LOOSENING THE CASH CLAMP! Holding tightly to MONEY is a matter of the heart not of the pocketbook Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens [the mint, the dill, and the cumin], but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.” Matthew 23:23 (NLT) MONEY GRIPS US, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:21-22 (NLT) Loosen Your Grip on Money and It Will Loosen Its Grip on You For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) Life Group Discussion: In what areas (or under what circumstances) do you need to be more generous with your time, talent, or treasure? What is hindering your generosity? In what ways do you see your level of generosity as a matter of the heart? What specific things can you do to increase your level of generosity?