Ministry - The Right Stuff - 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 - April 25, 2010

Bible Study – Ministry – The Right Support – April 25, 2010

This is our final lesson in our series “Ministry Done Right.”

Our scripture is 2 Corinthians 8:8-15; 9:6-11.

This is a fitting study to follow motivation. Supporting a ministry requires the leadership of the LORD, as well as, supporting the ministry financially, prayerfully and with encouragement and sweat equity. Our motive for supporting a ministry is also important in GOD’S eyes. It takes money to run a ministry, lots of prayer, much sweat equity, faithfulness, encouragement and determination to name a few things. GOD calls Christians to support various ministries in various ways.

There is a ministry in Spartanburg with which my wife and I are involved. The couple who were called to this ministry rely upon the LORD to provide their needs. The couple has five (5) sweet children. It is an amazing family. A church had been providing them a house for a year. The year was coming to a close and they needed a house. The church was helping them find a home. (Modified version) The couple wanted to live in the inner city. They found a home in the inner city. It had been listed for $116,000 but had been reduced to $54,000. The ministry had $700.00 in the housing fund. Then they learned that the house was headed for auction and their realtor told them they could possibly get the house for around or under $40,000. The housing fund by this time had $27,000 in it so the ministry offered $27,000 for the house. Principles in the financial institution that held the mortgage told them they could not accept $27,000, could they up their offer. In a step of faith, they offered $32,000 hoping the additional $5,000 could be raised over the weekend, which they did. After much waiting the $32,000 was accepted. The house is structurally sound but it needs renovation and updating. It is a two (2) story home that in its day was a very nice home. Renovation is under way as I write this. GOD is awesome. There is much more but the point is that GOD works within the means available to accomplish HIS purposes. Three (3) months before the couple began looking at this house, a nearby businessman offered $70,000 for the house, which was turned down. The house is on a corner of a very busy street. The house will accommodate the family of five with room to spare. It is ideally located.

All who have participated in this venture have experienced the joy of seeing the hand of the LORD work. As renovation has begun, we continue to see the mighty hand of the LORD as the project moves toward completion in the next month. There will be continued joy as we see the hand of the LORD work through this couple and as HE reveals to them and us why HE chose this home for them. I believe it will be a beacon of GOD’S love to a city of people who need salvation and encouragement in the LORD.

GOD desires for HIS children to give freely from a heart overflowing with love and gratitude for what CHRIST has done for them. HE never forces HIS children to give from an unwilling heart.

Paul was reminding the Corinthian Christians that there was a need to provide money to the Christian Jews in Jerusalem. There are several possibilities why they needed support. (1) There was a famine in the Jerusalem area. (2) Some of the Jews had become Christians and the traditional Jews had refused to give the Christian Jews work. They were in great need of support. Paul had made this need known to the Corinthian Christians about a year earlier and they enthusiastically embraced the effort to provide these needy Jewish Christians with provisions. However, their enthusiasm had waned so Paul was reminding them of this need.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 8:8-11:

8 I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: although He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich. 10 Now I am giving an opinion on this because it is profitable for you, who a year ago began not only to do something but also to desire it.[2] Lit to will 11 But now finish the task[3] Lit finish the doing as well, that just as there was eagerness to desire it, so there may also be a completion from what you have.

Paul began by making it clear to the Corinthian Christians that he was not commanding them to participate in what he was about to suggest. However, their willingness to respond would reveal their understanding of the love that GOD has for them. It would reveal their hearts.

Paul reminded them that CHRIST left heaven and HIS glory to come to earth to save them. CHRIST was rich beyond measure in heaven but HE gave it up to become poor for their sake.

A year earlier the Corinthian Christians had begun a task to provide support for the needy Christians in Jerusalem and then because of their disunity they lost interest and put the effort on hold. Paul was challenging them to finish the task. In essence, Paul was saying, “You are the ones who will miss a blessing from GOD if you do not complete what GOD has led you to do, therefore complete it.” When GOD leads Christians to do something, even if their attitude changes, the need has not changed. This is not to say that if the LORD changes the direction we are headed not to follow HIS leading.

