Giving Like the Macedonians
VBC Albuquerque · Oct 25, 2025
The sermon encourages believers to complete their giving commitment from the previous year, using the Macedonians as an example of generous and joyful giving. The message emphasizes that giving is a moral action flowing from love for God, not coercion or pride.
The opening develops the main theme of completing the giving commitment with enthusiasm like the believers in Macedonia. The sermon quotes 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 to remind that the congregation began last year and must complete the work according to their ability. The message praises the zeal of believers in Achaia, who prepared in advance and encouraged many others through their enthusiasm.
The second section develops theological points about God's grace and love through Christ. The author cites 2 Corinthians 8:2-4 to describe how Macedonian believers, despite tribulation and poverty, overflowed with joy and gave voluntarily beyond their ability. 2 Corinthians 8:9 reveals the deeper purpose of giving: Jesus Christ, though rich, became poor for our sake, so that through His poverty we might become rich. This grace flows from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variation or shadow of change (James 1:17).
The third section explains the correct motive for giving: it must be from the heart, not coercion or pride. Matthew 6:1-2 warns that when performing charitable deeds, one should not display them to be seen by others. The sermon emphasizes the principle of sowing and reaping (2 Corinthians 9:6-7): whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Each person should give as they have decided, and God loves a cheerful giver.
The fourth section applies the message by contrasting worldly ambition with spiritual treasure. 1 Timothy 6:7-10 warns that the love of money is the root of all evil, and those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and many harmful desires. Instead, Matthew 6:19-21 advises not to store up treasures on earth but in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Proverbs 22:9 and 19:17 encourage generosity: those with a generous eye will be blessed, and whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.
The final section emphasizes that faith must produce concrete action. James 2:15-17 illustrates: if you see a brother or sister without clothing and daily food and you say "go in peace" but do not supply their needs, faith without works is dead. The spiritual storehouse of the giver will be abundantly blessed by God (Proverbs 11:24-25), and the offering of tithes will open the windows of heaven to pour out blessings beyond measure (Malachi 3:10).