NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.
Bible Passage: 2 Samuel 24:10-25
Discussion Questions:
— How do we feel about regifting (passed off a gift you received to another person)? Does receiving a gift that cost the other person nothing lessen the gift? Explain.
— What are the problems with giving God a gift that costs us nothing?
Food for thought:
Jerry Rae brought a coffee maker she had received at one of her bridal showers to a bridal shower for a friend. In fact, she received three identical coffee makers from various people. Money was tight and she wanted to give her friend a nice gift, so the extra coffee maker got rewrapped.
When her friend opened the gift, several people complimented Jerry Rae for the selection. However, another person sitting in the room caught her eye. At that point, Jerry Rae realized that she was looking across the room at one of the people who originally gave her one of the coffee makers. The joy of the moment lessened as Jerry Rae imagined the thoughts running through the mind of her friend across the room.
David was told to set up an altar at Araunah’s threshing floor, in recognition of God’s mercy seen in stopping a deadly plague caused by David’s sin. David confessed his wrongdoing, taking full responsibility for his actions (see 2 Samuel 24:17).
The angel carrying out the plague was at the threshing floor when David approached God. Araunah offered David the land and animals for the sacrifice, but David refused the offer. Instead, he paid 20 ounces of silver for the land and oxen. David was not about to look at Araunah across the way as he watched David regift a gift to God.
Most of us would not give a gift to a friend that cost us nothing, yet many do it to God. Jesus observed a woman giving two small coins while others gave larger amounts. She was the one recognized because she gave all she had (Mark 12:41-44). The worthiness of what we give to God is not found in the monetary price of the item, but by the value placed on the item. The gift of the widow was everything and therefore of greatest value.
We can’t outgive God, but that almost seems like a convenient way to excuse ourselves from giving our best. We can at least show Him that we value Him and His grace in our lives.
Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool or ordered at LifeWay Christian Stores.
