Scripture
2 Corinthians 9:6
Open your mind and heart as you read the passage of Scripture aloud and then again quietly to yourself. Listen for God’s word to you.
Observation
The world holds the view that a person who splashes their money around will find they will soon run out of funds. God’s economy does not work like that. When a person who follows Christ is generous at His command, beyond what seems to be sensible to those around who are watching, such a Christ-follower will find their faith and trust in God growing as He rewards them for their generosity.
Paul warns people not to be tightfisted in their giving. A farmer who sparsely trickles the seed out of his hands to the ground he is standing on, concerned that he may be throwing away the precious seed, may end the season with more seed in his barn, but he will have a meager crop. However the farmer who flings handfuls of seed around their field may not have any seed left in his barn but he will be able to harvest an abundant crop.
The blessings which come as a result of generous giving are both material and spiritual. God promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory; He promises that He will supply more than enough to satisfy our needs to the extent that they will overflow our capacity to hold them and be a blessing for others. Spiritually God promises to reward the one who gives with a willing heart, both now and for eternity. No one can ever out-give God and no-one should ever be afraid of giving too much to Him.
Daily Reflections:
Day 1
2 Corinthians 9:6
How would you describe the way you give? Do you feel satisfied with your giving or do you feel, deep down, God may want you to give more? What holds you back from being more generous than you are; or alternatively, what motivates you give so abundantly to those in need? What does God say about your giving?
Day 2
2 Corinthians 9:6
When do you give? Do you prioritise your giving or does it just happen if you have a bit of extra cash? Do you give a fixed amount to the church every month? Why/why not? What about any other needs you may discover during the month? Do you set aside funds to cover such needs as and when they arise? Have you told God that such money is for Him and asked Him to show you how to use it? Speak to God about these things today, and tell Him how you feel about them. What does He reply?
Day 3
2 Corinthians 9:6
How does it feel to give generously? Do you have the equivalent of ‘buyer’s remorse’ once the gift is promised? Do you worry that you may run out of funds as a result? Or do you sing a song of praise in your heart at God’s faithfulness and look forward to His blessings as a result of your keeping your word and fulfilling your promise to give? Ask God to grow your faith and trust in Him so you may give generously with joy, knowing He is always faithful.
Day 4
2 Corinthians 9:6
Are you willing to give generously or do you feel afraid to do so, in case you don’t have enough to meet your needs or any unexpected emergencies in the days ahead? Speak to God about your concerns and ask Him to reassure you when you need His encouragement.
Day 5
Malachi 3:10
In the light of the earlier readings for this week, what is God saying to you today through this verse from Malachi? How will you respond? Copy out the verse and slip it into your Bible or journal. Refer back to it from time to time? How have you seen God’s blessings as a result of giving generously?
Icebreaker:
Looking back over your life, what is the most generous gift you have ever received? How do you feel about the person who gave it to you? What does their generosity mean to you now?
Note to Leaders
If any members of your group did not hear the sermon, especially the story it contained, allow time for it to be told or for the clip to be played within the group session
Application
- When you think of all God has given you since you first acknowledged Him as your Lord and Saviour, how have you changed? How often do you thank God?
- How do you feel when you go the extra mile for someone yet they do not acknowledge your efforts? Do you continue to do your best, or do you ease up, and even walk away, feeling rejected and undervalued? What would make you respond in this way?
- Who works for you? How would you describe your relationship with them? How do they respond to you on a day to day basis? How often do you thank, praise, reward them for all they do?
- How do you feel about those who are in authority over you in your workplace, or even in your home? Do you serve them willingly or not? How often do they acknowledge your efforts? What difference would it make to your relationship with them if they said ‘thank you’ more often? Why do you think this is so?
- Babette gave everything she had. Do you think you could do that? Why/why not?
- God has given you everything, from relationships to possessions, from home to nationality, from life to grace. What can you do to acknowledge His gifts today and thank Him for them? What and how can you share some of these gifts He has given you in a new way?
- How can the group help you with the struggles you have mentioned during this session?
Prayer
Pray for one another in regard to the issues that have been raised during your discussion time, and in regard to other needs of the group.
Service
Ask God to help you to be aware of everything He gives you this week, whether it is a great or a small gift. Ask Him to highlight one of these gifts and to show you how to use it for His glory. Report back to the group as to what happened.
Bibliography
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