Money and possessions
Read Psalm 49:1-12
This Psalm tackles the problem of how we should respond to the inequalities of life.
- Where do all material benefits come from?
- How can this help us in our approach to money?
Read Luke 12:13-21
- Why did Jesus tell this parable?
- Did money and possessions help or hinder this man in his relationship with God?
- What does it mean to be ‘rich towards God’?
- What does this parable teach us about our attitude to possessions?
Read Matthew 6:19-24
This passage is part of ‘The Sermon on the Mount’. Here Jesus is speaking to his disciples, telling them about life in the kingdom of God.
- What does it mean to store up treasure in heaven?
- What happens to those who serve wealth?
- How are the attitudes of the kingdom of God different from those of the world?
- What does this passage tell us about our priorities?
- How can we become more Christian in the way we approach money and possessions?
Pray that we will be able to use our money and possessions for the glory of God, and that we will be able to trust God fully.
Our attitude to money
The Bible contains a lot of teaching about money. It certainly does not forbid making money. Paul taught that we should work hard to provide for our needs and those of our families. Should we work to make as much money as possible?
Read 1 Timothy 6:6-8
- Why is it important to be content with what we have?
- What should be our attitude towards material things?
Read 1 Timothy 6:9-10
- What should be our attitude towards money?
Note that this passage does not say that making money and using it well is wrong. It is good to make full use of our talents. However, the love of money is wrong. It is our attitude that is so important.
- Have you seen examples of the problems which wealth can bring? What are some of these problems?
Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19
- What does this passage say about giving? Reflect on your own attitude to money.
- Do you have peace over your use of money and possessions?
- Is your hope for the future based on Christ – or on your own efforts?
- Pray that you will store up treasure in heaven, rather than on earth.
Treasures in heaven
Read Matthew 6:19-24
Jesus himself tells us that, rather than storing up treasures on earth, we should store up treasures in heaven.
- What happens to earthly treasures?
- What is the danger for those who are wealthy?
Read Matthew 19:16-22
Here we read of how Jesus is asked by a rich man what he must do to get eternal life. The rich man is keeping all the commandments.
- What else does Jesus tell him to do?
We are told that the man goes away sad – it is hard for him to choose between his wealth and Jesus. Others, however, realise that nothing can be compared in value to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:44-46).
Paul says in Philippians 4:12-13: ‘I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.’
- Where are you storing your treasures?
Income generation
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
The apostle Paul was deeply troubled by a report that some members of the church at Thessalonica were not doing any work, and were interfering in other people’s business.
- What was Paul’s attitude to work?
- What skill and experience did Paul bring to his work?
- Why did he choose to work, instead of giving himself to the work of training church members?
Paul worked together with others familiar with the same trade. He joined Aquila and Priscilla and worked with them (Acts 18:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 3:8 ‘We worked night and day’). Paul’s work supported both himself and his companions (Acts 20:34). He also had a deep concern for the poor and needy.
He encouraged the Ephesians to work so that they could give to those in need (Ephesians 4:28). He motivated the Gentile churches to make contributions to the poor in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26-27).
As God’s people, we are called to work hard using our skills, and to generate income to support both ourselves and those in need, whether our Christian workers or the poor.
- Do we always recognise our own skills and talents and use them to provide income?
- Are we able to help support our own family?
- Who are the needy in our community? How can we help them, both as individuals and as a group?
- How can we use both our individual and our joint income to be more effective in mission and evangelism?
Pray for those who are needy in our community.
See also
Philippians 4:11-13 The secret of contentment
Ecclesiastes 5:13-15 A grievous evil
Mark 10:17-31 The rich young man
1 Corinthians 16:1-4 The collection for God’s people
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Encouraging generosity