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Developing a Heart for the Poor

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. MATTHEW 6:1-4 NLT

JESUS WANTS TO CHANGE MY ATTITUDE ABOUT GIVING

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. LUKE 6:38 NLT

The benefits of giving:

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. JAMES 1:27 NLT

JESUS WANTS TO CHANGE MY REASON FOR GIVING

When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. MATTHEW 6:2 NLT

Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. MATTHEW 6:4 NLT

At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:18-19 NLT

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. PHILIPPIANS 2:13 NLT

JESUS WANTS TO HELP ME ON MY GIVING JOURNEY

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7-8 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet space to reflect with God, inviting Him to help you honestly examine your attitude and actions toward giving. What is your attitude about giving to and through the church? What motivates you to give or not give? Who or what has influenced your perspective on giving? As you reflect on Matthew 6:1-4 and this sermon, ask God to help you understand His attitude on generosity, especially toward the poor. How have Jesus’ teachings and this message encouraged or challenged your ideas about generosity and giving? Next, consider your giving habits. How do you feel when you give? How does that compare to what you feel when you spend money? Is there anything making it more difficult for you to trust God with your finances? Thank God for the ways He has provided for your needs, then invite Him to help you on your personal giving journey. Identify some ways you’d like to grow in giving both to and through the church. As you consider growing as a giver, we invite you to learn more about Pastor Matt and Tammy Brown’s vision to love, serve and give, in partnership with Convoy of Hope, through the Sandals Church 520 Campaign: sandalschurch.com/520Campaign. What does it mean for you to be “the hands and feet” of Jesus? As a disciple, how is Jesus calling you to live on mission by giving over and above to the 520 Campaign? Pray honestly, inviting God’s wisdom and spirit of generosity to guide your decision and response toward giving. Close your time, joining Sandals Church, as we pray and prepare to serve families in need through the 520 campaign.

Discussion Questions

For our Matthew series, we’re offering two options for discussing the sermon and Scripture. Choose option A or B to guide your group’s discussion time.

(A) The R.E.A.L. Bible Study Method:

1. Read the Passage. Start by reading Matthew 6:1-4 (NLT) out loud.

2. Explore the Theme. What is the main point or theme of the passage? What does this passage reveal about God and/or humanity? Consider these passages in your discussion: Luke 6:38, James 1:27, Philippians 4:18-19, Philippians 2:13, and 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.

3. Ask God. How do we apply these passages to our lives today? How might God be encouraging or challenging you?

4. Live It Out. What prayerful and specific action will you take based on these passages?

(B) Choose a couple of questions from each section below to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: Who is the most generous person you know? How have you experienced or learned from their generosity and attitude toward giving?
  2. START HERE: What do you typically feel when you give? How does that differ from when you spend money?
  3. START HERE: What’s your perspective on people in poverty? Are there any particular experiences that have impacted or informed your viewpoint?
  4. KEEP GOING: On your journey as a Christian, what has Jesus taught you about giving?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 6:1-4 (NLT). Why does our attitude on giving matter to God as much as our acts of giving?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read James 1:27 (NLT). How do you need to align your ideas about generosity with Jesus’ heart?
  7. START HERE: Read Luke 6:38 (NLT). What benefits or blessings have you experienced as a result of giving?
  8. KEEP GOING: What currently keeps you from giving? What needs to change so that you can grow as a giver? (Check out our Thrive Financial resource at learn.sandalschurch.com)
  9. KEEP GOING: Read Philippians 2:13 (NLT). How does the truth that God is at work in you, help you trust Him with your finances?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Read 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (NLT). How can your group help to encourage or even challenge you in your personal giving journey?
  11. LIVE IT OUT: Pray, with your group and for our church, as we prepare for the 520 campaign and together, love, serve and give to families living in extreme poverty around the globe. We invite you to learn more about Pastor Matt and Tammy Brown’s vision at sandalschurch.com/520Campaign.