Session 21

God Doesn’t Need Our Money

From Finding Your Financial Path

What’s the most awkward gift-giving experience you’ve ever seen? Maybe you or someone you know got busted regifting. Or, the gift wasn’t something the person wanted at all. When it comes to giving gifts, the point is not the gift itself. The point is the heart of the giver.

In Genesis 4, we meet two brothers, Cain and Abel. Cain begrudgingly gave the leftovers from his harvest, but Abel gave God the most valuable animals in his flock. Abel’s gift came from a love and a desire to please God. Cain’s did not.

God gave Cain a chance to change his heart and warned him of the sin waiting to overcome him, but instead Cain grew angry and allowed jealousy to consume him. Cain murdered Abel, which led to him being condemned from God’s presence.

Giving is a heart issue. God doesn’t want us to give to Him so we can check off a task. He also doesn’t want us to give less than our best. God wants us to give from a faithful heart that desires to please Him. God doesn’t need our gift; He wants our heart.

Think About:
1. Are you giving to a local church? Why or why not?
2. What is your motivation for giving?
3. Do your reasons for giving reflect a heart that loves God? If yes, how so? If not, what needs to change?

Pray:
Jesus, thank You for caring more about the condition of my heart than the size of my gift.