Spritual Gains (Part 4 - Giving) [prompts, words, and phrases
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Introduction:
Attention:
Perform Just dance routine, and then talk about it
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
Body:
The Big Idea: Discipline yourself to be a generous giver
Share context of 2 Corinthians 9.
The Big Question: Why should you discipline yourself to be a generous giver?
God blesses the giver
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?
Q. How does this connect with giving?
Q. Does this mean that, if you give to God, He will for sure give back what you gave (and sometimes more?
Acts 20:35b (ESV)
35 ... ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
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.”
Share examples of God blessing people when they regularly give
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
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for 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 cheerful giver”
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
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
26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
Nothing is left out
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