Generosity Series - There Is More Joy in Giving Than Receiving

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There Is More Joy in Giving Than Receiving

Treasures in Heaven: Matthew 6:19-21

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  

Observations and Questions:

• "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...": What kinds of "treasures on earth" might Jesus be referring to in our modern context? Why do you think He warns against primarily focusing on these?

• "...where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.": These are vivid images of the impermanence and insecurity of earthly wealth in Jesus' time. How do these images translate to the ways our possessions can be lost, devalued, or become sources of anxiety today?

• "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...": What does it mean to store up treasures in heaven? What kinds of actions or attitudes might contribute to this?

• "...where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.": What qualities of heavenly treasures make them so secure and lasting? How does focusing on these kinds of treasures impact our perspective on earthly challenges?

• "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.": What does it mean that our heart follows our treasure? How does where we invest our time, energy, and resources reveal our true priorities and affections?

  
  

No One Can Serve Two Masters: Matthew 6:24

 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."  

Observations and Questions:

• "No one can serve two masters.": Why is it impossible to truly serve two masters with conflicting demands? What are some inherent conflicts between the values and priorities of serving God and serving "money" (or material wealth in general)?

• "Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.": Do you think this is always a conscious decision? How might we unconsciously drift towards serving one over the other?

• "You cannot serve both God and money.": What are the fundamental differences in where our ultimate allegiance and trust lie when we serve God versus when we serve money? How does the pursuit of wealth sometimes conflict with the teachings and values of Jesus?

Connecting the Sections:

• How does the warning about serving two masters in verse 24 connect to the discussion about earthly versus heavenly treasures? What is the ultimate "master" that earthly treasures can lead us to serve?

• What are some practical ways we can cultivate a focus on heavenly treasures?

• How can we discern whether we are truly serving God or if we are being subtly influenced by the desire for material wealth?

Personal Reflection questions:

• Where do you tend to invest most of your time, energy, and resources? What does this reveal about your treasures and the direction of your heart?

• What are some "earthly treasures" that might be subtly competing for your devotion?

• In what ways can you actively "store up treasures in heaven" this week?

The Elders Challenge.

• Do you agree with the idea that giving is a ‘spiritual’ issue?

• Are we as a church relying on past generations generosity and falling short ourselves?

• Malachi 3:10, "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that 1 there will not be room enough to store it.' Our God is generous and he calls us to be generous, do you think our giving is reflecting a lack of trust in God’s provision?

• What is your understanding of tithing and giving? Are they the same or different?

• How conscience are you of your giving being an act of obedience ans spiritual discipline?

• How can we as a church and as individuals rise to the challenge of giving to meet our basic needs as a church?