The Grace of Giving - 2 Cor. 9:7
We are called to be cheerful givers, trusting God with our finances and giving our best to Him.
Bernard Fell emphasizes the importance of cheerful giving, illustrating through a conversation the willingness to give generously for gospel work and to help those in need. He contrasts the ease of giving in imagination with the challenge of giving from one's current possessions, highlighting the true essence of sacrificial giving. The sermon encourages giving until it hurts, but not to the point of causing pain, emphasizing that as trustees of God's gifts, we owe Him our talents, resources, and time as a token of gratitude for His abundant grace.
Text
God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
"What would you do," yon man was asked,
"If a small fortune came your way?"
"Why, gladly give the half," he said,
"For gospel work without delay."
"What would you do if you possessed
Two prosperous farms with fertile ground?"
"Why, I would part with one to feed,
And clothe the needy all around."
"One question more, have you, perchance,
A suit of clothes to give away?"
"You ask too much," the man replied,
"I have but two, a serge and grey!"
'Tis easier far to generous be
With fancied wealth in golden dreams;
To lavish from one's present store
Is ten times harder, so it seems!
"Give till it hurts." But giving true
Should never cause such inward pain!
Trustees are we of all God's gifts,
Who gave His all, and gives again.
For all the wealth grace has bestowed,
A debt of gratitude we owe:
God claims our talents, means, and time,
Our very best while here below.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Importance of Cheerful Giving - Illustrations of Generosity
- II points: - The Contrast Between Fancied and Real Wealth - The Difficulty of Giving from One's Present Store
- III points: - The True Meaning of Giving Till It Hurts - Being Trustworthy Stewards of God's Gifts
- IV points: - Our Debt of Gratitude to God - Giving Our Best to God
Key Quotes
“''Tis easier far to generous be With fancied wealth in golden dreams;” — Bernard Fell
“Give till it hurts. But giving true Should never cause such inward pain!” — Bernard Fell
“For all the wealth grace has bestowed, A debt of gratitude we owe:” — Bernard Fell
Application Points
- We should strive to be cheerful givers, giving with a happy heart and trusting God with our finances.
- Giving from our present store can be difficult, but it's a necessary part of being a good steward of God's gifts.
- We owe a debt of gratitude to God for all the wealth He has bestowed upon us, and we should give our best to Him in return.