Looking at the bigger picture - Mark Cerfonteyn

The Rock - Paarl

One area most people struggle to move forward in faith is generosity. Jesus himself speaks on money frequently in the gospels.

This Sunday Ps. Mark taught on 3 dimensions of giving that will change our lives if we move forward in all of them.

Moving Forward is a posture, but importantly it is also an action. It is observable in your life.

It is the evidence of things unseen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Abraham acted in faith when God called on him to be obedient. He showed us faith in action.

Q: Can you recall a time in your life when you stepped out in faith and God was faithful?

3 DIMENSIONS OF GIVING

1️⃣ Spontaneous giving

This is giving often driven by compassion. We see a need and our heart is moved to give. It is spontaneous.

2️⃣ Strategic giving

This is when you have predetermined your generosity. This is value-based giving. When something is important to you, you plan for it.

Our tithe is how we give strategically. (Leviticus 27:30) Our tithe is simply a tenth of all our income that belongs to God, and we return it to God. (Proverbs 3:9-10) It is holy (set apart) to God and is the first 10 percent of all our income. Tithing teaches our hearts to honour and trust God.

Q: in what ways have you experienced God’s continued faithfulness after tithing faithfully? Share some testimonies from the group.

(Read Malachi 3:6-12) Tithing says to God that we truly and fully trust Him with every area of our lives. Remember you don’t tithe because God is after your money, but rather because God is after your heart. (Matthew 6:21)

3️⃣ Sacrificial giving

This is when we give generously at a level that costs us. (2 Samuel 24:24). It’s when we can be generous above our spontaneous giving and after we have bring the tithe. It’s at that point that sacrificial giving starts to become an expression of the grace we have received from God. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5) The Macedonian churches were in this place of giving beyond! And through this building into the Kingdom of God and into the lives of others.

Q: Do you believe God can use you to build His Kingdom and impact the lives of others through your FAITHFUL GENEROSITY?