Leverage Session 5 Sampler

S E S S I O N

5

How Much Are We to Give?

FINDING THE FINISH LINE

76

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:7

77

Open your group with prayer.

This prayer should be brief, simple, and invite God to be with you as you meet.

Check In Ask, “Would anyone like to briefly share their thoughts about last week’s session?”

Icebreaker Begin this time together by using the following question to get people talking:

INTRODUCTION

•

78

Who is the most generous person you know? What do you admire about them?

VIDEO TEACHING

Watch thei Video

Use the notes space below to record key thoughts, questions, and insights you want to remember or follow up on.

To watch, scan the QR code or go to: leverageyourlegacy.org/session5

79

Group Discussion After watching the video, have someone read the questions below and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each subsequent section, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.

80

1.

Read Luke 21:1-4. Why did Jesus praise the widow’s gift? What would this kind of giving look like in your life?

2.

Read Mark 10:21-22. Why do you think the rich man was disheartened

by Jesus’ request? Why did Jesus make this request of him?

3.

Read 1 Timothy 6:8-10. How have you seen the principle in this verse played out in someone’s life? How do you protect yourself from this outcome?

4.

How do you ensure that you are giving according to your ability?

5.

What would you do if you realized your net worth exceeded your finish line? Spend some time this week evaluating your finish line and imagining how you would generously invest the surplus of your net worth.

DISCUSSION

Individuals who are being filled up by God make a strong group and are empowered to love one another. What specific steps will you take this week to connect with God privately, so He can “fill you up?” If you’ve focused on prayer in past weeks, maybe you’ll want to direct your attention to Scripture this week. If you’ve been reading God’s Word consistently, perhaps you’ll want to take it deeper and try memorizing a verse. Tell the group which one you plan to try this week. Then, at your next meeting, let everyone share about their progress and challenges.

Close your meeting with prayer.

81

Application

82

A P P L I C AT I O N

1

How much is enough, and how can you find that number?

2

What causes are you passionate about, and do you wonder, “How much can I give?”

3

What are your stumbling blocks to giving sacrificially?

4

Read Mark 10:29-30. What is Jesus’ promise regarding sacrificial giving?

5

Pray for individuals you know who might respond to a simple invitation to come to a church service, join your small group, or even just have coffee and talk about spiritual matters. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind people you can pray for.

83

Daily Devotions i

84

D AY 1

D AY 2

Read Luke 9:23

Read Ecclesiastes 5:10

“And [Jesus] said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”

REFLECT What does it mean for you to take up your cross daily and follow Jesus?

REFLECT How satisfied are you? What are you using to try and satisfy yourself?

DA I LY D E VO T I O N S

D AY 3

D AY 4

Read Matthew 6:24

Read Mark 10:25

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

REFLECT How are you experiencing this pull in your life?

REFLECT How much have you surrendered to God? What’s holding you back?

85

DA I LY D E V O T I O N S

D AY 5

D AY 6

Read James 5:1-3

Reflect

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.

You have laid up treasure in the last days.”

Reflect on the verses from this past week, and use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your heart and mind from this session or during your Daily Devotions and Reading Plan.

REFLECT How is generosity an antidote to the hoarder’s dilemma?

86

Reading Plan The Leverage: Using Temporal Wealth for Eternal Gain book is a great way to reinforce what you are learning in your small group time every week. The work you do on your own will greatly benefit you and your group time. ☐

DAY 1 : Read pages 59-62.

☐

DAY 2 : Read pages 63-68.

☐

DAY 3 : Read pages 68-70 & explore generosity stories, best practices, and insights by scanning this QR Code or going to: leverageyourlegacy.org/session5

☐

DAY 4 : Read pages 115-120.

☐

DAY 5 : Read pages 120-123 & explore generosity stories, best practices, and insights by scanning this QR Code or going to: leverageyourlegacy.org/session5

☐

DAY 6 : Reflect on the verses, devotions, and reading from this week.

87

EXPLORE

Drawing a Line in the Sand “Enough is never enough.” Steve and Linda had this epiphany after meeting with their financial advisor. Steve was financially successful from an early age, which allowed the couple to live a very comfortable lifestyle. They thought they were set for a life of ease, only to discover how much they would need to continue earning to maintain that comfortable lifestyle.

After that financial planning meeting, Steve and Linda drew a line in the sand (“how much is enough”) to determine their lifestyle limit, and they would give away everything above that. They stuck to their decision and giving plan despite the ups and downs that inevitably came their way. Over their many years of giving, Steve and Linda have intentionally looked for ways to be involved in the ministries they donate to on a regular basis.

Steve and Linda drew a line in the sand (“how much is enough”) to determine their lifestyle limit, and they would give away everything above that.

88

From caring for and founding a nonprofit that provides love and dignity to deceased newborn babies to a pastoral ministry in rural Ukraine, Steve and Linda have had their eyes opened to needs throughout the world and have stretched beyond their past giving to see how much more they can give. They also rejoice in the family legacy of generosity they have seen through their children.

We Haven’t Been Able to Out Give God “He just kept pouring more into us.” This statement is how Monya Giles described God’s blessing to her and her husband David. Although they started their marriage without a refrigerator or stove, God has blessed the couple abundantly. When David’s business began to experience success, the couple became connected with Crown Financial Ministries and used its principles as guides to their financial future.

Even when David retired and began a hobby business, God blessed it by making it more successful than anything else he had done. The Giles continued to give generously and set up a donor-advised fund that brought the opportunity to involve their children in researching and choosing causes to support.

The Giles have experienced God’s faithfulness time and time again. They are thankful for their humble beginnings, the valuable lessons they learned in those circumstances, and God’s presence throughout. Now they have turned their attention to letting their children experience the importance and blessing of hard work.

Read the Full Story Scan the QR code to read the rest of these stories and access other resources.

leverageyourlegacy.org/session5

89