This is where unity is vital. Not every Christian has discernment but those who do not should listen to those who do. This is the why GOD intends for the body of believers to operate. Just as the parts of the body work together to care for the body, so does the body of believers.

Dr. Henry Balckaby, author of “Experiencing God”, available from LifeWay Church Resources, One LifeWay, Nashville, TN 37234-0175 or Baptist Book Stores (Get the kit with DVD’S of Dr. Blackaby’s lectures along with the book, if you can afford it. (Also available in Polish in Poland), gives a great illustration of the unity of the body. There is a stick drawing of a person walking in the middle of a railroad track. The eyes are looking down the railroad tracks and as far as they can see there is no train. But the ears are picking up a sound of a train coming. But the eyes say there is no train because I do not see a train. The feet feel a vibration and they tell the eyes, I feel a train coming. But the eyes still looking forward say, there is no train because as far as I can see, there is no train. Of course, the train is behind the person and from the eyes point-of-view no train was coming. That is why the eyes need to rely upon the other senses for the body to function efficiently.

In a body of believers, GOD equips Christians with different gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT for the purpose of leading and caring for the body of believers, the church. It is important that those who do not have certain gifts to listen and pay attention to those who do. Unity is important in accomplishing that which GOD leads the body to do. When we are in unity, if a member gets hurt or has a need we respond, just as the human body does if we hit our finger with the hammer or when we get thirsty. The human body takes care of itself and the body of believers takes care of themselves and reaches out to others around them.

In our previous studies Paul had been addressing the need for unity in the Corinthian church.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 8:12-15:

12 For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 It is not that there may be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality[4] Lit but from equality — 14 at the present time your surplus is [available]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. for their need, so that their abundance may also become [available]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. for your need, that there may be equality. 15 As it has been written: The person who gathered much did not have too much, and the person who gathered little did not have too little.[5] Ex 16:18

Paul was saying if you still have the eagerness to complete this effort then do what you are capable of doing. Don’t let your inability to overwhelm the ability you have because GOD will provide. HIS provision could well be through others joining you when you do your part. Thus, several pieces make a whole to get the job done.
Paul in essence was saying many people have the desire to give but they do not have the means to give. A person should give according to his/her means because doing so can inspire others to help. Giving was not intended to be a burden. JESUS commended the widow when she placed her small coins in the temple treasury as recorded in Mark 12:41-44 - 41 Sitting across from the temple treasury, He watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little.[23] Lit dropped in two lepta, which is a quadrans; the lepton was the smallest and least valuable Gk coin in use. The quadrans, 1/64 of a daily wage, was the smallest Roman coin. 43 Summoning His disciples, He said to them, “• I assure you: This poor widow has put in more than all those giving to the temple treasury. 44 For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she possessed—all she had to live on.”

Some believe that you are to give beyond your means. True, if led by the HOLY SPIRIT but make sure the HOLY SPIRIT is leading you. That is my opinion.
Here again is where motive comes into effect. There are fund raising events and it is easy to get caught up in the hype. We have to be careful to give or pledge as led by our LORD and not from being coerced by man. What is our motivation? Do we do it because we want a wonderful story to tell of GOD’S provision to boost our ego or to test GOD? Allow GOD to lead you.

Does this mean don’t give? NO! But know that GOD loves a cheerful giver. When our heart is in right relationship with GOD then our giving will be right. GOD provides from HIS storehouse when HIS children give as HE leads them.

Paul was addressing the attitude of sharing with each other during times of need. GOD blesses some with abundance so they can share with those in need.
Paul used Old Testament scripture to drive home his point in verse 15. The scripture was taken from Exodus 16:17-20: (GOD providing manna (food) to the Israelites when they were in the wilderness.)

