Generosity (Part 1) If you’re new to Lifpoint | Worthington, take 30 seconds to fill out our Welcome Card! Have a question about today's message? Ask it here. 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (ESV) We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. The Cultural Challenge of Generosity Talking about money in church often feels like a transaction for religious goods and services. Our modern society is built entirely around ownership and independence. Because of our cultural lens, we force Paul's words to answer modern, American questions. Our vision of giving is often just a baptized version of the American Dream, allowing us to maintain control over our resources. Have a question or pushback on this? Ask it here. The Macedonian Example Context of the Collection Corinth was a wealthy, influential trading city in the Roman Empire. Believers in Jerusalem were suffering through a long and devastating famine. The churches in Macedonia were experiencing extreme poverty due to Roman taxes and social exclusion. A Different Kind of Giving The Macedonians gave beyond their means, knowingly taking a personal hit for others. They viewed a distant, unknown group of people as their own family. Normal human nature only gives what we decide we can safely lose. The Macedonians were begging for the favor of taking part in the relief effort. The Root of Radical Generosity The secret to their giving: They gave themselves first to the Lord. They viewed themselves as living under the ultimate allegiance of a new King. To say “I give myself to the Lord” is a terrifying abdication of personal autonomy. This kind of generosity is nothing short of treason against our cultural goal of self-sufficiency. Have a question or pushback on this? Ask it here. “For it is a disgrace that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious [Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us.” - Emperor Julian (362 AD) The Gospel Motivation Generosity is not just something Jesus wants from us; it is who Jesus is. Jesus didn't stay in heaven and send down surplus grace from a comfortable distance. He willingly surrendered his riches and entered our poverty and brokenness. The goal isn't religious obligation, but to surrender your life and resources to the King who bankrupted Himself for you. As always, if you'd like to talk more with me about anything we discussed, you can sign up for meeting time. If you have any questions from the message today, send them here and I'll follow up!