Blessed to Be a Blessing

SEEDTIME & HARVEST - BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

Let's review what we have learned so far

1. God wants to be first in your life, in all areas

Genesis 4:1-7 (AMP) 1 Now the man Adam knew Eve as his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have obtained a man (baby boy, son) with the help of the Lord." 2 And [later] she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept the flocks [of sheep and goats], but Cain cultivated the ground. 3 And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. 4 But Abel brought [an offering of] the [finest] firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. And the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and his offering He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry (indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile. 6 And the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you so angry? And why do you look annoyed? 7 If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it."

2. We give by faith

Hebrews 11:4 (AMP) 4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he still speaks.

3. The Old Testament people were required and we should be inspired

Hebrews 7:8-10 (MSG) 8-10 Or look at it this way: We pay our tithes to priests who die, but Abraham paid tithes to a priest who, the Scripture says, "lives." Ultimately you could even say that since Levi descended from Abraham, who paid tithes to Melchizedek, when we pay tithes to the priestly tribe of Levi they end up with Melchizedek.

Main Text: God Gives Most

2 Corinthians 9:1-6 (AMP) 1 Now it is unnecessary for me to write to you about the offering [that is to be made] for the saints [in Jerusalem]; 2 for I know your eagerness [to promote this cause], and I have [proudly] boasted to the people of Macedonia about it, telling them that Achaia has been prepared since last year [for this contribution], and your enthusiasm has inspired the majority of them [to respond]. 3 Still, I am sending the brothers [on to you], so that our pride in you may not be an empty boast in this case, and so that you may be prepared, just as I told them you would be; 4 otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of yourselves—will be humiliated for being so confident. 5 That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you [before I come] and make arrangements in advance for this generous, previously promised gift of yours, so that it would be ready, not as something extorted [or wrung out of you], but as a [voluntary and] generous gift. 6 Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed].

Genesis 12:2-3 (NLT) 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you."

2 Corinthians 9:7-15 (AMP)

7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].

4 THINGS A MAN MUST DO IN HIS GIVING

1. He must give willingly from the heart
2. He must not give grudgingly
3. He must not give of compulsion
4. He must give cheerfully

8 And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 9 As it is written and forever remains written, "He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever!"

10 Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness, and love]. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God [from those who benefit]. 12 For the ministry of this service (offering) is not only supplying the needs of the saints (God's people), but is also overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

4 BENEFITS OF MINISTERING TO SAINTS

1. Supplies the needs of saints
2. Causes them to glorify God
3. Gives proof that the givers are true Christians
4. Causes prayers of those supplied to go up for their benefactors

13 Because of this act of ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to the gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous participation [in this gift] for them and for all [the other believers in need], 14 and they also long for you while they pray on your behalf, because of the surpassing measure of God's grace [His undeserved favor, mercy, and blessing which is revealed] in you. 15 Now thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [which is precious beyond words]!

WISDOM KEYS

Ecclesiastes 11:1 (MSG) 1 Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NLT) 24 Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. 25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Luke 6:38 (NLT) 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."

Discussion Questions

1. Genesis 12:2-3 says God blessed Abraham to "be a blessing to others." How does this challenge the idea that God's blessings are only for our personal benefit? What does it mean to be "blessed to be a blessing"?
2. The review emphasizes that Abel gave by faith (Hebrews 11:4). How is giving an act of faith? What does generous giving reveal about what we believe about God's character and provision?
3. Paul says the Corinthians' "enthusiasm has inspired the majority" of others to give (v. 2). How can generous giving be contagious? When have you been inspired by someone else's generosity?
4. Verse 5 emphasizes giving should be "voluntary" not "extorted or wrung out of you." Why is the attitude of the heart so important in giving? Can you give the right amount but with the wrong heart?
5. The four requirements for giving are: willingly, not grudgingly, not under compulsion, and cheerfully. Which of these four is most challenging for you? Why?
6. Verse 8 promises "complete sufficiency in everything...and have an abundance for every good work." How does this verse challenge the fear that generous giving will leave us lacking?
7. Verse 11 says "You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous." God enriches us not just to increase our comfort but to increase our capacity to give. How does this reframe the purpose of financial blessing?
8. The four benefits of giving to saints include causing others to glorify God and pray for you. How does generosity create a cycle of blessing that goes beyond just the financial transaction?
9. Proverbs 11:24 says "Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything." This seems counterintuitive. How have you seen this principle proven true in your life or others' lives?
10. Luke 6:38 promises that "the amount you give will determine the amount you get back." How do we balance this truth with the danger of giving just to get? What's the difference between giving generously in faith versus giving manipulatively to force God's hand?

Reflection

Challenge: This week, identify one person or ministry where you can "be a blessing." Give generously and cheerfully, not to get something back, but to participate in God's work of meeting needs and bringing Him glory. Journal about how it feels to give with a joyful heart rather than out of obligation.

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