Title: He Loves Those Who Enjoy
He loves those who enjoy content (2 Corinthians 9:6-9).
Chapters 8 and 9 of 2 Corinthians are about giving. I tried to avoid it because I thought I would be hated if I preached on donations. However, the saints repented of what they had done by avoiding this, which is the way to be blessed. In the Old Testament times, offering means giving God's things as God requires, starting with the idea that everything we have belongs to God. However, in the New Testament, the meaning of offering has become more positive, saying, "I thank the Lord for forgiving my sins and saving me by dying on the cross for our sins. Even if I give my all, there is no way to repay that grace. I am giving this body as well” in the confession.
1. What is an offering?
(1) Giving to God the material received from God.
"Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21).
(2) It is a sign of gratitude for God's grace.
(3) Saving our wealth in heaven. It is to prepare for the reward that we will receive in the future in heaven.
2. Why should I give?
(1) It is because God has commanded it (Leviticus 27:30).
(2) Because Jesus commanded it (Matthew 23:23)
(3) This is because offerings are a sign of faith in God, a sign of gratitude, and a sign of devotion.
3. How will you give your offering?
(1) Prepare in advance.
First of all, ‘true yearbook’ is the Greek word literally ‘blessing’ (ευλογιαν). Donations should not be made on a temporary impulse or as a reward.
(2) He who sows sparingly will reap little, and he who sows abundantly will also reap bountifully.
If possible, please give as much as you can. On one occasion, Jesus was watching people put offerings in the temple. The rich put in a lot, but a poor widow put in only two leptons (coins). Then the Lord said, “This poor widow has put in more than all of them. They put in their offerings out of their abundance, but this widow out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
(3) Do not be stingy or forceful. God loves those who are willing.
There are three types of donors. ① There are those who give out of stinginess, ② those who pay forcibly, and ③ those who give with joy.
4. Where and how should the donation be used?
The Reformer Calvin put it this way: “Our problem is not in the church talking about money, but not talking about money properly,” he said.
It is not transparent where the Korean church donation is used for emphasis. We believe that 50% of the offering should be spent within the church and 50% should be spent outside.
1) Used for church education.
The goal of all believers is to grow up to Christ. One of the last words our Lord commanded when he left this world, “Teach them to observe all things,” is a command that the disciples continue to teach the lessons they have heard from Jesus for three years. This is the mission of the church. The expenses necessary to fulfill the mission of teaching will be covered by the donation.
2) It is used for the expansion and management of various facilities of the church.
3) It is used for the living expenses of the clergy and the living expenses of those who serve for the church.
4) It is used to spread the Gospel.
5) It is used for relief expenses.
5. What blessings did He promise to give to those who give?
1) Receive God's love.
2) Fill it to overflowing.
3) God bless you so that there is no place to build it
<Conclusion> John Wesley said, "I cannot believe the repentance of a man whose pockets do not repent." If you have heard the gospel, repent, and receive Jesus Christ and become a new person, one of the first areas of your life that needs to be changed is where you spend your money. I pray in the name of the Lord that you may receive God's great blessings by preparing well and giving with a joyful heart that is beyond your strength.