November 8th, 2026
Cart Before the Horse - Week 6
The Quality of our Decisions Determine the Quality of our Lives.
Estimates tell us that we are bombarded by almost 10,000 ads everyday, reminding us of what we DON’T have, in order to bring us happiness!
Acts 20:35 NIV
… You’re actually happier when you're being generous.
- Because NO ONE has ever accidentally become irrationally generous!
- NO ONE ever, just by chance, stumbles into TITHING!
- NO ONE ever says, Pastor Jim, why are we stopping at 10%, I’m feeling 12 or 15%!
Because Generosity isn't about what you HAVE or DON’T HAVE, GENEROSITY is about the HEART.
More MONEY doesn't automatically make you MORE generous, it just makes MORE of what you already are!
I. Generous people PLAN to be Generous
A. Generous people don't need to be GUILTED to Give!
Isaiah 32:8 NLT
It’s not Emotional, it’s Strategic.
It's not just Random, it's Intentional.
They’ve Pre-Decided.
What is a Tithe?
II. Generous people always ROUND UP
Proverbs 21:26 NLT
"Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher, I'll pay you the next time I'm here."
"If I've cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Romans 5:8 NLT
Life Group Study Guide Week 6
Pre-Decide: When You Stop Holding Back
Key Scriptures
- “… ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” -Acts 20:35 NIV
- “Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’ ” -Luke 12:18-19 NLT
- But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. -Isaiah 32:8 NLT
- “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” -Malachi 3:10 NIV
- All day long he [the lazy and selfish] craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. -Proverbs 21:26 ESV
- “The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ ” -Luke 10:35 NLT
- “… if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” -Luke 19:8 NIV
Talk it Over
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
- What are your initial thoughts when you think about generosity?
Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.
- Which part of this message was the most impactful for you and why?
- On a scale of 1-10, how much would you say that you trust God with your finances, time, and other resources? What could you do to move closer to a 10?
- Read Isaiah 32:8. In what ways could you plan to be generous this week?
Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.
- Talk about the differences between giving and generosity. What would it look like to focus less on giving and more on generosity?
- Generous people always “round up.” Share a time when you were on the receiving end of someone rounding up. How does that experience impact how you view generosity?
Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.
- Father, You have been so generous to us. Today, we are pre-deciding to be generous people. Please help us plan to be generous, and show us where we can round up. We trust You with all we have. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- This week, listen to This Couple Paid Off $55,000 in Debt While Traveling and Giving. Then, talk about it with your LifeGroup. www.go2.lc/begenerous
- Start the Habits Bible Plan using Plans With Friends: www.go2.lc/habits
- Consider how you could love others by serving on the weekend or with a Local Mission Partner.
Cart Before the Horse - Week 6
The Quality of our Decisions Determine the Quality of our Lives.
Estimates tell us that we are bombarded by almost 10,000 ads everyday, reminding us of what we DON’T have, in order to bring us happiness!
Acts 20:35 NIV
… You’re actually happier when you're being generous.
- Because NO ONE has ever accidentally become irrationally generous!
- NO ONE ever, just by chance, stumbles into TITHING!
- NO ONE ever says, Pastor Jim, why are we stopping at 10%, I’m feeling 12 or 15%!
Because Generosity isn't about what you HAVE or DON’T HAVE, GENEROSITY is about the HEART.
More MONEY doesn't automatically make you MORE generous, it just makes MORE of what you already are!
I. Generous people PLAN to be Generous
A. Generous people don't need to be GUILTED to Give!
Isaiah 32:8 NLT
It’s not Emotional, it’s Strategic.
It's not just Random, it's Intentional.
They’ve Pre-Decided.
What is a Tithe?
II. Generous people always ROUND UP
Proverbs 21:26 NLT
"Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher, I'll pay you the next time I'm here."
"If I've cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
Romans 5:8 NLT
Life Group Study Guide Week 6
Pre-Decide: When You Stop Holding Back
Key Scriptures
- “… ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” -Acts 20:35 NIV
- “Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’ ” -Luke 12:18-19 NLT
- But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. -Isaiah 32:8 NLT
- “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” -Malachi 3:10 NIV
- All day long he [the lazy and selfish] craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. -Proverbs 21:26 ESV
- “The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ ” -Luke 10:35 NLT
- “… if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” -Luke 19:8 NIV
Talk it Over
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
- What are your initial thoughts when you think about generosity?
Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.
- Which part of this message was the most impactful for you and why?
- On a scale of 1-10, how much would you say that you trust God with your finances, time, and other resources? What could you do to move closer to a 10?
- Read Isaiah 32:8. In what ways could you plan to be generous this week?
Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.
- Talk about the differences between giving and generosity. What would it look like to focus less on giving and more on generosity?
- Generous people always “round up.” Share a time when you were on the receiving end of someone rounding up. How does that experience impact how you view generosity?
Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.
- Father, You have been so generous to us. Today, we are pre-deciding to be generous people. Please help us plan to be generous, and show us where we can round up. We trust You with all we have. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- This week, listen to This Couple Paid Off $55,000 in Debt While Traveling and Giving. Then, talk about it with your LifeGroup. www.go2.lc/begenerous
- Start the Habits Bible Plan using Plans With Friends: www.go2.lc/habits
- Consider how you could love others by serving on the weekend or with a Local Mission Partner.