Stewardship: The Purpose of Prosperity; God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

Memory Verse: 
“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.”  2 Corinthians 8:11

Monday: 2 Corinthians 8:7, 8

The Corinthian believers were great at many things….they were great in their faith, their speech was excellent, they were knowledgeable and displayed great diligence. Paul wanted them to be great givers too. Giving is a response to love and here he is speaking, not through authority, but as an encourager. He is testing their sincerity. Would you pass the test?

Tuesday: Greedy Troubles

A couple weeks ago, we learned that the antidote for materialism is giving. If we aren’t giving as we are commanded to do, there is more room for our hearts to grow cold about the subject.

Proverbs 28:25 says “A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.”

Greed is overwhelming and causes trouble. Look up the following verses about relationships destroyed by greed.

• Genesis 4:3-5
  
• Malachi 3:6-10
  
• Matthew 26:14-16
  
• Luke 12:42-48
  

Wednesday: The Reason for Wealth

Why would God ever make anyone wealthy? The more you have, the more you want, right? Generosity is a hard pill to swallow but not as much for the poor as the wealthy. Oftentimes it is through our most blessed times that it is hardest for us to give. But God blesses us with the intention that we in turn, bless others.

• 2 Corinthians 9:11 - We are given so that we will give and through our giving, God will receive thanks.
• Proverbs 11:24 - God is looking to bless those with generous hearts. But when our hearts are hardened and greedy, He has no room to bestow His blessings.
• 2 Corinthians 9:6 - The generous giver will reap a generous harvest. But remember, we are not given a generous harvest to store the benefits in our silos. God wants us to bless others and give Him the praise.

Thursday: Blessing Others

Regardless of your financial situation, God desires for us to actively seek ways to bless others. This can include our tithes, our extra giving, time, talents, and belongings.

Look up the following verses to learn about people in the Bible who were generous with their money, their belongings, and even their own tomb!

• Luke 8:1-3
• Matthew 27:57-60
• John 19:39
• Acts 18:26
• 2 Corinthians 8 and 9
• Philemon 1:2 

Friday: Test the Tithes

Last week we were issued a challenge to test God’s faithfulness in our lives by participating in Test the Tithes.

Each family is challenged to begin tithing or continue tithing in the month of December. The purpose is to show faithfulness to giving according to scripture and to combat the materialism of this season. This is not an authoritarian mandate for money, but rather an encouragement to test God and experience the blessings He has promised to those who will give according to His word.

December is here and now is the time to place your faith and trust in God’s hands. He cares about the sparrow, how much more must He care about you?