This guide was created to facilitate a DNA group's dive into our sermon series on Proverbs and Trip Forgeng's sermon on money.
DISCOVER:
Read Proverbs 8:12, 18, 20 - 21
Q: Are you primarily a giver or a getter with your money?
Q: Do you believe God is a giver or a getter? Considering what you do with your money, how does that express what you believe about God?
Q: How could you, with you finances, tell the truth and build the fame of the greatest giver of all? How can you show what God’s like as giver?
NURTURE:
Turning inward toward your own heart and beliefs. This time is intended to be self-reflective examination and pursuit of God.
Read Proverbs 3:13-16: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; and in her left hand are riches and honor.”
Ultimately, wisdom is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ because He is the wisdom of God. Wisdom is telling us: “Don’t chase after money! Chase after wisdom! Chase after Jesus!” Pursue the giver of every good gift and love Him so that with Him you get everything else as well.
Spend time in prayer “chasing” after the person and work of Jesus Christ. Here are a few questions and prompts to aid you in this process.
Pray thanksgiving prayers for how God is the greatest treasure. Think of every area of your life or thing you enjoy—God has given you that! Think of every relationship, provision, meal, lodging, job, promotion, and educational experience. God’s providence is found there. Praise God for his provision.
Pray confessing prayers. How have your treasured the things God gave you above God himself? How have you either abandoned work or made work your treasure? How have disregarded God’s provisions? How have you been a “getter”?
Pray for Forgiveness and enter Worship. Ask God for forgiveness for being a getter and rest in the good news that you are forgiven in Christ because of his work and you receive grace as his gift. Ask God to lead you into a life of wisdom with work and money.
ACT
In this section, we focus on living a life of obedience and faithfulness to the repentance and faith we’ve experienced. We desire to not only hear and learn about wisdom, but walk in it.
This week we’re going to make a basic budget as a response to our learning. Follow the instructions in this downloadable guide to craft a budget in light of your learning.
Our budgets are planned worship and display who we trust and who we believe we are. Also, budgets are where we plan to be generous and receive God’s provision in work and in finances.