Bible Studies
Enrich Your Life: 12 Studies on GivingYvonne Vinkemulder
“Enrich your life through Credit Bureau,” proclaimed a sign on a Madison bus. It reflects the value system of a society which says the good life consists of abundance of possessions. This emphasis is consistent with the very nature and make-up of people.
In contrast stands Paul’s statement to the Corinthians: “You will be enriched in every way for great generosity.” In other words, the good life consists not in acquiring but in giving.
And this is not the teaching of an isolated passage, but a thread woven throughout the Scripture: It is found in the books of the law, the historical narratives, the Bible’s poetry, the books of the prophets, the teachings of Jesus, and the apostles’ letters to young churches.
These twelve studies will take you into these writings from many different centuries and cultural settings, and help you find from Scripture itself a foundation for a right Christian perspective on giving, a subject often misunderstood or ignored.
Spend twenty to thirty minutes with each of these passages, daily if possible. Use a separate notebook or journal to record your thoughts. Pray and act on the basis of what you learn. God will enrich your life!
STUDY 1: The Suitcase People
Read Exodus 25:1-9; 35:4-5, 21-29; 36:2-7.
1. Note the four aspects of the Lord’s command in 25:1-9. What was Moses’ responsibility? The character of those who were to give? The nature of the offering? The function of the offering?
2. You may wish to skim through Exodus 1-19 for background. Note particularly the identity of the people of Israel in Egypt as slaves: afflicted, oppressed, broken in spirit, suffering under cruel bondage (1:11-12; 2:23; 6:9). After God dealt their oppressor a series of plagues or judgments, the people were forcibly evicted from Egypt (12:29-39). They then traveled through a wilderness unable to support the two million or more people (12:37; 13:18; 15:22; 16:1, etc.).
Consider their mode of travel, luggage restrictions and prospects of acquiring replacement goods. What was probably the source of any valuable goods they had (3:21-22; 11:2-3; 12:35-36)?
Given such a situation do you think you would be possessive or generous? Why?
3. Characterize those who responded to the Lord’s command through Moses (see 35:5, 21-29).4. What was the measure and outcome of the people’s response (36:2-7)? Can you think of a particular ministry today which has this same “problem” ?
STUDY 2: The Emerging Society
Read Deuteronomy 14:22-29; 15:7-11; 16:1-22.
1. Describe the tithe as to substance, frequency and place of “payment.”
2. To what uses was it put (14:23, 26-27)? Why are the Levites singled out? (See Numbers 8:15-26; 18:6-7, 20-21 for background.)
3. What reason is given for the tithe (14:23)? Notice what the Isrealites were tithing. How would this cause them to “learn to revere the Lord”? How would you describe their emotions as they obeyed?
4. Who else benefited from the annual tithe? What needs did the third-year tithe meet (see also 26:12-13)?
5. What was the responsibility of an Israelite to the poor (15:7-11)?
6. What is the significance of 15:9 (along with verses 1-5)?
7. Read 15:10-11. Notice the link between cause and effect, motive and result. What motivates your generous impulses? Do you think there are times when the need (verse 11) is there, but blessing (verse 10) does not apparently follow generosity? If so, what is your responsibility in such a case?
8. How often were adult males to appear before the Lord (16:16)? What one thing was required of them each time? Consider the significance of this in terms of time (16:3, 10, 13), inconvenience, wealth and material values.
9. What was required of them at the Feast of Weeks? Who was involved? Why was it appropriate that they should rejoice?
10. Compare the Feast of Tabernacles in terms of time and attitude.
11. What does your giving contribute to others? To yourself? To God?
STUDY 3: Worship and Commitment
Read Deuteronomy 26.
1. State the requirements given in verses 1-3. What declaration was to be made when offering the first fruits? How would this declaration and response set their frame of mind?
2. Why would this be an act of worship? (Note verse 10.)
3. Compare this action and situation to a moment from your own past or to one you imagine in your future. If still looking ahead to such a point, what might you do as an act of meaningful worship?
4. Moses refers in verses 16-19 to decrees, commands and laws. These begin in chapter 12 and include those cited in this and the previous study. How seriously were they to be taken?
5. By keeping the commandments of the Lord, what would the people be declaring? What did God declare?
6. These laws were given with an agrarian society in mind. Translate the principles you’ve learned to an industrial or technical and largely urban society. If God’s people today honored these principles, what effect do you think it would have on them? On the indigent and helpless (e.g., widows and orphans)?
7. What have you personally learned from this study to influence your values? What one practical change can you make in your daily life and habits that will reflect this lesson?
STUDY 4: The Affluent Society
Read 1 Chronicles 29.
