Breakthrough Giving for Breakthrough Living

BREAKTHROUGH GIVING FOR BREAKTHROUGH LIVING

Faith comes from hearing The Word, faith is released by speaking The Word, and faith results are manifested when we do The Word!

Matthew 25:21 (KJV) 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

POINT 1: STEWARDSHIP STARTED WITH GOD.

Stewardship is the responsibility, care and management of another person's resources, property and financial affairs.

Genesis 2:4-5 (ERV) 4 This is the story about the creation of the sky and the earth. This is what happened when the Lord God made the earth and the sky. 5 This was before there were plants on the earth. Nothing was growing in the fields because the Lord God had not yet made it rain on the earth, and there was no one to care for the plants

Genesis 2:6-7 (NKJV) 6 but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. 8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.

THS: Proper stewardship will make it rain but lack of stewardship will only keep it sustained.

POINT 2: STEWARDSHIP STARTS WITH GIVING THE FIRST BUT DOESN'T END WITH THE GIVING OF THE FIRST.

Malachi 3:6-8 (KJV) 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them.

Genesis 4:1-5 (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.

Genesis 4:5-7 (AMP) 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.

Hebrews 11:4 (KJV) 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Romans 11:16 (KJV) 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Leviticus 27:26 (ESV) 26 "But a firstborn of animals, which as a firstborn belongs to the LORD, no man may dedicate; whether ox or sheep, it is the LORD'S.

Leviticus 27:30 30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord.

Malachi 3:8 (KJV) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

POINT #3: WE MUST BECOME SEED-MINDED OVER BEING NEED-MINDED.

Proverbs 3:9-10 (AMP) 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth And with the first fruits of all your crops (income); 10 Then your barns will be abundantly filled And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Ephesians 4:28 (KJV) 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Ephesians 4:28 (NLT) 28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

THT: If your life becomes all about you, it makes it hard for God to bless selfishness.

Philippians 4:19 (KJV) 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

POINT #4: GOD PROVIDES FOR OUR NEED BY SUPPLYING US WITH SEED.

2 Corinthians 9:6-10 (NLT) 6 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. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever." 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

2 Corinthians 9:10 (AMP) 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].

Discussion Questions

1. Matthew 25:21 connects faithfulness in small things to being made "ruler over many things." How does this principle apply to financial stewardship? What "few things" is God asking you to be faithful with right now?
2. The notes define stewardship as "the responsibility, care and management of another person's resources." If everything we have belongs to God, how does this change the way we view our money, possessions, and time?
3. Genesis 2 shows that God created man to "care for the plants" before rain came. The principle states "Proper stewardship will make it rain but lack of stewardship will only keep it sustained." What does this mean for our financial future?
4. Cain brought "an offering" while Abel brought "the finest firstborn." Why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's? What does this teach us about the heart behind our giving?
5. Genesis 4:7 warns Cain that "sin crouches at your door" when he didn't give his best. How does holding back our firstfruits open the door to other sins like jealousy, bitterness, or greed?
6. The message contrasts being "seed-minded" versus "need-minded." What's the difference? How does focusing on what we can sow (give) change our perspective compared to focusing only on what we need?
7. Ephesians 4:28 says we should work "that he may have to give to him that needeth." This flips the normal motivation for work—we work not just to meet our own needs but to be able to give. How does this challenge cultural attitudes about money?
8. The statement "If your life becomes all about you, it makes it hard for God to bless selfishness" is convicting. In what ways has selfishness limited God's blessing in your life?
9. 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 teaches that generous planting leads to generous harvest. Why do you think God designed the principle of sowing and reaping this way? What does it reveal about His character?
10. 2 Corinthians 9:10 says God provides "seed for the sower and bread for food." How does God differentiate between seed (to be planted/given) and bread (to be consumed)? How can we discern the difference in our own resources?

Reflection

Challenge: This week, identify one area where you've been "need-minded" rather than "seed-minded." What seed could you sow in that area? How might generous giving in that area lead to breakthrough?

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