All Things New Week 6: Anonymous Giving

Welcome

We are so glad that you are here. Some of us have come back to church and some of us are new to church but together we are learning about Jesus and how his teachings and practices make our lives better.

Note: Kid’s Crew is unavailable today as we make some changes to our ministry. Kid’s Crew will resume next week!

Today’s Jesus story from Matthew 6

Teaching about Giving to the Needy

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does giving make you feel? Is that feeling different if no one knows that you gave something to someone. 

2. Jesus says "when you give to the poor" is giving to the poor the same thing as giving to the church? To a charity?

3. We often focus on money when we think about giving.In what other ways can we be generous. How does anonymity work in those cases. 

4. When might other forms of generosity be more useful to the receiver. Why might they be more uncomfortable for us. 

5. What does it mean to give unconditionally (Jesus did)? Are we being stewardly with our money if we don't put conditions on our charity. Do conditions fit with the ethic of giving that Jesus prescribed. 

6. How can we as a community fulfill Jesus teaching here as we look for ways to benefit those in need around us? What would you suggest to Reunion's leadership.