ON FAITH, GRACE AND GIVING (2 COR 8:1-15)

Sermon by Rev Helen Hoe: Snippet

GIVING & GRACE
For Paul, the basis for giving to others is not what we have done but what God has already done for us in Christ. God's grace is the foundation of our giving. The Macedonians illustrated the ways in which God's grace is shown towards them. Their first hand experience of knowing the Lord God had brought them so much joy that they in turn wanted to bless others and in this case, to contribute to the collection for the Church in Jerusalem that was experiencing famine at that time.

Paul longed for the Corinthians to grow in the manner that the Macedonians have done. He had desired that they "bring to completion this act of grace on their part (v 6)" by also participating in the collection. Giving is not merely an expression of compassion for the needy. It is also a spiritual gift to be exercised.

How are we growing in this aspect of expressing the grace that we have received towards others?

GIVING STRETCHES OUR FAITH

Giving is an expression of faith. Paul used their "earnestness in giving" as a criterion for "testing" the genuineness of their recent expression of repentance. God is not looking at the amount but the submission and trust in Him. Charles Wesley often said, "If the Lord would give me wings, I'd fly" to which John Wesley answered, "If God bids me fly, I will trust Him for the wings." Do we have the courage to give by faith? to simply obey and give even when the sums do not add up. But when we submit, we can experience his grace and enabling and our faith stretches and grow.

Habbakuk 3:17-18 "¹⁷ Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, ¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. "

GIVING IS A MATTER OF LORDSHIP

A person will always have difficulty accepting the biblical principle of giving until he has first given himself completely to God.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Is God truly the Lord of my life? my possessions? finances? marriage? relationships? ministry? family?
2. What are my fears, inhibitions, frustrations, burdens and even ambitions? Would I surrender them to God?
3. What are my five loaves and two fishes? Will I take them out  for God's purpose in faith?
4. Is God calling me to something? What should my response be? How can I respond in faith?

If you like Corrine May's song 5 loaves and 2 Fishes
Check out Link to Corrine May's Song 5 Loaves & 2 Fishes

A little boy of thirteen was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom, even the kids could understand

The hours passed so quickly, the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunchbox at the little that he had
He wasn't sure what good it'd do, there were thousands to be fed

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus
The kindness in His smile
And the boy cried out
With the trust of a child
He said:

"Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all to feed them all"

I often think about that boy when I'm feeling small
And I worry that the work I do means nothing at all

But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands
And every door that slams in my face, I will offer up in prayer

So I'll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my "Amen"

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it's not too small

I trust in you
I trust in you

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
No gift is too small