ABOUNDING GRACE GIVING

Colossians 1:2c

July 16, 21, 2024, Sunday - MBC

Introduction:

We have to study this time the theme of Christian giving. What is the reason of this sermon on giving? The answer is simply that is what the Bible teaches and that is what the Apostle Paul is talking about in II Corinthians. We believe that every Words of Scripture is inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative, sufficient, and profitable, we preach on what the Bible says on the matter of Christian giving. And the Lord wants every believer to excel more and more in a matter of Christian giving.

CONTEXT:

In the context, there was a conflict between Paul and the Corinthians because the Corinthians were deceived by false teachers who were claiming as an Apostles from the church of Jerusalem. The main goal of this false teachers was to discredit the apostleship of Paul, because they knew that if they would not do that, the people would continue to believe the gospel that Paul preaches and the people will not believe and receive their heresy. Its sad to say, that the Corinthians were convinced and believed the deceptions of these false apostles which resulted that the Corinthians started to doubt the sincerity of Paul and they even question the character of Paul. So, Paul tried to put things to rights by making visit to Corinth, but Paul arrived, there was an influential man in the church who sided with the false teachers and insulted Paul witnessed by the Corinthians. The Corinthians allowed all what this influential man was saying without checking if it is right and true. Surely, Paul felt sorrows with this visit, so he wrote a letter to the Corinthians, rebuking these Corinthians by not dealing properly with the sin in the church, and getting away from his teaching and message of the gospel he taught them.

In order for the Corinthians received and read his letter, Paul sent Titus as a messenger of his letter to Corinth, and put some arrangement that Titus would hear how the Corinthians responded to the letter of Paul. The Corinthians response is in II Corinthians 7:4-16. Through the letter of Paul and ministry of Titus, the Corinthians repented of their sin and made their love and loyalty to Paul much stronger.

II Corinthians 7:7 “And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” This is an evidence of Corinthians longing, mourning, and zeal for Paul.

II Corinthians 7:9 “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.” This shows the Corinthians were made sorrowful to the point of repentance.

II Corinthians 7:11 “For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

These are poof produced fruits as a result of their genuine repentance. Not only the Corinthians had godly grief, but also eagerness to clear themselves, indignation or displeasure, fear, longing, zeal, punishment, they proved themselves innocent that matter.

II Corinthians 7:12 “Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.” All that details served as a reminder to the Corinthians of their earnest love for Paul and that comforted Paul.

II Corinthians 7:13 “Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.” Paul rejoices because of the submissive response by the Corinthians to Titus that made Paul confident of the obedience of the Corinthians.

That is why Paul stated in II Corinthians 7:4 “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.” Paul is saying that his confidence in them is great, his boasting is great because of them, he is filled of comfort and he has an overflowing joy in all affliction.

II Corinthians 7:16 “I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.” Paul is telling the Corinthians that he rejoices because in everything he has confidence in them.

Now, since the relationship of Paul with the Corinthians is restored, and Paul rejoices that he is confident on them in everything, he wants to open up concerning the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem church. The poverty has been a big concern for the Apostolic church in Jerusalem from the days of its beginning.

There are 3,000 souls added to the church on the day of Pentecost, and that great number of men and women from all over the ancient world were pilgrims and visiting Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. When these multitudes of souls saw the apostolic miracles and heard the Gospel of Christ preached by the Apostles, they assumed that their place was with the church of Jesus Christ, and they knew that the church in Jerusalem was the only church in the entire world. These pilgrims had not planned to carry all their resources with them when they have done their pilgrimage. Therefore, this pilgrims in majority had left all their resources that they owned and decided to remain with the saints in Jerusalem.

All those first converts during Pentecost were Jews, whether by blood or by proselyte conversion. All these Jewish converts without doubt faced great persecution from the countryman who were also Jews because they were converted into Christ. The same with Paul who suffered for all things for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

Due to severe persecution when the Corinthians got converted, they cannot avoid experiencing material poverty. The merciful condition of those poor saints in the church was Paul’s priority. When Peter, James, and John have good fellowship with Paul and Barnabas and they knew that Paul was called by God as an apostle to the Gentiles, the three asked Paul to “remember the poor,” (Galatians 2:10 “Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.”). Paul replied, “the same which I also was forward to do”, he is saying that is the very thing he also was eager to do. That eagerness of Paul to remember the poor saints is evidence of the fact that that is not the first time that Paul has instructed the Corinthians concerning the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem.

