Give it up

What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.

Jump Start

1. As a child, were you rich, comfortable, or struggling? And did your family’s income affect your family’s happiness and emotional health?

2. God wants your heart, not just a part. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. Are there laws of generosity in these verses? Suggestions? Direction? What does God want more than anything?

3. Since God wants our hearts, what actions can transform our hearts? Read Matthew 6:19-21. What principle is at work? How have you experienced this in your life?

4. Generosity isn’t about a percentage, it’s about a perspective. Read 2 Corinthians 8:9. As Jesus-followers, we know how great a debt we owe. How has your outlook on wealth changed since you began to follow Jesus? How often do you remember the price He paid? When does that happen? How does having your heart focused on Him change your ability and willingness to be generous?

5. God wants your best, not the rest. This week, we heard this sentence with two meanings. What were they? Read Proverbs 3:9, 1 Corinthians 10:31, and 2 Corinthians 9:11. Discuss the verse and explain which meaning applies to which verse.

6. Final Point: As you think forward to this season of giving, how can you take a leap of faithful generosity and trust God to do the impossible with your gifts, both in your life and in the lives of others? Read Luke 6:38. Fresh perspectives and grateful hearts allow us to be generous, no matter what our specific situation is. What are some of the "next steps" you can take to grow your generosity?

Deeper

7. Read Psalm 37:25-26. Now check out these other examples of that very verse coming into play: Exodus 16:13-26, Judges 15:10-20, 1 Kings 19:3-7, Genesis 22:7-18 and Philippians 4:18-20.

a. What do each of these moments of God’s provision have in common?

b. What is the background behind each of the stories? What was each person doing when they experienced a great provision from God?

c. Have you ever seen God provide while you are earnestly doing his work?

d. What work do you believe God is calling you to right now?

e. Have you let the fear of resources hold you back from following God’s calling?

8. Read these passages from the Old and New Testament: study the tithe, what it means, and whether this command to sacrifice the tithe applies to present-day believers.