Out of the Box: Part 1 - 'Gift Day'

No one can serve two masters. Either
you will hate the one and love the other,
or you will be devoted to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve both 
God and Money

Matthew chapter 23 verse 23

‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees,
you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices;
mint, dill and cumin.  But you have neglected
 the more important matters of the law;
justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should
have practiced the latter, without neglecting
the former.’

Mark chapter 12 verses 41 - 44

‘Jesus sat down opposite the place where
the offerings were put and watched the crowd
putting their money into the temple treasury.
Many rich people threw in large amounts. 
But a poor widow came and put in two very
small copper coins, worth only a few pennies.

‘Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 
Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put
more into the treasury than all the others. 
They all gave out of their wealth; but she,
out of her poverty, put in everything,
all she had to live on.’


Prayer and Reflection:

Father God on this special day in the life of our church, our ‘Gift Day’, we want to thank you for the greatest gift of all. Thank you for sending your one and only Son, that we might be saved through Him. We praise you for your faithfulness and power and we thank you for your love and peace.
Forgive us for letting other things get in the way of remembering what’s most important in our life, and for remaining in the shallow end of commitment and faith.

Lord God, help us to respond with a bold spirit to your amazing grace and your daily provision by giving to the work and ministry of this church, not out of our wealth but sacrificially as you taught to do.
We ask this in the precious name of Jesus.

Amen.


Questions to Consider

1. How would you explain Jesus’ statement that ‘you cannot serve both God and money (Mat.6:24)?
2. Read Malachi 3:6-10 (The last book in the O.T.) How do you interpret these verses? What is God saying to the Israelites? What is God saying to you?
3. Do you believe that ‘tithing’ (giving one tenth of your income to the local church) still applies today? If you don’t what are your reasons? And if you do, what are your reasons?
4. What are some of the characteristics and promises of God?
5. If you regularly donate to the church, do you know what percentage of your income you are donating? Do you have a giving goal?
6. In your own words, how would you explain Jesus’ message in Mark’s gospel (12:41-44) – ‘The Widow’s offering.’
7. It has been said that giving to the local church is really giving to God and is a response to Jesus dying for each one of us on the cross at Calvary. Do you share this view, and if you do, how are you responding? If you don’t, what are your reasons for your response?
8. When giving to the local church, ‘Giving is about faith, not about money’. Do you think that is an accurate statement? What are your reasons for responding with either a yes or no answer?