1. God blesses and refreshes those who trust in Him.

• When have you experienced God’s blessing and/or refreshing?
• Read Romans 15:13. Notice what Paul says God will do for those who trust in Him. What will the result in the believer’s life be?
• Notice the progression… First, God fills. Then, through the Spirit’s power, the believer’s life overflows.
• What does a life “overflowing with confident hope” (NLT) look like? How does such a life behave?

2. Your generosity reveals the object of your trust.

• When have you been disappointed by something or someone you have put your trust in?
• Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Why is God a better object of our trust than money?
• Notice Paul doesn’t say money is bad, but it is to be used. How does he say to use it?
• How does Paul describe the resulting life of a generous follower of Jesus?

3. Generosity focuses on faith, not on fear.

• What obstacles stand in the way of you increasing your generosity?
• Read 1 Kings 17:7-16. Putting yourself in the widow’s place, how eager would you have been to accommodate Elijah’s request?
• Notice Elijah’s words to her in vs. 13. What role does fear play in your willingness to give generously?
• Considering your resources, do you believe it’s possible for you to imitate the generosity of God?

Wrap Up

Discuss this statement: “Generous people often discover all kinds of new wealth (spiritual and material) that permit them to expand the parameters of their generosity.” (MacDonald, Johnson, Generosity © 2013, p. 58)

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, give me eyes to see the abundant blessings you have poured out on me and the abundant opportunities You give me to bless others. Give me courage to act on these opportunities. Unleash Your power in me, in my relationships, in our communities, and in Your world. Amen.

Reflect

• Take an inventory: what material gifts has God blessed you with?
• Do you find yourself thinking more about – the giver or the gifts?

Act

• This week, take action on the call to “be rich in good works and generous to those in need.” (1 Timothy 6:18 NLT)