Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
A Plan to Prosper
Scripture
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
Main Idea
God's promise and His plan for you is to prosper, and He cares about what you do with everything He has given you. The principle behind that plan sounds backward until you live it: the generous person is the one who gains more. God has three categories for how we give:
- Tithing (God's Portion): the first tenth of your increase, returned to God's house to build the church.
- Offerings (God's Purposes): a discretionary amount above the tithe, given to advance God's work.
- Alms (Good Purposes): giving directly to meet a need, to the poor, a charity, or a person.
If I'm going to plan to prosper, I need to plan to give, because giving is God's plan.
Discussion Questions
- Proverbs 11:24 says the generous gain more and the stingy end up with less. Why does that feel backward, and where have you seen it prove true in your own life?
- What is the difference between tithing, offerings, and almsgiving, and why does the order God sets matter?
- Pastor Justin said generosity is a decision, and that it is hard for something to leave your hand if it has never been in your head. What would it look like for you to decide ahead of time to be a giver?
- Where is God inviting you to be more generous this week, whether with your resources, your time, your words, or your affirmation?
Summary
Everything we have comes from God, so it is no surprise that He cares how we handle it. Proverbs 11:24 reads like bad financial advice, because it says the generous gain more while those who refuse to give end up with less. Yet Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest man who ever lived, knew something we often miss. This is not girl math, it is God math, the same math that fed thousands from five loaves and two fish. Giving is God's plan to prosper you, and it breaks into three categories: the tithe as God's portion, offerings for God's purposes, and alms for good purposes. The order matters, because tithing comes first and teaches us to put God first in everything.
For a believer, giving is a given. To follow Christ is to be like Christ, and Jesus gave His life so we could be restored and redeemed. Paul tells the church that each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give, which means generosity is a decision you can make before the moment comes. When you decide to be a giver, God promises to bless you abundantly, so that having all you need, you will abound in every good work. You do not have to make it complicated. Decide today to be generous, make a plan to give, and keep moving toward the harvest God wants to grow in your life.
Take Action
- This week, decide once and for all that you will be a giver, and write down in one sentence the kind of generous person you are choosing to become.
- Pray over your own increase this week before anything else, asking God what He would have you return to Him first as His portion.
- Look for one need in front of you this week, whether a person, a family, or a cause, and give directly to meet it.
