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Company Of The Committed Message #6

Trait #6 - Generosity

October 15-16, 2005 Dr Larry Osborne

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Growth Group Homework
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QUICK REVIEW
Looking back at this week’s teaching on “Generosity,” was there anything that particularly surprised you, caught your attention, or you found to be confusing?


MY STORY
1. How do you think most Christians would respond to the statement that tithing is an essential part of our spiritual health and growth?


2. Have you ever experienced the blessing of someone’s generosity toward you or the blessing of being generous toward someone else?


3. What are some typical things we might say “we need,” but in reality are just luxuries?


DIGGING DEEPER
1. Read the following verses and then jot down what they say about a healthy perspective on our finances and generosity.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18
You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." [18] But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. [NIV]

1 Chronicles 29:11-12
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
[12] Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all. [NIV]

Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.
[5] Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle. [NIV]

Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." [NIV]

1 John 3:17-18
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? [18] Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. [NIV]


2. One of the keys to building generosity into our life is learning to be content with what we have.  As most of us know, this kind of contentment can be a challenge.  What insight and hope does Paul give us in moving toward this kind of contentment?

2 Corinthians 6:10
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. [NIV]

Philippians 4:10-13
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. [11] I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [12] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. [13] I can do everything through him who gives me strength. [NIV]

What would be your greatest challenges in being content with what you have?


How can the principles in Matthew 6:25-27,33-34 help us grow in our ability to be content with either much or little?
Matthew 6:25-27
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? [NIV]

Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. [NIV]

3. Malachi 3:7-12 reveals God’s response when the Israelites were holding back on their tithes and letting the temple and its work fall into ruin.  Read the passage and then write down how you would have responded to what it says and to God’s challenge.

Malachi 3:7-12
Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
[8] "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. [9] You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. [10] Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. [11] I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty. [12] "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty. [NIV]

4. We also saw this weekend the principle of “first fruits” giving as found in Proverbs 3:9-10 and other passages – especially how giving off the top is both an act of thanking God for His provision AND trusting God for future provision.  Yet many, if not most, of God’s people throughout history (both in the Old Testament and today) give to God’s work primarily out of what’s left rather than off the top.

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
[10] then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine. [NIV]

Why do you think this is so?

How about in your own life?

TAKING IT HOME
1. Which of the three ways to build generosity from this week’s teaching is your biggest challenge?  Are there any steps you sense God calling you to take this week?


2. Make a list of as many things as you can think of that God has provided for you.  Now take a moment and thank Him specifically for these blessings.

Service Opportunity
New Haven Youth Services:   This quarter we are making a difference in the lives of local youth at this home for boys.  Get involved in helping to fix up the place or just hanging out with these kids.  For more information about upcoming events, and to make plans for your Growth Group, visit us on the web at www.northcoastchurch.com/service  or contact Jennifer Kalena, at jenniferkalena(at)yahoo.com , or 760.290.3559.