1. Review the context in chapter 28, especially verses 1-10. Why doesn’t David go ahead with his dream? What injunction does he lay on Solomon?
2. Compare David’s attitude and action with his appeal to the assembly (verses 3-5).
3. List the characteristics of God that David recognizes in this chapter. Compare David’s description of himself and his people. Do you agree with his evaluation? Why or why not?
4. What is the ultimate source of the offering? How would your view of material things have caused you to respond?
5. Describe the spiritual condition and response of those who gave (verses 9, 17-18). What do you think it means to offer with a “whole heart”?
6. What does David ask God to do for the people? For their new leader, Solomon? What might you have expected him to ask for?
7. To what climax does the liberal offering lead?
8. We no longer make animal sacrifices. Can you think of a parallel group experience we could have today which would result in gladness and the joyous praising of the Lord?
9. What connection do you see between generosity and subsequent sacrifice and worship?
STUDY 5: Here Comes the Judge
Read Psalms 37 & 50. You may want to do this study in two parts, one psalm each day.
1. State and summarize positive and negative commands in verses 1-8. What is the basis or source of confidence which justifies such an attitude?
2. Contrast what the psalmist says about the wicked and about the righteous (verses 12-33). Distinguish those statements that refer to characteristics of the righteous from those which refer to God’s care for them.
3. If another person were to mark your character or relationship to God by these lists, would he classify you with the wicked or the righteous? In what ways can you cultivate generosity, wisdom and justice?
4. Summarize the expectations for the wicked and righteous (verses 34-40). What accounts for the difference?
5. Distinguish between your attitude concerning injustice and your responsibility in the face of it. What can you do this week to reflect a righteous character?
6. State the attributes or characteristics of God seen in verses 1-6 in relation to his office as judge. How extensive is his “court,” according to verse 1?
7. What is his testimony concerning his people (verses 7-15)? What are his commands?
8. What is his testimony against the wicked (verses 16-22)? Contrast this to what he really desires (verses 14-15).
9. How does thanksgiving honor God?
10. Does this song invalidate or enhance the sacrificial order given in the law? How?
11. What would the Mighty One testify concerning your sacrifices and offerings? Do you give to the Lord because you sense he needs it, out of gratitude and thanksgiving, or for another reason?
12. Compare and contrast these two psalms in their descriptions of the righteous and the wicked. What have you learned to help you in God-pleasing living?
STUDY 6: Let Justice Roll
Read Amos 5.
1. Read the chapter several times, imagining that Israel is here facing a judge in a court of law. Then describe in your own words the outlook for Israel.
2. Why is God’s judgment so severe?
3. What is the solution (verses 4, 5, 14-15)? Why is this the solution?
4. What one aspect of God’s character is described in verses 8 and 9? What other aspect is alluded to in verse 15? From this chapter, what factors are involved in God’s showing judgment or graciousness?
5. What relationship is there between God’s accepting offerings and sacrifices and the actions of his people?
6. Contrast verses 7 and 24. What does God desire? How is this related specifically to the poor (verse 11)?
7. What relationship is there between your profession of social concern as a Christian and your action in terms of righteousness and justice? Consider this specifically in terms of the pressing social need of our cities and countries. Would God, in judging your giving and your service, be gracious or severe? For additional perspective, read and study Isaiah 58-59 and Micah 6.
STUDY 7: Second Best and Leftovers
Read Malachi 1:6-14; 3:6-12.
1. Determine who is speaking and who is being addressed. List at least four descriptive terms claimed by the one speaking.
2. What is the point of interrogation in 1:6-10? What further declaration of attitude is revealed (verse 13)? Why does he suggest the radical remedy of verse 10?
3. Contrast the people addressed with those described in verse 11.
4. Contrast the character of the Lord with that of the descendants of Jacob in 3:6-7.
5. Note again the use of interrogation in verses 7-8. What complaint does God register?
6. State the two commands and promises (verses 7, 10-12). How are they related?
7. State the two sins described in these chapters. What is the specific responsibility of the religious leaders? (Refer to Deut. 12, Mal. 2:4-9 if necessary.)
8. What is the relationship between attitude toward God and nature of the offering?9. To what degree have you been giving the Lord Almighty your second best or leftovers? What commitments can you make today to correct this sin?
STUDY 8: First the Kingdom
Read Matthew 6:19-34.
1. On verses 22-24: “The eye here stands for interests, desires, ambitions, the directions in which attention is attracted.... the whole character of man’s life... ‘Mammon’ is an Aramaic word meaning ‘wealth’ and here stands for money and worldly interests” (New Bible Commentary). With these definitions in mind, explain each of the three contrasts in verses 19-21, 22-23 and 24. Then compare the points of each of these three sayings.
