How to Worship Through Giving

Introduction:

How to Make Giving an Act of Worship (2 Corinthians 9:7):

1. Give Intentionally . (2 Cor 9:7a)

   Intentional Giving Means:

   1. When I'm paid, I give to God First - every time.
   2. I love God enough to put serious Thought into it.
   3. I give Proportionately to what God's given me.
2. Give Willingly . (2 Cor 9:7b)
3. Give Cheerfully . (2 Cor 9:7c)

   John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He Gave His Only Son!

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read (2 Corinthians 9:7)

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Explain the principle of “firstfruits”. How does that principle apply to financially giving to the church? Why is it important?
   

3. Should Christians tithe, if tithing isn’t explicitly commanded in the New Testament? Why or why not?
   

4. How do you know that you are giving from the heart, and not merely giving to avoid feeling guilty for not giving?
   

5. What does it mean that “God loves a cheerful giver”? What IS a cheerful giver?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

An Eternal ROI

Introduction:

Matthew 6:20 - ...lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...

Matthew 19:21 - ...give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven...

Luke 12:33 - Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail...

Hebrews 11:26 - >Moses< was looking to the reward.

Am I Going to Have an Eternal ROI? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself (Luke 16:1-13)

1. Do I use money to Win People ? (Luke 16:9)
2. What am I doing with money Right Now ? (Luke 16:10)
3. Would God say I'm faithful with His money? (Luke 16:11-2)
4. Am I serving God or Man ? (Luke 16:13)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 16:1-13

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Explain, in your own words, the lesson of the parable of the dishonest manager. What was Jesus’ point?
   

3. “If I had more money, I’d give.” According to Jesus in Luke 16:10, is this true? Why or why not?
   

4. What, exactly, are “the true riches” (Luke 16:11, aka “treasure in heaven”)? What will they look like?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

The People of God Give to the Work of God

Introduction:

What Moves the People of God to Give to the Work of God? (1 Chronicles 29:1-19)

1. We know Everything Belongs to God. (1 Chronicles 29:10-16)
2. We know we only have a Limited Time to give. (1 Chronicles 29:15)

   Matthew 6:19-20 - Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

3. We know God is Testing Us with money. (1 Chronicles 29:17-19)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read 1 Chronicles 29:1-19

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus says to give in secret, yet in 1 Chronicles 29:1-5, King David announces his giving in great detail. Should all giving be done in secret? If not, when is it appropriate to not give in secret?
   

3. How does remembering that “everything belongs to God” encourage us to give joyfully (1 Chron 29:10-16)?
   

4. What did David mean that God is “testing the heart” (1 Chron 29:17)? What, exactly, is the test? How is money part of this test? How do we pass or fail?

Breakout
Pray for one another, and for continued faithfulness and generosity in HBC (1 Chron 29:18).

Money is Where I Need to Repent

Introduction:

What is Money?

1. Money is a Tool .

   How do I know this tool has become an idol to me?

   1. It causes me constant worry and anxiety.

      Ecclesiastes 5:12 - Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

   2. It gives me hope and security.

      1 Timothy 6:17 - As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God

   3. It pulls me away from the faith.

      1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

      Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

2. Money is a Spiritual Gauge .

   Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

   Read also: Matthew 19:16-22, Luke 19:1-10, Luke 3:10-14, Luke 12:13-20

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read Matthew 19:16-22, Luke 19:1-10 (Optional: Matthew 6:21, Luke 3:10-14, Luke 12:13-20)

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think money so easily becomes an idol? What do you do when you realize it has become one in your life?
   

3. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor before he follows Jesus. Is this the command for everyone who wants to follow Jesus? Why or why not?
   

4. The man in the parable in Luke 12:13-21 seemed like a good businessman, and it didn’t seem like he did anything inherently wicked or evil. Why - exactly - did God call him a “fool”? How does this lesson apply to you and I?

Breakout
Pray for one another.