Well Spent

In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has done more than you could have ever asked or imagined. To follow Jesus, you must continue to trust Him to do what you cannot. That means you must be willing to give what you have, focusing on the power of Jesus rather than your limited resources

KEY VERSES

MALACHI 3:8-12 (NASB)

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts. 12 “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.

MATTHEW 6:24 (NASB)

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

MATTHEW 28:18-20 (NASB)

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

UNDERSTANDING

  • If you unexpectedly received $50,000 tonight, what do you think you would do with the money? How much do you think you would save? Spend? Would you give any away? Why or why not?

  • What is the first thing you usually do on payday? Has that always been the first thing? How have your payday spending habits changed over the years?

  • How does where we spend our money first reveal our hearts?

  • Can you do something willingly and cheerfully if it is also something required of you?

    Name examples where this is true.

  • In what way is it robbing God to not tithe? What does the word “rob” indicate belongs to God?

  • Does it make a difference in how you feel about tithing if you know where your money is going? Why or why not?

  • What do you think God meant that the whole nation was under a “curse”? What consequences are there for us at LCCC if we do not give financially as God commands us to?

  • What do you think is meant by the directive to bring the whole tithe “into the storehouse”?

  • What would happen if all of us gave our tithes to ministries outside the church (like cancer research, child relief organizations, or those working to end human trafficking)?

  • What does God mean by “Test Me” in this passage? Does “blessing” in this verse necessarily mean monetary blessings?

  • What are some other ways God can bless your obedience in giving?

  • How have you experienced God’s blessings from giving?

  • APPLICATION

  • How do God’s promises in Malachi counter any fear or apprehension you might have about tithing?

  • Do you really believe God’s promise in verse 10? Have you ever truly tried to trust this promise in the way that you give? What did that look like?

  • If God promised to bless you, should you only give to get a blessing? Why else should you give?

WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?

Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you. 

GIVING

Everything that happens at LCC is because of your generous gifts. When you give to God through LCC, you're helping reach thousands with the Gospel each week and are making a difference for the Lowcountry and around the world.

Nick Bynumspecial sermons