Take God at His Word (Part 1)

“GIVING THAT FEELS GOOD”

Based on the Book by Kregg Hood

To experience His abundance, we must first see God as the

of every blessing.

We must take God at His Word because we trust that His Word is

.

Five levels of motivation for Giving:

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)

I. Motivation #1: Guilt (“Have to” giving).

In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul encourages us to be

givers.
The word translated here as “cheerful” is related to our English word “hilarious.”

Strength: Guilt can be effective in bringing in some

.
Weakness: It’s actually

Reveal Answer

! (Remember, attitudes matter to God.)

II. Motivation #2: Responsibility (“Ought to” giving).

7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. —2 Corinthians 8:7 (NKJV)

We are instructed in 2 Corinthians 8:7 to excel in giving, just as in faith, speech, etc.

Studies on congregational giving indicate 20 percent of the members give 80 percent of the funds, 30 percent give 20 percent, and approximately 50 percent give

at all!

Strength: Because money is given for

, this approach feels better than the guilt motivation, and people learn responsibility, which is a healthy character trait.
Weakness: Giving solely out of responsibility

Reveal Answer

the joy and the amount given considerably.

III. Motivation #3: Needs (“Want to” giving).

13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” —2 Cor. 8:13-15

God wants us to be concerned about meeting needs (2 Cor. 8:13-15).
Paul illustrates the

of letting the church know about financial concerns and giving opportunities.
Knowing about a need often kindles a

Reveal Answer

to provide the resources.

Strength: Giving to satisfy needs feels

.

• This kind of giving brings a cheerful heart and doesn’t rely on compulsion to force people to give reluctantly.
• This motivation touches our heart strings and encourages people to
  Reveal Answer
  the discipline of 
sacrificial giving. 

• It can raise larger sums of money and increase involvement because some people give
  Reveal Answer
  when they see a need. 


Weakness: Some people don’t approve of or

the “need.”

• Some will ignore the request, even though there is a need. 

• The church has
  Reveal Answer
  efforts, which may not tug heartstrings. 


IV. Motivation #4: Thanksgiving (“Can’t help it” giving).

Giving is a way of thanking and praising God for all that He has

. The church’s actions stir the recipients to thank and praise God, too!

Strength: Giving out of thanksgiving feels very

!

• This type of giving points our hearts in God’s direction since we have a tangible way of showing our
  Reveal Answer
  to Him.
• This unselfish giving encourages others to focus on God’s activity in their lives, as well!

Weakness: While there is nothing wrong with this motivation for giving, this motivation is limited by our perception of thankfulness.

• If we aren’t aware of our blessings, we tend to not be as thankful.
• Some people can miss the joy of how God has blessed them because they’re not paying attention (Luke 17:17) 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the
  Reveal Answer
  ?.

V. Motivation # 5: Worship (“It’s my nature” giving).

And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. —2 Corinthians 8:5
— Paul uses the Christians in Macedonia as examples to the church in Corinth by pointing out a unique quality of their giving.

These Macedonian Christians “gave themselves

to the Lord.”
Their financial decisions flowed out of their relationship to God.

When it’s your nature to give to God, giving becomes an act of

.

Giving is a “confession of the

” (2 Cor. 9:13)

13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, —2 Cor. 9:13

Giving is an act of

(1 Tim. 6:17-19)

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. —1 Tim. 6:17-19

Giving is an offering to

(Phil. 4:18)

18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. —Phil. 4:18

There are only strengths of this motivation.
Worship is the highest possible motivation. It creates true commitment, pleases God, allows much work to be done to advance the cause of His Kingdom, and feels good, too!
There are no weaknesses in this giving motivation!
The devil can’t steal your joy in the Lord or stop your work for Christ.

---

SMALL GROUP DISUCSSION

WORD ONE—“I WILL MAKE YOU RICH IN EVERY WAY”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. —2 Corinthians 9:10,11

OPENING DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What is the most important or meaningful thing you learned or read in this chapter?
2. What is your biggest question from this chapter?

LESSON POINTS AND DISCUSSION IDEAS

1. God is the source of all blessings. Read and discuss Philippians 4:19.

2. What is your list of the top 5 or top 10 major blessings in your life?

3. The law of the harvest teaches us that the more you want to reap, the more you have to sow.
   Read the following passages and discuss their importance and meaning: Genesis 8:22, Galatians 6:7, Matthew 17:20-21, and 2 Corinthians 9:6.

4. God promises rewards to those who are obedient. Read the following passages and discuss their importance and meaning. See Matthew 6:4, Matthew 10:42, Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 6:19-34, Ephesians 6:1-3, and 2 Corinthians 9:11.

5. Discuss these specific rewards:
   a. You will be rich in every way. God’s definition of rich is in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11. (Rich means being “able to be generous.”)
   b. The Bible describes riches as both spiritual and material.
   c. Read 1 Timothy 6:9,10, Titus 3:14, 1 Chronicles 29:12, Joshua 1:8, Proverbs 3:9,10
   and Malachi 3:10.
   d. You will receive more than you give (Luke 6:38).
   e. You will receive a greater blessing (Acts 20:36, Galatians 6:7).

6. We receive blessings “in kind”—the type of seed you sow determines the kind of crop you receive. Apply this to Genesis 8:22, Galatians 6:7, Matthew 17:20, 2 Corinthians 9:6, and Luke 6:37.

7. We are to trust God to provide. Read and apply 2 Kings 4:1-7.

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION POINT

• If you were to see God as the true source of your blessings, what would be the first financial decision you would make?