Plastic Donuts: “Giving that Delights the Heart of the Father” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (Pt 1 of 2) 2/5/2023
· What comes to mind when you think about pleasing God?
· What comes to mind when you hear the words “money” and “church” together? ____________________________________
QUESTION #1: What is an acceptable gift to God?
1. Look up the Scriptures below and answer this question:
a. What is the Biblical Definition of “acceptable”?
adequate, barely good enough, just squeaking by
pleasing, delightful, surprising, perfect, tearful, proud, ecstatic happiness
Genesis 4:3-5 ____________________________________________
Hebrews 11:4 ___________________________________________
Psalm 19:14 _____________________________________________
Isaiah 58:5 ______________________________________________
Leviticus 1:3, 9, 13, 17; 22:20 _______________________________
Romans 12:1 ____________________________________________
Philippians 4:18 (Amplified Version) _________________________
b. Not all gifts are the same to God. Not all are acceptable.
QUESTION #2: Does the amount we give to God matter?
2. What percentage of your income do you give to your home church and other para-church organizations/charities? _______
3. Does the amount you give matter? [circle one: YES or NO]
(2 Samuel 24:22-25; Matthew 6:21)
a. My giving needs to impact my lifestyle in order to get my heart’s attention.
b. God doesn’t want the same gift from all His children. He wants a personal gift.
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4. Why do you give financially to Epic Christian Church?
I don’t because I:
o don’t believe in the church’s mission.
o don’t trust the leaders.
o have never been taught about it.
o have overcommitted myself financially and don’t have any “discretionary” money.
I give:
o out of guilt; begrudgingly.
o out of obligation; I’m supposed to tithe (give 10%).
o to earn brownie points with God; to gain His favor.
o out of joy; to be part of building God’s Kingdom!
5. What do we learn from the Apostle Paul about giving?
6 Remember this--a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT)
6. God commands us to give freely.
(Exodus 25:2; Deuteronomy 15:7-8, 11; 16:10)
7. We get to determine the amount of our gifts. There is tremendous God-given freedom AND responsibility in that.
Next Week (2/12):
· QUESTION #3: What is the acceptable standard of giving?
· QUESTION #4: What makes our gift pleasing to God?
Resources:
-Plastic Donuts by Jeff Anderson
-RightNow Media video library: text EPICCHRISTIAN to 49775
OR https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/epicchristian ; get app
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- **do me a favor--if you are using this, please text or email me so I know if I should keep doing it or not, thanks! Pastor Jim
