You can watch the video of this sermon here.
2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Let’s talk about stewardship. Stewardship doesn’t just involve our money. It also involves our time, our talents and skills, our vehicles, our food. In short, stewardship involves all of our resources. There are different types of givers.

There are greedy givers. They hold back for themselves, but lie to others about how much they give. Ananias and Sapphira, in Acts 5:1-10, are a good example of this kind of giver. They only give to be seen, and to put on a show. Even then it is likely they give grudgingly.

Then there is the legalist giver. I’ll also call them stingy. They tithe faithfully. But they are careful to calculate out that ten percent, and no more. Don’t even think about asking them for a special offering, or to donate to charity. They gave their tithe, and that’s all God requires.

These first two, you might be lucky enough to get them to contribute to a church dinner. But, they’ll likely make a show of it, and they will want their leftovers back.

Then there are those who are afraid to give. This could be due to any number of valid reasons. They may have limited resources. They may be afraid to give because they are afraid that what tiny bit they can give just doesn’t matter, and won’t make a difference.

Then there are the generous givers. This has absolutely nothing to do with how large or small the gift is. These are the people who look for opportunities to share. These are the people who, they may not have great paying jobs. They may not even have a job. But they will gladly share the resources they do have. Maybe it’s a bottle of water or a sandwich to the homeless lady on the corner, or some clothes for the family who just lost everything in a fire. Maybe it’s a meal for that new co-worker who just started. Maybe it is giving a little extra in the offering plate for a special project, or a special ministry. The bottom line is, these are the people who love to give because they love to share their blessings. They love to share Jesus.
Are you greedy? Do you stick to that ten percent and no more? Are you afraid to give? Or are you a generous giver

Bottom Line: What kind of giver are you?

1) Giving is how we share God’s grace and blessings

The Macedonian believers wanted to share the grace and blessing that they had received. Paul had not even asked them to give, but they had pleaded to be a part of giving.

Share your talents around the church, with other believers, and with your neighbors. Share your food with a co-worker, or the person asking for money on the street. Giving generously can provide opportunities for us to share far more that just food or money. Being willing to give, regardless of your resources, may provide you with an unexpected opportunity to share your testimony with someone; or to invite them to church. It may open a door to friendship that we never expected

2) The size of gift doesn’t matter

The Macedonian believers were struggling themselves with severe poverty, yet they gave what they could afford, and even more. Paul says that in spite of their poverty, they actually exceeded all expectations.

We can only give out of what we have. Let me refer you to Mark 12:41-44. Jesus is watching as the people are dropping their money into the collection box at the Temple. Of course the rich people are dropping their large amounts of money. Now, scripture doesn’t say, but I would imagine many of them were sincere, but I would also bet that some were likely very pompous and making sure that other people could see and hear them giving their large amounts of money. Then this, poor widow comes along. And she drops in her two little coins. It might be similar to watching someone drop two pennies into the offering plate, today. Jesus calls over His disciples and says, “You know, she gave more than the others gave. You see, they gave just a tiny bit out of their riches. But this widow, she gave everything.” You might say they gave their ten percent, but she gave one hundred percent.

Look If we have a great deal, then we should give out of our abundance. But, even if we have just a little, we can give something. God doesn’t expect us to give so much that we leave ourselves in need. Obviously, someone who doesn’t have money can’t give it, but maybe you can share a sandwich. Maybe God is asking you to give your time, and share your talents.

It’s not a competition. Every little bit adds up. God knows how to use everything; Even the smallest amount. For Heaven’s sake, Jesus used a boy’s lunch, consisting of just a couple small fish and a few small loaves of bread, to feed over 5,000 people. And there was enough leftover to make 12 baskets for the disciples. The smallest gifts matter. Just give. Let God do the rest.

3) Start by surrendering to Jesus

Now, this idea of giving generously does not come naturally to us. To truly begin giving generously we have start by surrendering our self to Jesus, and willingly follow whatever direction the Lord leads. This is where the Macedonian church began. They started by first dedicating themselves to the Lord.

How much more generously can you give than Jesus did. He set the pattern. He gave up His throne, came to earth, not by just appearing, or being born in a king’s palace; He came to earth, being born in a lowly manger, a feeding trough, to the wife of a carpenter. His birth wasn’t announced to kings, or even the religious leaders of the day. It was announced to shepherds. I could go on, but I think it’s pretty clear that He not only left His riches in Glory, but He even skipped out on His riches here on earth. And even gave His life.

And all He asks of us is to give just a little bit out of what resources we have. Just a little bit of our money, or food, water, clothing, skills, or time.

I have heard it said that if you want to know a person’s priorities, look at his checkbook, and calendar. It’s fairly accurate. I have heard testimonies of people who had to go into the bank to correct errors, and balance their checkbooks. And the person who assisted them would inevitably see that they regularly wrote a check to the church, and there may be a check that had been written for missions, teen or children’s camp, or some other ministry. In some cases it was an opportunity to share their testimony.

It’s not as likely that someone will see your calendar, but, what does your calendar look like? Or, what would it look like if you listed everything you do?

Bottom Line: What kind of giver do you want to be?

I don’t know how you answered the first question, “What kind of giver are you?” But I hope that all of our answers for the second question is, “I want to be a generous giver.”