2 Cor. 8:3-9

The Measure of His Giving• He Gave Up His Glory (of Heaven)

– He came down from heaven (John 3:13; 6:41, 51, 58)– He took onto Himself the human form (Phil. 2:6-8)– He relinquished some part of His heavenly glory (John 17:5)

The Measure of His Giving• He Gave Up His Glory (of Heaven)• He Gave Up His Body (to the Fullest)

– He gave His back to the cruel whip (Isa. 50:6)– He gave His cheeks to those who smote Him (Isa. 50:6)– He gave His face to dirty, human spittle (Isa. 50:6)– He gave His head to the crown of thorns (Mark 15:17)– He gave His shoulders to the mockingly draped royal robe (John

19:2)– He gave His clothes to His murderers (Matt. 27:35)– He gave His mother to the beloved apostle John (John 19:26-27)– He gave His hands and feet to be pierced with nails (Mark 15:25)– He gave His body for the life of the world (Luke 22:19)

The Measure of His Giving• He Gave Up His Glory (of Heaven)• He Gave Up His Body (to the Fullest)• He Gave Up Himself (for Mankind)

– He gave His everything = He emptied Himself (Phil. 2:7)– He gave His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28)– He gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Tim. 2:6)– He gave Himself for us (Eph. 5:2; Tit. 2:14)– He gave Himself for the church (Eph. 5:25)– He gave Himself for our sins (Gal. 1:4)– He gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20)

The Measure of His Giving• He Gave Up His Glory (of Heaven)• He Gave Up His Body (to the Fullest)• He Gave Up Himself (for Mankind)• He Gave Up His Union (with the Father)

– 12:00 noon: Light left the earth for three hours (Mark 15:33) Darkness was over all the land (Matt. 27:45)

– 3:00 p.m.: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46)

The Measure of His Giving• He Gave Up His Glory (of Heaven)• He Gave Up His Body (to the Fullest)• He Gave Up Himself (for Mankind)• He Gave Up His Union (with the Father)• He Gave Up His Life (which was all He had left)

– He poured out His soul unto death (Isa. 53:12)– Laid down His life (John 10:11)– He gave up His spirit (John 19:30)– “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46)

The Motivation of His Giving• NOT to gain recognition or commendation • NOT to receive something in return• NOT to appease some regret or sorrow or guilt• NOT to satisfy a sense of compulsion • NOT to simply obey a command • NOT to meet a requirement

• BUT, He was motivated by…

The Measure of My Giving• I Give My Minutes (Matt. 6:33; Eph. 5:16)

– My time is not mine anyway (Psa. 31:15)!– My minutes are arranged according to my priorities– I don’t want to give less or just enough, but more and more!– For ALL He gave for me, giving my minutes seems least I can do!

The Measure of My Giving• I Give My Might (Col. 3:23)

– My abilities are not mine anyway (1 Cor. 6:19-20)!– My abilities are skills/interests/energies that I can use for God– I don’t want to give less or just enough, but more and more!– For ALL He gave for me, giving my might seems least I can do!

The Measure of My Giving• I Give My Money (2 Cor. 9:7)

– My money is not mine anyway (Hag. 2:8)!– My money is budgeted & spent on things most important to me– I don’t want to give less or just enough, but more and more!– For ALL He gave for me, giving my money seems least I can do!

The Motivation of My Giving Must MirrorThe Motivation of His Giving• NOT to gain recognition or commendation (Matt. 6:1-4)• NOT to receive something in return (2 Cor. 9:6)• NOT to appease some regret, sorrow or guilt (2 Cor. 9:7)• NOT to satisfy a sense of compulsion (2 Cor. 9:7)• NOT to simply obey a command (2 Cor. 8:8)• NOT to merely meet a budget (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

The Motivation of My Giving Must MirrorThe Motivation of His Giving• The True Motivation:• The degree of one’s sacrifice is a measurement of one’s love• Jesus’ giving is a measurement of His tremendous LOVE

– John 3:16; Eph. 5:2, 25; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:19

• My giving is a measurement of my LOVE for Him– If not prompted by love, my giving “profits me nothing” (1 Cor.

13:3)– With my giving, I prove the sincerity of my love (2 Cor. 8:8, 24)– With my giving, I demonstrate the depth of my love (Luke 7:44-47)– With my giving, I reciprocate Jesus’ love for me (1 John 4:19)

LOVE!

Give Your Life to Him Today & Be Saved!• Believe that Jesus is God’s Son – Romans 10:9• Repent of your sins and turn to God – Romans 2:4• Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10:10• Be immersed into Christ – Romans 6:3

– God will give you forgiveness of sins – Acts 2:38– God will give you a place in His church – Acts 2:47– God will give you a registration in heaven – Hebrews 12:23

• Give your all to Him for the rest of your life – Rom. 12:1