2 Corinthians 08

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 The example of the Macedonian Christians.

• Would you want the grace given to the Macedonians?
• Talk about the grace given of “in the midst of a very severe trial” they had “overflowing joy”.
• Talk about the grace given of “extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity”.
• How can you “give as much as you are able, even beyond your ability.
• What kind of sermon about giving did Paul preach to the Macedonians; the Corinthians?
• How common is it for someone to “plead .. for the privilege of sharing”?
• What was the money for?  Paul was raising money to help the Christians in Jerusalem, who were very poor. SEE 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.
• See  Luke 21:1-4
• What priority of giving did the Macedonians show? (See V5).

2 Corinthians 8:6-8 Paul’s tender, wise encouragement in giving.

• Who brought the message/delivered this letter?
• Whom is Paul addressing in V6?
• What had they begun? (See V10, 2 Corinthians 9:10)
• What did he expect of them?
• Was he being encouraging - or manipulative? Was he comparing them to the Macedonians or their own reputation? Is that fair? (See Luke 21:1-4. 1 Corinthians 1:4-7))
• Had they also been given grace?
• What effect would a commandment from Paul have on the nature of their giving? Is that kind of giving called taxation? Can we give without love or love without giving? (See 1 John 3:17-18. Matthew 6.21

 2 Corinthians 8:9 The second example of giving: our Lord Jesus.

• How gracious was Jesus?
• When was Jesus rich - how rich? How poor did he become? (See Matthew 8:20) Why did he become poor? (See Philippians 2:7)
• How did we become rich because of this? (See Ephesians 1:3. 1 Peter 1:3-5)

2 Corinthians 8:10-12 Follow through on your previous willingness.

• They had been given “The grace of giving”. How does V10b show this?
• What work were they urged to finish? With what attitude? To what limit? How do you know your limit?
• Is tithing expected of Chritsians? (See Luke 11:42. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4. See more in 2 Corinthians 9)
• “This age aboundeth with mouth-mercy, which is good cheap”

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 Understand the cause you give to.

• What principle was Paul concerned about in V13?
• Is giving supposed to be burdensome?

Some like to say, “Give till it hurts. Then keep giving until it feels better again.” But God’s goal for us isn’t to “Give till it hurts.” The goal is not to afflict those who give, it is to display the giving heart and love of Jesus Christ.

“This teaching is needed to refute fanatics who think that you have done nothing unless you strip yourself completely and put everything into a common fund.” (Calvin)

“Communism and socialism are themselves noble ideas in theory but absolute tyrannies when sharing is commanded at the end of a gun.” Is this the kind of equality Paul is seeking?

 “I acknowledge indeed that we are not bound to such an equality as would make it wrong for the rich to live more elegantly than the poor; but there must be an equality that nobody starves and nobody hordes his abundance at another’s expense.” (Calvin)

• How does V14 recognise an important reality?
• How does Exodus 16:18 illustrates the principle in V14-15. Everyone gathered what they could, some more and some less; but they all shared what they gathered. “Property is like manna, it will not bear hoarding.”

2 Corinthians 8:16-24  Receiving Titus

• What did Paul and Titus have in common? How did this happen?
• How were they to receive Titus when he and his companions (Luke or Barnabas?)come for the collection? (See also V24)
• Was it Paul’s idea to send Titus? 
• Was Titus on his own? What do we know about him? (See V18-19, 22-23)
• What lesson is there in V20-21?
• Do we see the proof mentioned in V24?