If we go back to the book of I Corinthians in chapter 16, we read that Paul is showing how to be ready for the collection or Paul is organizing the collection among the churches of Galatia and challenging the Corinthians to do the same or be prepare for the collection for the saints. I Corinthians 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. ²Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." Paul is telling the Corinthians as he directed the churches of Galatia, the Corinthians should do the same. That on Sunday each one of them is to put aside and save as God prosper each of them so the collections are prepared when Paul come. Then in I Corinthians 16:3 “And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” Paul is saying when he arrives, whomever the Corinthians may approve, Paul will send them letters to carry their collections of gifts to Jerusalem and if it is right for Paul to go also to Jerusalem, they will go there with Paul. So, based on our discussion, it is clear that this was an intentional, organized, multi-church effort to fill the needs of the poor saints in Jerusalem.

Paul wrote the book of Romans after he wrote the II Corinthians, and he speaks of this collection ministry to the Jerusalem church in this book of Romans. Paul says in Romans 15:25 “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. ²⁶For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. ²⁷It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.” Paul is saying that he is going to Jerusalem serving the poor saints there because the Macedonia and Achaia have a desire to make contribution for the poor saints in Jerusalem. They are happy to do so and they have that responsibility to them. Then Paul said that if the Gentiles have shared or partakers in their spiritual things, they have the duty to serve them also through material things. This explains that this collection of financial resources from the Gentile churches for the sake of poor saints in Jerusalem church is a clear picture of the spiritual unity in Christ that exists between Jew and Gentile. Because of spiritual unity as a result by the Gospel of Christ that whatever races they are, they are one in the body of Christ. That is why in their spiritual need, Gentiles have come to share in the spiritual blessings of Jewish covenant promises, so the Gentiles now have become partakers with the Jews in Christ through the Gospel. Now, in the same way, the same spiritual unity has been portrayed here, that the Jewish Christians in their material need will share in the material resources of the Gentile churches because they are in one in Christ through the Gospel of Christ. By this, we can say that the needs of those in the body of Christ are the needs of the whole body of Jesus Christ. This is one of the things that Paul is so concerned about, so he wrote the II Corinthians, that is Christian giving.

The Corinthians begun to prepare for this collection as organize by Paul as early as a year prior according to II Corinthians 8:6, 10, 11 “Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. ¹⁰And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. ¹¹Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.”

But since there were false apostles who discredit the apostleship of Paul and influence the Corinthians with the aim to plant their heresies, in other words because of the troubling commotion done by the false apostles, the offering was delayed. Therefore, Paul instructed the Corinthians in chapter 8 and chapter 9 to complete the collection that they had begun a year ago. Paul is saying that the Corinthians were the first to begin a year ago not only to do the collection but also to desire to do it. So, Paul told them now to finish doing it, as there was the readiness to desire it, there may be also the completion of it. The main emphasis of chapter 8 and chapter 9 is the Corinthians have to complete the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. Thanks, the Lord, that chapter 8 and chapter 9 are not just historical and biblical records between believers regarding a 2,000-year-old offering. We learned a lesson from the interaction between Paul and the Corinthians that we are well informed concerning the principles of Christian giving that are applicable to the church throughout all generations. Chapter 8 and chapter 9 of II Corinthians give us the most complete detailed theology of Christian giving in the whole Bible.

The overall theme of II Corinthians is about a joyful, enduring ministry in the midst of affliction. It also includes the painful defense of Paul against the attacks of these false apostles regarding the authenticity of Paul’s apostleship, and the new covenant Gospel ministry was also featured in this book.

The first seven chapters of II Corinthians applied to Paul’s instruction on Christian ministry to each and everyone of us.

1. In II Corinthians 3:6, God called you to be a minister of the new covenant, if God saved you by the New Covenant.

II Corinthians 3:6 “Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”

2. In II Corinthians 5:18-19, God entrusted you with the ministry of reconciliation, if God saved you through the message of reconciliation.

II Corinthians 5:18-19 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

All believers are called to the ministry:

a. To each other as saved in the body of Christ.

b. To all unsaved who need Christ for their salvation.

When we come to II Corinthians chapter 8 and chapter 9, we learn of giving aid through financial resources to other needy Christians is ministry.

