The Israelite's freedom required a sacrifice, and the same is true today. If we love people and want others to hear the gospel and be transformed by Jesus's love, grace, and power, we must be willing to sacrifice for them as Jesus and others sacrificed for us.
REVIEW: Christians trust God rather than money.
- READ: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”
- DISCUSS: Giving to and trusting in God builds our faith and helps shape our hearts to look to God. How might giving to God help us to not place our trust in money?
REVIEW: Christians are generous rather than greedy.
- READ: 2 Corinthians 9:11, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
- DISCUSS: Are you living generously? What are some things you can do to become more generous - resulting in thanksgiving to God?
REVIEW: Christians invest in the eternal rather than the temporary.
- READ: Matthew 6:21, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
- DISCUSS: When we give, we are actually investing in our future. What we keep we ultimately will lose. What we give we ultimately will keep. Where are you storing up your treasure?
ASK:
What else did you get from this week's sermon? What actions or next steps can you take to apply it to your life?
PRAY:
For the Holy Spirit to help us take steps to become more generous, trusting in a God who sanctifies us, delivers us, and redeems us so that our lives become a testimony of God’s grace and power to the world.