Generosity: A Response to God's Grace
Summary
Giving is a topic that often stirs up a lot of feelings, but it’s important to look at what the Bible actually says about it, not just what tradition or culture tells us. The concept of tithing—giving a tenth—has its roots in the Old Testament, where it was a law and a way for the Israelites to support the temple, the priests, and the ministries that cared for the vulnerable. Stories like Abram giving a tenth to Melchizedek and Jacob pledging a tenth to God show that tithing was both an act of gratitude and obedience. The number ten itself in Scripture represents divine order and responsibility, which is why it’s significant in the context of giving.
However, under the new covenant in Christ, we are not bound by the Old Testament law in the same way. The New Testament doesn’t command tithing as a legal requirement, but it does call us to a deeper kind of giving—one rooted in obedience and gratitude for what God has already done for us through Jesus. God gave us His first and best—His only Son—and Jesus gave His life for us. Our giving, then, is a response to that incredible generosity, not a way to earn God’s favor.
Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money, and that whatever is first in our lives reveals what we truly trust. God desires our first and best, not our leftovers. The story of Cain and Abel illustrates this: Abel gave the firstborn of his flock, while Cain gave “some” of his produce. God honored Abel’s offering because it reflected a heart that put God first.
There are barriers to giving—sometimes it’s a lack of understanding, sometimes it’s greed or fear. The Bible is clear that the love of money, not money itself, is the root of all kinds of evil. God calls us to give not out of obligation, but out of obedience and trust. Importantly, giving is not a salvation issue; salvation comes through faith in Jesus alone. But giving is a way to align our hearts with God’s priorities and to experience the joy that comes from generosity.
When we give cheerfully, as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians, we participate in God’s work and experience a joy that is almost “hilarious” in its depth. Giving isn’t about guilt or compulsion—it’s about responding to God’s love with open hands and a joyful heart. Whether you’re just starting to give or have been giving for years, the invitation is to ask God how you can trust Him more deeply and reflect His generosity in your own life.
Key Takeaways
- Giving in the Old Testament was an obligation rooted in the law, but today, giving is an act of obedience and gratitude for what God has already done through Jesus. This shift moves us from a transactional mindset to a relational one, where our generosity is a response to God’s grace rather than a requirement to earn His favor. [43:23]
- God desires our first and best, not our leftovers. The story of Cain and Abel shows that God honors offerings that come from a heart that puts Him first, not just from what is convenient or surplus. Our giving reveals what we truly value and trust. [48:56]
- The love of money, not money itself, is a root of all kinds of evil. When we cling to our resources out of fear or greed, we risk wandering from faith and missing out on the freedom and joy that comes from trusting God as our provider. Generosity is a spiritual discipline that breaks the power of materialism in our lives. [51:24]
- Giving is not a salvation issue; it is not a prerequisite for being saved. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works or financial contributions. However, giving is a tangible expression of our obedience and trust in God’s provision. [56:53]
- True biblical giving is marked by joy, not guilt or compulsion. The New Testament word for “cheerful” in giving is the root of our word “hilarious”—God wants us to give with a sense of delight and anticipation, trusting that He will use our gifts to bless others and deepen our own faith. [01:01:58]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction: Why Talk About Giving?
[02:10] - What Is a Tithe?
[03:30] - Old Testament Foundations of Tithing
[06:15] - Abram and Melchizedek: The First Tithe
[08:00] - Jacob’s Pledge and Gratitude
[10:20] - Tithing in Israelite Society
[13:00] - The Significance of Numbers in Scripture
[15:10] - Transition to the New Testament
[18:00] - The New Covenant and Giving
[20:00] - Jesus, Generosity, and John 3:16
[22:00] - God Wants Our First, Not Our Second
[25:00] - Cain and Abel: The Heart of Giving
[28:00] - Barriers to Generosity
[31:00] - The Love of Money and Its Dangers
[34:00] - Giving as Obedience, Not Obligation
[37:00] - Giving and Salvation
[40:00] - The Joy of Generosity
[43:00] - Practical Steps and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Giving—Obligation or Obedience?
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### Bible Reading
- Genesis 14:18-20 (Abram gives a tenth to Melchizedek)
- Malachi 3:10 (“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse…”)
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 14:18-20, what did Abram do after Melchizedek blessed him, and what does this show about his attitude toward God?
2. According to Malachi 3:10, what does God promise when the people bring the full tithe into the storehouse?
3. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, what kind of attitude does Paul say we should have when we give?
