Financial Faithfulness: Leading Families and Church to the Cross

Study Guide — Financial Faithfulness: Leading Families and Church to the Cross

Because God owns everything, we honor Him first and manage our resources so families and the church can advance the gospel.

Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 9:6–8; Proverbs 3:9–10; Romans 6:23; Isaiah 53:6; Acts 2:37–41

NASB 1995 2 Cor 9:6–8; Prov 3:9–10 Study Guide

Lesson Objectives

Honor the Lord with the “first” of income, time, and priorities—not leftovers.
Plan cheerful, grace-driven giving rather than impulsive or reluctant giving.
Evaluate spending and debt so generosity and service are not hindered.
Connect family stewardship to the church’s ability to teach, serve, and evangelize.

God owns it all. We are stewards, not owners (Psalm 24:1; Prov 3:9–10).
Grace fuels generosity. Cheerful giving reflects the cross (2 Cor 9:6–8).
Wisdom avoids bondage. Debt can enslave and restrict good works (Prov 22:7; Rom 13:8).
Stewardship is holistic. Time, talents, treasure, and witness belong under Christ (Eph 5:15–17).
Generosity serves the gospel. Giving should open doors to teach and save (Acts 2:37–41; Rom 6:23).

Term	Basic Meaning	Life / Application Insight
כָּבֵד (kābēd) — “honor” (Prov 3:9)	To make weighty; treat as most important.	Give God the first portion of time and income as a practical confession that He owns all.
ἱλαρός (hilaros) — “cheerful” (2 Cor 9:7)	Glad, willing; joy springing from grace.	Decide giving prayerfully in advance so it remains joyful, not pressured.
περισσεύω (perisseuō) — “abound” (2 Cor 9:8)	To overflow; have enough for every good work.	Ask where God’s provision should overflow into specific gospel-centered deeds.

Where does “first” show up in your week—calendar, giving, and priorities?
What debt or habit most limits your generosity or service right now?
How can your family tie generosity directly to evangelism and discipleship this month?
Which gift (time, skill, resource) are you under-stewarding, and what is your next faithful step?
If your giving reflected the cross more clearly, what would actually change?

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