This past Sunday, our Lead Pastor, Ben Johnson, preached a message entitled “Excel in the Grace of Giving.” Pastor Ben taught from 2 Corinthians 8–9, emphasizing Paul’s call to “excel in this grace of giving” just as we excel in faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and love. He highlighted the Macedonian churches, whose overflowing joy and extreme poverty produced rich generosity as they “gave themselves first of all to the Lord.” Pastor Ben reminded us that giving multiplies blessings, should be cheerful and free, and brings freedom from financial worry. Scripture teaches that God is able to bless abundantly so we “will abound in every good work” and be “enriched in every way” to be generous on every occasion. Giving supplies the needs of the Lord’s people, inspires others to praise God, and is our response to His “indescribable gift.”

✍️ Notes
7 But since you excel in everything​ in faith, in speech, in knowledge,​ in complete earnestness and in the​ love we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.​ 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)​

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. They gave themselves first of all to the Lord…‘But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”.​" 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 (NIV)

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give… for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly… so that you will abound in every good work. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.’ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…This service… is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”​ 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NIV)​

⭑ EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD ​
They gave themselves first of all to the Lord… (vs 5)​

⭑ GIVE TO GOD FIRST
They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. (vs 5)

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. 10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,​
and your vats will overflow with good wine.​Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT)​

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,​ that there may be food in my house. Test me​ in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I​ will not throw open the floodgates of heaven​ and pour out so much blessing that there​ will not be room enough to store it. ​Malachi 3:10 (NIV) ​

1. GIVING MULTIPLIES BLESSINGS​
“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (9:6)

2. GIVING SHOULD BE FUN AND FREE​
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,​ not reluctantly or under compulsion,​ for God loves a cheerful giver”  (9:7)​

3. GIVING BRINGS FREEDOM​ FROM FINANCIAL WORRY​
“God is able to bless you abundantly… you will abound in every good work” (9:8)​

4. GIVING ENRICHES YOUR LIFE​
“You will be enriched in every way​ so that you can be generous on​ every occasion” (9:11 )​

5. GIVING MEETS THE​ NEEDS OF OTHERS​
“supplying the needs of the Lord’s people…” (9:12 )​

6. GIVING INSPIRES OTHERS TO PRAISE GOD​
“Others will praise God… for your generosity in sharing” (9:13 )​

7. GIVING IS A RESPONSE TO GOD’S GIFT TO YOU​
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (9:15 )​

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