PURPOSEFUL LIVING. EXCEPTIONAL GIVING

God's grace enables us to surrender ourselves, our resources, time and talents; sacrificially, joyfully, voluntarily and persistently for kingdom purpose.

INTRODUCTION

The Macedonia churches were quite exceptional in their giving. God's grace upon their lives was well appropriated and it made them exceptional. The Macedonia Churches did not give to impress anybody or prove a point rather they gave as prompted and led by God, out of their deep poverty they gave to the needy and the support of the gospel.

Giving is not a law, it should be done freely with Joy. Annanias and Sapphira wanted to impress people and the effect was devastating. Don't ever try to impress people with your giving.

Let us learn from the Macedonian churches, what made them exceptional:

1. THEY GAVE THEMSELVES : 2Cor. 8:5
A) This explains why they were exceptional in their giving.
B) They gave themselves "first to the Lord"

• When you surrender to the Lord you do not worry about the cost of giving
• They have the promise of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34

C) Having giving themselves first to the Lord, it is only natural that they would "then to us (others)"
• It shows true discipleship John 13:34-35

• It shows true love for God. 1 John 4:20-21

2) THEY GAVE SACRIFICIALLY: 2 Corinthians 8:2-3a
• They were in the midst of great affliction v. 2

• They were experiencing poverty themselves

• Yet they gave "beyond their abilities" v. 3a

• Yet they gave "beyond their abilities" v. 3a

3) THEY GAVE JOYFULLY. 2 CORINTHIANS 8:2

• Somehow they had discovered the joy of giving

• Acts 20:35

• God loves joyful giving 2 Corinthians 9:7

4) THEY GAVE VOLUNTARILY: 2 Corinthians 8:3
• They gave "entirely on their own" "freely willing"

• God requires this kind of giving today

• Don't command people to give against their will 2 Corinthians 8:8

• Giving must come from a "willing mind" 2 Corinthians 8:12

• Giving must not be done "begrudgingly" or because you "have to" 2 Corinthians 9:7

• Otherwise, don't give at all.


5) THEY GAVE PERSISTENTLY: 2 Corinthians 8: 4
• As Paul stated "they urgently pleaded with us"

• They wouldn't take no for an answer (or for an easy way out!)

• The Philippians giving to Paul persisted throughout the life of Apostle Paul.

CONCLUSION: 
Let us emulate the example of the Macedonia churches; they gave themselves as a result it was easy to give to the support of the gospel out of their deep poverty. As we give ourselves to God I trust God that next week harvest will be the best we have ever experienced. God will visit us greatly as we surrender completely to Him.