Give Money Generously

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Give Money Generously

• August 21

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Think about it

• What is the most generous act you have ever
  witnessed?
• God calls us to use what we have to invest in the
  lives of others.
• Today we look at the concept of generosity

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Listen for two different lifestyles

• Proverbs 1123, 27 (NIV) The desire of the
  righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the
  wicked only in wrath. 27 He who seeks good
  finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who
  searches for it.

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Contrast in Lifestyles

• What determines the destiny of the righteous and
  the wicked?
• What is a benefit of earnestly seeking good?
• What is the outcome of living an evil and
  troubled lifestyle?
• Why is this saying true? If youre looking
  for trouble, youll certainly find it

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Contrast in Lifestyles

• In what ways does our culture hope for wickedness
  or search for evil?
• What are ways we can be desiring righteousness or
  seeking good?
• How does this kind of desiring and seeking affect
  our attitudes towards our finances?
• Again, this lesson is talking about money and how
  we use it. Why are money and finances neither
  good nor bad in themselves?

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Listen for results of generosity.

• Proverbs 1124-26 (NIV) One man gives freely,
  yet gains even more another withholds unduly,
  but comes to poverty. 25 A generous man will
  prosper he who refreshes others will himself be
  refreshed. 26 People curse the man who hoards
  grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to
  sell.

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Be Generous

• What is the paradox described in verse 24?
• What promise is given to the generous in verse
  25?
• Lets restate these verses by contrasting the
  results of generosity and of stinginess.
• Why would people curse the man who hoards
  grain?

Results of generosity Results of being stingy

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Be Generous

• In what ways can a person, business or church
  that gives generously be enriched?
• Why does having limited resources not excuse us
  from obeying Gods instructions about the use of
  our money ?
• What does our generosity say to those who do not
  know Christ?
• How does generous giving enrich the life of the
  believer?

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Listen for misplaced trust.

• Proverbs 1128-29 (NIV) Whoever trusts in his
  riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive
  like a green leaf. 29 He who brings trouble on
  his family will inherit only wind, and the fool
  will be servant to the wise.

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Honor God with Your Money

• What is the result of trusting in money?
• According to these verses, what is the outcome of
  living an evil and troubled lifestyle?
• Why are riches a poor source of security?

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Honor God with Your Money

• What is another promise given to the righteous?
• How do we change the mentality we pick up from
  our materialistic culture?

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Application

• Keep focused.
• Write Proverbs 1124 on a card and place it in
  your purse or wallet
• You will see it as you make spending decisions
• Allow Gods Word to shape how you respond to the
  needs of others

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Application

• Give back
• Be generous in a tangible way this week
• Help someone in need who cannot pay you back
• Leave an oversized tip provide a meal to a
  homeless person donate something you still use
  

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Application

• Give together
• Work with members of your group to pool resources
• Do something big for a family with a need in your
  church or community

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Give Money Generously

• August 21