2 Corinthians 8: 1-5

“Manifestations of God’s Grace through Excellence in Giving”

8 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of
Macedonia;

1. Excellence in giving begins by giving one’s self first to the Lord.

5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord,
and then by the will of God also to us.

 Give as an expression of love to God.

 Give to glorify God.
 Give for it is the will of God.

Illustration: Personal experience in giving

Application: I offered and surrendered my life to Jesus that is why I give.

You have the right context of giving. Guarded from boastfulness and pride.
May all of us here be like the people in Macedonia. Our lives are surrendered to God.
God sees our hearts, it protects us from being proud.

2. Excellence in giving persistently shares in the service to God and for His people.
5they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the
Lord’s people.

a. Persistently share to reach out people who are lost and doesn’t know Christ.
b. Persistently share to support other Christians who are in need ( Jerusalem)
c. Persistently share to support expansion of God’s kingdom.

Illustration: God’s provision in JIA Iligan from church planting to present.

Application: I will be part in the service to God and for His people through my giving.
 JIA Iligan, ADDU, Campsite

3. Excellence in giving goes beyond one’s capability to give.

1And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the
Macedonian churches. 2In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their
extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they
were able, and even beyond their ability.
a. Give sacrificially
b. Give joyfully
c. Give Voluntarily
You could ask, how can we be able to give beyond our capability? The people in
Macedonia demonstrated all this. First, they offer themselves to the living God, then
 they give to the Lord’s and for the Lord’s people, then out of their poverty and out of
scarcity and out of their lack they are abundant in generosity. Hallelujah!

Illustration: Elijah and the widow at Zarephath

There is an account in the bible where in drought took place in Israel. Then Elijah, a
prophet and a servant of God, was instructed to go to Zarephath and meet a widow
there.

“Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” please give me a
piece of bread. I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little
olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for
myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” Don’t be afraid, but first make a
small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make
something for yourself and your son. If you are the widow, and the choices are life
and death. it is not only you, that includes your child. What does the widow did? She
followed Elijah, she obeyed the will of God, freely give the only flour and oil left on
her. The jar of flour were not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry until the day
the LORD sends rain on the land.’ 

Application: In richness and in poverty, I will give to the Lord.

Proverbs 11:24
One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.