1. In II Corinthians 8:4, Paul calls this giving program of the church as the ministry to the saints.

II Corinthians 8:4 “Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”

2. In II Corinthians 9:1, Paul repeatedly this giving program of the church as the ministry to the saints.

II Corinthians 9:1 “For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:”

In chapter 8 verse 4 he calls this enterprise, literally, “the ministry to the saints.”

3. In II Corinthians 9:12, Paul adds to the word “administration” or “ministry” a term in Greek “leitourgia” referred to “service”, as of the public ministrations of the Jewish priesthood temple service of the Old Testament.

II Corinthians 9:12 “For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;”

What we learn in Chapter 8 and chapter 9 like the first seven chapters, provides us a joyful, enduring ministry to fellow believers in the body of Christ, even in the midst of difficulties and afflictions that surely can happen to faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul appeals to the Corinthians at the opening of chapter 8 and chapter 9 to involve in the ministry of Christian giving not to be pressed in their consciences about their duty, not to be burden of the commandments of the apostle, and not to be manipulate by the guilt if they will not participate in Christian giving. Instead, Paul informs the Corinthians concerning the solid example how the grace of God works through the churches of Macedonia who are in deep poverty by exhibiting generosity in Christian giving.

We will focus on the Macedonian’s giving, that Paul used as an example to challenge the Corinthians to be generous in Christian giving. And by the example of Macedonian giving, we will learn several principles of Christian giving that would tell how we think about money and how we handle our finances entrusted to us as a steward of God.

I – GRACE THAT MOTIVATES IN CHRISTIAN GIVING

The grace of God that works is the motivating source that makes the Macedonian a great example in Christian giving.

II Corinthians 8:1 “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;"

The Corinthians needed to be stirred up and exhorted by Paul regarding sacrificial giving for the saints in Jerusalem. Paul wants the Corinthians to raise their love for the needy brethren in Jerusalem whom they never yet met personally. Paul wants to the Corinthians to learn the very foundation in giving, none other than the grace of God.

Paul is saying to the Corinthians "Now, brethren we wish to make known to you the grace of God that has poured out upon the churches of Macedonia." Paul wants the Corinthians to see the grace of God work in the lives of the Macedonian and be motivated to aspire to that kind of generosity that possessed Macedonian.

It's sad to know that when a preacher mentioned that he’s going to preach on the topic of giving, people reaction is shrinking back in their seats with opposing mentality saying, “Oh that preacher is after my money.” But on the other hand, when the preacher told the congregation that he will speak about grace of God, people reaction is they perk up and lean forward filled with interest saying “I want that preacher to teach me about grace. Oh, that is wonderful, I love to hear that unmerited favor that saves all sinners, that unmerited favor that is expressed when the Son of God manifested in the flesh, who serves sinners and died for the sins of the whole world, that innocent One who become my substitute to pay my debt of my sin and forgives me of all my transgressions and iniquity. I am so excited to hear that sermon about grace.”

So, Paul used the sacrificial, generous giving of God as manifested in all the works of God’s grace through Christ.

Grace is not just the starting place for motivational giving, but it was thoroughly emphasized on chapter 8 and chapter 9. Paul uses the word “grace” in different senses, no less than 12 times to combine the 24 verses of chapter 8 and 15 verses of chapter 9.

After we see the grace of God that works in verse 1, let us take a look what Paul says in verse 4.

II Corinthians 8:4 “Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”

Paul says that the Macedonians earnestly begged for the unmerited divine favor, referring for the grace of God participation in the support of the fellow believers.

Then let us read verse 6-7 and verse 19 about the collection for the saints in Jerusalem.

II Corinthians 8:6-7, 19 “Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. ⁷Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. ¹⁹And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:”

Paul calls the collection, “this grace.”

More about grace that works, Paul said in II Corinthians 9:8

II Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

We can find two verses that stand out for the strong basis of Paul’s appeal to sacrificial giving in the grace of God:

II Corinthians 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

II Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

God’s grace being the motivating source of faithful Christian giving is called indescribable or unspeakable gift of the grace of Christ, who accepted to live in poverty and death as manifested in the flesh, in order for us sinners who were destitute of the favor and blessing of God could become rich with the righteousness of God and can lay up treasures by knowing, loving and serving our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is writing to these beloved Corinthians, saying that if he is going to have any hope of enlisting their support in the ministry of the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem, Paul must make known to them the grace of God. Paul is stressing the connection between the incarnation of Christ and the cross of Christ, also the connection between the hearts and financial resource of the Corinthians.

