DEUTERONOMY - WEEK 9

BIG IDEA: Grace leads to Generosity

QUESTIONS

INTRO

Deuteronomy 14 describes two different tithes: one is the annual tithe or a festival to be held in Jerusalem and the second is a triennial (every three years) tithe for the Levites, widows, foreigners and orphans. 

PART ONE: THE ANNUAL TITHE

READ: DEUT 14 

Read Deuteronomy 14:22-29

What stands out to you from this passage/what questions do you have?

This section describes an annual tithe that Israel were to do every year…what was it for?

Why do Levites get a free ride?!

14:23 states they were to do this to show that they feared the Lord…how would having a massive celebration show that they feared the Lord? 

PART TWO: THE TRIENNIAL TITHE

READ: DEUT 26:1-11

What was the significance of giving from their “first fruits”?

Why would God make his people recite their origin story before offering this tithe?

How does remembering their salvation lead to rejoicing (26:11) and generosity? 

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-9

What kind of difficulties were the Macedonian Christians facing?

What words does Paul use to describe their generosity? 

Read 8:9 again…How does the grace of the gospel move our hearts toward generosity? 

How is the grace that we have experienced, deeper than the grace that Israel had experienced? 

APPLICATION

READ AND DISCUSS:

“Studies over the past decades indicate that American Christians give on average between 2 to 3 percent of their income. In fact, “more than one out of four American Protestants give away no money at all—not even a token $5 a year”. A 2013 study found that those who do tithe compose “only 10-25 percent of the families in the church, but they often provide 50-80 percent of the funding”. Isn’t it troubling that in this wealthy society what’s inaccurately called “grace giving” amounts to only a fraction of the First Covenant standard?…tithing is God’s historical method to get His people on the path of giving. In that sense, it can serve as a gateway to the joy of true grace giving. It’s unhealthy to view tithing as a place to stop, but it can certainly be a good place to start. Tithing isn’t the ceiling of giving; it’s the floor. It’s not the finish line of giving, it’s the starting blocks. Tithes can launch us into the mind-set, skills and habits of grace giving. -Randy Alcorn

Do you agree/disagree with his point? 

Without disclosing how much…Do you have a set percentage that you give away? Why/why not?

The scriptures continually connect joy with generosity…have you ever experienced joy in giving money away? Why do you think that is?

PRAY

Pray for our church finances (see announcement video) but also that we would be joyfully generous in giving away to alleviate poverty, address injustice and advance the global cause of the gospel!