GIVING - God Blesses those who give

SCRIPTURE
Matthew 6:21 | Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matthew 6:1-4 | Watch out! Do not do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, do not do as the hypocrites do - blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Luke 6:38 | 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.

Malachi 3:8-12 | Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! But you ask, What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you? You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, says the LORD of Heavens Armies, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you will not have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe, says the LORD of Heavens Armies. Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight, says the LORD of Heavens Armies.


DISCUSSION

1. Why does Matthew 6:2 tell us that we should not tell others about our generosity and giving?
2. Do you struggle with wanting everyone to know about the good things you have done? Why do you think that is?
3. In Matthew 6:4, we are told that when we give our gifts privately - just so the Lord knows and not everyone else, what happens?
4. God promises that the more we give, the more He blesses us. What do you think those blessings look like?
5. Should we ever give to God because we want His blessings? Why or why not?