Day 26 (Final Study) - A Time Such as This

Key #7 – God Prospers Us to Give Not Have More


Esther 4:14
• Esther had a position of privilege and that brought with it the responsibility to act in the interest of others as a result of that position
• God does raise up certain people at certain times for certain situations
• Do you have food, clothing, shelter, a car, running water, uninterrupted electricity, electronic equipment, etc.?
• Then you are among the most privileged people in the world
• Why has God entrusted you with such wealth?
• For a time such as this?

• Do you feel that God has entrusted you with a relatively great privilege compared to most people in the world?
• What convictions have you gained about what you can do with the things that God has entrusted to you?

2 Corinthians 9:11
• Is this the position that God has put you in, for a time such as this?
• Is God calling you to be a more generous giver?
• You’ve heard of prayer warriors. Is God calling you to be a giving warrior?
• We simply don’t know how long our prosperity will last. Why not invest in God’s Kingdom with the abundance we have while we still can?

Acts 20:35
• How does this verse challenge you personally?
• What do you feel that God is putting on your heart when you read this verse?
• Giving is a large part of doing what we were made for which is to love God and our neighbors (Matt. 22:36-40)
• Giving boldly affirms Christ’s lordship
• Giving is a blessed act that leads to joy


• How much is God calling you to give in tithes?
• How much is God calling you to give in freewill offerings?
• How much is God calling you to give to the poor?
• How much of your time, energy, and wisdom is God calling you to give to others?



Convictions
• Only by listening to God and his word can you answer the question of how much he has called you to give.
• Have you spent a significant amount of time seeking the answers to the questions of how much God wants you to give?
• Are you prepared to follow through on the answers that God gives you?


God uses money for our benefit in various ways:
1. God uses money to strengthen our trust in Him. It is often through money that God can clearly and objectively show us that He is in total control, if we will trust Him and accept our positions as stewards and managers of His possessions (see Matthew 6:32-33).

2. God uses money to develop our trustworthiness. This principle is important because our lives generally revolve around making, spending, saving, and using money. If He can trust us with money, He can trust us with greater responsibilities and His true riches (see Luke 16:11).

3. God uses money to prove His love. Scripture tells us that God assumes the responsibility of providing the basic necessities for everyone who trusts in Him (see Matthew 7:11). By transferring all money to Him, He often uses money to meet those necessities of life.

4. God uses money to demonstrate His faithfulness. Moses reminded Israel that it was God who would give them the power to make wealth. Our security is in God, not in our bank accounts. Discovering His faithfulness though financial needs encourages reliance on Him.

5. God uses money to unite Christians in blessings. God will use the abundance of one Christian to supply the needs of another. Surplus money in our lives has been given by God for the purpose of helping those who are in need.

6. God uses money to provide direction. There is probably no way God can direct our lives more meticulously than through the abundance or lack of money. Too often we believe God directs our lives through the abundance of money, but He also will lead us by withholding money.

7. God uses money to cultivate self-control. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control, a key aspect of successful money management.

8. God uses money to clarify spiritual maturity. Many temptations clamor for Christians' attention. A great deal can be learned about our personal character and spiritual maturity by noticing how we handle money and determine financial priorities.


God will not use money to:
1. Worry us. If Christians are worried, frustrated, and upset about money, God is not in control. God said that wealth without worry is His plan for our lives. In addition, He promises to meet the needs of those who trust in Him (see Matthew 6:25).

2. Corrupt us. Many Christians have fallen into Satan's trap and are being corrupted. Christians whose financial life is characterized by greed, ego, deceit, and other worldly snares are at enmity with God and His plan.

3. Build egos. Frequently, Christians are trapped by financial ego in that they use money in an attempt to build self-worth and ego. However, in Christ all are financially equal because all wealth will pass away. What will remain will be those things that have been laid up in heaven—the true wealth.

4. To satisfy our personal whims or desires. God does not expect His people to live in poverty; however, He also does not endorse lavishness. Surplus is provided so that God's work can be funded and those in need can be helped. If the surplus is hoarded or wasted on lavishness rather than used for His plan and purpose, chances are the surplus will be removed.