August 31
Lesson 14
GENEROSITY IN THE MIDST OF POVERTY
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 13:1–7
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 8, 9
2 CORINTHIANS 8:1–14
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much [entreaty] that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.
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KEY VERSE
As ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.—2 Corinthians 8:7.
THE PEOPLE OF GOD SET PRIORITIES
Unit 3: Bearing One Another’s Burdens
LESSONS 10–14
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:
1. Summarize the circumstances of Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians for generosity.
2. Explain self-sacrificial generosity as a necessary outcome of faith in Jesus.
3. Make a plan for exercising generosity as an expression of faith in Jesus.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. Epic Generosity
B. Lesson Background
I. Macedonian Example (2 CORINTHIANS 8:1–5)
A. Gracious Giving (vv. 1, 2)
B. Impressive Initiative (vv. 3–5)
Those Who Give Most
II. Corinthian Challenge (2 CORINTHIANS 8:6–9)
A. Complete the Commitment (v. 6)
B. Pass the Test (vv. 7–9)
III. Important Work (2 CORINTHIANS 8:10–12)
A. That Was Then (v. 10)
B. This Is Now (vv. 11, 12)
IV. Desired Outcome (2 CORINTHIANS 8:13, 14)
A. Not Burden … (v. 13)
B. … But Equality (v. 14)
Conclusion
A. The Best Reason to Give
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Achaia
Uh-kay-uh.
Les Misérables
Lay Mee-zay-rah-bl.
Macedonia
EMass-eh-doe-nee-uh.
Titus
Ty-tus.
Weatherly, Jon, Charles R. Boatman, et al. “Generosity in the Midst of Poverty.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2013–2014. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson & Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 61. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2013. 443–444. Print.
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