A Giving Heart

Day 1 – THE ULTIMATE GIVER

Read James 1:17
List everything that is good in your life. According to the Bible, who gave you these things?
Read Matthew 7:9-11
What do earthly fathers do for their children? What is the point that God is trying to make with this analogy? Does the Heavenly Father give the best gifts?
Read John 3:16-17
How is God the ultimate giver? How can you show others that God is a giving God?
His servants have the opportunity to promote their Savior as he or she humbly gives to others while crediting God for doing the giving.

Day 2- HOW TO GIVE

Read 2 Corinthians 9:7
What are reasons not to give? What should your attitude be in giving?
The original Greek words used in the writing of this verse can help you understand how you are not to give.
Purpose (or decided): Proaireomai: to choose for oneself
Reluctant (or grudgingly): Lupe : painful or annoying
Compulsion: Anagke: duty or requirement
Re-Read 2 Corinthians 9:7 using these definitions.
What are some examples of giving because you have to? What are examples of giving just because you decided to give? What does it look like to be a joyful giver?
Think of the last time you gave someone something. What was your attitude in giving?

Day 3- REASONS TO GIVE

God promises you that having a giving heart cannot only benefit others but yourself.
Read Deuteronomy 15:7-8; 10 –11
What should you do for your brother? According to verse 8 what should you give your brother? According to verse 10 what will the Lord do for you?
Read Acts 20:35
Do you believe this verse to be true? Why or why not?
Read Hebrews 13:16. What is pleasing to God?
Read Proverbs 19:17. Who are you lending to when you lend to the poor? Who will repay you for that deed? The greatest blessing in life is getting to physically be the hand of God at work. God doesn’t need to use you, but He wants to include you in what He is doing.
The blessing truly comes from you getting to see God provide for others’ needs.

Day 4- MOTIVE IN GIVING

Your attitude in giving should be with a cheerful heart. Your motive in giving should be selfless.
Read James 1:27
What is pure in the eyes of God? Why do you think God singles out widows and orphans?
The widows that James is talking about in this verse literally had nothing. The same is true for orphans… even today. Orphans have no family, provision or future inheritance. God says if you are helping orphans and widows your heart is pure because widows and orphans can give you nothing back. In all giving, God wants you to give without expecting anything in return. Have you ever given a gift and expected one in return?
What are some ways that you can give without expecting anything in return?
Read Matthew 6:1-4
What are the wrong motives for giving? How does Jesus ask you to give?
If you give in secret, are you looking for the credit?
As God’s servant, you do have the responsibility to give because God has given to you. If you are genuinely motivated by the goodness of God, it will be easy to give cheerfully without expecting anything in return.

Day 5- WHAT TO GIVE

Helping people in their time of need can happen in many different ways. Here are the different ways you can give to people.
Read Deuteronomy 16:17
What should you give others? Where does your gift come from?
Read James 1:19
What should you be quick to do? How can you give someone a listening ear today?
Read Proverbs 11:14
What happens when there is an abundance of wise counsel?
How can you give someone godly advice or wisdom? Where does it come from?
Read Luke 3:11
What does this verse say about sharing and giving your possessions?
Do you have two of something that you can give to someone who has none?
What does this verse say about giving others food?
Read Proverbs 3:9. How can you honor the Lord with your money today?
Read 1 Timothy 2:1. How can you give up time in your day to pray for another today?
Giving comes in different forms, but it should always stem from the blessing that you have been given by God.

The World’s Economy Break Down:
37% of the world make less that $935 a year
38% of the world makes between $936-$3705 per year
9% of the world makes between $3706-$11455 per year
16% of the world makes $11456 or more
It’s easy to think you don’t have enough money or things, but most of the world has less than $11455 to make ends meet. Chances are, your family is in the 16%. It’s easy to think you need more money or more things, but looking at these statistics do you feel blessed to have what you have been given?