When Are We to Give?
CURRENT VS. DEFERRED GIVING
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
1 CORINTHIANS 4:7
INTRODUCTION
Open your group with prayer.
This prayer should be brief, simple, and invite God to be with you as you meet.
Icebreaker
Begin this time together by using the following prompts to get people talking:
• Tell the group about a time you received an unexpected gift.
• At the end of the last session, you were asked to identify someone who you can turn to who has the same values and world view as you. Tell the group who you came up with.
Use the notes space below to record key thoughts, questions, and insights you want to remember or follow up on.
To watch, scan the QR code or go to: bluetrust.com/leverage/session3
Group Discussion
After watching the video, have someone read the questions below and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each subsequent section, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.
1. What are your thoughts on the principle of reverse compounding discussed in the video? Have you ever thought of this concept?
2. Read Philippians 4:11-13. While most can imagine needing God’s help in times of hunger and need, why do we need God’s strength in times of abundance and plenty?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 8:2-4. What was the effect of affliction on the Corinthians’ ability to give and to experience joy?
4. Read Ephesians 1:3. How do you see God as the source of “every spiritual blessing” in your life?
5. What did you think of Ken’s comments in the video regarding the tithe in the old testament?
Over the next week you will have an opportunity to reflect on and dive deeper into this topic of generosity. You can do so by meditating on the application questions, reading the daily devotions, praying, journaling, following the reading plan, and exploring what others have done in this area.
Close your meeting with prayer.
Application
1 2 3 4 5
Share about a time you gave with an open hand. What was the result?
How can one leverage the currency of that which is passing away into the currency of that which will last forever?
Do you experience God as consistently abundant, or do you experience Him as withholding good gifts from your life? How does your giving reflect this mindset?
What are some ways you can participate with God in cultivating a Kingdom mindset of abundance and generosity, consistent with God’s heart for His people? What’s one thing you can start doing this week?
What steps will you take this week to grow in your relationship with God? If you’ve focused on prayer in past weeks, maybe you’ll want to direct your attention to Scripture this week. If you’ve been reading God’s Word consistently, perhaps you’ll want to take it deeper and try memorizing a verse. Tell the group which one you plan to try this week and talk about your progress and challenges when you meet next time.
Daily Devotionsi
DAY 1
Read Ephesians 2:4-7
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
REFLECT
How does this passage demonstrate the transfer of earthly wealth to heavenly riches?
DAY 2
Read Psalm 36:7-8
“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.”
REFLECT
How are you feasting on God’s abundance?
DAY 3
Read Leviticus 23:22
“And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.”
REFLECT
How are you meeting the needs of others as God instructs us to do?
DAY 4
Read Romans 12:1
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
REFLECT
How can you offer yourself as a sacrifice to God today?
DAILY DEVOTIONS
DAY 5
Read Hebrews 9:27
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,”
REFLECT
Although this thought seems bleak, how does this verse affect your thinking on generosity?
DAY 6
Reflect
Reflect on the verses from this past week, and use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind from this session or during your Daily Devotions and Reading Plan.
The Leverage: Using Temporal Wealth for Eternal Gain book is a great way to reinforce what you are learning in your small group time every week. The work you do on your own will greatly benefit you and your group time.
☐ DAY 1: Read pages 37-41.
☐ DAY 2: Read pages 41-44.
☐ DAY 3: Read pages 44-47 & explore generosity stories, best practices, and insights by scanning this QR Code or going to: bluetrust.com/leverage/session3
☐ DAY 4: Read pages 93-99.
☐ DAY 5: Read pages 99-105 & explore generosity stories, best practices, and insights by scanning this QR Code or going to: bluetrust.com/leverage/session3
☐ DAY 6: Reflect on the verses, devotions, and reading from this week.
It All Belongs to God
The de las Alases know what it is to have little and to have much. Both Gil and Jeane grew up in families who emigrated from the Philippines. Their parents worked hard and sometimes scraped to get by. When the couple had children, they made a tough but important decision that Jeane would stay home to raise their four children, making Gil the sole breadwinner.
Gil experienced much success in his human resources career, and the couple was blessed to be able to give away 15% of their income and strive for an even higher percentage. The importance of generosity is a legacy the family desires to instill in their children. They encourage them to set aside a portion of the money they earn to give to their Sunday school classes for God’s work around the world.
The family also teaches their children the importance of giving not only financially but also with their time and talents. Whether it’s through supporting international organizations or being a part of their church’s mission work, the de las Alases are committed to the belief that all the gifts they have been given are owned by God and that we are called to hold them with an open hand.
A God Jar, a Son’s Heart, a Legacy
Brad Larson was only 22 when he was tragically killed in an automobile accident during his senior year at Taylor University. What his parents, Sherry and David Larson, discovered about their son after his death led them to think differently about what it means to have the heart of a giver.
In their growing-up years, the Larson children were encouraged to set aside 10% of the money they earned for savings and 10% for God. This lesson in accountability and generosity connected with Brad, and he was committed to it. As the Larsons looked through Brad’s things after his death, they discovered a glass jar labeled with masking tape that said “God Jar.” In the jar, Brad had set aside over $600 to give to God’s work.
Along with this discovery, the Larsons were blessed with hundreds of letters from people whose lives Brad had impacted. One note described how meaningful it was when Brad gave a high school friend an envelope with $100 for her upcoming mission trip. The Larsons have been blessed by Brad’s reflections and prayers found in his journals, and they compiled them into a book to provide encouragement to others.
Read the Full Story