Spritual Gains (Part 4 - Giving)

Introduction:

Attention:

Just Dance routine

Q. How many of you think of “dancing” when you think of a workout routine?

Probably not many of us!

But that doesn’t change the fact that it is

When we think of spiritual disciplines, we think of reading our Bible, praying, and maybe serving

But how often do we think about giving?

Not as much!

And that’s unfortunate, because God has called us to be radical givers to His kingdom work and ministry

So that’s what we’re gonna talk about today

Need:

Generous estimate: Only 5% of churchgoers tithe

Another study: 1.5 million of 247 million (less than 0.61%)

There are roughly 2,000 verses about money and possessions in the Bible

This tells us that giving is a spiritual issue

1 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)

7 ... train yourself to be godly.

We need to discipline ourselves for the stuff that God takes seriously

So let’s get to it!

Body:

The Big Idea: Discipline yourself to be a generous giver

Context:

The offering

Paul is sending three people to collect it before he returns

The Big Question: Why should you discipline yourself to be a generous giver?

God blesses the giver

2 Corinthians 9:6 CSB

6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.

Explanation:

Q. What type of language is being used here?

Farming language:

Sowing = planting

Q. How does this connect with giving?

Planting few = giving little

Planting bountifully (generously) = giving generously

God promises to bless the giver

If you give to God, He will give to you

Q. Does this mean that, if you give to God, He will for sure give back what you gave (and sometimes more?

No; Not prosperity Gospel

Not always monetary

“blessings of an unspecific nature”

Sometimes, blessing isn’t truly seen until the next life

Laying up treasure in heaven

Acts 20:35b (ESV)

35 ... ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Giving is the blessing in and of itself

But it is true nonetheless

Luke 6:38 (NLT)

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Said more plainly

Give = receiving

Examples:

Checks in the mail, etc.

Personal: switching jobs

The joy of giving

Context differs, but God’s blessing is sure

Illustration:

Lifting weights:

Growth over time

Giving

Blessing over time

Some material, some spiritual

Application:

How does God’s promise to bless the giver impact your desire to give?

Do you trust God to provide?

Demonstrate your faith by giving generously

God loves cheerful giving

2 Corinthians 9:7 (CSB)

7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

Explanation:

Q. According to this passage, how much should you give?

“Decide in your heart”

10%? (Num 18:2, Deut 14:22)

“Ten percent does not make a ceiling of giving at which to stop, but a floor from which to grow.” -Donald Whitney

Inward conviction (HS)

How is God leading you to give sacrificially?

If giving isn’t sacrificial, what’s the point?

“… God loves a person who gives cheerfully”

Q. But doesn’t God love everybody?

“… A special affection or approval that leads to significant blessings in the life of the believer.”

Q. What is the opposite of giving cheerfully?

Grudge giving: “I have to”

Duty giving: “I ought to”

Thanksgiving: “I want to”

Being > doing

Put negatively: “There is no divine approval for giving to others merely out of duty.”

Attitude

Illustration:

Running a race

Running to get through it vs. enjoying the process (A “get to” rather than a “have to”)

Giving: A “get to” rather than a “have to”

Application:

What is your attitude when it comes to giving?

What does giving look like for you as a teenager?

Whatever is in your wallet (allowance, etc)

Now is the time to learn!

What are some ways that you can be happy about giving to God?

Strive to be a person who wants to give for the right reasons

God owns everything

2 Corinthians 9:8 (CSB)

8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

Explanation:

Q. Does the passage say “God will make all grace abound to you?:

Nope; God is able

“God is able , but he is free to choose whom, how, when, and to what degree he will bless”

Why is He able? Because he owns our money

1 Corinthians 10:26 (NLT)

26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

Nothing is left out

Haggai 2:8 (NLT)

8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

He just lets us have some of it

Tithing; less giving, more “how much of God’s money should I keep for now?”

Does this verse say that you will have everything you want?

Nope; everything you need

God’s goal: “that you may excel in every good work” (growth)

Being > Doing

Remember; it’s all His anyways

Illustration:

A relay race

Passing the baton

Giving = passing the baton for the Kingdom

Application:

Does your giving show that you know it’s God’s anyways?

What would it look like for you to consistently (and joyfully) give back to God a portion of what is rightfully His?

Remember; God’s the Boss

Conclusion:

Visualization:

Imagine yourself as a teen who has learned the discipline of giving

How will that impact your adulthood?

It will prepare your steps for God to lead your future

Application:

We should discipline ourselves to be generous givers because of God’s blessing, His love for cheerful giving, and His ownership of our money.

Everybody can discipline themselves to use their money for the greatest reason of all: God’s Kingdom

Why not start now?

PRAY

Certainly! Here are the questions without bold text:

Lesson Overview:

The Big Idea: Discipline yourself to be a generous giver

The Big Question: Why should you discipline yourself to be a generous giver?

God blesses the giver

2 Corinthians 9:6 (CSB)

6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.

God loves cheerful giving

2 Corinthians 9:7 (CSB)

7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

God owns everything

2 Corinthians 9:8 (CSB)

8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

Small Group Questions:

How does the idea of "sowing and reaping" help us understand the importance of giving?

(Discuss how planting generously relates to giving generously and how God blesses the giver.)

What does it mean to give cheerfully, and how is it different from giving out of duty or obligation?

(Explore the difference between giving because you "have to" versus giving because you "want to.")

How does knowing that God owns everything change the way you view your money and possessions?

(Talk about the mindset shift of managing God's money rather than just your own.)

In what ways can you as a teenager begin practicing the discipline of giving, even with limited resources?

(Discuss practical ways to give, such as allowance or gifts, and the importance of starting the habit early.)

How does trusting God to provide for your needs impact your willingness to give generously?

(Reflect on how faith plays a role in trusting God's provision when you're giving away resources.)