“Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” – Haggai 1:5-7
Through The Multiply series, we talked about offering God the first fruits of giving, serving and our time. Our hope was that through this series we would recognize His giving at a deeper level so that we might be able to give to Him in deeper ways, and help change the we you think about and manage what God gives you financially. The bottom line is that when we put God first in our lives, God always does more than we expect. Our motivation for this series comes from Matthew 6:33 and says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
For the purpose of summary, here are some key points from the Multiply series in no particular order:
- We experience abundance most fully when we ask God for the spirit of generosity. Ask God to give you His heart for others as you give, trusting Him to provide your needs.” And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:8-9)
- God will provide more than we need if we are willing to risk sharing what we do have, even when it seems like “not enough”. Jesus multiplies what is faithfully given when nothing is held back because we’re worried about having enough. Ask God for faith to give to Him and then watch how He will multiply it.
- Whatever gifts, talents or skills we’ve been given, they are entrusted to us so we can use them to bless others. We bless others out of gratitude for the grace and mercy that God has bestowed upon us. Intentionally share your gifts, talents or skills as an act of worship to God.
- Generosity opens the door to new opportunities. The law of giving and receiving cannot be suspended. When you sow seeds of generosity, you reap a harvest of opportunity. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) In blessing others, we are blessed. Generosity is not only an investment towards a solution to someone’s plight, but an investment in your own future. So, generosity is not about money. It’s about changed lives.
I pray that you enjoyed this series and this series will help you make lasting change in your lives. We have many compelling reasons to be generous. Lives will be forever changed, including our own when we are generous.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you think a spiritually-motivated and Bible-focused generosity movement is needed in the world today? Why or why not?
- If God is truly bigger than a paycheck, what are some ways you have seen him bring provisions into your life recently?
- List some of the available time, talents, treasure, and things that God has given you. What is a way that some of these things could be used for the Lord and for others?
- Can you recall a time when you experienced God’s crazy math and saw the Lord provide in unexpected ways?
- What is the greatest benefit or insight you have gained from the Multiply series?