Introduction:     No study of stewardship would be complete without a review of 2 Cor.8, where Paul gave at least eight reasons for our giving.

I.           AFTER THE EXAMPLE OF OTHERS 

• They Gave Out Of Adversity (v.2)
• They Gave With Joy (v.2)
• They Gave With Extravagance (vv.2-3)
• They Gave With Intense Desire (v.4)
• They Gave With A Personal Commitment (v.5)

II.         TO PROVE OUR LOVE

• A Believer Gives Out Of Love (v.4)
• There Can Be No Love Without Response (v.8, 24)

(1 Chr 29:3) "Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,"

III.       TO BE WELL-ROUNDED (v.7)

No roster of merits, spiritual or otherwise, can complete the well-rounded Christian without the grace of giving.

IV.       BECAUSE OF THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST (v.9)

• The Prominence Of His Position (He was rich)
• The Motive Of His Mission (your sakes)
• The Depth Of His Condescension (became poor)
• The Reward Of His Giving (that you might be rich

V.        TO FULFILL COMMITMENTS (v.11)

Paul does not censure their failure to give what they did not have. Rather, he censures their apathy that forgot their commitment. He criticized the priorities that had shifted from devotion to selfishness.

VI.       TO ACHIEVE EQUALITY (v.12)

• In attitude

It’s not about the amount, but the attitude. The believer should give because, with the right attitude, each can have an equal part, regardless of the level of his ability. Giving is not to help God, but man. Paul reminded the Philippians (Phil 4:17 ) "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account."

• In sacrifice      

Man must give to develop a spirit of love and Christian unselfishness. One who does not give looses his missionary spirit and grows callused, selfish, and greedy. Paul reminds us here of the truth that the blessing comes from faithfulness to give of what one has, not what he doesn’t. There should be no embarrassment concerning these gifts because the small giver is just as great as the big giver. This is cause for rejoicing to all faithful givers.

VII.      TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS (v.24)

The believer should give because others need his example. We are all impressed spiritually and otherwise by the example of others. Paul realized the importance of the example of others, and for that reason cited the liberality of the Macedonians. As he did he had no reservations about challenging the Corinthians to give that they, in turn, might be an example to others.

VIII      AS AN EXPRESSION OF GOD’S GRACE ( 9:13 -14)

The believer should give because it allows for an expression of God’s grace. 7 times the Apostle used the word “grace” in chapters 8 & 9. By the giving of the Corinthians, the needy who had received their largeness would see it as a gift of God’s grace. It should not be forgotten that we are the instruments through whom God works to supply the need of others.

Conclusion:       The cycle is: God gives to us that we may give to others that they might glorify the Lord. The believer’s giving is an expression of the grace of God to meet a need and when that need is met, God receives glory back from the receiver. You cannot out give God!