SeSSIoN 3

whAt we work for

2 8 S E S S I O N 3

Session 3

© 2013 LifeWay

What do you enjoy spending your money on?

B I B L E S T u D I E S F O R L I F E 29© 2013 LifeWay

the Point

the bibLe meets LifeWhat do you work for? A new car? Clothes? Paying off debt?

According to the National Retail Association, in 2011, Americans spent $10.7 trillion on shopping. Despite that figure, however, the world economy has challenged our circumstances—and our spending.

Some have lost jobs. Others have lost their homes or savings. Perhaps we’ve all lost a sense of security in the economy and the future. These losses cause us to ask: How can I save money to be prepared for the future? How can I cut my budget more than I already have? How can I fulfill the financial requests of groups, charities, and even my church when it takes all I’ve got just to survive?

God has given us work and income to take care of our needs, but He does not give us money to use only for ourselves. In Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians, we discover how God has entrusted money and resources to us so that we can support His work in the world today.

Support God’s kingdom work with your income.

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B I B L E S T u D I E S F O R L I F E 31

What Does the bibLe say?

Key Words

Deep poverty (v. 2)—Poverty in Macedonia was severe; among believers it was worse, made so by persecution for their faith. They were at rock bottom, destitute.

Wealth (v. 2)—Despite their destitution, Macedonian believers gave with a remarkable depth of generosity. Here, ”wealth” refers to the spirit and sacrifice with which they gave.

All diligence (v. 7)—Literally, this phrase means “haste” or “speed.” It refers to something done quickly or promptly, as with eagerness, zeal, diligence, or earnestness.

2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (HCSB)

1 we want you to know, brothers, about the grace of god granted to the churches of Macedonia:

2 during a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.

3 I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability,

4 they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints,

5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by god’s will.

6 So we urged titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you.

7 Now as you excel in everything—faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us—excel also in this grace.

8 I am not saying this as a command. rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love.

9 for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

© 2013 LifeWay

the Point Support God’s kingdom work with your income.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2

The apostle Paul was calling the believers in Corinth to excel in all areas of their lives, and he used the churches in Macedonia as an example. Severe testing and trials were pressing the Macedonians in ways unknown to the Corinthians. Even through these problems, the Macedonians were known for their generosity. Even though their poverty was severe and they operated out of rock-bottom destitution, the Macedonians did not practice their generosity because of their monetary wealth. They gave out of their spiritual wealth.

These Christ-followers in Macedonia personally experienced the grace of God. As they were growing in their faith, they learned that the same grace that had saved them from the penalty of their sin also had empowered them to live the Christian life. They gave from their spiritual wealth because of all that Jesus did in and through their lives. As they experienced God’s grace personally, they shared the grace of generosity with others. The Macedonians embodied two truths:

1. Generosity is a lifestyle that gives freely. When the grace of God makes us right with Jesus Christ, the condition of our heart changes forever.

2. A right heart results in open hands. The grace of God that changed their hearts also opened their hands. Open hands represent the core understanding that God owns everything and we own absolutely nothing.

Generosity is a matter of the heart. When our heart is right with God, generosity with others comes easily. The power of grace is the impetus for generosity.

Generosity is a common term in Scripture and society. What has it come to mean to you to be generous?

Q u e s t i o n 2

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2 Corinthians 8:3-7

Verse 5 gives testimony to the heart of the Macedonian Christians and churches: “Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God’s will.” On their own accord, they gave themselves to the Lord and then to God’s people. Notice the transition. After giving their hearts first to God, they gave themselves to the people by God’s will. How did they offer themselves to others?

] Willingly. They gave voluntarily to God’s work and His people. No one had to coerce or manipulate them to give. They gave because they wanted to give. Their giving was not only according to their ability, but beyond their ability.

] Sacrificially. With all they had, they met the needs of others. These Christ-followers were committed to be a part of the ministry that was taking place. They did not run from needs, they ran to them. Do you sacrificially deny yourself in order to help other people and the work of God across the world?

] Supremely. With an overflowing heart, they excelled in giving. While the Corinthian Christians were excelling in faith, speech, knowledge, diligence, and love, they were also being called to become supremely committed to giving. The apostle Paul would not let them give in a mediocre manner; he called them to give supremely.

Which is easier to excel in: speech, knowledge, love, or financial generosity? Why?

Q u e s t i o n 3

B I B L E S T u D I E S F O R L I F E 33© 2013 LifeWay

the Point

2 Corinthians 8:8-9

The Christian life is not without tests and trials. Beyond what we profess to believe, our actions ultimately tell the complete story. According to Paul, this opportunity to help the Jerusalem Christians would reveal the sincerity of their love.

Paul, who had just commended the attitude and giving of the Macedonians, reminded them of the highest example of self-sacrifice in giving—Jesus. Coming to earth as a man, Christ left the riches of heaven. He gave up a sinless existence so that humanity, poor and lost in sin, could become rich in forgiveness and mercy offered by Christ.

