This lesson is about sharing what we have with others. God has given each one of us some possessions. Some people have many things and a great deal of money, while others have only a few things and very little money. Even so, God expects all of us to be ready to share with others what we have — whether it is much or little. Jesus wants us to use our possessions to prepare for our future life with Him. In this lesson we will learn:
- What does Jesus say about giving?
- How much should we give?
- The right attitude of the giver
- God’s promises to the giver
- The result of giving to God’s work in this world.
WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT GIVING?
- Matthew 5:42 — To whom should we give?
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:42)
- Matthew 22:21 — What should we give to God?
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:15-22)
What do we learn here about sharing what we have?
HOW MUCH SHOULD WE GIVE?
- Matthew 10:42 — Is there anything too small to give?
42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. (Matthew 10:42)
- Mark 12:41-44 — How much did the poor widow give?
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)
- Acts 4:32-35 — How willing were these people to share?
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. (Acts 4:32-35)
- Romans 12:8 — How much should we contribute toward meeting the needs of others?
8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:8)
- 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 — How much money should we give?
1 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 — What is the connection between sowing and reaping?
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
What does the Bible say about the amount we should give?
WITH WHAT ATTITUDE SHOULD WE GIVE?
- Luke 3:10-11 — What is our duty toward people who have no clothes or food?
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” (Luke 3:10-11)
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 — What attitude is offered to us here?
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- Galatians 6:2 — Whose loads and burdens should we carry?
2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
- 1 John 3:17-18 — What attitude is suggested to us here?
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:17-18)
What should our attitude be when we share our blessings with others?
GOD’S PROMISES TO THE GIVER
- Matthew 6:31-33 — What will God give to us?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31-33)
- 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 — How much will God give you?
8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)
- Ephesians 3:20 — What can God do?
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
- 2 Peter 1:3-4 — How much will God give us?
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
What are some of the promises God gives to those who give?
THE RESULTS OF GENEROUS GIVING
- Matthew 6:19-21 — What does our giving store up for us in heaven?
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
- Luke 6:38 — What will you receive if you give?
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)
- Luke 12:32-33 — What happens when we give to the poor?
32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. (Luke 12:32-33)
- Philippians 4:14-19 — What does God supply when we give?
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:14-19)
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19 — What will become of the generous giver?
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
- 1 Peter 1:4 — What will the generous giver inherit?
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
What awaits the generous giver in the future?
APPLICATION — When we give generously, God promises to meet all our needs, but He does not promise to indulge all our whims. We should not give to God’s cause merely because we want to receive something in return for our giving. Giving is an act of love. We give because we are grateful for what God has given to us. Out of grateful hearts we share what we have with others. Think of someone you know who is in need. Prepare your gift and give it to them or send it to them.