P2 - It's a joy to g.i.v.e

2 Corinthians 8:10-11 "I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. 11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability."

Review
In yesterday's post we began considering the fact that it is a joy to give from 2 Corinthians 8. In our study yesterday we employed the acrostic g.i.v.e to aid in our navigation through the text.  So far here is what we have discovered:

Grace reveals the joy to give. 
2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Imitating Jesus explains the joy to give 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

In today's post we continue on in our exploration of 2 Corinthians 8 to discover why it is a joy to g.i.v.e.

Variety of blessings flow in the joy to give. 2 Corinthians 8:10-15
We read these words in Acts 20:35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Throughout the pages of scripture, God uses the promise of blessing to motivate believers to exercise the joy of giving.  In this text of 2 Corinthians 8, and by extension chapter 9, we can note the following blessings that represent what typically occurs when we give to the Lord's work:

1. The grace is there to finish what you begin to give.  2 Corinthians 8:11-12

2. You will have more if you give. 2 Corinthians 8:15; 9:6

3. Your every need will be supplied. 2 Corinthians 9:8

4. Other people will benefit and the Gospel will go out to more people, bring glory to God. 2 Corinthians 9:12-13

Throughout 2 Corinthians 8-9 we see this tone of joy running like a mighty stream through the verses.  As authors Bobby Eklund and Terry Austin note: "Grace giving should be an enjoyable experience.  Giving is pleasurable because it is an experience of grace. There is nothing painful about grace."1

Energizing outcomes of joyful giving. 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
As we have consider the joy of giving in stewardship, we have noted that grace supplies the joy to give, imitating Christ explains the joy to give and a variety of benefits flow in the joy to give.  But as you travel through 2 Corinthians 8-9, you can note how giving to the Lord's work energizes the faith walk:

1. 2 Corinthians 8:2; 9:7,11,15 = Abundant joy to give

2. 2 Corinthians 8:7,24 = Abundant love to give

3. 2 Corinthians 8:8-12,16; 9:2 = Abundant eagerness to give

We know that the giving of the churches energized the work of God. The Corinthians, along with the churches in Macedonia had joyfully completed their task.  How do we know? Paul's comment in Romans 15:26-27, written a few years after 2 Corinthians, testifies: "For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things."

Conclusion
So is it a joy to give? That is the question we have endeavored to answer in these past couple of blogs.  Having explored 2 Corinthians 8, here is what we concluded:

Grace reveals the joy to give. 
2 Corinthians 8:1-6

Imitating Jesus explains the joy to give 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

Variety of blessings flow in the joy to give. 2 Corinthians 8:10-15

Energizing outcomes of joyful giving. 2 Corinthians 8:16-24



Endnotes:
1. Bobby Ecklund and Terry Austin. Partners with God - Bible Truths about Giving. Convention Press. 1994. Page 96