EXCELLING IN THE GRACE OF GIVING

EXCELLING IN THE GRACE OF GIVING

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 8:7

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:7
“Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”

Supporting Texts: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Proverbs 11:24-25; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; Philippians 4:15-19

Description: Excelling in the grace of giving means growing in generous, willing, sacrificial, and purposeful stewardship as an expression of love for God.

INTRODUCTION

The Christian life is a life of continuous growth. Paul told the Corinthians that they already abounded in faith, speech, knowledge, diligence, and love, but he challenged them to abound in the grace of giving also. This teaches us that generosity is not an isolated activity; it is one of the graces that should develop as our relationship with Christ matures.

The word “grace” reminds us that giving is more than a financial obligation. It is a work of God in the heart that changes our attitude towards possessions, people, ministry, and kingdom responsibilities. The Macedonian believers demonstrated this grace by giving willingly and sacrificially even in the midst of severe affliction and poverty.

God therefore desires His children not merely to give occasionally but to grow in generosity. As we mature spiritually, our faith should increase, our love should deepen, our service should become more diligent, and our willingness to give should also abound.

1. EXCELLING IN GIVING BEGINS WITH SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Paul connected the grace of giving with other areas of Christian maturity. Generosity should grow alongside our faith, knowledge, love, and diligence.

a. Grow in Faith (2 Corinthians 8:7) — As faith grows, our confidence in God's provision and our willingness to trust Him with our resources should also increase.

b. Grow in Knowledge (2 Corinthians 8:7) — Understanding God's Word helps us develop biblical principles for stewardship and generosity.

c. Grow in Love (2 Corinthians 8:7) — Genuine love naturally seeks opportunities to bless and help others.

d. Grow in Diligence (2 Corinthians 8:7) — Spiritual maturity involves faithfully managing whatever God has entrusted to us.

Biblical Example: The early church grew in faith and fellowship while willingly sharing resources to meet genuine needs (Acts 2:42-45).

2. EXCELLING IN GIVING BEGINS WITH GIVING YOURSELF TO GOD

Before the Macedonians gave their resources, they first gave themselves to the Lord. Complete surrender is the foundation of genuine generosity.

a. Surrender Your Life to God (Romans 12:1) — Giving ourselves to God is the first and greatest act of Christian stewardship.

b. Recognise That You Belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) — We are God's possession, and everything entrusted to us should be used in ways that honour Him.

c. Put God First (Matthew 6:33) — Kingdom priorities should influence our financial decisions and material commitments.

d. Let Love for God Motivate Your Giving (2 Corinthians 8:5) — When our hearts belong to God, generosity becomes an expression of devotion.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus demonstrated the transformation of his heart by responding to Jesus with practical generosity and restitution (Luke 19:1-10).

3. EXCELLING IN GIVING REQUIRES A WILLING HEART

God is interested in willing generosity rather than reluctant giving. The Macedonians gave “willingly of themselves”.

a. Give Willingly (2 Corinthians 8:3) — Genuine generosity comes from personal conviction rather than external pressure.

b. Give Cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7) — God delights in those who give with joy rather than resentment.

c. Give According to Your Ability (2 Corinthians 8:11-12) — Scripture teaches that God accepts giving according to what a person has.

d. Give With the Right Motive (Matthew 6:1-4) — Christian giving should be directed towards God rather than human applause.

Biblical Example: The Israelites willingly brought offerings for the tabernacle until more than enough had been received (Exodus 35:21-29; 36:5-7).

4. EXCELLING IN GIVING MEANS BECOMING GENEROUS

Excellence in giving involves developing a lifestyle in which generosity becomes a normal expression of Christian character.

a. Give Generously (Proverbs 11:24-25) — Scripture presents generosity as a means through which others are refreshed and helped.

b. Give Without Selfishness (Philippians 2:3-4) — Christian generosity considers the needs and interests of others.

c. Give to Genuine Needs (1 John 3:17-18) — Love becomes practical when we respond to people who genuinely need assistance.

d. Give as God Enables You (2 Corinthians 9:8) — God provides grace so that His people can abound in good works.

Biblical Example: Barnabas sold a possession and brought the proceeds to the apostles, demonstrating remarkable generosity in the early church (Acts 4:36-37).

5. EXCELLING IN GIVING INVOLVES SACRIFICE

Biblical generosity is not always measured by how much remains after giving. Sometimes excellence requires a meaningful sacrifice.

a. Sacrifice Demonstrates Love (John 3:16) — God's giving of His Son reveals the connection between love and sacrifice.

b. Sacrifice Can Involve Personal Cost (2 Samuel 24:24) — David refused to give God an offering that cost him nothing.

c. Sacrifice Reveals the Heart (Mark 12:41-44) — Jesus recognised the widow's small offering as significant because of the sacrifice involved.

d. Sacrifice Can Become Worship (Philippians 4:18) — Giving can become an offering that is acceptable and pleasing to God.

