Download TITLE: Sharing the Burden TEXT: II Corinthians 8:13

TITLE: Sharing the Burden
TEXT: II Corinthians 8:13-24
THEME: The one who has plenty is to assist the one who has little.
OPENING
SENTENCE: It seems there are thousands of people who want nothing better than to separate
you from your money.
INTRODUCTION: Almost every day I get an email promising me millions of dollars from some
deceased dignitary in Nigeria who wants to leave his estate to a worthy cause- fortunately I was
selected by him to be the worthy cause. All I have to do is to send them my name, bank account
number and social security number. Then I just wait for the money to be deposited into my
account.
For some reason I have failed provide those things causing me to miss out on the riches promised
to me. The fact that 2 million other people got the same e-mail and the fact that it has come in
my junk mail causes me to suspect that I may not have been selected because of some virtue I
possess. If at one point I had wondered if just maybe I should have acted on the offer I learn that
Nigeria has become known for its scams and has bilked thousands, especially seniors, of their
life savings. No sooner than these scammers get the information they request they use it to drain
the accounts of all funds. I have learned enough over the years to suspect that if sounds too good
to be true it probably is.
There are numerous examples of such scams.
One source estimated than more than 60% of all requests for emergency funds after Hurricane
Katrina were scams. The same is true for the earthquake in Haiti last year. The Better Business
Bureau, says con artists set up websites within hours of the Haitian earthquake to try to take
advantage of well-meaning donors. “Scammers who are purporting to be from the Red Cross
hoping that people will make a contribution,” Hegarty says. “It’s not going to go to the Red
Cross. It’s actually going to go to the scammers.” He says the con artists are also sending out
mass e-mails, claiming they’re with a relief agency and seeking donations
It happens in Schools. When I was in Oregon a school financial manager embezzled hundreds
of thousands of dollars. Vaunda and I provided a home for her daughter for six months after she
went to jail and so her daughter could finish high school in the area. The poor girl was
devastated and embarrassed when she learned of what her mother had done.
It happens in Churches: Legion are the stories of a secretary or treasurer who absconded with the
churches funds.
It happens in life. The probability is high that you have been scammed by someone you trusted
and have lost money and pride for having been duped.
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TRANSITION
SENTENCE: The problem with all these scams it that it makes people sceptical and reluctant to
give to legitimate needs- it is sometimes easier just not to give than to figure out what is
legitimate?
TRANSITION: There are three possibilities when someone is requesting money for something.
 Legitimate approaches offer something of value in return. The value can be products like
a car, TV or food or it can a need that is satisfied.
 Questionable exchanges can be like the used car salesman who sold you a car but did not
share all the details of its conditions or a person who lives in perpetual poverty due to
their own making. Giving enables them to continue on that path.
 Some, as we have seen, are scams or outright theft.
SAY WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY: This morning I want us to see that the Bible gives us
some guidelines of how we can manage our money well- especially in regards to the church. We
will ask, “How is the church to administer the funds given by God’s people?” We will consider
three responses intended to assure they are used for legitimate ends. 1. It is to be administered
to fulfill its stated purposes, 2. It is to be administered carefully and, 3. It is to be administered by
reliable and responsible people.
TEXT: II Corinthians 8:13-24
THEME: The one who has plenty is to assist the one who has little.
EXPLAIN
SETTING: Last week we learned Paul has just introduced the principle of proportional giving.
Three things we should note about proportional giving are:
1 Jesus' taught the principle that we are responsible in direct proportion to how God has blessed
us: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded" (Lk 12:48).
2 Needs are to be met out of a person's surplus, not necessary income (that which one needs for
life's basic necessities; v. 14).
3 Third, there must be a genuine need. But what constitutes a genuine need? Some today think of
themselves as needy if they lack private means of transportation or the funds for a college
education; or perhaps their earnings fall below the governmental criteria for the poverty level.
Paul, on the other hand, defines need as a lack or shortage of life's necessities (1 Tim 6:8). In the
first century this amounted to a want of food, clothing or shelter (2 Cor. 11:27).
How is the church to administer the funds given by God’s people?
I.
It is administered to fulfill its purpose. (12-15)
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might
be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their
plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered
much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
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A. To share the burden. No one church was expected and asked to address the urgent
need that was present in Jerusalem- it was shared among the churches. It was also
true that is was expected that someday the Jerusalem church would no longer have a
need and at such time they may be called upon to assist others in a time of needincluding the Corinthian church. There were no government safety needs or bail-out
systems in place at that time. The church needed to take care of its own.
