Review this week's message.

Key Thought:

We are blessed to be a blessing

Key Quote

“A meaningful life isn’t built by what you consume, but by what you contribute.” Pastor Bil Cornelius

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• How much did your first job pay?
• If you could only be one, would you rather be rich or famous?
• What was your dream job growing up?
• Do you or someone you know collect old coins?

Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.

• Jesus talked about money more than any other topic; why do you think that is?
• Why is it better to give than to receive?
• Why is money often harder to give up than anything else?
• In what ways does the tithe build the reach of the local church?

Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.

• If you have ever given financially to someone in need, how did it make you feel?
• What was the financial situation like in your house growing up? How do you think that impacts the way you handle money today?
• How can you change your money management habits to better honor God?
• How does giving demonstrate God’s love?

Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.

Dear Jesus, thank you so much for modeling generosity for us by giving your one and only Son. Remind us daily that we should live generously by tithing what you’ve given us. Amen.

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• As a group, brainstorm a way to do something irrationally generous, then do it.
• If you’re not giving your full 10% (with your time and money) commit to doing so starting right now.
• For those who aren’t tithing at all, commit to the 90 Day Tithe Challenge. (insert link)
• Sit down with someone you respect (a mentor, parent, pastor) and talk about any hesitancies you have with the tithe. Address the hesitancies with Scripture and what God says about it.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7 NIV

Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 MSG

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 NIV

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10 NLT

But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. Isaiah 32:8 NLT

Tell people to use their money to do good… By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven – it is the only safe investment for eternity! 1 Timothy 6:17-19 TLB

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT

Scriptures

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7 NIV

Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 MSG

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 NIV

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10 NLT

But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. Isaiah 32:8 NLT

Tell people to use their money to do good… By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven – it is the only safe investment for eternity! 1 Timothy 6:17-19 TLB

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT