Part 3 – Sorting Out Your Finances
Leader Guide
Money. We build our lives based on how much we have and what we can get. However, God reminds us in His Word that how we use money influences our relationship with Him and others. Besides, He has every resource and provides what we need. How can we declutter our finances and declutter our wrong priorities while we still live in a rat race, material-focused culture?
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
- Read Luke 15:12-13. What kind of embarrassing requests for money or to purchase something ridiculous have you made? Why did you want the thing or funds? In what way do you identify with the prodigal son?
Leader’s Note: Everyone has asked for something outlandish. Maybe it was a toy, expensive car (when you turned 16), fancy vacation, or to take over something like a business or property. Try to keep stories personal and not put others down for their bad choices. It is so much easier to recall a time a child, friend or parent made a mistake. What we are trying to do is identify with the prodigal son in his moment of audacious greed. I’m there. How about you?
- Read Luke 15:28-30. The other brother also has a greed problem. What motivates the older brother to stay away from the welcome home party? What is the other brother’s happiness conditional upon and how does comparison affect his contentment? How has your view of the “older brother” changed after listening to the message?
Leader’s Note: When we are angry that we don’t get the same luxurious treatment or financial gifts someone else receives, we show our true motives. This did not surface until he saw how his brother was received in comparison to what the older brother was given. The brother who tried to be responsible expected some financial benefit. He was even willing to be left out of the party in order to make his point. God wants us to value relationship WITH Him more than gifts and resources FROM Him.
- Read Ecclesiastes 5:10. What is the difference between loving money and loving wealth? Which is more tempting to you and why? In what ways do you find that even the wealthiest and poorest are never satisfied with their income? Why do we expect God to reward us for serving Him? Are you satisfied with your current income? Why or why not? Why do you think the writer of this verse (King Solomon) points out that all three are meaningless?
Leader’s Note: Loving money could be loving the sense of accomplishment that comes with bringing home a large paycheck. We might be proud of the type of work we can do, the money we can make, or the things that we can have because of our money. Loving wealth might be enjoying the good life of pampering, flashy possessions, experiences, or posts on our favorite social media. When we serve God, sometimes, He does generously bless us. Other times, good things happen as a natural result of doing things God’s best way! God doesn’t promise us monetary gain for serving Him. However, He does promise to provide for ALL of our needs. As the wise King Solomon points out – money, wealth and never having enough are all meaningless.
- Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10. We were challenged in the weekend message to admit out loud that we have what we need (although maybe not everything we want). After reading the passage are you ready to say out loud that you have what you need? Admit it to your friends in Life Group. Commit to say it to your spouse, parents or kids this week. “I have what I need.”
Leader’s Note: It is possible that someone in your Life Group does not have everything they need. Remind your group that we have resources like the Cove Marketplace where they can pick up groceries – and we can help each other with things like occasional rides, childcare and prayer. Pray for any needs or concerns that arise. All of us are wealthy in some ways and poor in others. We could also discuss ways we view our “needs” and “wants” as opposed to the way our society categorizes them. Encourage and compliment your group members as they participate.
- Action Step: How can you show with your actions that you have all that you need? Tithing, generosity and giving to others are actions that show you believe you have enough. In the area of giving, generosity and being content: Where do you want to be in a year? Who do you want to be in a year?
Leader’s Note: Each week in this series we have concluded with the same two questions as part of the action step. With our actions we show that we believe we have all we need. With our words we admit we have all we need. This might be a good time to remind group members to bring in packaged breakfast items to the Cove Market place, the Summer Food Drive, begin or resume tithing, set aside a few dollars (maybe $5 or $20) in your wallet to give when you see a need, or some other form of monetary giving.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
- Giving to the poor, widows and orphans is part of following Jesus. We will be held accountable for what we held back and recognized for what we contribute to this group. Read Matthew 25:41-45. How and when have you feed the hungry? When did you provide clothes to someone who needed them? Have you cared for those in prison? Do you host strangers and provide hospitality? When we consider each, we can all find ways to give more generously to others. Discuss ways we can do this safely. Avoid making excuses or dwelling on fears.
- Read Deuteronomy 14:22-24. In what way do we, as God’s people, enjoy the tithe that we give? Does it seem unusual for God to command His people to go ahead and “eat” the tithe? Where are they instructed to eat it? When we give to God how does He also return good and valuable things to us? Would you share a time when you were faithful to tithe and God provided abundantly?