View Money Properly July 17

Be honest, now … What do you like best about money? We often see money as a source of security. Today we study the fact that contentment and security rest only in God Not in money

Listen for a warning. Proverbs 23:4-5 (HCSB) Don’t wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it. As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Seek Financial Responsibility Wear Yourself Out to Get Rich Riches Are Fleeting So, what is the warning in these verses? What is the difference between seeking financial responsibility and wearing one’s self out to get rich? Seek Financial Responsibility Wear Yourself Out to Get Rich

Riches Are Fleeting How does the proverb illustrate that riches are fleeting? When have you seen money “sprout wings and fly away”? If riches are fleeting, why do people strive so hard to acquire them?

Riches Are Fleeting It’s important for adult parents to discuss money matters with their children without coming across as nagging or overbearing. Consider how you might rephrase the following proverbs as if you were teaching your children. Proverbs 11:4 (NIV) Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Riches Are Fleeting It’s important for adult parents to discuss money matters with their children without coming across as nagging or overbearing. Consider how you might rephrase the following proverbs as if you were teaching your children. Proverbs 11:7 (NIV) When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.

Riches Are Fleeting It’s important for adult parents to discuss money matters with their children without coming across as nagging or overbearing. Consider how you might rephrase the following proverbs as if you were teaching your children. Proverbs 13:11 (KJV) Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.

Riches Are Fleeting It’s important for adult parents to discuss money matters with their children without coming across as nagging or overbearing. Consider how you might rephrase the following proverbs as if you were teaching your children. Proverbs 28:22 (NIV) A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.

Listen for another warning. Proverbs 30:5-6 (HCSB) Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Don’t add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.

Look to God’s Word Why is God’s word declared to be worthy of acceptance? Why is it important to you that God’s words are flawless? What does it mean for God to be a shield? What additional warning is found in these verses? How have you seen Scripture twisted to justify materialism?

Look to God’s Word How might the following verses be misused in the area of finances? Verse Misuse John 10:10 — “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” James 4:2 — “You do not have because you do not ask God.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 — “Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Remember: those who attempt to manipulate God’s word are subject to His judgment!

Listen for two extremes. Proverbs 30:7-9 (MSG) And then he prayed, “God, I’m asking for two things before I die; don’t refuse me— Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence. Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. If I’m too full, I might get independent, saying, ‘God? Who needs him?’ If I’m poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God.”

Content with God’s Provision What is the two-fold petition in these verses? What danger may accompany having riches? What danger may accompany poverty? Which do you think presents the greater danger, having too much or having too little? Why? Having Too Much Having Too Little

Content with God’s Provision When do we cross the line from having enough to having too much? How would you describe a lifestyle of godly contentment in today’s culture?

Application Seek God’s Word In your Bible reading this week, highlight any verses you come across that touch on the subject of money Begin building a greater awareness of what God wants you to know about finances

Application Pray daily. Talk to God … ask Him to give you a spirit of contentment about your money and your material possessions Ask Him for a greater sense of trust in His ability to meet all your needs … both present and future

Application Reach out Ask a friend or family member to join you in understanding what the Bible teaches about money Invite this person to join you as you read, study, and pray about what God is teaching you about finances and contentment

View Money Properly July 17