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Discussion Guide on August 2 Message

(To be discussed on August 9)

MORNING MESSAGE

Stewardship – Malachi 3:6-10

Message Outline:

Baptist Faith and Message:  God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.

Big Idea:  Give God what He deserves.

Principles for Joyful Giving

I)            God owns everything. I’m just His money manager. (6)

II)          My heart always goes where I put God’s money. (7)

III)        Heaven, not earth, is my home (7b-8)

IV)         Giving is the only antidote to materialism. (9)

V)           God prospers me not to raise my standard of living but my standard of giving. (10)

Leading the Session Helps/Discussion Questions

v  Which of the 5 points from the sermon is the hardest for you to agree with?

v  How does the fact that God doesn’t change speak to the fact that He owns everything?

v  What is a proper perspective of your material possessions?

v  Why is money such a descriptor of your heart? Here’s a great evaluation of where your passions are: What do you think about doing when you get extra money?

v  Can you think of another verse of Scripture that points you to the fact that your investments should be toward the Kingdom?

v  Is it unwise to plan for your financial future? What is a proper balance between providing for present and future needs of your family and investing in the Kingdom’s work?

v  Larry presented this prayer, “Lord, make what will be most important to me 5 minutes after I die important to me now.” What is the value of this prayer?

v  Characterize spiritually what not giving a tithe is. (sin) Characterize a willingness to keep on not tithing. (living in sin and unrepentant sin)

v  When is it ok to test God? (when He says to) So why don’t we? What is it saying to God silently if we don’t trust Him to give a tithe? (That He is really not capable of taking care of us. Not tithing is a faith issue.)

v  (From the teacher) If I told you that if you tithed I’d take care of you if you fell short at the end of the week, or month, would you do it? If you would, but won’t trust God to take care of you, you trust me more than God.

Application