B. That there might be equality.
What is meant by equality?
 Paul is not putting forward a kind of biblical socialism, a leveling of rich and
poor. Some have mistakenly understood him to be advocating just this. Equality
of provision so that there is neither surplus nor deficiency is often taken as the
aim.
 The word used here denotes what is "equitable" and "fair." So it is equity and not
equality that is at issue here. The TEV's "It is only fair that you should help those
who are in need" captures the idea.
 Paul is not saying that possession of a surplus of material goods is wrong for a
Christian. It is actually those who do possess a surplus who are in a position to
meet existing economic needs. For some Christians to be living in luxury while
other Christians go without food, shelter or clothing smacks of gross inequity.
 To illustrate the need for equity Paul turns to the account of God's miraculous
provision of manna in the wilderness (v. 15). As it is written:
"He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too
little.” The quote is taken almost verbatim from Exodus 16:18 The context says is that God
made certain that no one had more or less than their fair share ("each one gathered as much as he
needed." Even though some gathered more and some less, the needs of all were fairly met. In the
wilderness it was God who ensured such equity. Today it is the responsibility of each believer.
ILLUSTRATE: The urgent need for which the Jerusalem Collection was taken was
communicated without using coercion, deception or grandstanding to motivate people to give. If
the need is real and communicated clearly God’s people will respond willingly
When I was in Brownsville, OR we asked Nehemiah Ministries to come and help us raise funds
needed for a building program. We called them because they understood this principle.
Communicate the need and ask people to respond. In that campaign we never used guilt,
coercion or manipulation yet we raised over half of what was needed before we started the
building. Our new building was build and paid for in seven years.
APPLY: If the purpose and need are made clear and God is behind it I believe the money will
come. Hudson Taylor- When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory; it will not lack
God’s support.
THEME: The one who has plenty is to assist the one who has little.
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How is the church to administer the funds given by God’s people
II.
It is administered carefully. (16-21)
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For
Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his
own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the
churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to
accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself
and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer
this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord
but also in the eyes of man.
Three criteria are given regarding the Paul and the men called to oversee the collection.
A. By people committed to the cause. Titus did not need much persuasion by Paul to
come the Corinth to begin the collection process for the money. He himself and the
need and was committed to it and the spread of the gospel in general. This reduces
the likelihood of abuse of the funds. Titus was also well known by Paul and the
church for his integrity and service.
B. To avoid criticism. Paul was aware that the handling of such large sums of money
needed to be handled carefully. Misappropriation of funds, poor accounting,
questionable record keeping, etc. could all bring into question could all least to
criticism and diminished giving. The ability to address the need could be reduced
because the money was not handled well.
C. To do what is right before God and others. Paul was more concerned that the money
be manage well for the sake of God. He knew it was for God and God was aware of
how it was managed. He wanted to make sure God was pleased.
ILLUSTRATE: Author Mark Mittelberg tells about a man named Jim who wanted to do things
God’s way. Jim had a passion for God, a love for people, and a burden to share the message of
God’s forgiveness with people who had not heard. The big question for Jim was, “How can I get
unchurched people who are so different from me to see how much God loves them?” Well, he
decided to take some risks and really try. So, he went all out! First, he shaved his head right
down to the skin- all except for one little patch of hair which he grew out long. He started
wearing it in a pigtail and even dyed it a different color, trying to fit in with the customs of the
crowd he was trying to reach. Jim changed the way he dressed, what he ate, and even the way he
talked so he could communicate God’s love to this group of people. He read the books and
literature they read and did everything he could do to establish common ground with them. In
fact, he even moved into the same neighborhood and tried making friends with them.
Unfortunately, Jim faced outright rejection from the very people he cared so much about; not
only from them, but also from his own church family. Instead of getting behind him and
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encouraging him, they actually started saying bad things about him. Only a few close friends
stuck with him and supported his efforts.
Jim wanted to do things God’s way. Just as Jesus came into this world and became one of us in
order to show us God’s love, so Jim tried to do. He faced loneliness, weariness, and
discouragement, but he remained faithful to do what God had called him to do. If you’ve ever
read about James Hudson Taylor, who ministered in China over a century ago, then you know
what kind of criticism and opposition Jim faced. Yet, as a result of Hudson Taylor’s ministry
(China Inland Mission), thousands of beautiful Chinese people came to know Jesus.
