Part Three – Financial Pressure
Leader Guide
Much of the stress we have about money and finances comes from fear. Will I have enough? Am I a success? Am I providing for my family and giving them a great life? We need to replace fear with confidence and satisfaction. God is our help and our provider. He never meant for us to handle this pressure. He has a plan to free us from stress. In fact, He will provide all we need for a life that honors Him.
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.
1. How did you earn your first money? What was your first job?
2. Read Proverbs 23:4-5. What instructions are you given in this passage? Why? Have you ever experienced your money “sprouting wings” and disappearing?
Leader Note: This passage speaks against continually striving to amass wealth. In other places we are told to be diligent and to work hard. But to overwork “to acquire wealth” means striving to do more than provide for your family. It implies placing your trust and security in something other than God. Example: maybe your first month on your own at college or in an apartment? I remember being STUNNED that my money was gone, and I had overdrawn.
3. Read Hebrews 13:5. What do you consider the “love of money”? Why is contentment a big deal? Have you heard the saying: “You’ll never be happy with what you get until you can be happy with what you’ve got.” Do you think that is an accurate statement? Why would knowing God is with you allow you to be free from the love of money?
Leader Note: Stress that money is not evil. The “love” of it is it is the issue. “Love of money” might be over-striving, enviousness, judging others, or wishful thinking (lottery). It could also be a stingy, hoarding attitude towards possessions or money. It might be a mindset of scarcity: “I will never have enough. I need more to satisfy me.” Contentment comes from knowing the Lord, feeling His love, and trusting His provision. A sense that “God is my provider; I can work hard, but it is up to Him to care for me and meet my needs.” Knowing Him is the most precious thing we have. Worrying about money shows we do not trust Him. This is hard when you are living paycheck to paycheck, but a change in attitude is the start of a change in managing our budgets and handling the financial stress.
4. Read 1 Timothy 6:9-10. Examine yourself: do you desire to be rich or would you be content to have your needs met? Do you want the lifestyle of the rich and famous? Or do you want to have what God wants you to have, and feel secure in His love and provision? Can you see how a love of money could be “the root of all kinds of evil”?
Leader Note: Ask your group: Have you ever contemplated a “get rich scheme” or fantasized about the lottery, an inheritance, or a bank heist? We have all hoped and prayed for riches. All money is not evil... but it can lead to all sorts of evil. Running drugs, sex trafficking, etc., are obvious examples. But it can also lead to fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, petty theft, and huge amounts of debt. Most of us have indulged in some sort of sin due to the desire to have more money or live a lifestyle beyond our means.
5. Read Hebrews 13:6. To put this in context, remember the verse just before this says “be content... I will never leave you.” So, what does this verse mean to you? What kind of fear is the author of Hebrews referring to? What does the reference to “man” mean to you and how does it relate to fear?
Leader Note: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear” seems like something we must confidently, repeatedly tell ourselves. He has promised to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19); He has promised to make us co-heirs with Christ for all eternity and richly bless us (Ephesians 2:4-7). So, what does what mere men have to say about my success or my choices matter? Only what God says matters.
Prayer: This week, pray before you post or scroll on social media: God, remind me that I have enough. Remind me that YOU are enough. Help me to be satisfied. You have given me everything I need to do all you have called me to do.
Action Step: Give something to someone else every day this week: a meal, a tank of gas, a dollar. Ask God, “Who is the money in my pocket earmarked for today?” This is radical obedience.
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.
Much of our message this weekend talks about our desires, our needs, and our fears. Check out this passage where Jesus talks about fear and God’s provision. Read Matthew 6:25-34.
- 25: What IS life about? Answer this for yourself.
- 26: How much of your worry is about food? How much of your expendable income is spent on dining out? Do you feel it is too much, the right amount, or do you never do this? Do you believe 1) God cares for the birds and 2) that you are more important to Him then they?
- 27: Do you worry about death and dying? Is this worry tied to money in some way, like leaving something for your spouse and children? Maybe it’s your debt being found out?
- 28-29: Are you concerned about meeting your own or your family’s clothing needs? Is it a need or a want? Is a fashion label a major influence on what you purchase? Do you feel like you are a good steward in the area of clothing?
- 30-31: As in verse 26, God compares your worth to His creation. Do you see the beauty of nature as a treasure? Does it reassure you that God is capable—and willing—to care for you in the area of clothing? Why is this a matter of faith?
- 32-33: Who are the Gentiles in this passage and what do they do wrong? What does God know and what has He promised? What does it mean to “seek first”?
- 34: Did Jesus promise that we would not have trouble? What is this verse instructing us to do and not do?