CHRISTIANS AND FINANCE
LESSON 12: HOW TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL BLESSINGS
1. GOAL
Members will know how to receive financial blessings from the Lord.
2. CONTENT
2.1Introduction
a)God wants to bless us financially as much as possible according to the level of our ability and responsibility to handle money correctly.
b)In 2 Corinthians 8:9, the Bible says, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."
1 Timothy 6:17-19 says, "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 hole of the life that is truly life."
c)We become wealthy so that we can bless and expand God's work (2 Corinthians 9:8).
d)However, the question is, "How can we receive financial blessings from God?"
2.2Question
How do you think you can receive financial blessings from God?
a.______
b.______
c.______
2.3The Bible teaches us God's principles of how to be blessed financially
a.Proverbs 3:9-10 "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Giving the first fruits of all our crops to the Lord.
b.Malachi 3:8-10 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, `How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9You are under a curse --the whole nation of you --because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. "
Giving tithes to God.
c.Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. 2Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land."
Proverbs 11:24-25 "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
Developing a generous attitude in our hearts and actions.
d.1 Kings 17:8-16 (The widow at Zarephath and Eljah)
Mark 12:41-44 (The poor widow gave all she had to live on to God.)
Being a generous giver.
Giving even essential things for our lives to God and to His servants.
e.Luke 6:38"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."
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Giving cheerfully and willingly.
2.4Discussion questions
a.If you are financially poor, what should you do in order to come out from poverty?
b.As our God is very generous, what kind of person should we be?
c.When my wife got a new job, she wanted to give the first pay check to God totally. Do you think this practice is biblical according to Proverbs 3:9-10 or not?
d.If you want God to bless you financially, how will you adjust the amount of financial offering to the Lord? Pray to God and tell Him how much you want to give from now on.
e.Share the blessings you have received from God when you give wholeheartedly.
f.What does God teach you today?
2.5A special note
Is it wrong for Christians to be wealthy? No, if they use their money and possessions for God's kingdom.
2.6Memory verse
Luke 6:38"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."
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