“Lord, thou seest I am going to expend this sum on that food, apparel, furniture. And thou knowest I act therein with a single eye, as a steward of thy goods, expending this portion of them thus, in pursuance of the design thou hadst in entrusting me with them. Thou knowest I do this in obedience to thy word, as thou commandest, and because thou commandest it. let this, I beseech thee, be a holy sacrifice, acceptable through Jesus Christ! And give me a witness in myself, that for this labor of love I shall have a recompence when thou rewardest every man according to his words.”

--John Wesley’s “Prayer

Before a Purchase”

October 10, 2010Week #1

Matt 25:15ff

We begin an annual series on money, finances, wealth and possessions from a biblical point of view. Discussion/debate on this should be rigorous and practical. 1. It is said that Jesus spent more time speaking and teaching about money than

nearly any other subject. (For example: Matt 6:19-34; Luke 18:18-23; Matt 22:21; Mark 12:42) Why do you think this is? Why do you think that God cares so much about our money?

2. The Parable of the Talents lays down a few foundational truths about material possessions. Read it slowly and try to imagine the story in your mind. (Matt 25:14ff) Your set of keys is a symbol of everything you own and a reminder that each of those things is a gift from God. How comfortable are you with the assertion that everything we have is given to us by God?

3. I spoke about the “string” that is attached to these gifts from God: He wants us to leverage it for the Kingdom (as in the parable, vs. 14). Give an example of how you think you could leverage your time, talent, and treasure for the Lord? Are you doing that?

4. What is your history of volunteer service for church ministry? What is your history of giving? How have you grown as a steward of the things you “own”?

5. The third man buried his “gift” because (he says) he was afraid of the master. The master was (in his eyes) hard, mean, capricious and vindictive. Our God is not like that. Paul wrote: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19) Comment on this phenomenon.

6. How do you make important decisions about money? How much does biblical wisdom affect you in your decision-making?

7. John Wesley suggested four spiritual questions to ask before spending money. (Read his prayer in the left column, too.) How would these questions and this prayer change your spending habits? a. In spending this money, am I acting like I own it,

or am I acting like the Lord’s trustee? b. What Scripture requires me to

spend this money in this way? c. Can I offer up this purchase as

a sacrifice to the Lord? d. Will God reward me for this

expenditure at the resurrection of the just?

8. What do you think of Malachi’s injunction

(from God) to tithe? (Malachi 3:11ff) How do you think about this regarding your own giving?