Sow (part 2): Shared

TO START

Tell your group a story about a time as a kid when you were forced to share something you didn’t want to share. Or when you thought you were going to hate sharing and actually liked it.

 

TO DISCUSS

What does it mean to “share”? Think of examples of things you might share. How does that terminology shape our understanding of what’s happening when we give our money?

This Sunday we said, “Generosity isn’t just giving something away but sharing it.” Have you ever had the privilege of sharing in the fruit of your giving? Share stories.

Consider the things you get to share in because of your RRCOC giving. Make as long a list as you can come up with. Then pray thanksgiving over the list.

Do you sometimes struggle to give without strings attached or do you only give when the money will be used in a specific way you want it used? How much “say” should we expect when it comes to our giving? Are we only supposed to give when we get to share in the enjoyment of our sacrifice?

 

TO READ

Read Acts 4:32-35.

  • What precipitated the Christians’ eager giving?
  • What was the result of their giving?
  • What can we learn about giving from this example?

Read I Timothy 6:17-19.

  • Not only do we get to share in our giving here and now, what other long term benefits are there to our generosity?
  • What is “the life that is truly life”?
  • How might putting our hope in wealth hogtie our generosity? How does putting our hope in God change the way we handle money?

 

TO PRAY

Tonight, pray what David prayed after the people gave generously. Read I Chron. 29:10-14 aloud together:

“Praise be to you, Lord,

   the God of our father Israel,

   from everlasting to everlasting.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power

   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,

   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;

   you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;

   you are the ruler of all things.

In your hands are strength and power

   to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks,

   and praise your glorious name.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

 

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