In this second part of a short sermon series on the stewardship of our blessings from God, Pastor Smith leads us through a reflection on 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and Matthew 6:24-34. One of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of Christian generosity is a faith issue–do we trust in God to provide more of what we need in this life? Pastor Smith addresses this faith issue and leads us to see how God provides abundantly not only for our earthly needs but also our spiritual and eternal needs. Knowing this, may we, as God’s people, be generous and expect Him to take care of us continually!
The biggest problem related to Christian giving is the “problem of more.”
Greed is certainly a problem, too, but the focus today is the faith aspect of the “problem of more.”
The “problem of more” = We don’t always trust God to provide more
Matthew 6:24-34
If you are always worried about more, and where it will come from, then money becomes your master.
When you trust in God to provide the “more”, then giving money back to God becomes an act of faith and worship.
Do you trust in God to provide more of your spiritual and eternal needs?
Then trust in God to provide more of your earthly needs–that’s the easy part!
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Firstfruits giving = cheerfully and confidently giving back to God expecting that He will continually provide more.
Discussion Guide
What is the thing you are most worried about not getting more of? Why?
In what way does money operate as your master? How do you wish you could change your relationship with money?
Do you have a plan for generosity from what God has given you? If you do, what is it? If you don’t, what is holding you back from making a plan? What would it take to start a plan?
Share an example of a time when you didn’t know where “more” was coming from, and how God provided for you.
What does it mean to be a cheerful giver?