“Provision Principle: Save or Slave?”
2Cor.9:6-15 Nov.11, 2006 Play
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Appreciation Seeks Expression
○ memorial tributes show gratitude
○ woman outdid Pharisee in showing much love
because forgiven (Lk 7:47)
God’s Gracious, Giving Nature...
○ grace seen in gift of Christ and supplying
physical needs (8,10,14; Php 4:19)
○ Jesus became poor to make us rich; blessing
in giving (2Cor 8:9; Ac 20:35)
...Enriches Us to Share with Those in Need...
○ grace abounding in all things; increase,
enlarge, surpassing, indescribable (8, 10f, 14f; Lk 6:38)
○ blessed to be a blessing / generous to
others (5f,8,11; Ps 112:5,9)
○ generosity convincing proof of Christian
profession, obedience (13)
End Result: God is Glorified & His People Unified
○ others will thank & praise God;
‘service’ = ‘liturgy’ (11ff; Mt 25:40)
○ Gentile offering warmed Jewish hearts for
kin in Christ (Ac 11:28ff; 2Cor 9:14)
Priority vs.Poverty
○ church’s priority to love one another, lay
down lives, wash feet, make disciples (Jn 13:14,34; 15:13)
○ early church gave priority to spending on
relief for the poor
○ rare for church to day to budget >3% for
local outreach: 25-55% on building instead
Growth & Generosity
○ close correlation between church members
tithing & church growth
○ examples of churches ‘scattering’ funds in
valuable local ministry
Saving vs.Slavery
○ believers are God’s building, not to operate
by world’s ways (1Cor 3:16,18f)
○ borrowing enslaves to the lender; implies
discontent, impatience (Prov 22:7; Heb 13:5; 1Tim 6:6-8)
○ examples of souring economy resulting in
financial bondage for years
○ 10 years at 1200/month: if mortgage, bank
earns 45,560; if save up, 57,600+ for ministry or next building
○ billions of dollars could be redirected if
churches moved from debt to provision financing
○ Christ sets us free when we hold to His
teaching - not to be burdened again (Jn 8:31f, 36; Gal 5:1)