You’ve Lost it. Get it Back. Restoring Extravagant Generosity.

(Message 4) What’s your relationship with money like? Is it a tool or your master? Does it do what you tell it to, or does it limit your freedom? Money is a gift from God that is meant to be a blessing to us, to others, and even to God as we release our control of it to Him. Join us for “Restoring Extravagant Generosity” as we look at God’s desire for generous hearts. #GCGetItBack

Tithing is the antidote to greed.

Action Steps:

Give your life to Jesus first
Start today being a tither
Take Financial Peace University

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Key Scripture:

Malachi 3:6-12 (NLT)

6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’ 8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 12 “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT)

1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

2 Corinthians 8:6-12 (NLT)

6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.

7 Since you excel in so many ways-in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us -I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. 8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

If a rich relative died and left you $50 million, how would you spend it? What one thing in your life would change the most?

Start sharing. These questions are to help get your group thinking and to create openness.

Read Malachi 3:6-12. How were the Israelites cheating God? What blessings did God promise for those who tithed?
A recent survey revealed that less than 5% of American Christians tithe. If so many blessings come with tithing, why do so few Christians practice it?
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. Paul said the Macedonians were “very poor” yet had great joy and generosity. What would you say to the person who says, “I’ll be generous one day when we have more money?”
Pastor Troy said “tithing is the antidote to greed.” How does generosity protect us from greed?
Read 2 Corinthians 8:6-12. Summarize the teachings of these verses. How do we get to the place where we “give eagerly?” Where does that motivation come from?
Have you ever taken Financial Peace University or another financial course that taught Biblical principles? What impact did it have on your life?
What, if anything, is keeping you from practicing extravagant generosity?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

This week, evaluate your financial plan and tithing to help bring that part of your life in line with God’s plan for you.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

Pray that members of your group feel convicted to give according to scripture, generously and joyously, and according to what they have, trusting Jesus in their obedience and submitting their whole lives to Him.

Start digging. For further study.