What Are the Answers?

1. What can keep us from being generous? Explore as a group the potential answers to this question. Then let everyone engage on the second question. This topic of giving may be uncomfortable at first, but talk about the heart issues and how giving changes us to become generous with our material possessions, our time, and our talents.
2. The churches in Macedonia were under severe trial and in extreme poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-4). Their heart attitude can be seen in their begging to give more money to help the believers in Jerusalem, though they had little themselves. Their actions were to initiate with Paul to be allowed give to the needs they had heard about, and then to give lavishly to those needs. The contrast is seen in their abundant joy and rich generosity versus their great poverty. (See also Philippians 4:14-19 as another example of people in poverty giving so the gospel could go forward.)
3. Let everyone engage with this question. The following are some truths to point out from studying 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. We reap what we sow and in the manner in which we sow. To sow, in this case, means to plant a seed in order to grow a plant of the same kind. We will only see a plant grow that is of the exact seed (beautiful or ugly!) which we have sown, and in the amount which we have sown. Also we can freely, cheerfully give whatever amount we decide to give, without feeling guilty; God will put vision on our hearts to give to what He is doing. God loves a cheerful giver! (See also Galatians 6:6-10 regarding sowing and reaping.)
4. In 1 Timothy 6:17-18, we see that we are not to be prideful or to fix our hope on riches. Instead, we are to hope in God, who abundantly provides all that we need. We are to be rich in good works, generous, ready to share. We must always be on guard against materialism. Why? Because riches could disappear in an instant! Here we are challenged to have an eternal perspective as we store up for the future to provide not only for ourselves, but also for the kingdom.
5. In Proverbs 3:5-8, the main idea is to trust in God with our whole heart, to humbly acknowledge God’s leadership in all areas of our lives. He is wise; we are not to trust only in our own understanding. We must turn away from evil and let Him show us what steps to take. Proverbs 3:9-10 instructs us to honor the Lord from the first part of our wealth and not from what is left over. As a result, God will abundantly provide for us. This does not mean that we are exempt from difficulties or challenges, and we may still experience financial hardships. But He will meet our needs. His blessings coming back to us may be in the form of having peace of mind, knowing we’ve honored Him.
6. Give your group members time to think this over, look back at verses if they want to, and write out a few phrases or sentences that express what meant the most to them. Then let them share with each other, so that they may more easily apply these important principles of stewardship to their lives.

©2014 Cru. All rights reserved. “Financial Faithfulness” is one of The Community series of Bible studies designed to be taught in group settings, one-on-one, or in seminar format. We'd love to hear your feedback. Please write us at resources@cru.org. This study can be freely printed for ministry and personal use. A link to this study may be posted on your website, but no content from this study may be included in another work or posted directly on a website without written permission from Cru.