2. The converse of verse 21 would be, “Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.” Would you agree with this? Why or why not?
3. What attitude is Jesus warning against in verses 25-34? Why is this sin?
4. What is the relationship between verses 19-24 and 25-34?
5. Contrast the goals of the pagans with those Jesus is teaching. With what kind are you preoccupied?
6. To what does “all these things” refer? In what ways are you pursuing or seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness? the things or gifts he gives?
7. Thank God for physical and material things he has given you. Ask him now to help you keep the right perspective... be specific!
STUDY 9: Community
Read Acts 4:32-5:11.
1. List five or six characteristics of the believers in the early church. (See especially 4:32-35.)
2. Compare their attitude to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6. How does their testimony to the resurrection fit in? (verse 33)
3. Who was responsible for the distribution? (verse 35) Who were the recipients?
4. From Peter’s statement, what options were open to Ananias and Sapphira? What was their sin? Write a few sentences as if you were Ananias, explaining your action.
5. Compare the actions of Barnabas and Ananias. What happened to Ananias? To Barnabas (see Acts 9:27, 11:22-26, 13:1-3)?
6. Imagine yourself as one of the believers. Consider the effect of God’s judgment, both for yourself and the young church.
7. Note three descriptive phrases in the passage: “great power,” “much grace,” and “great fear.” What cause-and-effect relationships do you see between these and the believers’ attitude toward possessions, the testimony to the resurrection, and the growth of the church (verses 12-14)? Which of these are characteristics of your life? Which should you ask God for?
8. Note again the statement, “All the believers were one in heart and mind.” Does this characterize your relationship to other believers? How does it affect your use of God-given things “yours” and “theirs”?
STUDY 10: Added Dimension Grace
Read 2 Corinthians 8.
1. List six or seven characteristics of the churches in the area of Macedonia.
2. Characterize the church at Corinth (verse 7). What additional quality does Paul want them to excel in?
3. State the three basic thoughts in verses 8-15. What is the relationship of equality to the tests of love and the will? To what extent is self-denial important? What evidence is there that total self-denial (i.e., to the extent that you deny your very personhood) is not implied? (If you disagree, state why.)
4. List all the facts you can find about Titus and the other brother mentioned in this chapter. What seems to be their specific role here?
5. What is the character and responsibility of the administrators of the generous gift?
6. List all the references to “grace” and its derivatives. Relate “act of grace” to these other references. Why do you think Paul emphasized this?
7. Meditate on verse 9. In what specific ways have you become rich because the Lord Jesus Christ became poor? To what action should his example lead you?
STUDY 11: Harvest of Righteousness
Read 2 Corinthians 9.
1. Compare the church at Corinth with those in Macedonia. Why is Paul sending the brethren?
2. Compare generosity to farming (verses 6-10).
3. List the characteristics of generosity, as stated in chapters 8 and 9, which you also found in your Old Testament studies.
4. Read the context of verse 9 in Psalm 112. What is the relationship between righteousness and generosity?
5. State at least six effects of generosity found in verses 6-15.
6. What is the motive for generosity (verse 13)? Why is obedience at this point a means of acknowledging the gospel? To what extent are you acknowledging the gospel through generous living?
7. What is the dynamic behind this kind of generosity? (Compare 9:14 with 8:1, 7, 9.) Can you think of any reason why this is so? Who should get the credit if your generosity is noticed and praised? How can you ensure this?
8. What is the supreme example? (Compare 9:15 with 8:9.)
9. Analyze your motives for giving: habit? pressure? duty? desiring the result or effects (e.g., blessing/righteousness)? compelling desire? obedience? others?Ask God to help you examine your patterns of giving and determine, by his grace, to acknowledge the gospel by obedience in this. You might ask him to bring to your attention one or more individuals or ministries which you can begin now to help.
STUDY 12: A Productive Partnership
Read Philippians 4:10-20.
1. For what specific reason was Paul able to rejoice? How had the Philippians expressed their concern in the past? What does this imply about their present action?
2. In verses 11 and 12, compare Paul’s varied circumstances and his attitude toward them. Which changes?
3. At this point, Paul was in prison for the sake of the gospel — probably in Rome, perhaps in facilities rented at his own expense. What light does this shed on verses 10-13?
4. Look back at 1:3-8 and 4:1. How does Paul describe his relationship with the Philippians? What do you think each contributed to the relationship?
5. What two things does the gift from the Philippians accomplish? Which result does Paul really desire?
6. Have you entered into “partnership” with anyone in this way? What are the benefits to your partner? to you?
7. Who will care for the Philippians’ needs? Who cares for yours? What connection is there between your generosity and the Philippians'?
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