Paul sees the grace of God in the glorious Gospel of Christ not only that saves us from hell and made us a born-again Christian, but Paul sees the grace of God as the motivating source and motivating power which we are sustained and strengthened in our daily Christian life. The gospel truth must affect us in our lives, must shape every moment the way we think, we feel, we speak and the way we act about everything.

Collecting and offering to meet the needs of fellow Christians is the most practical and administrative that matters in the local church. That is why Paul do not try to operate the offering by forcing on their duty, by including the commandments of the apostle, or by giving number of steps to have higher offerings. In other words, Paul is not using any way of extortion or not doing the emotional or psychological style of giving. No, what Paul is doing he just simply reminds the believers of the Gospel of salvation which they themselves were saved. Paul reminds them of the grace that God that has already given to them when they got saved apart from any doing good of themselves. Paul exhorts those saved brethren and beneficiary of God’s generosity of God’s grace that they have shown to apply giving to others. That is why, there was a direct link between the Gospel grace and the hearts and behavior of the recipients of the blessing of grace. So, Paul says in II Corinthians 8:1 “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;” it is because grace cannot open our wallets, God does not want what comes out of our wallet. Listen carefully, if your personal knowledge with the grace of Jesus Christ is insufficient motivation to open your heart and give generously the way you ought to give, God is saying to you “Hold your money because I do not want your money.” As Paul said to the Corinthians in chapter 8 verse 1, it is the grace of God at work in the hearts of God’s children, the grace of God was the reason, that grace of God was the source that motivates the poverty people in the churches of Macedonia to give generously for the poor saints in Jerusalem.

The Brethren of Macedonian churches who are in poverty gives generously not because of guilt, not because of wise manipulation tactics of Paul, not because of the kindness of people of Macedonia. The Brethren of Macedonia churches gave because of the sanctifying grace of God that works in their hearts, the grace of God empowered them to look beyond their comforts, needs and limitations, then look up to the cross of Jesus the Savior from which they had received the sufficient saving grace, then look out the needs of their brethren and meet those needs through sacrificial giving.

Paul is calling our attention not of the example of good character of Macedonians but the grace of God that works in the hearts of the Macedonians which was the motivating source of Christian giving. Is the grace of God that works in the hearts of Macedonia is the same grace that work in the hearts of Brethren in Messiah Baptist Church? Is the grace of God pulsing through the spiritual veins of the brethren in Messiah Baptist Church?

Do you want more of the grace of God at work in your life? Do you refuse the sufficient grace of God? Whosoever in Christ with a right heart would want to embrace more grace that we might faithfully set our mind and hearts on things in heaven and work out our salvation with highest reverence to God.

What I am after? I am not after of your money. Like as Paul stated in II Corinthians 12:14, Philippians 4:17.

II Corinthians 12:14 “Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.”

Philippians 4:17 “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”

I am not after material profit but the spiritual profit that each one of the brethren will reap because of grace.

What I long for is for the brethren of Messiah Baptist Church to be a generous people, not for our church to have a nice own church building, not for the Pastor can own a nice car, but if our brothers and sisters here become generous, this mean that the grace of God works in each heart. What I want for all the brethren of Messiah Baptist Church is for the abounding grace for an abundant harvest of righteousness.

As everyone of us give cheerfully we will see the blessing of God multiplied in our lives.

II Corinthians 9:7-8 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

Are you motivated by the grace that you have shown in Christ, if so then you can be generous in grace of Christian giving.

II- GENEROSITY THAT WAS UNHINDERED BY CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES IN CHRISTIAN GIVING (v. 2a)

II Corinthians 8:2 “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”

Here in verse 2, Paul specifies how the grace of God was manifested in the lives of Macedonian brethren.

Genuine Christian generosity is not hindered by the challenging circumstances which we faced and experienced.

Paul is talking about the churches in Macedonia which were founded by Paul and recorded in the 16^th and 17^th chapters of the Book of Acts. These refers to the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. According to Paul all of these three churches were experiencing “a great trial of affliction” during the time of their giving to the saints in Jerusalem, translated “a great ordeal of affliction” NASB; or “a severe test of affliction” ESV.

