Pastor Matt reminded us that our confidence in being generous rests in the knowledge that God is the provider of all things.
MY STORY
How does the depth of your belief in a cause impact your willingness to support that mission with your tangible resources?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
"As you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness." (2 Corinthians 8:1-24)
Pastor Matt reminded us that "Paul is saying that, on the basis of grace, giving is as essential to our faith - is as much a part of our faith as faith! I mean come on, can you imagine a Christian with no faith? Of course not, faith is essential. How about a Christian with no knowledge? How about a Christian with no love? We would say that doesn't make sense. Paul goes exactly, how do you explain someone who calls themselves a Christian and doesn't give? Temperature in the room just went up, didn't it? That's the essence. That's the core of who we are. According to Paul, giving is as much a part of Christian life as faith, as knowledge, as love."
Why do you think Paul put generosity on the same level of spiritual significance as faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and love?
Why did Paul refuse to order people to give? What did he want them to demonstrate by their giving instead?
According to Paul, what is the goal of our generosity? What does he instruct when it comes to bearing our responsibilities while helping others to carry theirs?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
In what sense is generosity a type of spiritual discipline?
What should be our motives when it comes to giving?
How can we use Paul's goal of "fairness" as the criteria by which you make decisions about generosity?
Why is important that no one gives under compulsion, but voluntarily according to the criteria he or she has established?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
ow have you seen God provide for you in the past – either through providing the skills needed in order to create an income, the generosity of others, or supernaturally?
What is the criteria by which you will make your giving decisions?
Create a budget that reflects your criteria for generosity.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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