Opening Prayer & Confession of Faith
Worship (optional)
The Big Idea:
Money, money, money! What has first place in your heart? Is it God or money? Does money control you – or do you control money? Don’t love what God gives you more than you love God.
Summary:
Jesus warns that money has the power to deceive and control us. He tells us that the deceitfulness of money can even choke out the Word of God that has been planted in our hearts! Greed will pressure us to buy things we don’t need, and many people are drowning in a sea of debt and stress. Debt and financial pressure can keep believers in bondage and fear, distracting them from the true riches of life in Christ. God’s will for us is that we experience contentment and trust Him for our daily bread. When we give the first fruits of our income to God, our faith releases God’s grace into our lives to break the power of money and create in us a peaceful and content heart.
Discussion Questions: (read the scripture & discuss)
Proverbs 3:9-10
What are ways you can honor God with the first fruits of your income? What can stop you from doing this?
1 Timothy 6:6-12
What does Paul tell us to pursue over wealth? How does the power of money threaten our faith, and what can we do to fight against this threat?
Luke 16:13
Identify a change you can make in your financial life to honor God and put Him first.
Mark 4:1-20
What affect did money have on the hearts of those in this parable (verse 19)? How does the worship of or desire for wealth sneak into our minds, and how can we protect ourselves?
Matthew 6:24-34
What does Jesus tell us are the two things we should seek above all else? What can you do everyday to keep yourself focused on these things?
Taking Action: Spend some time this week reviewing where you invest your finances and how much you think about money. Be willing to respond to God’s direction, conviction, or moving in this area of your life. Make one change in your spending habits this week that will honor God.
Ministry Time
