Bible Reading
Luke 7:36-50 “One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!' Then Jesus answered his thoughts. 'Simon,' he said to the Pharisee, 'I have something to say to you.' 'Go ahead, Teacher,' Simon replied. Then Jesus told him this story: 'A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?' Simon answered, 'I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.' 'That’s right,' Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, 'Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.' Then Jesus said to the woman, 'Your sins are forgiven.' The men at the table said among themselves, 'Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?' And Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
[11:32]2 Corinthians 8:1-15 “Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and help you complete this special work of generosity. Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 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. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.”
[23:18]2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your own 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.”
[29:42]Observation questions
- In Luke 7, what specific acts of hospitality did Simon fail to offer Jesus, and how did the woman’s actions contrast with his? [17:34]
- What does Jesus’ story about the two debtors reveal about the size of their debts and the creditor’s response to both of them? [14:10]
- What circumstances were the Macedonian churches facing, and what overflowed from them despite those circumstances? [24:04]
- According to 2 Corinthians 8, what words describe the Macedonians’ attitude toward giving and participating in meeting the needs of other believers? [25:18]
Interpretation questions
- Why does Jesus connect the woman’s great love with her experience of forgiveness? How does this show that her perfume was a response to grace rather than payment for grace? [22:52]
- Simon and the woman were both near Jesus, yet one responded with judgment and the other with worship. What may keep a person who knows about Jesus from being deeply changed by His forgiveness? [19:31]
- The Macedonians gave during trouble and poverty, yet their joy overflowed in generosity. How can joy in God make generosity possible without pretending that financial pressure or hardship is not real? [24:33]
- Paul tells the Corinthians to give according to what they have, not what they do not have. Why does this protect believers from both comparison and pressure, while still calling them to an eager heart? [32:37]
Application questions
- What does the use of time, abilities, and money in a person’s life reveal about what that person values most? Is there an area where your spending or schedule does not match what you say you value? [06:42]
- Jesus’ forgiveness is not earned by giving; generosity is a response to grace already received. When you think about Christ forgiving and receiving you, what response of worship rises in your heart? [22:45]
- Is it easier for you to worship Jesus with words than with what is in your hands? What might it look like for your worship to shape a practical decision about your resources, time, or gifts this week? [09:36]
- Where might you be tempted to respond like Simon—with distance, criticism, or guardedness—rather than with the humility and gratitude shown by the woman? What would a more open response to Jesus look like? [20:12]
- Is there a need in the church, community, or in someone’s life that you could help meet with willing generosity? What would make that giving feel like worship rather than pressure? [25:32]
- What is one realistic step you can take to become more intentional and eager with the treasure God has entrusted to you, giving according to what you have rather than comparing yourself with others? [33:07]
