BASICS Week 2 Outline - High Voltage April 22, 2007

I realized last night that I haven't posted this weekend's outline. So, here it is. This past weekend we talked about the need to put God first in our finances. Here is the rundown and the outline follows.

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Lesson Topic: BASICS Week 2 - Giving to God First
'Fun Factor': Average
Volunteer Involvement: Average
Music: N/A
Student Involvement in Music: N/A
Lesson Quality: Below Average
Length of Lesson: 40 minutes (with 1 student testimony)
Student Response: Above Average
Overall Night Rating (scale of 1(not good) to 10(awesome)): 6
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BASICS – Spring Training
Week 2 – Giving to God First
High Voltage – April 22, 2007 – Jim Clark
Tithe vs. Firstfruits Giving:
Definition of Tithe: Giving to God a strict 10%
Definition of Firstfruits Giving: Honoring God with your first and best.
Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. Exodus 23:19

Why is it hard to talk about money?
The World Says: God says:
1. Money is important. Loving God is most important.

2. Money gives me power. Loving money makes me powerless.

3. Money gives me happiness. Loving money leaves me empty.

4. Money gives me security. Loving money makes me insecure.

You Can Make a Difference!
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
2 Corinthians 9:6

Truths about Giving:
It’s not about amount. It’s about heart.
As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:1-4
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:3-4
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10

Giving to God first says that your heart is right.
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
2 Corinthians 8:12
Two things are missing:
-Pride
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9
No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Luke 16:13

-Selfishness
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

Action Steps:
1. Evaluate your heart and your priorities.

2. Evaluate your income and your decisions.

3. Determine to honor God and reject the recognition.

The Bottom Line: Giving consistently to God shows that your heart is in the right place.
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Questions for Discussion:
1. Discuss how much income you have on a regular basis.
2. What might it look like it if you regularly gave to God first out of your best rather than from what is left over?
3. How do you think God is honored through regular giving?
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Overall it was a good night. I was pretty worn out from the weekend. But it is always great to hang out and talk about God's word!!

Jim