The sermon from 2 Corinthians 8–9 centers on the principle of grace-led giving—a giving that goes beyond obligation, beyond numbers, and reflects the heart of Christ. Pastor Ortiz begins by emphasizing that the Christian life is not meant to be passive attendance but active participation: in singing, fellowshipping, serving, and most importantly, responding to God’s Word personally. Church is not a spectator event; it is where believers engage with God, encourage one another, and take action on what they hear.

From there, the message transitions into a deep exploration of the biblical view of giving, contrasting the modern and often distorted idea of giving for gain with the genuine spiritual act of surrender. Using the example of the Macedonian churches, the pastor highlights how these believers demonstrated extraordinary generosity in the midst of affliction and poverty. Despite their hardships, they overflowed with joy and gave “beyond their power,” not because they had abundance but because they had hearts fully yielded to God.

The Grace of Giving: Beyond Obligation

Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 8–9 reveals that giving is not about following a rule—it is about living out grace. The pastor notes that under the Old Testament law, the tithe (ten percent) represented obedience; but under the New Testament, grace-led giving reflects surrender. The question is no longer “How much should I give?” but rather, “Since Christ gave all, how much of all that I have belongs to Him?”

The sermon rebukes prosperity-driven teaching that manipulates giving into a transactional act—promising material gain in return for offerings. The pastor recalls seeing preachers flaunting wealth and luxury funded by their congregations, distorting the gospel into greed. Such abuse makes the topic of giving difficult to preach, he admits, yet it remains one of the most essential aspects of Christian faith because God Himself is a giver. The foundational verse John 3:16 embodies this truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave…” Love and giving are inseparable.

Giving, then, is not about God needing our money—He paves heaven’s streets with gold—but about whether our hearts are willing to part with what we hold dear. For the rich young ruler in Luke 18, possessions became his idol; Jesus asked him to give them up, not for their value, but to reveal whether his heart truly belonged to God. The same principle applies to every believer: God may ask us to surrender not only possessions, but time, comfort, or relationships that hinder our walk with Him.

The Measure of True Generosity

Paul commends the Macedonians for giving not from surplus but from poverty and affliction. Their joy in giving seems paradoxical, but it flowed from recognizing that what they possessed was never theirs—it was God’s. Real generosity is not measured by the amount given, but by the proportion and spirit with which it is given.

Grace-led giving begins in the heart before it moves the hand. The Macedonians first “gave their own selves to the Lord,” and then to the ministry. This sequence is crucial: before God wants our resources, He wants us. A Christian who has not given themselves to God cannot give meaningfully to His work.

In 2 Corinthians 9:6–8, Paul connects giving with sowing and reaping—not as a prosperity formula, but as a spiritual principle. “He which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; he which soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully.” The pastor clarifies that this does not promise financial return but spiritual blessing. Giving opens the heart to God’s grace, positioning us to experience His sufficiency in every good work. God blesses open hands—not necessarily with wealth, but with open doors, provision, and divine favor.

The pastor shares that he prays for God’s blessings even in small daily matters, like finding a parking spot, and sees those as reminders of God’s grace. Blessing is not always monetary—it is the peace, joy, and providence that come from trusting God’s sufficiency.

The Spirit and Attitude of the Giver

Paul’s instruction in 2 Corinthians 9:7 outlines how the believer is to give: not grudgingly, not of necessity, but cheerfully. Pastor Ortiz stresses that giving must never be driven by guilt or obligation. God delights in the cheerful giver whose heart is moved by gratitude and joy, not duty.

He illustrates this vividly: if a spouse gave a gift reluctantly—counting the cost and expressing annoyance—it would not communicate love. Yet many Christians approach God that way each week, dropping a few dollars in the offering plate to meet expectation rather than to express love. True giving is an act of worship.

Likewise, service in the church must come from the same cheerful heart. Whether teaching children, serving in nursery, or cleaning, one should do it gladly. God’s work done joyfully reflects His own generous nature. A bad spirit, he warns, repels both people and blessing. A cheerful, humble heart, on the other hand, is contagious and glorifies God.

Living Out Grace in Everyday Giving

The sermon connects financial giving to the broader lifestyle of generosity—time, energy, and service. When God prompts a believer to witness, pray, or help someone, the response should be immediate obedience. “If God says give your time, give your time,” the pastor says. “If He says give your energy, give your energy.” To refuse such promptings reveals misplaced priorities and a lack of trust in God’s provision.

Grace giving requires faith. When God asks us to give—whether it’s a day off, a resource, or a sacrifice of comfort—we must trust that He will replenish what is lost. The same God who fed Elijah through a widow’s last meal, who blessed Daniel for his dietary faithfulness, and who provided for Paul through struggling churches, still supplies the needs of those who give joyfully.

In Philippians 4, Paul—writing from prison—speaks of contentment and gratitude. The Macedonians supported him despite their own struggles, and he thanked them not because he desired a gift but because their giving produced spiritual fruit. The pastor emphasizes that verse 19, “My God shall supply all your need,” is not a blanket promise for anyone, but specifically tied to those who give sacrificially for God’s work.

Reflecting the Spirit of Christ

The ultimate model for giving is Christ Himself: “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Cor 8:9). Jesus had every right to glory, yet He chose humility, suffering, and the cross for our sake. If He could give everything, can we not yield what little we have?

True giving reflects His character. It is not about counting coins but counting the cost of obedience—and still saying yes. The sermon challenges believers to consider what they would do if God asked for all they possess, not for the sake of loss, but to reveal whether He truly owns their hearts.

Grace-led giving, then, is not a financial transaction but a spiritual transformation. It turns the believer from consumer to contributor, from spectator to servant, from self-centered to Christ-centered. When believers surrender their resources, time, and will to God, they mirror His own heart and participate in His work.

Closing Call: Giving Our All

In conclusion, the pastor urges the congregation to examine whether their giving—of money, time, or devotion—flows from grace or from obligation. God desires not a percentage, but the person. He calls for full surrender: hearts that are willing, hands that are open, and spirits that are cheerful.

The sermon ends with a challenge: imagine a church where every member gives not out of duty but out of love—where 100 percent of believers serve and sacrifice joyfully. Such a church would thrive, not because of wealth, but because it reflects the heart of Christ, who gave Himself completely for us.