Honor the Lord with your possessions,And with the firstfruits of all your increase;So your barns will be filled with plenty,And your vats will overflow with new wine.

PROVERBS 3:9-10

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AMOUNTTHE SERMON ON THE

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People love to complain that “all the church talks about is money.” In most cases, that’s unfair criticism, but consider this—Jesus talked about money more than almost any other subject except the Kingdom of God. He knew that our income and our attitude about it is actually a spiritual issue, and he didn’t shy away from addressing it. And if Jesus thought it was this important to teach his followers about money, the church should certainly study what He said.

Today we’re talking about the tithe, the biblical principle of giving a set percentage of our income back to God and His work. As we learn and share together, ask God to help you understand his Word and apply it to your life.

What is your favorite thing to spend money on? Shoes, tools, clothes, stuff for the house, travel, eating out?

Have you ever given more than you thought you could afford? What was the result?

GROWINGTOGETHER

WATCH THE DVD for this session now. Use the Notes space provided on page 32 to record key thoughts, questions, and insights you want to remember. After watching the DVD, have someone read the discussion questions on the following page and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.

Outward obedience is evidence of an inward commitment. “

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Respond to the idea that you can’t become a fully developed follower of Christ without becoming a fully developed steward of your resources.

How can regular giving to God help us “remember” Him and His love?

Why do you think the Israelites ignored God’s tithing plan?

Why would God invite us to test Him with the tithe? Why is it so difficult to trust Him in this area but not in others?

How does God’s provision sometimes include what He doesn’t give us?

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AFTER watching the DVD teaching and discussing the previous questions, spend a few minutes studying this scripture passage that provides more insight into today’s topic.

LEARN TOGETHER

Why do you think Jesus watched the people giving?

Surely the large amounts given by the rich temple-goers were used for ministry. It is not that they didn’t matter. But why is the widow’s gift more significant? What does this teach us about the kind of giving that pleases God?

Read a few verses before this passage, and note that right before it, Jesus is chastising the teachers of the law for wanting to look important and have power. Why do you think Mark followed that teaching with this story? What does the contrast teach us?

The widow had so little, yet she gave both coins, not just one. What can we learn from her example?

Read Mark 12:41-44

41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

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SHARINGTOGETHER

I want to be all in.“

If you looked at your credit card bills or your checking account, what would it tell you about your priorities?

How should our understanding of who God is affect our attitude toward giving?

What does it mean to give God the best, with excellence? What would it look like for you to give this way?

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If you feel God is nudging you to go deeper, take some time between now and our next meeting to dig into His Word. Explore the Bible passages related to this session’s theme on your own, jotting your reflections in a journal or in this study guide. Want to go deeper? Select a few verses and try writing them in your own words. If you like, share them with the group the next time you meet.

Read Luke 19:1-10

In the ancient Middle East, it was considered extremely undignified for a man to run. What does this tell you about Zacchaeus’ desire to see Jesus?

Why do you think Jesus began the conversation by inviting himself to Zacchaeus’ house?

Why did it bother the people so much that Jesus wanted to spend time with Zacchaeus?

How did Zacchaeus demonstrate the connection between loving God and obeying Him?

FORADDITIONALSTUDY

PERSONALREFLECTION

PRAYINGTOGETHER

Dr. Jeremiah mentions that the Israelite people stopped tithing because they lacked confidence in God and His willingness to provide for their needs. It is so tempting for us to fall into the same trap: to feel overwhelmed by our bills and our debts (not to mention our wants!) and to keep every penny we earn to make ends meet.

The Israelites had been delivered from Egypt, led to the Promised Land, and then returned from exile. God had worked among them in mighty and miraculous ways for many years, but they ignored the past and focused on fear in the present.

It’s easy to criticize them, but we do the same thing. How has God provided for you? In what ways has He graciously and powerfully moved in your life? What moments of His faithfulness stand out in your walk with Him? Can you trust Him to work in your life and in your finances today?

As we’ve noted, money is a sensitive subject for people. How does this week’s topic make you feel—Guilty? Inspired? Angry? Motivated? As a group or in teams of two or three, spend some time praying for each other as we move forward in this study. Ask God to move in your hearts to hear His word and ask that each person have wisdom—and courage!—to follow it.

Invite group members to share other prayer requests, as well, and write them on your Prayer and Praise report on page 100.

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DAILYDEVOTIONS

Complete the Daily Devotions section. Each day, you’ll read just one portion of a passage of Scripture. Give prayerful consideration to what you learn about God, His Spirit, and His place in your life. Take your time! Listen to what God is telling you. Ponder and reflect. Then record your thoughts, insights, or prayer in the Reflect section below the verses you read. On the sixth day record a summary of what you have learned through this study.

Day 1Read Psalm 96:8

Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts.

Reflect:This week we talked about God as our King who deserves our very best. Start this week’s devotions by praising God for His majesty, His goodness, and His glory.

Day 2Read Ecclesiastes 5:10

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

Reflect:Often we think we’ll be happy with “just a little bit more.” What does this verse say is actually true? Do you think you’ll ever have “enough” money?

Day 3Read Luke 11:13

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

Reflect:One of the many ways God has been generous to us is with the gift of His Spirit. How has this gift blessed or helped you?

Day 4Read Philippians 4:12-13

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Reflect:We often hear verse quoted by itself, but it comes from a passage about being content in any circumstance. Do you need God’s strength to be satisfied with your current situation? Ask for His help today.

Day 5Read Proverbs 11:25

The generous soul will be made rich,And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Reflect:Does it seem backwards to you that you prosper by being generous? How can you “water” yourself by watering others?

Day 6 Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your mind and heart during your devotions this week.

Summary: Taking Action: What is one thing you will do as a result of what you’ve heard from God?

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Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

- Proverbs 3:9-10

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