The Blessing of Giving

Pastor John Marc Wiemann
Acts 20:35

Main point: The apostle Paul’s last words to believers in Ephesus are the words of Christ that teach us to give ourselves to giving.

I. The Basis of Giving

II. The Bias of Giving

III. The Blessing of Giving

Here are some books which may assist you in deeper study and application of the truths presented in today’s sermon. While the elders cannot endorse every concept presented in each book, we do believe these resources will be helpful in profitably thinking through today’s topic.

• Whose Money Is It Anyway? by John MacArthur
• Redeeming Money: How God Reveals and Reorients Our Hearts by Paul Tripp
• Managing God’s Money by Randy Alcorn

Questions for Spiritual Growth

Our Cornerstone mission is To Know Christ and Make Him Known. Community Groups help us to live out our mission as we discuss the Scripture passage from the sermon, how to apply it, and pray for one another.

1. What is the basis for our giving? What part does God’s grace play in your motivation for giving?
   

2. What are some of the blessings that come to the believer who gives? How have you experienced some of those blessings?
   

3. How are Jesus’ words in Acts 20:35 distinctly different than the world’s idea of blessing? Why do many in the world view a Christian’s sacrificial giving as unrealistic or foolish?
   

4. Read Acts 20:35 and Luke 6:38. What issues confront believers because of Christ’s promises on giving?
   

5. If someone asked you to explain the idea of biblical stewardship, how would you answer?
   

6. Read James 1:2-4. We usually apply these verses to trials and hardships. How might the use of our time, talents, and money serve as a test? How can James 1:2-4 help?
   

7. Considering what you learned in Acts 20:35 and other passages, how does God want your beliefs and actions to change? How by God’s grace can you accomplish the change?
   

8. What are some practical steps you can take to pursue this change?