September 12, 2021
Galatians 5:1
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Proverbs 22:7
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Romans 13:8
8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Psalm 37:21
21The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.
Proverbs 3:9-10
9Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 13:11
11Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Malachi 3:8-11
8“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 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. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.
Read Galatians 5:1 and Proverbs 22:7
The Galatians verse in context is talking about being free from sin and keeping free from the burden of slavery to sin. It is this idea of living under the burden of something that owns you and controls you that we want to examine. How can our finances become that kind of burden? Have you ever felt enslaved financially? Describe that experience.
Read Romans 13:8 and Psalm 37:21
Some people interpret the Romans passage to mean that Christians should never incur any kind of debt. Others take the position that this passage is more about making whatever payments you have agreed to make. Which of these interpretations do you favor? Also, what would you say is the primary point this verse is making!
The Psalms verse describes two kinds of people? Describe those two different groups.
Based on Psalm 37:21, how would you describe the relationship between morality and the way we live our financial life?
Read Proverbs 3:9-10 and Proverbs 13:11
If you are unfamiliar with the idea of ‘firstfruits’ in the Bible, do a little research (google can get you there!) on firstfruits in the Bible. What are firstfruits? Why are they given to God? How might this principle be lived out for us today?
How is it that ‘dishonest money dwindles away’?
Read Malachi 3:8-11
Can you think of a time when you decided to honor God in your finances and saw God’s faithfulness in response? Tell us your story. In what way did God express His care for you?