The Blessed Life: Life, Not Law

THE WARM-UP:
What are your thoughts about ownership? Can we truly own anything?

READ Matthew 6
Here are a few thoughts to ponder after having read Matthew chapter 6.
• We need to acknowledge that we are stewards, not owners
• Tithing blesses God; and in return, He blesses the one who tithes, creating an upward cycle of blessing.
• True tithing comes from the heart – not from a legalistic mind.
• Tithing is not law – it is life.
• The devourer is rebuked!
• The righteousness of grace always exceeds the righteousness of the law.
While through this whole series on “The Blessed Life”, we emphasize the importance of giving to God first and giving to others, we learn here that it is useless to do so if our heart isn’t in it. Giving grudgingly or because it is what is expected isn’t what God wants from us. In 1 Corinthians 13:3, Paul tells us that even if we give everything to the poor but have no love, it profits us nothing.

THE TEAM WORK-OUT:
1. What are some ways God has blessed you?
2. What are some things our church could do if everyone were to tithe and give?
3. Why do you think we are held to a higher standard under grace than under the law?