Introduction:
1 Kings 3:5,9 - At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you."...9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Lessons from Folly (Prov 6:1):
- Always be a Giver .
Proverbs 11:24-25 - One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Malachi 3:8-10 - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
- Live the life that God is calling you to live.
Proverbs 12:9 - Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food
Proverbs 11:28 - Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
- Debt is Dumb .
Proverbs 17:18 - One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.
Proverbs 22:7 - The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Ephesians 6:6 - Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money
Proverbs 21:30 - In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.
Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!
Small Group Discussion
Read Proverbs 6:1
(If you like, review any other Proverbs on money we covered on Sunday!)
Have you ever known of a relationship strained or destroyed due to unpaid financial or emotional debt? If so what happened and how could it have been prevented?
Have you ever found yourself trying to keep up with the Jones'? What were you doing and how did you stop?
1 in 3 Americans cannot cover a $2,000 emergency in cash. When you read that, how does that make you feel?
Read Proverbs 21:30 then respond with how that Scripture speaks to you.
The world says that there is 'good' debt and bad debt. the Bible says all debt is to be avoided. Who is right? Why do we continually try to justify the world's view?
BREAKOUT
Pray for one another. Are you struggling with money? Get an accountability partner - now - from your group on your spending. Pray about and dedicate to joining the upcoming Financial Peace University class.