Proverbs 3:9-20; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

SERMON SUMMARY

Cultivating a Gospel-motivated lifestyle of generosity starts with honoring God with everything you own, giving God the first and the best, and learning to live off the rest. Honoring God in this way opens the door for Him to bless you in a way that enables you to give even more generously to His work in the world.

*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS                  

Remember, these are “suggested” questions. You do not have to go through every single one of them. In fact, some of these questions may prompt other questions that may be important to group members. So, feel free to explore other questions as long as they don’t become “rabbit trails.

Read Proverbs 3:9-10 and 2 Corinthian 9:6-11

1. Why do people have such a negative reaction when preachers preach on money and generosity?
2. Charlie said, “Most American Christians don’t feel rich, but we are. Most American Christians think we’re generous, but we’re not.” Ask: What do you think about those two statements? What kind of evidence did Charlie give to back up those two statements? What about the first statement? Do you consider yourself to be “rich?” What about the second statement? Do you consider yourself to be a generous person?
3. Why do you think Jesus talked more about money than heaven or hell? (see Matthew 6:21)
4. The book of Proverbs talks a lot about money/wealth and generosity. Why do we need the wisdom of Proverbs to help guide us into a more generous lifestyle?
5. Proverbs teaches us that wise people are generous people and generous people are wise people. How so? What does the wisdom of Proverbs 11:24-25 teach us?
6. Read Proverbs 3:9 — This verse teaches us that wise people honor God in two ways. What are those two ways?
7. How do we honor God with our “wealth?” How do we honor God with the “first fruits” of all our income?
8. What was the purpose of offering a first-fruit sacrifice to God?
9. How is giving off the top of your income and learning to live off the rest an act of worship?
10. Read Proverbs 3:10 — How is the promise of the verse inviting us to trust God with finances?
11. Charlie listed other verses that teach this idea that God blesses generous givers. (Deuteronomy 15:7; Proverbs 11:24-25; 22:9; 28:27; Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38). You may want to have different people read one verse a piece. Then ask: How do the promises in these verses invite us to trust God more fully with our finances?
12. Why is “generosity theology” not the same as “prosperity theology?”