Generous Giving: Tithe, Temple, Treasury, Test
Summary
- Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12
- Series: Malachi: How Unchanging Love Changes Us
Discussion Questions
Read Malachi 3:1, 6-12
1) When you hear "tithes and offerings," what comes to mind? Does it bring up a certain emotion for you, positive or negative? Why?
2) "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me..." --
All that we have comes from God and belongs to God, and we are called to be stewards of God's resources. Why is a 'lack of generosity' or 'stinginess' much more serious than we think it is?
3) “It’s effortless to spend money on that which is your real god. The money just flows into the treasury of your real temple. Anything that’s just easy to spend money on is your real god. It’s your real savior and lord. It’s the real source of your hope, your meaning, your happiness, your significance, and security, no matter what you say you believe.” -Timothy Keller
Are you aware of the things in your life for which it is effortless to spend money? What value might your heart be placing on those things? What do you hope to gain?
4) "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." - 2 Corinthians 8:9
We give up everything and even die for what we truly treasure. Jesus died for you. When you see Jesus dying to make you his treasure, how does that affect your heart?
What would it look like to sit at the cross, rather than sitting with your calculator, when giving to God, ministry, mission and charity?