Class Lesson March 30, 2014

Work and rest. What’s the biblical balance? 

Balance: Many of us work too much, fueled by a workaholic drive. Others barely make an effort, doing the minimum to stay employed and get paycheck. Both groups need balance. Many of us earn more than we personally need and fill our lives with experiences and stuff. Others among us struggle to get by. Both groups need balance.

This study lifts up the biblical mandates to work and to rest. It points us to actions that achieve balance. As we apply biblical principles, we move from living and earning for ourselves to discovering that our jobs and paychecks are resources we can invest for the kingdom of God.

Our fifth lesson in this series is called, "Work Your Plan."

Set Goal - Make Plan - Get to Work - Stick To It - Reach Goal

Sounds like good advice to achieve most anything you do in life - you set a goal, make a plan, work your plan, stick to it and you should reach and achieve the goal you set out to reach. Last week's lesson emphasized the importance of making that plan or budget for giving so that we can be ready to meet needs as they arise. By establishing a wise plan or budget, we become better stewards of the resources that God has blessed us with.

As we have discussed, the church at Macedonia reflected the joy of giving. They had taken up a collection to help the Jerusalem church. Paul used the giving of the Macedonians as a good example for the Corinthians to follow. In contrast to the Macedonian Christians who were poor, the Greeks in Corinth were doing quite well, which prompted Paul to urge them to give generously to their fellow Christians in Jerusalem. Paul reminded the church at Corinth that the principle of sowing and reaping applies to giving. 

Paul’s appeal continued. In previous lessons we have identified the power of giving – giving that is motivated by first giving ourselves to the Lord. Then we examined the process of giving that Paul proposed. Essentially it was to decide to give, commit to give, and then give. This week's lesson from 2 Corinthians 8-9 looks at the results of giving. We will consider attitudes toward giving, how God provides for our giving, His blessing on our giving, and the praise that comes to Him through our giving. 

Paul gives us four steps to working our plan for generous giving: 1) Give with the right attitude, 2) Rely on God's ability, 3) Receive God's blessing, and 4) Praise God. If we follow these steps, then our generous giving should glorify God and reflect Christ's giving - this is the point of this week's lesson.

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Our generous giving should glorify God and reflect Christ’s giving.

What do you think of the generosity of Bill and Melinda Gates? (Video: 60 Minutes)

• Our culture applauds philanthropy, giving for the needs and benefits of others. Close to 65% of all families engage in some form of charitable giving. That’s great, but when the average contribution is put up against the median household income, Americans only give away about 4% of their income. Surely those in the church do far better. Unfortunately the average church attendee only gives about 3% to his or her church. The Bible not only calls believers to give, but they are called to give with great generosity.

• Giving has always been a virtue. For many people giving seems so unnatural. Perhaps it is due to the fact that their hearts have not been changed by a giving God. This lesson provides a principle, several practices, and a promise when we give to God for His work.

Lesson 5 is called “Work Your Plan.” The Point of the lesson is “Our generous giving should glorify God and reflect Christ’s giving.”







I. GIVE WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE – 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-7

6 Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.



What is the principle of giving that Paul taught here?

• Sowing and reaping. A similar passage in Galatians 6:7 states, “For whatever one sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7 ESV). The difference is that Galatians 6 is saying, “What you reap is what you sow.” Plant beans and you get beans. Plant corn and you get corn—not watermelon. 2 Corinthians 9 makes a different point: “How you sow is how you reap.” Sow a little, reap a little; sow a lot, reap a lot. Harvest is in proportion to planting – You get what you sow. The principle comes into play: How you sow is how you reap. If you didn’t scatter very much seed around, you don’t have very much to harvest. But if you sowed lots of seed, spread it around with a bountiful, glad heart, what a grand harvest you will have.

How does the principle of sowing and reaping apply to our giving?

• Those who are generous givers can expect a generous blessing in return. Just what the blessing is, spiritual or material or whether it comes now or later is not spelled out. The point is not that one should be motivated to give generously in order to be blessed generously, but rather that God does honor or bless the effort of the giver. Harvest is proportional to the amount planted.
• Paul said each person should do as he has decided in his heart. Notice the two verbs: do and decided. We first make the decision about what to give. Then we do what we decided to do. Acting on a decision to give generously can be scary. Paul added that our giving should be done with an attitude that pleases God. We are not to give reluctantly (I’ll give, but I really don’t want to) or out of necessity (I’ll give because I have no choice). That is not pleasing to God, for God loves a cheerful giver.

What additional guidelines for giving did Paul present in these verses?

• Giving is an individual matter – every man.
• Giving is an intentional choice – it’s more than duty or whim. It’s an action chosen and taken deliberately, one supported by forethought and purpose – as he has decided.
• Giving begins in the heart.
• Finally, giving ought to be pleasing to God. God is pleased by those who give thoughtfully, willfully, and cheerfully. The word cheerful is literally a Greek term from which we get the word hilarious. God loves a hilarious giver. If our giving is not done with cheerfulness, don’t bother. Giving is not for the unbeliever or for those who are grim and resentful. Such giving will not be blessed. The best kind of giving is from a heart of gratitude and thankfulness in cheer and hilarity.

