It s Your Move CrossPoint Adult Bible Study October 26, Number One Obstacle to Faithful Generosity: Fear

Transcription

1 It s Your Move CrossPoint Adult Bible Study October 26, 2014 Number One Obstacle to Faithful Generosity: Fear The month of October is a time when CrossPoint emphasize faithful generosity via It s Your Move. Our pastor and church leaders pray that we will all use this time to examine our spiritual growth and the connection to faithful generosity. CrossPoint has grappled with the concept of faithful generosity. How do we teach this important biblical concept? Faithful generosity is more about obedience than finances, but how can we successfully teach that message? To help understand the obstacles to faithful generosity, Ryan asked CrossPoint members to anonymously but frankly tell what keeps each of us from being generous. CrossPoint members responded and were totally honest with their answers. There were four specific areas that CrossPoint identified in their personal life as obstacles to being more generous: #4 Many said that they needed more INCOME. #3 Other people confessed to being consumed by GREED. #2 Many admitted to being shackled by DEBT. #1 The most common obstacle that hindered generosity was FEAR. Last week we discussed items #4 Income, #3 Greed, and #2 Debt. Today we will examine the number one obstacle that CrossPointers said keeps them from faithful generosity Fear. There are several areas where fear may be an obstacle to faithful generosity: a. Fear of not having enough money to give and pay bills. b. Fear of economic uncertainty. c. Fear of job loss. d. Fear of trusting finances to the Lord. (Ask class) Have you ever experienced fear in any of these areas? What advice would you offer to someone who is experiencing fear in one of these areas? A minister was teaching a series on stewardship. When the ushers had taken up the offering, the minister asked them to bring the plates to him in the pulpit. He held the plates up and prayed, Lord, regardless of what we say about trusting you, this is really how we feel about It s Your Move: Number One Obstacle to Faithful Generosity: Fear. October 26, 2014 Page 1

2 you. Lord, you told us that our heart will be in the same place as our treasure, and apparently some folks here have asked Christ into their heart but their commitment does not extend to their wallet. Many Christians have a difficult time trusting God with their finances. This is an area where spiritual faith intersects with physical needs. We are taught that we can trust the Lord to save us or heal us, and we put our faith in Him in those areas. But many people are nervous about tithing, because they wonder if they will have enough to pay their bills if they tithe. Many people find that their finances are a wreck, and they turn to God as a last resort because they have no other option. Today we are going to discuss several examples where people trusted God and he supplied for them. The Bible records many situations where the Lord supernaturally intervened to ensure provisions for people who trust Him. 1 Kings 17:8-16 records a beautiful story where a widow trusted God. 1 Kings 17:8-16 says: 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 Arise, go to Zarephath (pronounced ZAIRuh-fath), which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you. 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand. 12 And she said, As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die. 13 And Elijah said to her, Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth. 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. (Ask class) Do you think the widow was worried when she heard the request from Elijah? (Ask class) What options did the widow have? (Ask class) If she had not followed Elijah s instructions would the widow have had enough food? (Ask class) Why is it important that she gave the first portion and used the rest for her needs? It s Your Move: Number One Obstacle to Faithful Generosity: Fear. October 26, 2014 Page 2

3 While teaching the Dave Ramsey s Financial Peace University, I have had several people candidly tell me that they would like to be givers, but there is simply not enough money after paying the bills. They are usually shocked by my suggestion: Make giving the top line on your budget. As we begin to teach budgeting, many of them understand the concept of putting God first even in their finances and putting everything else second. I believe that putting God first is a fundamental spiritual concept that is true in our will and in our finances. This is a concept that we find throughout the Bible. The first example is found in Genesis 4:3-5 which says: 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. Why did God accept Abel s offering but reject Cain s offering? At first glance one may think that God had regard for Abel s offering because it was an animal which contained blood while Cain s offering was fruit. We know that Hebrews 9:22 says: 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Certainly without the blood of Jesus we could never have been redeemed. However, this was well before the law was given through Moses so they did not yet understand the importance of blood offerings. Leviticus 2 tells us that God provided precise instruction for grain offerings, and clearly grain offerings were also acceptable to God. But notice Leviticus 2:14 says: 14 If you offer a grain offering of firstfruits to the Lord, you shall offer for the grain offering of your firstfruits fresh ears, roasted with fire, crushed new grain. My theory is that God found Abel s offering acceptable was because he presented the firstborn of his flock, just as He instructed the grain offerings to be from the first harvest not from the leftovers. The idea of giving God the first or firstfruits is found over and over throughout the Bible. The English Standard Version (ESV) speaks of firstfruits 33 times. Here are a few examples: Exodus 23:19 says: 19 The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. Proverbs 3:9-10 says: It s Your Move: Number One Obstacle to Faithful Generosity: Fear. October 26, 2014 Page 3

4 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. James 1: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. The simple explanation is that God wants first place not your leftovers. He has provided us with a plan and He has asked us to trust Him. Giving the first portion takes a leap of faith because we are in essence saying, I trust you Lord and I believe Your promise to provide for me. Jesus also teaches us the principle of putting God first in our lives and in our finances in Matthew 6:25-33 which says: 25 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Ask class) Which is more difficult: To put God first in our heart or to put God first in our finances? How are the two related? (Ask class) What are the advantages of putting God first in our finances? What are the disadvantages? Malachi 3:10 is God s invitation to trust Him. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. It s Your Move: Number One Obstacle to Faithful Generosity: Fear. October 26, 2014 Page 4

5 Malachi 3:10 is the only verse in the entire Bible where God invites us to put Him to the test. God has a plan and a purpose for every area of our lives, including our financial wellbeing. (Ask class) Have you taken a step of faith and experienced God pouring out blessings? Was it worth it? We live in a time of economic uncertainty. Many people have lost jobs because of downsizing, corporate mergers, or other effects of a shrinking economy. This is especially difficult for people who are accustomed to being self-reliant. This is an excellent time to become reliant on God instead of self. In 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Paul gives these instructions: 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. And in Hebrews 13:5-6 Paul says: 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? (Ask class) What specific suggestions would you offer to someone who is accustomed to being self-reliant financially? (Ask class) What happens when fear meets faith? The purpose of today s lesson has been to discuss fear as an obstacle to faithful generosity. These lessons have been very heavy with scripture because it is very important to understand that God s word addresses all of our fears. Soren Kierkegaard put it well when he said, When you read God's Word, you must constantly be saying to yourself, It is talking to me, and about me. God s word is talking to you and about you. If you are experiencing fear as an obstacle to faithful generosity, remember this: You are not alone. Every person who is now a faithful giver likely experienced situations very similar to the ones you are experiencing. There have been many people in our church who have walked a similar path and would be glad to privately share how they overcame fear with faith. If you are struggling with financial fear our church staff would be a great resource to help you, or they could connect you to another CrossPoint member who could encourage you and offer insight. But it takes a step toward discipleship from you. It takes a move from you. It s your move. How will you respond? It s Your Move: Number One Obstacle to Faithful Generosity: Fear. October 26, 2014 Page 5