I like These Liberals
2 Cor 8:1-7
NKJV 1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also. NKJV
NASB 1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in
the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their
deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. 3 For I testify that according to their
ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for
the favor of participation in the support of the saints, 5 and this, not as we had expected, but they
first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus that as he had
previously made a beginning, so he would also complete in you this gracious work as well. 7 But
just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in
the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. NASU
Introduction
I am conservative in theology, and allow that to spill over into my politics. I am Pro Life, and Pro Marriage for a man and Lady, and against Same Sex Marriage. Those who are liberal theologically, generally are liberal politically. I don’t appreciate the position of liberals that under mind the scripture.
In this text I want to point out some liberals that I really like.
1. I like The . . Poverty of These Liberals. v 1-2
NKJV 1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. NKJV
NASU 1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. NASU
A. In Poverty, Note God’s Grace In . . Hardships. v 1-2a
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction . . .”
1. The Romans had lacerated Macedonia
(Livy, XLV. 30). (Robertson's Word Pictures)
2. Grace in the Times of difficulty.
3. God’s Grace is the reason for giving.
a. As God Gives We should Give.
b. Tithing ought to be related to God’s Grace.
c. If you have not been blessed, don’t give.
Illustration STEWARDSHIP
Ah, when I look up at that Cross,
Where God's great Steward suffered loss
Yea, loss of life and blood for me!
A trifling thing it seems to be to pay the tithe, dear Lord, to Thee,
Of time or talent, wealth or store --
Full well I know I owe Thee more;
A million times I owe Thee more!
But that is just the reason why, I lift my heart to God on high,
And pledge Thee by this portion small,
My life, my love, my all in all!
This holy Token at Thy Cross, I know,
as gold, must seem but dross;
But in my heart, Lord, Thou dost see,
How it has pledged my all to Thee,
That I steward true may be!
B. In Poverty, Note God’s Grace In . . Happiness. v 2b
“. . . the abundance of their joy and their deep
poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
1. In Deep Poverty still happy to give.
2. Liberality, Means Generous, hilariously.
Illustration
A man shared while in Canada, I visited one believer who operated a large grain farm. His spread included some twenty-five hundred acres. I asked him how he planted the seed. He reached in a bin and pulled out an ear of corn. Then he proceeded to pop out the kernels one by one as he walked along, demonstrating the planting process. Do you believe that? No, sir! That's not what he said nor is it what he did. He showed me a distributor that was some thirty feet wide. "We take that double tandem truck, fill it with certified seed, back it up to the distributor, open the slots, and pour in the seed."
He went on to say, "If you're ever going to be cheap, don't be cheap with the seed." One bushel of seed invested yields thirty bushels of grain harvested in a good year. Thirty to one--not a bad return, if you are ready to believe and willing to invest. God says, "Believe Me, trust Me, try My plan, prove My ways, and see the kind of harvest I will give." So Paul guarantees this principle of truth in the Scripture with the promise, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). All grace, all ways, all sufficiency, all things! There are four promises in one breath. Knowing it is one thing, believing it is quite another. Jack Exum – James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 463.
Application
I like The . . Poverty of These Liberals.
Are we liberal enough, Is giving a privilege to us.
2. I like The . . Preferences of These Liberals. v 3-4
A. The Preference to Go Beyond their . . Ability. v 3
3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they
were freely willing,
1. The . . Witness of Their Ability. v 3a
2. The . . Willingness of Their Ability. v 3b
B. The Preference to Go Beyond their . . Assembly. v 4
4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship
of the ministering to the saints.
1. The Assemblies . . Imploring. v 4a
2. The Assemblies . . involvement. v 4b
Illustration
A church was trying to raise money for a mission project. They asked the church members to pledge how much money they would be willing give.
A poor wash woman belonged to the church. She sent in her pledge card with a commitment of $468.00 (this was back when a dollar was a dollar.) The pastor and the deacons just couldn't believe she could give so much so they went to see her. They told her, "We know that you love the Lord and want to help with the mission project but you cannot afford to give the amount you pledge. All you do is wash clothes to make a living.
She replied, "No, I figured it up. I wash 2 places a day, but I've got another place I can wash. I've turned it down because I've been so tired, but I've decided to do it. I'm going to give that extra money.
Then she continued, "Don't cheat me out of this privilege!" So instead of doing three washes a day in the neighborhood, she took four and she called the fourth "the Lord's wash." Imagine how much more we could do for the Lord if we had the commitment of this woman!
Application
I like The . . Preferences of These Liberals.
How do we give to causes outside our church?
3. I like . . Pattern of These Liberals. v 5-7
A. A Pattern . . Surprising Paul. v 5
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then
to us by the will of God.
1. Their . . Discernment Surprised Paul. v 5a
2. Their . . Dedication Surprised Paul. v 5b
Illustration
The Koh-i-nor diamond is among the most spectacular in the world. Queen Victoria received it as a gift from a maharajah when he was a lad. Later as a grown man this maharajah visited Queen Victoria again. He requested that the stone be brought from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace. The maharajah took the diamond and, kneeling before the Queen, gave it back to her, saying, "Your Majesty, I gave this jewel when I was a child, too young to know what I was doing. I want to give it to you again in the fullness of my strength, with all of my heart and affection, and gratitude, now and forever, fully realizing all that I do." As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to reiterate those words offering again our lives to Jesus Christ: "I want to give You back my life, Lord Jesus, that I gave You several years ago. I want to give it again to You with gratitude, fully cognizant of all that I am doing."
B. A Pattern . . Supplemented by Titus. v 6-7
6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in
you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all
diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.
1. Supplementing the . . Grace. v 6
2. Supplementing the . . Growth. v 7
Illustration Alexander the Great
The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins. A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented, “Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar’s need. Why give him gold?”
Alexander responded in royal fashion, “Copper coins would suit the beggar’s need, but gold coins suit Alexander’s giving.”
Application
I like . . Pattern of These Liberals.
We need to continue to grow in the Grace of Giving.
Are you and I liberal Givers?
If not why not?