Lighthouse Baptist Church
and Christian Academy

GOD'S 5 ETERNAL INVESTMENT FUNDS - Purpose Driven Giving

1. GOD WANTS ME TO INVEST IN HIS TREASURY FUND.

[Your Objective: For each person to learn to give as an act of worship.]

What does Matthew 6:19-20 and Job 22:24-25 have to say about real treasure?

• How does the way in which we respond to these verses reveal what we believe about God and His promises?
• Why do many people understand and apply principles of investing for this world but fail to apply them for eternity?
• What might shift their investment focus to eternity?

How? By using some of my money to express worship.

According to Proverbs 3:9, how are we to honor the Lord?

Read Matthew 6:21. What is the relationship between your treasure and your heart?

• Share some examples of times when you received a gift from someone that did not represent much worldly value but did represent a sacrifice by the individual and a gift from their heart. How did you feel about the gift?
• Why does God take pleasure in our gifts to Him?
• How is our relationship with God impacted when we sacrifice and give to Him?

What kind of giving is "worship giving"?

It Is Undesignated Giving.

What happens to our gifts once we give them to the Lord, according to Leviticus 27:28?

• Describe how this is an example of surrendering as an act of worship.

It Is Given When And Where I Worship.

What does 1 Corinthians 16:2 say about our giving being weekly, planned and proportional?

According to Deuteronomy 14:23, what is the purpose of tithing?

• Since God obviously does not need our money, why does He want us to worship Him in this way?

Worship (Magnification) - Giving as an act of worship reveals our level of trust and belief in God as well as thankfulness to Him for how He has blessed us. Have you ever considered that God wants us to invest in His "Treasury Fund" because He wants to prove to us the outstanding return on investment we will receive? What is holding you back from worshiping God as He has commanded you? How much do you trust Him? Make the commitment to start investing with an eternal perspective. Partner with someone you trust and hold each other accountable to taking your next step of faith.

2. GOD WANTS ME TO INVEST IN HIS MUTUAL FUND.

[Your Objective: Learn to invest in relationships with other believers through fellowship and hospitality.]

Read Romans 12:10 and 12:13. How are we to relate to the family of God?

What does Hebrews 10:24 have to say about encouraging each other?

How? By using some of my money to encourage fellowship.

• What are some ways we can live out the above verses? Do you see any of these examples within your group?

Why?

What is the ripple effect of the service of giving to others as stated in 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 and 3 John 1:5?

According to Psalm 133:1, how is living "together in unity" described?

• Do people tend to gravitate toward those who are generous with their resources or to those who are stingy? What practical things can we do to become more proactive in serving and encouraging one another?

Fellowship (Membership) - It is clear that giving our money as a way of encouraging fellowship matters to God and produces benefits. Do you know anyone within God's family that could use some encouragement through hospitality or other good deeds? Maybe someone you know of is going through a tough time financially and could use an evening out to dinner and a movie. Are you willing to sacrifice your evening out in order to provide them with an evening out? Read Hebrews 10:24 again and identify some ideas you will commit to act on this week either as a group or as individuals. Pray for God to lead you and expect God's blessings as you worship Him through investing in those around you.

3. GOD WANTS ME TO INVEST IN HIS GROWTH FUND.

[Your Objective: Understand how we can use our money to grow spiritually.]

In what way does 2 Peter 3:18 tell us to grow?

How can I grow like this? By using some of my money to enhance my life.

• Share some ideas of ways we can spend our money to enhance our lives and help us grow closer to God.

Read Proverbs 10:16, 23:23 and Isaiah 55:2. According to these verses, how are we to spend the money God gives us?

• Why is it sometimes difficult for us to spend the money God has entrusted to us on growing close to Him?

According to Proverbs 16:16, what is better to have than gold and silver?

What type of offering to God does Romans 12:1 tell us to make?

• How can we use our wisdom, knowledge and daily lives as a living sacrifice for God?

How can we use our money to grow in these areas so we can offer even more of ourselves to Him?

