Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
01/18/2016, by John Kincaid
Lesson 850: Why Give? Pt.6
Paul planted several churches in Macedonia: Philippians, Thessalonians & Bereans.
These believers endured extreme persecution, probably lost their jobs, maybe homeless.
The Greek word for poverty in 2 Cor.8:2 means destitute, a beggar who has nothing - no hope.
Yet they didn’t see their circumstances as an excuse to stop giving. Paul didn’t have to beg.
They experienced abundant joy in the midst of severe poverty, as they kept giving generously.
They even begged Paul to tell them of more worthy causes so they could meet more needs.
If you give your heart completely to the Lord, it’s easy to give Him what’s in your pockets.
Warren Wiersbe wrote, “It is impossible to love God and ignore the needs of your neighbor.”
The Macedonian believers didn’t question or complain about the need in Jerusalem; they were humble, cheerful, glad to help.
They had nothing, yet they had everything that really matters. They were poor, but God enabled them with willingness and ability to share a gift of great value.
We are still talking about it today. Their sacrifice was recorded in the Word of God; it will be remembered eternally.
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.