4. The sermon mentioned that in the Old Testament, people gave because of what God was going to do, but now we give because of what God has already done. What’s the difference between these two motivations? [[44:41]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God cared so much about the “first and best” in offerings, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel? What does this reveal about God’s priorities? [[48:56]]
2. The sermon said that giving is not a salvation issue, but an obedience issue. Why is it important to make this distinction? [[56:53]]
3. According to 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, what is the connection between generosity and joy? Why do you think Paul uses the word “cheerful” (hilaros) to describe the giver? [[01:01:58]]
4. The sermon talked about barriers to giving, like fear, greed, or misunderstanding. Why do you think these barriers are so common, and how do they affect our relationship with God? [[51:24]]
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### Application Questions
1. The story of Cain and Abel shows that God wants our first and best, not our leftovers. When you look at your own giving—whether it’s money, time, or talents—are you giving God your first, or just what’s left over? What would it look like to put God first in this area? [[48:56]]
2. The sermon said, “Whatever is first in your life is a good indication on what you trust.” What is truly first in your life right now? How can you tell? [[45:40]]
3. The Bible says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Are there ways that fear or a desire for security have kept you from being generous? What’s one step you could take to trust God more with your finances? [[51:24]]
4. Giving is not about earning God’s favor, but about responding to His generosity. How does this truth change the way you think about giving? Is there any guilt or pressure you need to let go of? [[56:53]]
5. Paul says God loves a cheerful giver. When was the last time you gave something (money, time, encouragement) with real joy? What made it joyful? [[01:01:58]]
6. If you’re not currently giving, what is one practical step you could take this week to start? If you are already giving, is there a way God might be inviting you to grow in generosity? [[01:05:34]]
7. The sermon encouraged us to ask God, “How can I trust You more deeply and reflect Your generosity in my life?” What is one area where you sense God is inviting you to take a step of faith in giving? [[01:05:34]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for open hearts, trust in God’s provision, and the joy that comes from generosity. Ask God to show each person what their next step might be.
Devotional
Day 1: Giving as a Response to God’s Generosity
Giving is not about obligation but a grateful response to what God has already done for us through Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, tithing was a law, a way for the Israelites to support the temple and its ministries, but today, our giving is rooted in obedience and gratitude for God’s ultimate gift—His Son. When we understand the depth of God’s generosity, our hearts are moved to give back, not because we must, but because we want to honor Him and align our lives with what matters most to Him: loving and trusting Him above all else. [44:41]
John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Reflection: What is one specific way you can express gratitude to God today for what He has already given you, not just with your finances but with your time, talents, or relationships?
Day 2: God Desires Our First, Not Our Leftovers
God’s heart is for us to give Him our first and best, not what is left over. The story of Cain and Abel shows that God values offerings that come from a place of priority and honor—Abel gave the firstborn of his flock, while Cain gave some of his produce. This principle challenges us to examine whether we are truly putting God first in our lives, or simply giving Him what remains after we’ve satisfied our own needs and desires. [48:56]
Genesis 4:3-5 (ESV)
“In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.”
Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to give God your leftovers instead of your first and best, and what practical step can you take this week to put Him first?
Day 3: The Danger of Loving Money
The Bible warns that the love of money—not money itself—is the root of all kinds of evil, leading people away from faith and into grief. God knows that money can easily become a rival for our trust and devotion, which is why He calls us to examine our hearts and motives when it comes to giving. True generosity is not about the amount, but about surrendering our hearts and trusting God above material things. [51:24]
1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where the desire for money or possessions is competing with your trust in God? How can you surrender that area to Him today?
Day 4: Giving with Joyful Generosity
God calls us to give cheerfully, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because He loves a cheerful giver. True biblical generosity is marked by joy and anticipation, not guilt or pressure. When we give with gladness, we reflect God’s own generous heart and experience the deep joy that comes from trusting Him to provide for all our needs. [01:01:58]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Reflection: Think of a time when you gave generously and felt true joy—how can you cultivate that same cheerful spirit in your giving this week?
Day 5: Giving Flows from a Heart Changed by the Gospel
Giving is not a requirement for salvation, but a natural outflow of a heart transformed by the grace of Jesus. Our obedience in giving is a response to the new life we have in Christ, not a way to earn God’s favor. The most important gift we can give is our very lives to Jesus, trusting in His finished work on the cross and allowing that surrender to shape every area of our lives, including our generosity. [56:53]
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
“Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Reflection: Have you truly surrendered your life to Jesus, and if so, how is that surrender being reflected in the way you give—of your resources, your time, and your heart?
Quotes
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