In God We Trust? | Part 3

Start Talking – Find conversation starters for the group or with a friend.

• During the message Pastor Todd shared an illustration about a time he was teaching his son, Jefferson, about tithing. He laid out ten single dollar bills. He set one dollar aside, explaining that was for God. After which, he said the remaining nine dollars were for him to use as he wanted. After seeing this Jefferson asked, “Why does God let us keep so much?” 
  
• Have you ever thought about tithing from that perspective? Or do you tend to think, “Why does God ask for so much?” 

Keep Reading – Read the Scriptures and ask a question to get the group thinking.

Read these Scriptures out loud:

Deuteronomy 14:23

“The purpose of tithing is to teach us to put God first in every area of our lives.” 

• Ultimately, this is a trust issue, but we don’t often say that. What are some of the reasons you’ve heard verbalized about why we struggle to put God first in this area of our lives?

“When we put God in first place, everything else falls into its proper place.”

Malachi 3:8-10 

• Have you ever had the thought that you were robbing God, by not paying tithe? Is this a new concept to you?
  

“Can God trust us?”

2 Corinthians 8:7

“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 

• What do you think it means to “excel in the grace of giving?”
  

“How are we handling what we have been handed?”

Keep Talking

There is a lot we can learn about giving in the Bible. In fact, it’s mentioned 2,162 times. But this week we are taking an in depth look at three specific things about tithing in particular. 

1. The Tithe = First 10%. 

• Read Proverbs 3:9 - What is the significance of giving to God first—before we do anything else? 
• Pastor Todd made the statement that, “It doesn’t take faith to give God leftovers…it takes faith to put God first.” Take a look at these related Scripture passages – Matt. 6:33, 2 Cor. 5:7, Heb. 11:6. What do you see as the significance in bringing the first 10% of our income to God?

2. The Tithe is Timeless. 

• Until now, what have been your thoughts of the tithe? Is it a new concept for you, have you viewed it as an Old Testament or “old-fashioned” concept…? 
  
• Pastor Todd mentioned that 400 years before the Law was given to Moses, Abraham brought a tithe to the priest Melchizedek, showing that tithing existed before the Law. Take a moment to read Hebrews 7, which shows how Melchizedek was a “shadow” of Jesus in the Old Testament. What do you see in this chapter about the significance of tithing for us today as believers in Jesus?

3. The Tithe is Holy.

• The word holy means set apart. What would it look like in our lives if we were to truly live out the idea of setting apart a tithe for God? What would we need to change?
  
• Read Mal. 3:8-10. Do you see how seriously God views things that are holy – set apart – for Him? How can we align our beliefs and actions with God’s view in this matter? 

Keep Moving/Going 

Pastor Todd gave us a very clear challenge this week. We need to take one step to grow in the area of giving. 

• If you are new to the idea of tithing, maybe you need to commit to giving for the very first time. 
  
• If you are sporadic in your giving, maybe you need to commit to consistency. 
• If you are consistent in giving, maybe you need to consider taking things to another level by giving just a little bit more. 
• Take the 3:10 Challenge. Click here to learn more about this, and find other financial resources.

Keep Praying

• Ask God to show you what step you need to take in the area of your giving. 
• Prayer requests from everyone at group.
• Pray.

Keep Praising

“God So Loved” – We The Kingdom

“Great Are You Lord” – All Sons & Daughters

“Promises” – Maverick City Music

“Fresh Wind” – Hillsong Worship

 Or check out our "Faith Over Fear" playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.

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