Habits that Lead to Happiness: Pt 10
God's Promise to Meet Our Needs
If you would like to extend this over a week, you can easily do one of the points each day of your devotion. For a printable version, click here.
Philippians 4:1 - You can be sure God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding yours, in the glory that pours from Jesus. (MSG)
Why be generous? In his letter to the Philippians, Paul offers at least three benefits. Every time we're generous: 1) our giving is an encouragement to others, 2) our giving is an investment in the future, and 3) our giving is a sacrifice to God. What would God have us do? Think it over.
Open up in prayer. Ask God to open your heart.
Proverbs 11:17 - The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself, but he who is cruel and callous brings on himself retribution. (AMP)
1. What does Proverbs 11:17 tell us about the benefits of being generous? Think about what you sow in the world--is it what you wish to receive back? It has been said that whatever you need more of, that is what you must give away. It sounds simple enough, but why is it so hard to do?
2. We are most grateful to those who have given their time and energy to us. During this week, take time to share how thankful you are to those who have invested in you.
Philippians 4:6 - Do not worry about anything, instead pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. (NCV)
3. How is Philippians 4:6 related to your generosity? What are ways you can put Philippians 4:6 into practice?
1 Timothy 6:18, 19 - Give happily to those in need, and always be ready to share whatever God has given you. By doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven--it is the only safe investment for eternity.
4. What happens when we give, according to 1 Timothy 6:18-19? Think about practical ways to invest into eternity.
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
5. Read Philippians 4:19 several times until you have it memorized. Next week, whenever you face a need, quote this scripture to yourself.
6. If God promises to take care of all our needs, why are all our needs not met? Paul wrote this letter as a thank you to the Philippians, who had unselfishly supported his ministry more than all the others.
Read Philippians 4:14-18 and write down what Paul meant when he said God's generosity exceeds our own. What does this have to do with getting our own needs met?
7. We can be generous by reason--figuring out what we can afford, or we can be generous by revelation--asking God to tell us what He wants to give through us. What method do you think the Philippians chose? How are they a model for you?
Philippians 3:7 - I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. (NLT)
8. When we're generous, we show what matters most. What has Paul learned by the time he wrote this letter, according to Philippians 3:7?
9. When we're generous, we become more like Jesus. Why do you think today's world needs to see Jesus in us?
Why be generous? In his letter to the Philippians, Paul offers at least three benefits. Every time we're generous: 1) our giving is an encouragement to others, 2) our giving is an investment in the future, and 3) our giving is a sacrifice to God. What would God have us do? Think it over.
Open up in prayer. Ask God to open your heart.
Proverbs 11:17 - The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself, but he who is cruel and callous brings on himself retribution. (AMP)
1. What does Proverbs 11:17 tell us about the benefits of being generous? Think about what you sow in the world--is it what you wish to receive back? It has been said that whatever you need more of, that is what you must give away. It sounds simple enough, but why is it so hard to do?
2. We are most grateful to those who have given their time and energy to us. During this week, take time to share how thankful you are to those who have invested in you.
Philippians 4:6 - Do not worry about anything, instead pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. (NCV)
3. How is Philippians 4:6 related to your generosity? What are ways you can put Philippians 4:6 into practice?
1 Timothy 6:18, 19 - Give happily to those in need, and always be ready to share whatever God has given you. By doing this, you will be storing up real treasure for yourselves in heaven--it is the only safe investment for eternity.
4. What happens when we give, according to 1 Timothy 6:18-19? Think about practical ways to invest into eternity.
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
5. Read Philippians 4:19 several times until you have it memorized. Next week, whenever you face a need, quote this scripture to yourself.
6. If God promises to take care of all our needs, why are all our needs not met? Paul wrote this letter as a thank you to the Philippians, who had unselfishly supported his ministry more than all the others.
Read Philippians 4:14-18 and write down what Paul meant when he said God's generosity exceeds our own. What does this have to do with getting our own needs met?
7. We can be generous by reason--figuring out what we can afford, or we can be generous by revelation--asking God to tell us what He wants to give through us. What method do you think the Philippians chose? How are they a model for you?
Philippians 3:7 - I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. (NLT)
8. When we're generous, we show what matters most. What has Paul learned by the time he wrote this letter, according to Philippians 3:7?
9. When we're generous, we become more like Jesus. Why do you think today's world needs to see Jesus in us?
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