Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said… Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:1-5,7-11 NLT
How should I give?
Thoughtfully
- The gold financed his escape to Egypt
- The frankincense was to anoint him as king
- The myrrh was to wrap him with at his death in royalty
Cheerfully
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.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT
Regularly
Why I am a tither:
Abraham started the tithe
And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High,brought Abram some bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. Genesis 14:18-20 NLT
Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:20 NLT
Moses commanded the tithe
You must set aside a tithe of your crops—one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 NLT
God blesses the tithe
“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me… Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” Malachi 3:8,10 NLT
Jesus affirmed the tithe
“What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Luke 11:42 NLT
Tithing helps me to regularly keep God first in my life
The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. Deuteronomy 14:23 TLB
Tithing protects me against guilt and manipulation
Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 2 Corinthians 8:13 NLT
Free Financial Planning Workshop
Join us at Sandals Church Hunter Park for a free financial planning workshop on Saturday, January 11! Learn more and RSVP at move.sc/financeevent
Note for Community Group Leaders
Want a healthier group? Help us help you by taking 60 seconds to let us know how things are going at move.sc/groupleadersurvey. You can also invite your group members to chime in at move.sc/groupmembersurvey. Thank you!
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
In the busy pace of this season, push the pause button and take some time to reflect and go a little deeper with the weekend’s message. Invite God to align your heart with his as you contemplate the challenges associated with giving. Consider the birth of Christ; how does this message change you? It is sobering to be reminded that Jesus was born to ultimately die so that we might live. Ask God to let that reality seep into your core.
The manger scene is cute and seems so innocent, and yet Jesus was born specifically to die a brutal and tragic death for me and for you. Take a minute to ponder and grasp the incredible sacrifice made so that people like you and me can be made free. Ask God to reveal the truth about giving - that when we give, we are directly involved in bringing this good news to a lost and dying people. How can you actively participate in joining with Jesus to help save souls and change lives? Sacrifices hurt because they cost something dear to us.
Ask God to help you honestly examine how dear your possessions, your bank account, etc. are to you? To what degree are you using what you have been given to invest in eternal treasures? Thank God for all he has graciously given you - your job, your abilities, your paycheck, and ask him to help you give back to him exactly how he wants you to. Just like the man who prayed, “I do believe; help me in my unbelief”, ask God for the faith required to take any necessary “next steps” forward in giving - and as you do, may you experience the joy that comes to those who help build God’s kingdom.
Discussion Questions
- What do you think it is about talking money with others that makes some people feel uncomfortable in a different way than talking about work, family or other things?
- Read Deuteronomy 14:23. Why do you think God chooses to use people’s giving to provide for churches instead of just dropping money from the sky to churches who need it?
- Read 2 Corinthians 9:7. Of the three principles of giving shared this weekend (thoughtfully, cheerfully and regularly) which one is the easiest for you and which is the most difficult when it comes to giving financially to the church?
- Read 2 Corinthians 8:11-14. Some people (or places) use guilt or manipulation as a motivator for giving. What is it about this passage and God’s perspective on giving that frees us from guilt and manipulation?
- Read Deuteronomy 14:22-23. If you tithe to the church, what motivates you to give your first 10% and if not, what real things are holding you back?
- As we enter a new year, what factors or criteria will guide your measure of giving in 2020?
