The Corinthians Struggle: Materialism
2 Corinthians 7:16 CSB – I rejoice that I have complete confidence in you.
2 Corinthians 8:6d-7 CSB – …complete among you this act of grace.
7 Now as you excel in everything—in faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this act of grace.
2 Corinthians 8:10-11 CSB – And in this matter… [b/c you] began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it. 11 Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion, according to what you have.
Luke 12:15 CSB – [Jesus] then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”
1 John 2:15 NIV – Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
1 John 2:16 NIV continues, For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Lust of the flesh—worldliness
Lust of the eyes—greed & envy
Pride of life– entitlement
1 Timothy 6:10 CSB – For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Overcoming the Distraction of Materialism
2 Corinthians 8:6, 10-11 CSB – “complete the act of grace”
“And in this matter I am giving advice because it is profitable for you, who began last year not only to do something but also to want to do it. 11 Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire, there may also be a completion,
Big Lies of Materialism
- Your stuff is your stuff
- You can trust in your stuff
Luke 12:15 CSB – Jesus said, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”
Matthew 6:24b CSB – You cannot serve both God and money.
1 Timothy 6:10 CSB – For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Luke 6:38 CSB – Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Acts 20:35b CSB – remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Psalm 24:1 CSB – The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the LORD…
2 Corinthians 8:13 CSB – It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality.
Learning from the Macedonian’s Example
2 Corinthians 8:1 CSB – We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia:
2 Corinthians 8:2-3 CSB – During a severe trial brought about by affliction (they were economically depressed), their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord,
The Principle: Giving is a Grace of God
Luke 2:24 CSB – [they came] to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons
Luke 12:48 CSB – From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected
1 Timothy 6:17 CSB – Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant, or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:18 CSB – Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.
Phil 4:4,11-13 CSB – “Rejoice in the Lord, always! I will say it again, Rejoice!”
I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
1 Timothy 6:18 CSB – Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share….
What Is Generosity?
- Principle: Give eagerly, according to what you have
2 Corinthians 8:11-12 CSB – Now also finish the task, so that just as there was an eager desire…., according to what you have. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
Three Levels of Giving
- You have to (law)
- You ought to (obligation)
- You are eager to (grace)
- Principle: Give eagerly, beyond your ability
2 Corinthians 9:7 CSB – Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.
Luke 21:3-4 CSB – “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
- Principle: Give eagerly from the heart (voluntarily and personally)
2 Corinthians 8:5 CSB – Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will.
Follow The Macedonian’s Motivation
2 Corinthians 8:9 CSB – For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Philippians 2:6-7 CSB –
existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
7 Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
