YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NPC WOODLEY

MONEY AND THE LORD

INTRODUCTION Money is probably the most spoken-about subject characterizing human life, and rightly so, because the need for and interaction with money permeates virtually all aspects of our lives. Interestingly, even the Bible speaks about finances more than most subjects. Money has transformed the world and the church in both positive and negative ways. Lack of and/or mismanagement money has hindered the achievement of crucial goals at individual, family, national and global level while abundance has led to historic changes and worthy legacies. Conversely, in many cases the increase of wealth has also resulted in the proliferation and increase of negative individual traits and societal evils such as pride, discrimination, oppression, greed, immorality, materialism and unhealthy or unfair competition. Today, many people including Christians determine their relationships and associations based on their financial worth e.g. potential mates and parents choose or accept prospective spouses based on social class and abundance of possessions. This study is designed to enable Christians deliberate on fundamental questions on finance affecting the Body of Christ within the context of the Word of God. It is not only intended to help combat the emergence of distorted doctrines in the church driven by the love for money but also enlighten Christians on the purpose and value of money in fulfillment of Gods plan for our lives at individual, family, national and global levels and divine secrets codified in Gods Word that would help secure a constant supply in righteousness.

A. CONFRONTING OUR MONEY HABITS 1. Discuss the purpose and value of money in a Christians life? (Mathew 6:19-21, 31-33) (Mark 10:17-30) (1Tim. 6:6-10) (Prov.15:6) (Prov.11:28) (Prov.14:20) (Prov.19:4,7) (Eccl.7:11) (Eccl.10:19) (Prov.28:6)
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2. (a) How and from where do we acquire our orientation on handling money? (b) How does this orientation affect our level of financial success? (Prov 22:6) (Prov.13:20) 3. List and discuss some myths about money created by our orientation on finances. 4. What causes poverty? Is it the will of God for some people to remain poor while others grow in riches or is it a matter of choice and consequence? (Prov.22:2) (Acts 17:26) (Haggai 1:2-11) (Mal.3:6-9) (Prov.10:4) (Prov.13:18) (Prov.14:23) (Prov.12:11) (Prov.20:13) (Prov.21:17) (Prov.24:33, 34) (Prov.13:21) (Prov.28:19) 5. Discuss the present day church doctrine on handling finances and wealth creation vis--vis biblical teaching. Distinguish truths and myths. (1 Tim.6:3-5) (Matthew 7:15-20) 6. Discuss the impact of the following attitudes and practices on a christians life and how a Christian can confront the same: (a) Greed (Eccl.5:10) (Luke 12:14) (b) Meanness (Prov.11:24, 25) (c) Laziness (Prov.12:24) (Prov.13:4) (Prov.20:4) (Prov.19:15) (d) limited vision (Prov.29:18 KJV) (e) poor debt management (Prov.22:7) (f) flashy living and indulgence (Prov.12:9) (Prov.13:7) (g) Corruption (Ps.66:18) (Eccl.7:7) (Prov.11:1) (Prov.10:2) (Prov.13:11) (h) Covetousness (Prov.23:17,18) (i) poverty mentality Recommended Books: 1. Mixing God and Money by Dennis O. Tongoi 2. Gifted Hands by Ben Carson 3. Retire Young, Retire Rich by Robert Kiyosaki 4. Debt Trapped by Harrison Nguru 5. Debt-free Living: How to get out of debt and stay out by Larry Burkett 6. Get Rich by Making the Most of Your Money by Leah Karimi
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