Session 3 • August 30, 2026 

2 Corinthians 8:1–15 – The Macedonian churches gave joyfully and sacrificially because God’s grace had transformed their hearts. Consider how faithful stewardship requires us to surrender what God has entrusted to us for the sake of others.

GIVE YOURSELVES FIRST TO THE LORD

• The Macedonians’ difficult circumstances did not prevent their abundant generosity (8:1–2).
• They gave according to their ability and even beyond it because they were willing, not pressured (8:3–4).
• Their generosity began with a greater surrender: “They gave themselves first to the Lord” (8:5).
• Paul challenged the Corinthians to demonstrate the sincerity of their love through their generosity (8:7–8).
• Jesus is our ultimate example: though rich, He became poor for our sake so that we might become rich through Him (8:9).
• God measures generosity according to what He has entrusted to us, not according to what He has given someone else (8:10–12).
• Biblical generosity seeks to meet genuine needs through the willing participation of God’s people (8:13–15).

God isn’t calling us to equal giving, but He is calling us to equal sacrifice.

STEWARD WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED

• Everything we possess belongs to God, so stewardship asks how His resources can best accomplish His purposes.
• We have sought to model the same careful stewardship we are asking of our members.
• We have continued investing in ministry while intentionally saving and preparing financially for M2.
• Responsible stewardship does not mean avoiding every expense or every debt. It means wisely using what God has provided for what matters most.
• Every additional dollar given toward M2 reduces what must be borrowed and ultimately what must be spent on repayment.

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKING

1. Are we building too big? The 1,144-seat Sanctuary will more than double our current capacity while remaining intimate enough to feel connected. Its location also allows it to become a central hub for the current campus and future expansion.
2. When can construction begin? We can begin once we raise the additional $3.2 million, secure responsible financing for the remaining cost, and receive the necessary church approval. The Finance Team, M2 Fundraising Team, and M2 Construction Team each have responsibilities to complete and recommendations to bring before the church membership votes on moving forward.
3. How will we pay for it? Funding will come from multiple sources: $3.6 million already raised through March 31, approximately $1 million from reserves, the $3.2 million Firstfruits Offering, budgeted facility allocations, M2 commitments through 2028, and responsible financing for the remainder. Every additional dollar given reduces what we ultimately borrow.
4. Why take on debt? We want to avoid unnecessary debt, but responsible financing allows us to address a clear ministry need now rather than continue waiting while construction costs rise.
5. Can we responsibly afford the debt? Years of financial preparation have positioned us to manage the anticipated debt responsibly. Continued M2 giving will further reduce both the amount borrowed and the resources required for repayment.
6. What about our other space problems? The Sanctuary addresses our most significant limitation, but it is not our only strategy. We will maximize next-generation spaces, adjust worship times and locations during construction, improve parking pathways, and prepare for future education expansion.
7. Why invest this much in a building? This is a once-in-a-generation ministry investment designed to serve Rocky Creek for decades. Its total cost is comparable to what Rocky Creek has already invested in missions and ministry over just the last ten years. The building does not replace ministry; it creates capacity for more ministry.
8. What are you asking me to do? We are asking everyone to do something by moving, serving, or adjusting for the sake of others, and everyone to give something through the Firstfruits Offering and an ongoing M2 commitment through 2028.

THE STEWARDSHIP OF M2

We give ourselves first to the Lord, and then we faithfully steward whatever He has entrusted to us. Equal sacrifice does not require equal giving. It requires every one of us to ask what faithful stewardship looks like with what God has given us.