Radical Generosity — The Pitfalls of Treasure
Welcome to our For Your Neighbor series. This week, we talk about radical generosity and the pitfalls of treasure in Luke 12 and Acts 4-5. To view our adult devotional, click here.
To access the personal Giving Exercise we did together in our services this Sunday, click here. To find our mission partners’ wish lists, visit smc.church/giveback.
Ice Breaker: What’s the best purchase you’ve ever saved up for?
Read Luke 12:13-21.
1.What did the man in this story get wrong in his relationship with his wealth?
2. What do you think this parable is saying about how we should relate to our wealth?
Read Luke 12:22-34.
3. How does Jesus say we should relate to worry or the fear that we won’t have enough?
4. What do you think Jesus means by “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”?
5. In his sermon, Pete said, “Greed is the belief that a little more will bring me satisfaction, while worry is the fear that a little less will bring me ruin.” When do you find yourself most tempted to trust in money rather than in God? What triggers this, and what helps re-center your trust?
6. Have you ever experienced joy from choosing “less” instead of “more”? How did that impact your relationship with God or others?
Read Acts 4:32-37.
7. In this passage, how is the early church living out the principles Jesus taught about money?
8. How does their example address both greed and worry?
9. What do you imagine it would feel like to be part of the Acts 4 community, where everything is shared freely? What would be exciting about that? What would be uncomfortable?
10. What’s one area you sense God inviting you to bring into better alignment with Him?
Giving Exercise
If you haven’t yet, take some time to discuss the giving exercise Pete introduced in the services on Sunday, found here.
(*Video available after Sunday services)