Discipleship (Maturity) - To grow closer to Him, God literally wants us to trade our gold and silver for wisdom and knowledge. This will help us to grow spiritually and to invest in eternity. We invest in God's "Growth Fund" by spending our money on becoming a better person, such as seminars, books, tapes, and courses we take. Are you investing any of the money God has given you in His Growth Fund? Pray for God's guidance on how to invest His money to help you grow spiritually. Once God has placed an investment on your heart, take action by buying or signing up for what you know God is leading you to do.

4. GOD WANTS ME TO INVEST IN HIS EQUITY SERVICE FUND.

[Your Objective: Learn how to use our money to serve others.]

What is the attitude of the people in 2 Corinthians 8:3-4?

How can I serve like this? By using some of my money to expand my ministry.

• How can we use our money to serve the needs of other Christians?

Read 2 Corinthians 8:7, Acts 20:35 and Proverbs 11:24. What do these verses tell us about giving to others?

• How does our world grow when we are generous?
• Why would Jesus tell us "It is more blessed to give than to receive"?

What do Proverbs 28:27 and 19:17 say about giving to the poor?

• The Bible talks more about giving to the poor than about Heaven and Hell. Why do you think that is?
• How are we becoming more like Christ when we give to those in need?

How good is faith without action, according to James 2:15-17?

• Is it possible to love others without giving to them? Explain your answer.
• How can taking action in this area help the Church to be known more for what it stands for than what it is against?

Ministry - Giving can be a ministry. We can create a ministry by giving some of what God has given us to help others. He expects we will live off a little less than He gives us so we are able to give to others. God is testing us to see how we use the money. Do you think you are passing God's test? If not, what step do you need to take in order to be able to give.

5. GOD WANTS ME TO INVEST IN HIS GLOBAL FUND.

[Your Objective: See how time and money can extend our mission to the ends of the earth (globally)]

How did God say He would extend Isaiah's work in the world in Isaiah 49:6?

According to Luke 16:9 for what purposes does God say we should use our worldly wealth?

• What keeps many of us from caring enough about real needs around the world to go on a trip to share the gospel with the lost, help the poor, or care for the sick and hungry?
• What is the difference between an excuse and a reason?
• If time or money is a reason for not going, how should we begin to overcome this obstacle?
• What does it take for us to love what God loves and to continue the work He did in this world?

Evangelism (Mission) - Christ's greatest work here on earth was to make salvation available for all of mankind. The mission He left us with is to continue His work while we are in this world. What are some ways we can continue this work today? Is your small group willing to partner together to continue this work? What are you willing to do? If you are not able to go, how can you support others who are able to go? Follow through by holding one another accountable.

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Objective: Explore how well we are investing in God's Five Investment Funds and commit to a personal growth plan in the area of Purpose Driven giving.]

Read the following information and verses asking God to speak His thoughts into your heart and mind. In which areas and verses do you sense God nudging you to respond to His call on your life at this time? Consider starting a PEACE Plan Savings Account so you can invest in meeting the needs of the poor around the world.

THE PURPOSE DRIVEN GLOBAL P.E.A.C.E. PLAN

We must support believers who go on trips like this so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.

3 John 1:8 (GW)

You will honor God through this genuine act of service because of your commitment to spread the Good News of Christ and because of your generosity in sharing...

2 Corinthians 9:13 (GW)

God says, "Ask, and I will give you all the nations; the whole earth will be yours!"

Psalm 2:8 (TEV)

HOW CAN I AFFORD TO MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS?

If you are untrustworthy about handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?

Luke 16:11 (NLT)

God gives seed to the farmer to plant. He will also give you 'seed' and multiply what you generously plant. In your lives he will increase the things you do that have his approval.

2 Corinthians 9:10 (Dtv)

THE PRAYER OF AGUR

Lord... don't let me become too poor or too rich. Just give me just what I need. For If I have too much, I might forget about you; and if I don't have enough, I might steal and disgrace your name.

Proverbs 30:7-9 (CEV)

If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done!

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (LB)