Other thoughts:

1. Am I supposed to give 10% of my gross earnings or my net earnings after taxes?

• People may hesitate to give generously to God if they worry about having enough money left over to meet their own needs. Paul assured the Corinthians that God was able to meet their needs. The person who gives only a little will receive only a little in return. Don’t let a lack of faith keep you from giving freely and generously.
• Our attitude when we give is more important than the amount we give. We don’t have to be embarrassed if we can give only a small gift. God is concerned about how we give from the resources we have (Mark 12:41-44). According to that standard, the giving of the Macedonian churches would be difficult to match.

II. RELY ON GOD’S ABILITY – 2 CORINTHIANS 9:8-9

8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 9 As it is written: He scattered; He gave to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.


Who is the source of our ability to be generous givers?

• God is more than able to give us what we need.
• The ability to give generously, willfully, thoughtfully, and cheerfully is not a naturally inherent ability. To be that kind of giver calls for a power outside of one’s self. Paul says – God is able. God is the One who provides the power, makes us able, and provides the resources that make us capable of generous giving.
• The word every is used four times in verse 8—every grace, every way, every times, every need. God says simply trust me. I will take care of your every need every time and at every place because of my surpassing grace.

How does God enable us to be generous givers?

• God gives us the resources to do His good work.
• Grace is God’s unmerited favor shown to us. God makes His grace overflow toward us. He gives an abundance of grace that we may show grace toward others, meaning that our favor toward others is the overflow of the grace He gives us.
• Always having everything you need – does not necessarily mean you will become rich in goods. God will provide what is sufficient, what we might call the necessities of life. Another word used is sufficiency and it can also mean “a mind contented with its lot.” Such contentment is a manifestation of the grace of God, not measured in dollars and cents but in peace of mind and heart. The greater our contentment with what we have, the less we desire for ourselves and the more we will have available to help others.

Is this passage more about resources, trust, or ownership? Explain.

• The word translated grace carries the ideas of graciousness, favor, and help. We typically think of grace in terms of God’s provision for our salvation (“saved by grace,” Eph. 2:8). In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul wrote about God’s grace as it relates to generous giving. God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. Always having everything we need is His assurance He will provide more than is required to enable us to give what He guides. When God blesses us materially, we dare not lose focus on why He does so. He ensures gracious givers have everything they need is so that … they may excel in every good work (Eph. 2:10).
• A good way to meditate on verse 8 is to underline all the occurrences of “every.” As we are obedient, God will equip us in every way necessary to do His will. We can apply that truth to giving and other aspects of living. We need God’s grace when we are assaulted by temptations. Satan keeps on hurling his “flaming arrows” at us (Eph. 6:16). We need God’s grace when we become weary in service, when our efforts seem to make no difference, and when we are misunderstood by family or fellow believers. We need His grace to guide us when we minister in His name in uncharted territory.
• While Paul’s focus primarily was on the service of benevolent giving, every good work could include all kinds of ministry. We faithfully do what He wants us to do. His grace enables us to do that. In verse 9, Paul reinforced his emphasis on giving generously by quoting Psalm 112:9. That psalm describes the person who fears God as being one who “distributes freely to the poor.” Giving as the Lord leads will not impoverish us but will enrich every aspect of our lives.

God owns everything and we are managers of God’s blessings in this life. Let’s consider how this reality cultivates generosity. 

III. RECEIVE GOD’S BLESSING – 2 CORINTHIANS 9:10-11

10 Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.



How does Paul explain that God provides for our immediate and long-term needs?

• The sower, or farmer, is dependent on God, who supplies or provides seed for sowing. He is the same One who will provide bread for your food.
• Seed implies God’s care for the future, for next year’s planting.
• Bread for food suggests God’s provision for the immediate need.

The verse says that we will be enriched in every way. How do you think God enriches us for generosity?

• God’s plan includes His provision of resources to us that we may in turn use them to assist others in need.
• Paul reminded the Corinthians that the provisions God supplied for their use were not accidental but part of His intentional – choreographed – plan to meet their immediate and long-term needs. God would not ignore their generosity – He would bless it and add to it. He would multiply it. God enriched them in every way – He gave them more so they could “be generous on every occasion.”

How does God benefit from our generosity?

• Praise and thanksgiving would come to God because of their generosity.
• The needs of the poor would be met.
• The Corinthians would be blessed, and their lives would be enriched.
• Paul and his company would be encouraged and thankful to God.
• Faithfulness and generosity in giving leads to thanksgiving and praise to God.

You know, you can read this verse and believe that if we will give liberally that God will increase our wealth – is that what Paul is saying here?

