As believers, we view our resources differently than the world. The way we steward what we have reflects our faith—it reveals what we value. Jesus said, “Where your money is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34) As a church, we want to be a people who give courageously, storing up for ourselves treasure in heaven because we have faith in the One who provides and gives generously to us.

Scripture References

Luke 16:1-15
Hebrews 11:6
Luke 12:32-34
1 Peter 1:3-4

The Name of Jesus Christ | Grace Church Worship | iTunes
Philippians 2:6-11 • Isaiah 45:22-23

I See the Lord | Vertical Church Band | iTunes
Psalm 34:3

Trust You | Aaron Keyes | iTunes
Galatians 1:15 • Jeremiah 9:23-24 • Isaiah 26:4

This I Believe | Hillsong Worship | iTunes
1 Corinthians 15 • John 3:16 • Romans 1:16-17 • Hebrews 1

Seas of Crimson | Bethel Music | iTunes
Isaiah 53:4-5 • Matthew 26:28 • Revelation 12:11

1. God makes unblushing promises of reward in Heaven in return for our sacrifices and generosity on Earth. Do you have faith that we will be rewarded for our generosity? How do you consider this truth when evaluating the condition of your heart?
2. We have to choose between having faith in the solidity of this world or in the solidity of our eternal future. Our spending exposes the reality of our soul; it tells us what we think is “solid” and “lasting.” Which reality have you been embracing with your resources? What does your budget reveal about your soul? How can you begin to look at things through an eternal perspective?
3. Our trust in God can be determined by examining the last time we felt powerless and out of control. Think about a time when your resources could not help you or deliver you from the situation that you were facing. What did your faith look like in those circumstances?
4. We should be able to self-identify where we are with regard to our giving and finances in order to create movement towards being courageously generous. Consider the giving guide and evaluate where you currently fall. What choices have you made to find yourself here? What steps do you need to take in order to move towards being a “courageous” giver? What keeps you from moving?

Thoughts to Consider

– Being trustworthy with earthly wealth enables us to be trusted with eternal riches.
– Faith enables us to see what is unseen and trust in God’s provision over our finances.
– There is a continuity between who we are now and who we will be in eternity; we need to be self aware of what our generosity looks like in this world.
– When we try and seek reward in this world instead of in eternity, we are living apart from the hope that is more solid and more certain than death.

Giving Guide

Consumer: We are self-focused, impulsive, and convinced that things will “add” to our lives; we consume instead of invest.
Casual: We give sporadically, emotionally, and passively, and only when it makes us feel good.
Reluctant: There is no joyful freedom in our giving; we give out of guilt and are missing the faith aspect of giving. We are fearful of giving without knowing the future.
Intentional: We joyfully give of the first fruits of what God gives to us. We trust that our resources and future are God’s anyway and give out of response to His blessing.
Courageous: We share everything we have joyfully, trusting in God’s care. We put ourselves in a position where if God doesn’t act on our behalf, we will look reckless, and we are eternally focused, waiting expectantly for God to move.