Notice the word “thlipsis” from “thlibo” means to crush, press together, squash, compress, squeeze, which derived from “thlao” means to break, originally expressed physical pressure on a man. The word “Thlipsis” is a strong term which does not refer to minor inconveniences, but to real hardships. It conveys the idea of being squeezed or placed under pressure or crushed beneath a weight. “Thlipsis” seen 6 times in II Corinthians. Paul describes many difficulties he experienced in his Gospel’s ministry as afflictions.

1. The word “thlipsis” is used by Jesus Christ – John 16:33

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of a good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

The Lord Jesus Christ uses this word “thlipsis” when He promises to His disciples that in this world, they will have tribulation which literally means “affliction.”

2. The word “thlipsis” is used to describe the persecution of the church – Acts 11:19

Acts 11:19 “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.”

This word is used in describing the persecution of the church that had arisen after the stoning of Stephen. This “great trial of affliction” (KJV); “great ordeal of affliction” (NASB); “severe test of affliction” (ESV) is rightly identified with the persecution that the Christians in the cities because of their commitment to Christ and in the gospel of Christ.

3. The word “thlipsis” is used of Philippians acquainted with afflictions for Christ’s sake. – Philippians 1:29-30

Philippians 1:29-30 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; ³⁰Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

Paul writes to the Philippians church who had been acquainted with affliction for Christ’s sake.

4. The word “thlipsis” is used of Thessalonians patience and faith in persecution. – II Thessalonians 1:4

II Thessalonians 1:4 “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:”

The word tribulations here is afflictions.

5. The word “thlipsis” is used of persecution the Bereans endured. – Acts 17:13

Acts 17:13 “But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.”

Luke recorded of the persecution the Bereans endured during Paul’s founding visit to Berea in spite that we have no canonical letter from Paul to the Bereans. The Jews came from Thessalonica to Berea to stir up the crowds against Paul and Christians at the place.

So, here Paul emphasizing the point that these Macedonian churches experiencing once again in the midst of a severe trial of afflictions due to intense persecution. Paul also in verse 2, stated beside their severe affliction is that they are experiencing deep poverty. II Corinthians 8:2 “their deep poverty abounded.” Paul talks about the deep poverty of Macedonian believers (namely the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea). The word “deep” in Greek “bathos” is the noun derived from adjective “bathus” which means deep, literally describes a distance below a surface and to the depth or a deep place. Bathos is a universal figure for what is immeasurable or incalculable. The word “Bathos” used to speak of the depths of the ocean when it’s referred to as “the deep.” We can see that illustration when Jesus told Peter in Luke 5:4 “…Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” In fact, in the early 20^th century, this word bathos from which we derive the English word “bathysphere”, is the ship we use to probe the depths of the ocean. It could be translated “their down to the depth poverty.” The Macedonian were at the bottom.

The Romans had taken all their silver and gold mines, taxed the copper and iron smelting, canceled the right to cut trees for ship and home building, and had fought several wars on Macedonian soil. This region had suffered the ravages of civil war between Caesar and Pompey, between Brutus and Cassius and the triumvirs, and finally between Augustus and Antonius. They actually made a petition for a surcease of their burdens of taxation in the reign of Tiberius. In many parts of the Roman Empire the bulk of the urban population seems to have been very poor, probably because of high taxes, high rent, and high food prices and were granted the favor as a depleted area. Macedonians could not go out for dinner but always left home without credit cards. They had no cars, no designer wardrobes, no vacations, no TVs. But you have those.

Now, because of severe persecutions and afflictions these Macedonian people of Philippi, Thessalonian, Berean expectedly were affected badly on their financial status and were not on easy street. Macedonians might have a reasonable excuse to let the offering plate pass as you would expect in their church worship services, because of very challenging circumstances as they were severely afflicted and persecuted, extremely destitute, and down to the dept poverty.

It is hard to imagine that these poverty people in Macedonia were in much better of a financial condition than those poor saints in Jerusalem who needed relief from the offerings of Macedonian. Paul describes these challenging circumstances that these Macedonian were already scraping the bottom of the barrel, but these poverty Macedonia did not let this poverty situation stop them from giving.

Let us read once again our text, II Corinthians 8:2 "How that is a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality."

