Summary
In this final sermon in a two-part series on generosity, Todd shares how God’s indescribable gift—His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, and the reconciliation we have through Him—should prompt us to be generous givers as well. In 2 Corinthians 8–9, we see that God doesn’t want anything from us, but rather for us. By encouraging us to be generous, He is not desiring to rip us off, but rather to set us free–even free to be conformed into the likeness of His Son, Who, “though He was rich, for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Discussion Questions
- Todd talked about “Cards Against Humanity” and their hole digging project that took place on Black Friday this year. Over $100,000 was given to dig a hole in the ground. Think through the “crap worth nothing” that you have thrown into “holes” over the years (maybe share some of your more embarrassing purchases and how others could have helped you invest more wisely had you brought it to the light of community before the purchase.)
- Read Matthew 6:19–23. Rather than investing in a hole that only gets bigger the more we spend on it, how does Jesus call us to invest? Do you believe His teaching on this, or are you still believing the lie that money makes a good master? If others were to review your finances for this year, what would this testimony say about what you value?
- Psalm 84:11 says that God withholds no good thing from those who trust in Him. What are different ways and other things with which you can be generous other than with your money? Share some stories of ways the Lord has allowed you to be generous and how that has encouraged you that God is loving to encourage you to be more generous still.
- Physics tells us that the greater an object’s mass, the more force is required to move that object. Physics also tells us that the greater an object’s mass, the greater its gravitational pull. Now, consider this mass to be the amount of wealth that God has entrusted to you to steward on His behalf. In view of 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, what is the “force” that sets you free you from money’s gravitational pull and moves you toward generosity?
- Read 2 Corinthians 9:1–15. Discuss the “law of the harvest” as Paul applies it to giving. How does this passage go against the teaching of the prosperity gospel, which teaches that we give to God in order to get prosperity (defined as health and wealth) in return? According to this passage, what is it that will increase the more we give? And what is the attitude with which we are called to give?
- Todd discussed the reality and the futility of those who “almost give.” We all do it, yet in the end, to “almost give” is no better than not giving at all. What if God only “almost gave” His Son to save us? Where are areas that you can turn almost giving into actual (and therefore effectual) giving? How can inviting community into discussion about your finances help? How did it help the Corinthians?