Giving is the Good Life Pt. 4
Speaker: CJ Cody
Read: Genesis 4:3-8;Matthew 22:19-22; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2;2 Corinthians 8:1-14
GROUP QUESTIONS:
1. What resonated with you as you listened to this sermon and reviewed it?
2. Several mindsets were discussed that cause many to miss the mark when it comes to giving. Which of these, if any, can you relate to? What do you think people mean when they say they do not trust the church? What is your mindset when it comes to giving?
3. Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. What principle about money do you think is given here?
4. Read Matthew 22:19-22. What principle about giving do you think is given here?
5. Read Genesis 4:3-8. In this passage God accepted Abel’s offering, but rejected Cain’s. What might be some reasons God may not be pleased with offerings people give today? What type of offering do you think would please God today?
6. Read Matthew 6:25-33. What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness? What are some benefits of putting God first?
7. It was said that we must be careful disguising an anti-kingdom agenda and convincing ourselves that we are doing good? What does this mean to you? What are your thoughts about giving to other charitable organizations?
SERMON RECAP
Giving is a matter of the heart. The way the church in Macedonia gave to the impoverished believers in Jerusalem gives us an example. Although the Macedonians were facing persecution and were themselves poor, they first gave themselves to God and then gave to others. They were able to do so because they had a kingdom view and were very much aware that if they lost everything on earth, they had riches stored up in heaven. So they gave sacrificially with joy to be able to share in service and generosity to others in need. Giving to the church is hard for some people, and it will always be hard if one does not first give themselves to God and develop a kingdom view. With a kingdom view, we can align ourselves with the will of God and will be able to give cheerfully. But unfortunately, there are several different mindsets that cause many to miss the mark when it comes to giving. Many of us do not understand what the Bible says about the matter. Some think that because giving is not commanded in the New Testament, that when appeals are made, that they are being tricked, manipulated or compelled to give. But giving is indeed a principle promoted in the New Testament. As Christians, we are to live by biblical principles and should not conveniently pick and choose the ones we want to follow. Other people do not give because they do not truly trust God as their provider. Some will even go so far as to say they do not trust the church and will opt to instead give to other charitable organizations. As the church is God’s chosen vehicle to push the Kingdom of God forward, one must be careful of disguising this anti-kingdom agenda as a virtue of doing good. Another deeper problem is that often people have misplaced devotion in that something or someone other than God has first place in their hearts. This in essence is idolatry.