The lesson we have to learn here is that the great ordeal of affliction or the severe test of affliction and deep poverty do not need to be barriers to Christian generosity. As expected by many of us, comfort and security are the proper circumstances for our own generous giving. When we heard the announcement in the church, that we need to contribute for a certain project, what we did is take a survey in our resources and think and ask, “do I need to join giving?” “Do we have enough to spare?” and other such questions.

But because of the grace of God that worked in the Macedonian brethren, their suffering was an opportunity for them to give and to get. Those devoted believers live above their challenging circumstances. Those faithful believers in whom the grace of God is at, do not allow their challenging circumstances hinder them to give generously.

Maybe you ask “How is it possible to give when I am filled with affliction?” Paul says in verse 2, “in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” Paul is saying that the ability of the Macedonian to maintain their joy is their abundance of joy in the midst of their severe afflictions that made them generous in giving. Christian joy is not based upon circumstances. Christian joy is not hindered by affliction.

The word “Joy” in Greek “chara” is a feeling of great pleasure, of inner gladness, or of delight. Joy is an emotion evoked by a sense of well-being. It is a deep feeling of happiness and contentment. Joy in the New Testament is virtually always used to signify a feeling of "happiness" that is based on spiritual realities (independent of what "happens"). Joy is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behavior.

Notice the phrase “abundance of their joy”.

The situation of abundance of joy between descriptions of affliction on one hand and deep poverty on the other. There is no clearer evidence that such joy is not naturally possible in such pressing, impoverished circumstances, but is only supernaturally possible. These believers were a living illustration of a Spirit filled church! Giving in their circumstance would be viewed by most observers as IM-possible, but for them it proved to the HIM-possible, the Spirit flowing forth from them like rivers of living water! Those who witness great joy in people whose lives are full of trouble are led to think that such people are in possession of something which is well worth having.

The apostle was not concerned about the actual size of the gift but about the attitude of the givers.

Paul said about himself, II Corinthians 7:4 “I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.”

Paul said to the Thessalonians they had received the Word in much affliction in II Thessalonians 1:6 “having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.”

So, Christian joy is not set or defined by pleasant circumstances, because Christian joy is rooted in that circumstances which cannot be touch, that is magnifying of the glory of Jesus Christ.

Paul says in Philippians while in a Roman prison, while awaiting the verdict of his potential execution.

Philippians 1:18-21 “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. ¹⁹For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ²⁰According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. ²¹For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Paul said he will go on rejoicing because Christ will be magnified in his body, whether he lives or whether he dies. Paul says he will be overflowing with joy even in the midst of his affliction, as long as Jesus Christ is exalted, and magnified, and glorified.

The Macedonians realized that there was more of the glory of Jesus to enjoy on the path of generous, sacrificial giving, their joy in Christ become much greater than the joy in money, or their joy in Christ is above in pleasant circumstances, and they experienced freedom of generosity.

Notice the phrase in verse 2 “riches of their liberality.”

Notice how their abundant joy matched their liberality, speaking of the quality of generosity. The word “liberality” in Greek “haplotes” describes a singleness of purpose, and is the opposite of one who is double minded. The basic meaning of the word is “simplicity”, “single-mindedness” and indicates the true open heartedness and generosity toward others in which there is no deceit, dishonesty of motive. Paul speaks of the richness, not of their gifts, which could not have been large, but of their minds. The Macedonian believers were rich in their single-mindedness, selfless generosity to God and to others. Liberality or generosity is measured, not by the amount given, but by the will of the giver. The apostle Paul was not concerned about the actual size of the gift but about the attitude of the givers.

This is the formula: Severe affliction, plus deep poverty, plus abounding joy, equals abounding generosity. But, wait there one element missing from that equation. To know the one missing is to answer the question, where did their abundance of joy come from? Their abundance of joy came from the grace of God at work in the heart of Macedonian brethren. It is because God had imparted a taste for the sweetness of the Son of God! The alluring aroma of money and safety was replaced by the superior fragrance of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord. Indeed, this is possible because grace was operative in their hearts.

When you are given an opportunity to help a need in the church, but you look your own life and you find severe afflictions and perhaps in deep poverty, I pray that God’s grace work in your heart that produce an abounding joy that overflows into generosity. May your giving rise up above your circumstances because of the holy joy that is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.