APPLY: In Yorkshire, England, during the early 1800s Hudson Taylors older brother set out to
make a name for himself by entering Parliament and gaining public prestige. For that son,
however, there is no lasting monument. When you look in the encyclopedia to see what the other
son has done, you find these words, “the brother of Hudson Taylor.” “. . . he that doeth the will
of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17).
In most cases you can tell when a person is committed to cause of Christ. The level of sacrifice
by Hudson Taylor was so great none could question his integrity. The criticism he received was
not for abuse of money but the level to which he took his devotion to reaching the lost
THEME: The one who has plenty is to assist the one who has little.
How is the church to administer the funds given by God’s people?
III.
It is administered by reliable and responsible people. (22-24)
22 In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways
that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus,
he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the
churches and an honor to Christ. 24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the
reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
A. Who have the trust of the church. Paul is sending with Titus other men who
represent the different churches who are committed to this cause. They provide a
system of checks and balances. They are there to assure the proper handling of the
funds. They are there to report back their respective churches and others how much
was raise and where the monies went.
B. Who honor Christ. These were all men who were committed to Christ and to his
people. They were personally committed to furthering the cause of Christ and
helping His people.
C. Who merit our support. There were no scoundrels or scammers whose integrity was
in question. They were selected by Paul and the other churches because they were
well known for the character and had proven themselves. These were not fly by night
con artists who had no previous history. They had a pedigree that could be inspected.
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ILLUSTRATE: Paul’s point is that church finances should always be handled with superior
financial accountability. There should be checks and balances so that the enemies of Christ’s
church can never point to financial scandal in the church.
When Dr. Billy Graham was a young evangelist, his work was financed entirely by a love
offering received at the end of each crusade. From this offering he had to take care of his living
expenses and those of his team members. As the costs of the crusades grew and the offerings got
larger, Dr. Graham became concerned that the way in which the money was handled would
become a source of criticism. So, upon the advice of an older minister, he formed a board of
Christian businessmen to handle all the money. Then everyone in the crusade organization was
put on salary and the organization’s books and Dr. Graham’s personal finances were audited and
the results made public each year. As a result of his sensitivity and care, his operation has been a
model of accountability through the years.
APPLY: It is our desire to handle the money that you entrust to us with accountability. Whether
you give to the General Fund, the Benevolence Fund, the Church Growth Fund, or to some other
designated cause, we want to model accountability in our finances.
THEME: The one who has plenty is to assist the one who has little.
SAY WHAT YOU HAVE SAID: This morning looked at an example of how to manage our
finances well so that God’s funds are used for their intended purposes. We asked, “How is the
church to administer the funds given by God’s people?” We considered three responses intended
to assure they are used for legitimate ends. 1. It is to be administered to fulfill its stated
purposes, 2. It is to be administered carefully and, 3. It is to be administered by reliable and
responsible people.
TIE INTO OPENING SENTENCE: There are also people who want to separate you from your
money and while some are legitimate others might not be. Once a real need is evident we should
give generously and willingly but that does not mean we give naively or foolishly.
APPLY TO SPECIFIC AUDIENCE:
1. Give generously but don’t give naively. Check the credentials of the organization you are
giving too.
2. Give proportionately as God has blessed you.
3. As a church we must be careful how handle our money with appropriate checks and balances.
We have yearly reviews and an upcoming audit, we have financial policies in place and an
administration who carefully tracts the use of our resources.
4. We have a financial need because we trusted God in increasing our budget and calling an
additional staff person.
HAYMAKER: I know that sometimes it seems that everybody and his brother want something
from you.
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It had been a hard winter in the Rockies. The snow piled deeper and deeper. The temperatures
dropped below the zero and stayed there. The river froze over. People were suffering. The Red
Cross used helicopters to fly in supplies.
After a long hard day, as they were returning to their base, the rescue team in a helicopter saw a
cabin nearly submerged in the snow. A thin wisp of smoke came from the chimney. The men
figured those people in that cabin were probably critically short of food, fuel and medicine.
Because of the tress they had to set down about a mile from the cabin. They put their heavy
emergency equipment on their backs, trudged through waist deep snow, and reached the cabin
exhausted, panting and perspiring. They pounded on the door and a thin gaunt, mountain woman
finally answered.
The lead man panted, “Ma’am, we’re from the Red Cross.” She was silent for a moment, and
then she said, “It’s been a hard long winter, Sonny, I just don’t think we can give anything
years.”
For some we feel we are only being asked to give- but remember that sometimes it is us who
receive- but like this woman we do not see that side.
THEME: The one who has plenty is to assist the one who has little.
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