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"The fellowship of the ministering to the saints."

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:4

REASONS FOR GIVING

The example of giving by the Macedonian churches was so moving that Paul felt he had to mention this to the Corinthian Church.

“Imploring us with much urgency that we would receive
the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”
2 Corinthians 8:4

1. “Imploring us”

a) The word “implore”

i) To beseech

ii) To plead

b) Why would they implore Paul and his co-labourers?

i) Because they were giving more than expected.

ii) Because they were obviously giving sacrificially.

c) Imagine begging Paul to accept their gifts!

2. “With much urgency”

a) The spirit of giving was exemplary.

b) The spirit was generous.

c) They begged Paul with great earnestness to receive their gifts.

d) Paul and his co-labourers must have hesitated to receive such sacrificial gifts.

3. “That we should receive the gift”

a) There may have been a play on words when Paul used the word “gift”.

i) The word used may be translated “grace”.

ii) The same word was used to describe “gift”.

b) What the Macedonian churches were expressing.

i) They had received the “grace” of salvation.

ii) They want to offer a “grace-gift” in response.

4. “And the fellowship of the ministering to the saints”

a) There was an additional reason why the Macedonian churches wanted to give.

b) They felt a kinship with other fellow-saints.

c) Giving to help others was their way of being in fellowship with other believers.

d) Ministering to the saints was an excellent way of expressing love for poorer brethren.