When you give sacrificially, you reveal yourself as God’s steward and are ready to receive his blessing.
Talking Points:
- If you aren’t giving, you’re robbing God. Malachi 3:8
- If you don’t give, you may experience severe consequences. Greed will poison our relationships with God and others. It will keep us from honoring God and doing the things he has created us to do. Malachi 3:9, 1 Timothy 3:7-10
- God rewards his givers. The greatest reward of giving is not that God will give us a return on our investment, but that giving teaches us to trust him. Not only this, but we get to partner with God in ministry. Malachi 3:10, 2 Corinthians 9:6,10
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Why is it uncomfortable for people to talk about money, especially at church? Why do you think Jesus talked about money so frequently?
- Read Malachi 3:8-9. How were the Jewish people robbing God? What is the tithe? What lessons can we learn from the principle of tithing?
- How can Christians be guilty of robbing God?
- Read Malachi 3:9. What are some of the consequences we might experience if we fail to be generous toward God? Have you seen any of these consequences in your own life when you have failed to be generous?
- Read Malachi 3:10. Why do you think this is the one place where we are told to put God to the test?
- What are the types of blessings we can expect from God if we give? What are some misinterpretations of the blessings that God promises to us when we give?
- How does seeing God’s generosity in our lives serve as a motivation to be generous?
- Are you ready to be generous in response to God’s goodness in your life? If not, what’s holding you back?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
