not out of guilt.
c. Not out of pressure.
3. But out of LOVE – GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER!
a. The word “LOVE” is “AGAPE.” (The highest form of sacrificial and extreme love).
b. The word “CHEERFUL” means “HILARIOUS.” (This means being “ENTHUSIASTICALLY THRILLED for
the honor of giving).
THE POINT OF THE PRINCIPLE:
GOD ENTHUSIASTICALLY GIVES BACK TO THOSE WHO
ENTHUSIASTICALLY GIVE TO HIM!
THEREFORE: HOW CAN WE GIVE ENTHUSIASTICALLY AND CHEERFULLY?
1) From the Biblical Perspective
a) By first giving “self” to the Lord – 2 Corinthians 8:5
b) By having a “ready will” – 2 Corinthians 8:11
c) By having a “willing mind” – 2 Corinthians 8:12
2) From the Personal Perspective
a) Focus on the Honor of Giving – God has allowed us the honor to give!
b) Focus on the Result of Giving – The Gospel is proclaimed, Souls are saved, Missionaries are supported, The Poor are
helped, the Church ministry is expanded, God is honored, Blessings are received, and Christians are edified.
c) Focus on what God has done for you – From salvation to daily care.
d) Focus on what God has given to you – All your needs provided.
e) Focus on your encouragement to others – Through your testimony.
f) Focus on showing your love for God – Giving shows love.
g) Focus on worshipping God – Giving is tangible worship.
h) Focus on God’s promises – To those who give.
ILLUSTRATION:
III. THE PRINCIPLE OF IMMEDIACY – VS. 8
“WE REAP WHILE WE SOW”
A. Note the Universals of the Verse
1. All Grace; Always Having; All Sufficiency; In All Things; Abound to Every Good Work.
2. This teaches that Christians who give cheerfully will ALWAYS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY
NEED IT!
B. Note the Divine Actions of the Verse
1. “God is Able”
2. “Having all Sufficiency”
THE POINT OF THE PRINCIPLE: WHEN WE GIVE UNTO THE WORK OF THE LORD, GOD HIMSELF SEES TO
IT THAT ALL OF OUR NEEDS ARE MET!
CONSIDERATION: “The giving of money is just as spiritual as an act of singing a hymn, handing out a tract, or
conducting a Bible study.”
-Dr. Warren Wiersbe of Back to the Bible BroadcastILLUSTRATION:
LESSON:
-When we as Christians USE OUR FINANCES PROPERLY AND GIVE to the work of the Lord in a CHEERFUL
WAY, God will be glorified, the needs of others will be met and the blessing of God will be received.
-When we as Christians do not USE OUR FINANCES PROPERLY AND GIVE to the work of the Lord in a CHEERFUL
WAY, God is NOT honored and our harvest will be VERY POOR!
WHEN YOU AND I ARE GROWING IN CHRIST TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY WE CANNOT HELP BUT HAVE A
CHEERFUL ATTITUDE TOWARD GIVING TO THE WORK OF THE LORD FINANCIALLY!