Biblical Example: The poor widow gave two small coins, yet Jesus highlighted her sacrificial giving before His disciples (Mark 12:41-44).

6. EXCELLING IN GIVING REQUIRES WISDOM AND FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP

Generosity must be accompanied by wisdom. God expects believers to manage resources responsibly while remaining open-handed.

a. Be a Faithful Steward (1 Corinthians 4:2) — God requires faithfulness from those entrusted with resources.

b. Plan Your Giving (1 Corinthians 16:2) — Scripture presents intentional and regular giving as a practical principle.

c. Meet Legitimate Responsibilities (1 Timothy 5:8) — Christian generosity does not cancel our responsibilities towards those entrusted to our care.

d. Seek God's Wisdom (James 1:5) — We should ask God for wisdom concerning how and where to use the resources He provides.

Biblical Example: Joseph demonstrated wise stewardship by storing resources during years of abundance to preserve lives during famine (Genesis 41:33-36).

7. EXCELLING IN GIVING BLESSES OTHERS AND ADVANCES GOD'S WORK

Giving is a practical way of participating in God's work. What God places in our hands can become an answer to someone else's prayer or a resource for Gospel ministry.

a. Giving Meets Genuine Needs (2 Corinthians 8:13-14) — Paul encouraged generosity so that believers could experience mutual care.

b. Giving Supports Gospel Ministry (Philippians 4:15-18) — The Philippians partnered financially with Paul in the advancement of the Gospel.

c. Giving Produces Thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11-12) — Generosity can cause people to thank God for His provision.

d. Giving Strengthens Kingdom Partnership (3 John 1:5-8) — Supporting faithful Gospel workers is a way of participating in their ministry.

Biblical Example: The church at Antioch sent relief to believers in Judea during a time of famine (Acts 11:27-30).

8. EXCELLING IN GIVING REQUIRES CONTINUOUS GROWTH

Paul did not tell the Corinthians to give once and stop. He called them to abound in this grace. Christian generosity should continue developing throughout our lives.

a. Keep Growing in Grace (2 Peter 3:18) — Spiritual maturity is a continuous process.

b. Keep Increasing in Good Works (Titus 3:8) — Believers should remain committed to good works that benefit others.

c. Keep Sowing Generously (2 Corinthians 9:6) — Scripture encourages generous sowing with faith in God's purposes.

d. Keep Looking for Opportunities to Bless Others (Galatians 6:10) — We should take opportunities to do good whenever they arise.

Biblical Example: Dorcas became known for her continual acts of kindness and generosity towards others (Acts 9:36-39).

CONCLUSION

Paul's challenge to the Corinthians was simple and powerful: just as they abounded in faith, speech, knowledge, diligence, and love, they should also abound in the grace of giving. Giving is therefore part of spiritual maturity. It should grow as our faith grows, our love deepens, and our understanding of God's grace increases.

Let us ask God to make us excellent stewards and generous believers. Let us give ourselves first to the Lord, give willingly and cheerfully, give with wisdom and sacrifice, and remain faithful in using our resources for God's purposes. May our generosity become a testimony of God's grace working through our lives and a means of blessing others and advancing the Gospel.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, cause me to abound in the grace of giving, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, increase my faith and trust in Your provision, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me a willing and cheerful heart towards giving, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deliver me from selfishness, greed, and materialism, in Jesus name.

5. Father, teach me to manage every resource You entrust to me wisely, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, make me sensitive to genuine needs around me, in Jesus name.

7. Father, give me grace to support the advancement of Your kingdom, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, increase my capacity to give and to bless others, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my generosity produce thanksgiving and glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make me an increasingly faithful and generous steward, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall abound in the grace of giving, in Jesus name.

2. Your faith shall increase, and fear of lack shall not control you, in Jesus name.

3. You shall become increasingly generous, willing, and cheerful in giving, in Jesus name.

4. Your heart shall be free from greed and selfishness, in Jesus name.

5. You shall receive wisdom to manage your resources faithfully, in Jesus name.

6. Your hands shall become instruments of blessing to many people, in Jesus name.

7. You shall have increasing capacity to support the work of God, in Jesus name.

8. Your generosity shall produce thanksgiving and bring glory to God, in Jesus name.

9. You shall grow in every grace, including the grace of giving, in Jesus name.

10. Your life shall become a channel through which God's provision reaches others, in Jesus name.