Am I Being Superfluous Or What?

Temple Baptist Church - 6-18-2008

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Introduction:

A. Why did the Holy Ghost continue to “pound” into the hearts of the Corinthians the necessity and rewards of giving? Because God knew that they needed it! Though they were a church that ministered to the saints an omniscience God rehearsed to them the necessity of not only giving but the necessity of giving in a right manner and attitude.

B. Why “major” on giving and missions to the most giving, missions hearted church that I have ever known? Because God knows that we also need it! Not to preach on tithing and giving causes even the best of givers to slack off to one degree or another.

C. The Holy Ghost used the word “superfluous” when writing to the Corinthian Church so, I guess I can be “superfluous” when I am preaching to our church. Before I begin tonight, I need to give a simple definition of the word “superfluous.”

SUPERFLUOUS - Being beyond what is required or sufficient. Over kill!

D. In verse 2, Paul says, “I know the forwardness of your mind” in this matter of ministering.

FORWARDNESS – zeal, spirit, eagerness, readiness of mind!

The Corinthians had been a wonderful example to others in this area of ministry and Paul wanted to make sure that his boasting was not in vain. Many missionaries come back to “good” churches after several years on the field and find that things have drastically changed. Paul did not want to boast on them and then find out that they had.

E. In verse 5, Paul tells the church that they are to give because they have been blessed (bounty) not in order to get (covetousness). We all know that God blesses givers but not those who give in order to get. He is setting up verse 6 in a scriptural light.

1. The Principle of Giving – vs. 6 “The Laws of Harvest” still apply! Is this “superfluous” of what? How many times do we preach these principles and many never get it and some who once “got it” have forgotten.

a. You always reap what you sow
b. You always reap more than you sow
c. You always reap later than you sow

2. The Purposing of Giving – vs. 7

a. Giving is an individual thing! We all have different financial “clout!”

b. Giving is a heart thing! It proves the “sincerity” of our love.

c. Giving is to be a willing thing! “Grudgingly” means sorrow, pain, grief, annoyance, affliction, mourning, and heaviness. “Necessity” means imposed, either by circumstance, by law, or by one’s duty.

3. The Promise of Giving – vs. 8

a. God will not ask more of you than you can give! “all grace abound toward you”
b. God will supply what He asks you to give! “all sufficiency in all things”
c. God will use what you give to do His work! “abound to every good work”

4. The Prize of Giving – vs. 9-10

a. Our giving is an eternal thing! “his righteousness remaineth for ever”
b. Our giving is a reciprocal thing! “bread for your food” Philippians 4:19
c. Our giving is an increasing thing! “increase the fruits” Revelation 4:13b says, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

5. The Praise of Giving – vs. 11-13

a. Giving causes thankfulness in the givers! “being enriched” “We give with a spoon and God gives with a shovel.”

b. Giving causes thankfulness in the receivers! “supplieth the want of the saints…many thanksgivings unto God”

6. The Prayer of Giving – vs. 14

a. The Receivers pray for the givers! “their prayer for you”
b. The receivers love the givers! “which long after you”

7. The Pleasure of Giving – vs. 15

a. I thank God for teaching me to give! It is all Him and none of me!
b. I try to tell others about this “unspeakable give” but my giving shows them!