• Some claim God wants all His children to live a prosperous lifestyle – to live in nicer homes, drive luxurious cars, take fabulous vacations, and so on. Read carefully verses 10-11 to see why that’s a bogus notion.
• The verses include four big ideas:

1. God is the One who provides our necessities of life and more. He is the One who will multiply our material resources.
2. The reason for multiplying our material resources is to increase the harvest of our righteousness. That of course involves meeting physical and spiritual needs of others in Jesus’ name.
3. Paul stressed again the ministry of giving – You will be enriched in every way for all generosity. As earlier, Paul pressed the point – God prospers us not so we can move on up but to enable us to do more to bless others. The false teaching that serving the Lord will make one rich is not new. Paul wrote to Timothy about “people whose minds are depraved of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain” (1 Tim. 6:5). During Jesus’ earthly ministry, a man came to Him and wanted to sign on as a follower. Jesus pointed out He was homeless (Matt. 8:19-20). Jesus’ discouraging response to this fellow makes me think he viewed Jesus as a military Messiah who would become King. Maybe the man had visions of material benefits from being associated closely with Him. Jesus clarified truth. The Gospel writers leave the impression the man left the scene. Then there was the rich man who asked Jesus what to do to have eternal life. When Jesus told him to give away his wealth and follow Him, the man also left (Matt. 19:16-22). Riches often have proven to be more a bane than a blessing. The point is material wealth is never the point. The point is to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”; we then trust Him to provide life’s necessities (Matt. 6:33). This lesson’s Scriptures from 2 Corinthians make crystal clear that part of seeking God’s kingdom includes being generous givers to help others.
4. Our generosity will result in people offering thanksgiving to God, thus bringing glory to Him.

How does God multiply our gifts?

• It’s another argument from the farm. God always provides seed for sowing and bread for food. That’s the doctrine of God’s providence. It’s in His nature to care for the planting and also for the harvest. He watches over it from beginning to end … year after year. Now if God does that for the farmer, don’t you think He will do the same for you? He will, and verse 10 says so very plainly. Look at the verbs: “supplies … multiplies … increase.”
• Look at this promise carefully: He will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and He will increase your harvest of righteousness.

Other thoughts:

• God gives us resources to use and invest for Him. Paul uses the illustration of seed to explain that the resources God gives us are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured, or thrown away. Instead, they should be cultivated in order to produce more crops. When we invest what God has given us in his work, he will provide us with even more to give in His service.

IV. PRAISE GOD – 2 CORINTHIANS 9:12-13

12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. 13 They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service.


Why didn’t Paul simply say the gifts came from believers’ obedience?

• Remember, Paul was collecting an offering from Gentile believers to benefit Jewish believers. Some Jewish Christians had doubts about whether Gentiles really could be saved. The Gentile Corinthians’ shared with them and with others would demonstrate their confession (or profession) of the gospel of Christ was genuine. Believers in Jerusalem would see clearly that both Jews and Gentiles truly could be saved through faith in Christ. Thus those who received the relief offering certainly would glorify God.

In addition to supplying the needs of the Jerusalem Christians, what other benefit came from the Corinthians’ faithful giving?

• Faithful service can lead others to express gratitude and praise to God.
• Serving others in Jesus’ name is itself an expression of worship.

How does your generous giving communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ?

• It’s All About God.
• I don’t know about you, but usually when I give, I focus on the need or the cause that will help. When we give through our church as an act of worship, we know our gifts will be used locally and around the world to advance God’s kingdom. We can rejoice when we see professions of faith and when we see evidence of individual spiritual growth, knowing we had a part in that. When missionaries report on establishing churches and baptizing new believers, we are glad we gave to missions. One result of our giving is seeing or hearing about the blessings it has brought to others.
• Verses 12-13 shed light on another and perhaps even more significant result of our giving. Those who are blessed by believers’ gifts recognize God as the One behind the blessing. As a result, they glorify God and thank Him for meeting their needs. At the same time, they recognize the gifts came from believers’ obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ.

Other thoughts:

• Paul emphasized the spiritual rewards for those who give generously to God’s work. We should not expect to become wealthy through giving. Those who receive your gifts will be helped, will praise God, and will pray for you. As you bless others, you will be blessed.

Conclusion: The pattern Paul described for giving to meet the needs of others is clear.

1. God supplies the resources.
2. People give to others and to God from what He has provided.
3. As a result, the giver is strengthened for further faithful service, the recipient is helped, and God receives the thanksgiving and glory. What a wonderful economic plan God has set in place! We can count on God to do His part. It falls to us to be faithful to do our part and to affirm our trust in God by being generous toward others.

As you assess your giving record, how do you measure up to the instructions Paul provided? In what areas of giving could you do more?



Live It Out: Where do you go from here?

1. Put some money aside. A little money saved regularly means you’ll have money to purchase supplies for a mission trip, continue to the ramp that makes your church building accessible to more people, and otherwise reach people for Christ.
2. Raise your percentage. Raise the percentage of your giving by at least one percent. Over time keep raising your percentage as God guides you to do so.
3. Draw up a will, or revise the will you have, to leave a portion to a Christian ministry. This is one of many ways to leave a legacy, to reach people for Jesus even after you go on to heaven.

It doesn’t take a billionaire to change the world. It just takes the love for Jesus. Show your love for Jesus through generosity.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, my desire is that I will be a willful, liberal, and cheerful giver, but that in the end only You will receive thanksgiving, honor, and praise. Amen.

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan