John K. Jenkins Sr - Financial Freedom Series: Principles of Giving While in Poverty

Today, I want to talk about what I’ve titled this message: «Principles of Giving While in Poverty.» Yes, sir, Principles of Giving While in Poverty. Last week, I spoke from 1 Corinthians chapter 9, 2 Corinthians-I’m sorry, 2 Corinthians chapter 9-and today, I am focusing on 2 Corinthians chapter 8. I want you to turn to chapter 8.

Now, again, by way of review, we know that the Apostle Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, and this is his second letter to the Corinthian Church; that’s why it is called 2 Corinthians, or in the words of another person, «Two Corinthians.» Well, I won 't call any names; I’m just saying. In the first letter, he was correcting them because they had a lot of carnality in the church, with many issues going on. He is correcting them, and in chapter 7 of 2 Corinthians, he says, " I regret that I had to rebuke you,» but then he also says, «but I’m glad I did because you changed; you repented; you changed your behavior, and I’m glad.» So, he is addressing them, and he mentions this in chapter 7.

But when he gets to chapter 8, he says this: «Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.» So, he says to the church in Corinth, «Let me tell you about the churches in Macedonia. Let me tell you about the saints in Macedonia.» He is excited! In the very first verse, he says, «Let me make known to you about the grace that they have; they are a church filled with grace.» Now, I already told you what grace means. Grace is the empowering presence of God. Grace is when God gives you the power, the desire, and the willingness to do what it is He has called you to do, created you to do, and willed for you to do.

And here was a church that was full of grace; the saints in Macedonia were filled with grace. How many of you know you need grace to be everything God wants you to be? I want to make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches in Macedonia. They had grace, and here’s what that grace did. It says in verse 2 that, «In a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality .» What does all that mean? Let me read it to you from the NIV version, as it makes it a little clearer. It says, «Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy, and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.»

There are a couple of things I want you to note. First of all, the churches in Macedonia faced severe trials; they had trouble. Some of you have some severe trouble-that’s why some of you are here because you’ve encountered chaos and challenges in your life. Well, preach, Pastor! They were in the midst of severe trials and extreme poverty. So, they not only faced adversity; they were also financially struggling.

I saw a little Instagram reel where a little boy was asked a quiz question: " Jordan has $1, a quarter, and two pennies. How much money does Jordan have?» Did you all see this? And the little boy responded, «Jordan’s broke.» Hilarious! Some of you are broke! And not only do you have extreme poverty, but you also face severe trials — circumstances outside your control, things that you can’t change: marriage issues, challenges with your kids, trouble at work, all kinds of drama. The saints of Macedonia were in the same situation; they had severe trials and extreme poverty.

Notice these words: severe trials and extreme poverty. It didn’t just say they had trials and poverty; it emphasized severe trials and extreme poverty. But look at what’s in the middle of this right here in verse two: it says, " they were overflowing.» They had overflowing joy!

Here 's what I know about my relationship with God, and here’s what you need to know about having a relationship with the Lord Jesus: when you have Him at the center of your life and a relationship with Him, it doesn’t matter what’s going on; you can have joy. Thank you, Father! What I like about this is that it says «overflowing joy.» There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is facilitated by external circumstances-yes, that’s what happiness is. Joy, on the other hand, is not dependent upon what is happening outside your life-amen?

Joy is generated internally, because you have a relationship with God that gives you joy on the inside, which is not governed by what’s happening externally. Is there anybody here that knows that God will give you joy regardless of what’s happening around you? Now, the Macedonian saints had learned to have joy even though they had no money, even though they were broke-Jordan broke-and even though they faced severe trials. Some of you here today may not have joy; not only do you face trials…