Bible Text: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 | Preacher: Dr. Dale Salico | Series: Legacy
Message Notes:
Unhealthy Attitudes about giving:
Tight-Fisted Giving: “…not as one grudgingly given” 2 Corinthians 9:5
Cheapskate Giving: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.” 2 Corinthians 9:6
Sad-Sack Giving: “…not reluctantly…” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Twisted-Arm Giving: “…not…under compulsion” 2 Corinthians 9:7
God-like Attitudes about giving:
Giving To Bless: “a generous gift…whoever sows generously…” 2 Corinthians 9:5,6
Mind and Heart: “Each…should give as he has decided in his heart” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Joyful: “God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Grace and Trust: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
Blessings of God-like Attitudes about Giving:
Increased Fruitfulness: “[God]… will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 9:10
Increased Thankfulness: “…your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:11
Our Lives Bear Witness: “men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 9:1
Quotes:
“God made us: He invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God has designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
– C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Life Group Questions
Opening Question:
What is typically your attitude when it comes to money? What about giving?
Digging Deeper:
Read 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 together. What stands out to you in these verses?
In 2 Cor. 9:15, Paul concludes on a note of gratitude: gratitude for what has given us. What are you grateful for right now?
Life Application:
What are some of the reasons our attitude toward giving is so important?
Discuss some of the unhealthy attitudes about giving that Dale shared:
Tight-fisted giving- 2 Corinthians 9:5
Cheapskate giving- 2 Corinthians 9:6
Sad-sack giving- 2 Corinthians 9:7
Twisted-arm giving- 2 Corinthians 9:7
Have you struggled with any of these unhealthy attitudes? What are the dangers of them?
Discuss some of the God-like attitudes about giving:
Giving to bless- 2 Corinthians 9:5,6
Mind and heart- 2 Corinthians 9:7
Joyful- 2 Corinthians 9:7
Grace and trust- 2 Corinthians 9:8
Have you experienced any of these attitudes when giving? What are some of the ways you have been blessed when you have stepped out in faith and trusted God?
What does it mean to you to give God your best? Besides our financial resources, what other gifts should we use for God’s glory? How do we see others using these gifts in our church? In our community? In other parts of the world?
Spend time praying for each other.