17 So the Israelites did this. Some gathered a lot, some a little. 18 When they measured it by quarts,[6] Lit by an omer the person who gathered a lot had no surplus, and the person who gathered a little had no shortage. Each gathered as much as he needed to eat. 19 Moses said to them, “No one is to let any of it remain until morning.” 20 But they didn’t listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and smelled. Therefore Moses was angry with them.
HIS provision was sufficient for all. Those who tried to hoard, lost it.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 9: 6-11:

6 Remember this:[4] Lit And this the person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not out of regret or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 9 As it is written: He has scattered; He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.[5] Ps 112:9 10 Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness,[6] Isaiah 55:10–11; Hs 10:12 11 as you are enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.

Paul addressed the principle of multiples or law of the harvest. The more a person plants the more he/she reaps. Conversely, the less a person plants the less he/she reaps. GOD’S desire is for a person to give freely from his/her heart. GOD wants a cheerful giver. A cheerful giver is a happy giver and the fact he/she is giving according to GOD’S will is an overwhelming joy.

Verse 7 is a key verse. Notice it says “Each person should give as he has decided in his heart.” How do you decide in your heart? That is where you and GOD come together and discuss the matter. In your heart you can be honest with HIM. LORD, I do not have the means but I want to do something. What do you want me to do? Or LORD I need discernment to know what to do. Or LORD I just do not like this opportunity. Is it me or are YOU trying to telling me something? You may need to wait or act quickly. There are many more possibilities.

Verse 8, could lead us to wrong motives. GOD can and does make every grace flow to a cheerful giver. Caution – this does not always mean those who give will get more money or wealth. It can be that they will receive greater joy for being obedient.
Verse 9 comes from Psalms 112:9. This verse helps us to focus on GOD as the provider of all things. We are stewards of the things GOD provides. HE gives the increase for the purpose of meeting needs for ourselves and others, as HE leads us.
When GOD leads a Christian to go beyond his/her means, HE will help provide. It does not mean that the Christian led to extend himself/herself will not struggle or find it difficult but he/she will experience the power and provision of GOD.

I have to share this with you. The couple I wrote about at the beginning of this lesson, living on faith. Christmas Eve, 2008, I was preparing to leave home to do some final shopping. As I prepared to leave the house, I had written a check to give to this couple’s ministry. It was behind the telephone. I had intended to drop it off by their ministry office but it had slipped my mind. As I prepared to leave, the LORD prompted me to take the check with me. I said to myself, that did not make sense because their office was closed for Christmas. I tried to reject the idea but I felt compelled to put the check in my billfold. So, I did.

The couple lived about 15-20 miles from their ministry office. My wife and I did our shopping and made a final stop about two (2) hours later at the grocery. We needed wrapping paper so I dropped my wife at the grocery and I went to a nearby drugstore. I finished my shopping and came back to the grocery parking lot. I called my wife to tell her I would wait for her in the car. She informed me that I needed to come into the store. So I did but asked her to meet me near the front of the store. You know how it is impossible to find your spouse in the grocery. So as I waited for her, guess who came bounding around the corner of the very aisle where I was standing. You got it. It was none other than Leroy and two (2) of his children. Leroy and his wife are the ministry couple. Needless to say I was shocked because they lived the 15-20 miles away. I said, “Leroy, what are you doing here?” He said, “He needed to pick up a few things and was in the area so he stopped in to get them.” I said, “Well here is something for the ministry.” Bottom line, the ministry did not have enough money to pay the couple a salary for December. I still marvel at the awesomeness of our LORD.
Isn’t GOD awesome! HE knew the need. HE knew I had something that would meet that need. HE knew that HE would bring us together. The timing was a matter of seconds. We had been to a number of places in town and this was our last stop. I had no intention of coming into the grocery but GOD knew I had to be at the right spot at the right time. A few seconds meant the difference between Leroy’s and my path crossing. GOD’S timing is always perfect.

I often think of my hesitation to do a simple thing as put the check into my billfold. Obedience is so important to both you and the person or persons GOD intends for you to help. Or even for someone GOD has called to help you.

When giving, first give yourself to CHRIST and build a loving trusting relationship with HIM. Let HIM lead you to all truth. Serving HIM will blow your minds because HE is awesome!!! Blessings to all.