This world teaches us to be selfish, looking out for ourselves and ourselves alone. For example, the world operates under the mindset that we need every penny we earn, so we deserve to keep everything we earn and own for ourselves. In a world where self-centeredness is common, God calls His followers throughout Scripture to live differently. He calls us to generosity, recognizing that we have a responsibility to help meet needs and care for those around us. After all, our generous God always provides us with enough and what we need.
Who is the most generous person you know? Why?
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1. Read Luke 12:13-15. How would you have expected Jesus to answer the man’s request in this passage of Scripture? How is Jesus’ response different from what you may have expected?
Luke 12:13-15
Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” 14Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
2. What did Jesus teach the man in Luke 12 (and the watching crowd) by His response?
3. Read Luke 12:16-21. What was the man in this story’s problem, and name some of the ways that he could have solved his problem?
Luke 12:16-21
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 21“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
4. What verse or sentence do you think summarizes the main point of Jesus’ parable? Why?
1. What holds people back from practicing generosity?
2. Name one or two ways that God has been generous toward you. How does His generosity toward you motivate you to be generous toward others?
3. When it comes to your own generosity, what is going well, and where is there room for improvement?
What would it look like for you to take a step toward generosity this week? Maybe you can help provide resources for Community Connect, one of our amazing ministries, which serves people in need by providing food, clothing, and personal care items to Albuquerque neighborhoods. Maybe you can take a step toward being generous toward God by committing to tithe. Whatever it looks like for you, share your answer with your group and commit to taking that step toward generosity this week. Pray for each other throughout the week to have the courage to take these steps.
When we think about generosity, we automatically think about acts of generosity. The truth is, however, generosity extends beyond actions. After all, one can be generous with their actions, but still have a greedy heart. On the other hand, a genuinely generous person demonstrates a heart of generosity along with their generous actions. For the next few moments, we will look at three heart postures that demonstrate that someone is not just generous with their actions, but also with their heart: generous generosity, cheerfulness, and contentment.
Many of us give what some might call “the bare minimum.” We give, but our generosity is, in a word, lacking. Scripture teaches a far better way. We are called to live with generous generosity. After all, God has been outrageously generous to you and me, and our generosity should reflect Him and His remarkable generosity toward us.
1. Read 2nd Corinthians 9:6.
2nd Corinthians 9:6
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.
2. What is the impact of demonstrating generous generosity, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. When has someone extended generosity toward you, and what was its impact?
4. What holds you back from extending generous generosity at times?
Anyone can be generous with their actions, quick to say yes and help when someone presents a need that you can help meet. It is possible to give, however, with open hands and a closed-off heart. The generosity that honors God, however, is cheerful, willing generosity where we give gladly out of the abundance God has given us.
1. Read 2nd Corinthians 9:7.
2nd Corinthians 9:7
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.”
2. Does giving “cheerfully” come naturally to you? Why or why not?
3. Why can we give cheerfully, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. Describe the impact of giving cheerfully, according to this passage of Scripture.
We will never have grateful hearts if we are not satisfied with what we have. If we feel we need every penny we earn, we will always have a bit of greed, even when our actions are generous. Genuine generosity is modeled with a content heart, knowing that God has given you all you need and that what you have is more than enough.
1. Read 2nd Corinthians 9:8-10.
2nd Corinthians 9:8-10
8And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
2. Why can we give with a heart of contentment, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. What should be our motivation to give with a heart of contentment, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. Describe a time when God provided for you during a time of need. How does God’s provision motivate you to give with a heart of contentment?
Which heart posture would you like to grow in: generous generosity, cheerfulness, or contentment? Share your answer with your group, along with one way you can grow in that area starting this week. After everyone is finished, pray together, asking God to help each one of you take steps toward generosity this week.
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