Believe: Think-Act- Be – Like Jesus
Chapter 19 GIVING AWAY MY RESOURCES
As you watch the video segment for Session 19, use the following outline to record some of the main points.
Key Question: How do I best use my _______________ to serve God and others?
Key Idea: I give away my resources to ___________ God and others.
Key Verse: “But since you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in this grace of ____________.” (2 Corinthians 8:7)
(Key Application) Your willingness comes from a heart __________ by God’s purposes.
(Key Application) Resources go ___________ money.
(Key Application) Giving to others _________________ your intimacy with Christ.
Getting Started
Let’s begin by reciting the Key Verse and Key Idea together as a group.
Key Verse: “But since you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8:7)
Key Idea: I give away my resources to serve God and others.
Group Discussion
Let’s discuss our thoughts and feelings about the following declarations. Which statements are easy to declare with certainty? Which are more challenging, and why?
➢ I give away 10 percent or more of my income to God’s work.
Christians should pray for discernment in their giving and they should be wise enough to weigh up whether particular churches, ministries and ministers are worthy of financial support and accountable for what they receive.
The amount of money you give to God should be proportional to your financial status.(17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. Deut. 16:17)
> Give as you are able to give, within your current income. (12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 2 Cor. 8:12)
➢ I regularly give money to serve and help others.
Church members/regular attenders are expected to contribute to the support of their local church -- in labor, and spirit, and prayer, and money. But it is very Biblical to go beyond in your giving.
> Not all gifts have to be given through the church. (Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Prov. 19:17)
➢ My first priority in spending is to support God’s work.
The amount you give to God should be at the head of your budgeted expenditures. (Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; Prov. 3:9)
> What you give to God should not be an afterthought.
> What you give should not be based on what is left over at the end of your paycheck.
➢ My spending habits do not keep me from giving what I feel I should give to God.
FROM RANDY FRAZEE:
As followers of Christ our daily prayer becomes, Lord, how do you want me to use the resources you have entrusted to me?
> What seems to keep many Christians from giving isn’t really their lack of desire, but rather an abundance of personal debt.
<All too often, debt comes not so much from medical bills from unforeseen illnesses or unavoidable tragedies as from intentional choices to accumulate stuff, which then places an almost unbearable burden for many years and prevents true freedom and blessing in giving to God and his kingdom.
> Jesus teaches, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
< Sadly, while many Christians today would say they love God and desire to serve him, their devotion must go to “serving” the payments demanded each month. Jesus’ words are as accurate today as the day he first said them.
Discuss this week’s Key Ideas with these questions.
1. Fire can be incredibly beneficial and also terribly dangerous, if not used properly. How are material resources similar?
We need to have money to survive. But when we have an abundance of that money we tend to become selfish with it and spend it on items that are not necessary. This in itself isn't sinful--we all have items that are not absolutely necessary that make life much easier.
But, when we spend money that could and should be better used for Christian Service it becomes dangerous.
> Even more dangerous is living on credit.
2. In what ways can money give us a false sense of security, satisfaction, and safety?
If we were to study our government's monetary system we would probably never sleep again. Very little backs our currency. Tomorrow there could be a financial crash that would make all the money we earn and save worthless.
> It makes sense when Jesus said to build our treasures in heaven.
3. Why do you think God is more concerned about the intentions of the giver than the size of the gift?
God does not need our money. It's not even ours...it's his. But he does want our heart.
Proverbs 3:9-109 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops;10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 11:24-25 24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.25A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:28. 28 Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