] Christ’s life was the ultimate demonstration of generosity. Before Christ, mankind was in a state of spiritual poverty. Our sin separated us from God. The riches of grace, forgiveness, and peace offered to us through Christ are the only way out of our sinful condition.

] Our giving is an appraisal of God’s worth. Selfless, unconditional generosity flow from a first-hand experience of God’s grace and mercy. Acknowledging our sinfulness and experiencing His undeserved grace, we grasp the greatness of God and His holiness. A deep gratitude expressed in our giving bears testimony to who God is and what He’s done.

Why do we sometimes see sharing as a burden instead of a privilege?

Q u e s t i o n 4

Support God’s kingdom work with your income.

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"I have had many things in

my hands that I lost . . . the

things that I placed in the

hands of God I still possess."

— m a r t i n l u t h e r

What motivates me?

Finish the following sentences.

I pay my car payment because …

I pay my rent or house payment because …

I pay my parking ticket because …

I give to the needy because …

I give to the church because …

Considering all we’ve discussed today, why should we give to

the church?

What can we change in our community if we, as a group, give generously?

Q u e s t i o n 5

B I B L E S T u D I E S F O R L I F E 35© 2013 LifeWay

the Point Support God’s kingdom work with your income.

In light of this session, how can you support God’s kingdom?

] Assess your outlook on money and possessions. Do you tend to view your resources as God-given tools to meet your needs and the needs of others? If not, ask God to help you view money and resources as He does.

] Say yes to one thing you know God wants you to do. Obedience in one area of life makes it easier to be obedient in other areas.

] Evaluate your financial management style to determine what it says about how you view God. Not the expression of gratitude you’d like it to be? Consider making adjustments that will enable you to display His generous nature.

Because of His great mercy, God paved the way for what generosity looks like and has invited us to join Him in His work on earth. Giving may not be easy, but it will always be worth it. Get caught up in the joy of spending for God’s kingdom.

Spend Less, Give more

Like many Americans, you may be feeling bruised by the nation’s economic problems and may be less inclined to stick with a giving plan. It can be tough to think about writing a check toward charitable causes when you’re struggling to pay monthly bills. Regardless of your situation, here are some tips that can help jump-start your giving plan.

to continue reading ”Spend Less, give More” from HomeLife magazine, visit BibleStudiesforLife.com/articles.

LiVe it out

Like many Americans, you may be feeling bruised by the nation’s economic problems and may be less inclined to stick with a giving plan. It can be tough to think about writing a check toward charitable causes when you’re struggling to pay monthly bills and put food on the table. But regardless of your situation, here are some tips that can help jump-start your giving plan.

Work With Your Existing IncomeBeing a good financial steward means wisely managing what God has given you. Whether you earn $30,000 or $100,000, it’s important to make good decisions about how to use those funds. The biblical definition of a tithe is giving 10 percent of earnings back to God through the church. If your giving doesn’t align with God’s command, start here. Malachi 3:10 even encourages you to test God with this to see Him provide in your obedience. If you still earn an income, you can and should be obedient by tithing. But, beyond tithing, how can you honor God by living generously?

1. Be honest. Why isn’t your giving plan where you want it to be? Is it because you suffered a drop in income or experi-enced a significant change in circumstances such as a major illness, birth of another child, or divorce?

Spend Less, Give MoreKeep living generously despite the economy.

2. Get your priorities in order. How much money do you spend on eating out, overpriced coffee drinks, and impulse purchases each week? According to an Accounting Principal Workonomix Survey released in 2012, the average worker spends an average of $2,000 on lunches and $1,092 on coffee each year. Even if you’re a faithful brown-bagger and brew your own coffee at home, it’s likely that there’s some area of impulse spending you can eliminate. Look for the little things you spend money on that add up to big bucks — like that afternoon trip to the vending machine.

3. Give up costly bad habits. If you’ve been trying to give up a bad habit such as smoking, think about the health benefits and money you’ll save as an incentive to kick the habit. Maybe you’re prone to online shopping and can’t keep track of what you’re spend-ing on all of those

“bargains.” Decide which habits you’re ready to beat and make a choice to put that money toward a giving plan. If neces-sary, get help from a pastor, counselor, or support group to break free of addictive behaviors that may be ruining your health and your finances.

4. Be consistent. It’s important to decide what percentage of income you’re going to give and set a regular timetable for doing it. For many people, it’s convenient to write a check each time they get paid. Others have automatic deductions from their paycheck go into a savings account designated specifically for tithing and other charitable giv-ing. Establish a system that works for you, and commit to sticking with it.

Finally, it’s important to remember that giving can also include your time. Even if you’ve been laid off from a job and have no income to give, you can still choose to volun-teer at your church or in your community and help those in need. Though churches and other organizations need funds to keep operating, they also need people who are willing to show up and help out when needed. •

Francine L. Huff, a former news editor and bureau chief with The Wall Street Journal, is the author of The 25-Day Money Makeover for Women (Revell). To learn more, visit huffwrites.com.

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FRANCINE L. HUFF money matters i

Being a good financial steward

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