1 Corinthians 16:1–3 (NIV) 1Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.

• • “every week … in keeping with your income” Why? It’s a safeguard for us and a help for others.

WE’RE USING THE GOOD LIFE BY RANDY ALCORN AS A SUPPORTING RESOURCE.

• Everyone wants to live “the good life.”
• God wants us to live it, too. Look at Creation—it was good and very good.
• But there was a competing option. There is still a competing option.

THE GOOD LIFE IN THE WORLD’S EYES

Solomon and the book of Ecclesiastes is a picture of someone who went on a journey to find the good life.

• A common phrase Solomon uses, “under the sun,” refers specifically to the physical world.
• Why is it impossible to be happy under the sun?

• • The world is broken and fallen. We were made for a relationship with God.

Ecclesiastes 1:1–3 (NLT) These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem. 2 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” 3What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 5:13–15 (NLT) There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver. 14Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children. 15We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV) Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!

• See also Ecclesiastes 2:10–12, 4:7–10, and 12:13–14

JESUS REVEALS THE SAME THING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Luke 12:15–21

GOD INVITES US BACK INTO THE GOOD LIFE.

Jeremiah 6:16–17 (NIV) 16This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ 17I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’”

John 10:7–11 (NIV) 7Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Matthew 22:37–40 (NIV) 37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

THE GOOD LIFE LIVES LIFE UNDER THE SON. HE IS THE SHEPHERD AND WE FOLLOW.

• Where does He lead us? To good pasture (Psalm 23:2). His commands are centered around what we were made for.
• The other option leads us to destruction.
• The good life starts with a relationship with Jesus—with a love for God.
• The good life includes relationship with others.
• The good life puts everything else in the right order of importance and priority. We love God and others and use things… rather than love things and use God and others.
• The good life doesn’t end; it’s eternal.

WHY DO WE DO OFFERING WEEKLY? BECAUSE IT FORCES US TO FACE THE OPTIONS AGAIN.

• Under the sun or under the Son
• We have an internal battle as well as an enemy who gives other options.
• Putting our trust in the wrong things leads to disappointment and pain when the life we build comes tumbling down.
• Wasting precious time on the wrong things leads to a meaningless life.
• Seeking God first leads to Him supplying what we need for the life on planet earth.

Matthew 6:19–33

Colossians 3:5–6 (NIV) 5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

Why weekly?

• The Lord’s church modeled it.
• We need to be reminded of what matters most weekly, and even daily.
• We need to place value rightly.
• We need to trust the Son’s leadership and supply.
• We need to thank Him for what He has given us.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: John 10:10; Luke 12:15-21, 22-34; Ecclesiastes 5:10-18

1.  Share what from the sermon that caught your attention.
2.  When you hear the words “The Good Life,” what usually comes to your mind?
3.  Read Luke 12:15-21. What do you see happening in this passage? A) What is this showing about the idea of good life? B) Read Luke 15:22-34. What do you see in this passage about the good life?
4.  How would you describe the different perspectives to the good life to a child or to a co-worker?
5.  In what ways does/could your family/personal budget reflect trusting God’s view of the good life? A) What could change or be adjusted first in your heart and then in your budget?
6.  How could you (and your family or friends) take action this week to be intentionally generous? Brainstorm together, then do it! Share the good stories! #generosityisthegoodlife