We have been looking at this idea of stewardship...how we are supposed to spend the money we have (or wished we had) wisely. Last wee we simply challenged ourselves to discover where we were "All In"...that place, thing, person we spend our money on most. This past Sunday, we began to dig a little deeper. Our question was "Why"...why do I spend my resources on this particular object, person, or idea?
Just like the man in Jesus parable in Luke 12, we recognized that the things we fear the most, are the things we try to control the most, the things we identify ourselves with, and the things we think life is really about.
What we find most important in life is where we spend our resources. We can try and cover it up with our words, but money speaks, and where we spend our money reflects what is going on in our hearts..."For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34
Use these questions to help you go deeper this next week as you think about the "Why" behind your "Where" of spending...
1. Re-read Luke 12:13-30
What is this man's "Where?" (Building bigger barns for his over abundance of crops)
What is his "Why?" (comfort, safety, control, etc...)
2. Look at verse 22...Jesus jumps right into making a connection between worry and this story...why do you think He does this?
3. Read Matthew 6:24...Jesus makes an extremely clear statement here...it is either God or money...
How do you react to this statement by Jesus?
How do we try to serve God AND Money?
Can this work?
What does it look like to serve money?
4. It is inevitable that we will all have at some point a job where money will be coming in? What do you think it looks like to have money, but not allow it to control your life?
5. Think about your life (your "Where" and your "Why")...how do you use money to control the way your life plays out? What is most important to you? How does your spending reflect that importance?
6. Sin is a very sneaky thing...it tries to get us to think what we are doing is normal...it throws us excuses...think about your area of spending...maybe it is clothes, nights out with friends, video games, saving for the future, etc...none of these things are bad in and of themselves...at what point though do they become sinful...bad use of God given money?
7. 1 Cor. 4:7
Perspective: Everything we have is from God vs. Everything we have is of our own doing...what is the difference?
Plan to join us this Thursday night at Matt & Amanda's at 7pm as we discuss these questions and more in hopes of digging deeper into our "All In"...the root cause...our hearts.
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