December 15, 2025
Lay Down Your Crowns
During this Christmas season, let’s bow in self-abandoned surrender and confess that every honor, accomplishment, and triumph we possess comes from the Lord, who alone deserves the glory.
Articles for tag: 2 Corinthians 8
May 20, 2024
May 26 Study | Generosity
Second Corinthians 8-9 is the largest stewardship of giving passage in the Bible. After the rich discussion about the ministry of the gospel (2:14—7:16), Paul launched into this major teaching about giving. . . .
February 9, 2019
A Profitable Sermon on Generosity, Any Way You Slice It
By Jim Nieman Mark Jones is glad he opted for a simple devotion one week in the midst of his sermon series on generosity. The decision resulted in a finale that had greater impact, and which, at the same time, garnered quite a bit of positive press. Jones opted for the devotion one Sunday when “horrific weather” swept through the Bardstown, Ky., region and Nelson Christian Church saw lower-than-average attendance. But that set things up nicely for the final message, Feb. 3—which happened to be Super Bowl Sunday—when Jones called in a pizza order from the stage early in his
August 6, 2018
Lesson for August 12, 2018: Giving Justly (2 Corinthians 8:7-15)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 7 (weeks 25–28; July 22—August 12, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Three activities occupied center stage for the earliest church in the book of Acts. Those three activities were preaching the gospel, baptizing the converts, and planting the church. But running under the radar of those three was the collection for the saints. Jesus had taught his disciples to care for
December 22, 2017
Keeping Down Appearances
By Doug Redford Some years ago an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer featured this headline: “Appearance Counts When Wrapping Holiday Gifts.” Said one employee at a luxury goods store in San Antonio, Texas, “The biggest thing I”ve seen through the years is that the wrapping is just as important as what”s on the inside. You can take a $5 item and make it look like a million bucks.” Another person quoted in the article noted, “Packaging will make a whole lot of difference, and it will make the gift special.” On the other hand, there are occasions when the lack
August 25, 2014
Lesson for August 31, 2014: Generosity in the Midst of Poverty (2 Corinthians 8, 9)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 24 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone Despite the problems noted in 1 Corinthians (such as division, pride, and immorality), the church had many good qualities. Generous giving, however, was an area in which they needed to improve. In today”s text Paul used various appeals to encourage them to grow in generosity. An Example 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Paul introduced a new subject in this letter by saying,
July 22, 2013
Lesson for July 28, 2013: Giving Gifts for the Temple (Ezra 8:24-36)
By Sam E. Stone Today”s lesson is the last of five studies in the life and ministry of the respected Old Testament leader Ezra. In the book that bears his name, he describes how the Jews came to return to Israel from their Babylonian captivity. Ezra includes seven official documents or letters, in addition to his own memoirs. Especially striking is the prominence of Levites and temple personnel. When Ezra realized that no Levites were among those committed to return with him, he sent a delegation to a nearby area (Kasiphia) to recruit some. They were to “bring attendants to
January 30, 2010
Guaranteed Returns
By Jeff Faull Can I share the talk I had with myself recently? I said, “Self, what few assets you possess are not really yours; they are God”s. And in these tough economic times you need to protect and use God”s money wisely. “But where is a safe place for God”s money? Is it the bank? Is it the stock market? Are CDs the way to go? Can it bolster my sagging 401k? Should I buy precious metals? Should I hide it under the proverbial mattress or bury it in the backyard?” Perhaps you have had similar conversations with yourself
