Theme: Honoring God with Our Treasure
Scriptures:
- Deuteronomy 8:10-18
- Colossians 3:1-5
- 1 John 2:15-16
- Luke 12:13-34
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10
- Matthew 6:24-33
Notes and questions:
B1 Objectives: (from the D6 Fusion Sunday School lesson book)
C1 Know: We are to worship and honor God before investing in our own pleasure and comfort.
C2 Think: Seeking God first is more important to me than material possessions.
C3 Do: Seek God and His kingdom first and avoid getting caught up in the desire for material possessions.
B2 What is the highest priority in life?
B3 Remember Balaam? Money was more important to him than God.
C1 Numbers 22-25. Balaam was to prophesy God’s word to Balak. God blessed Israel. Balak wanted Israel cursed. Balaam finally gave advice to have the Moabite women become prostitutes to the Israeli men. Many in Israel died and Balaam, because he gave evil advice (Numbers 31:16), was killed (Numbers 31:8 and Joshua 13:22).
C2 Forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing; but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the madness of the prophet. (II Peter 2:15-16 [WEB])
C3 Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion. (Jude 1:11 [WEB])
C4 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. (Revelation of John 2:14 [WEB]
B4 Some things about money and things.
C1 Good things
D1 Giving
E1 Be ready to give: Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share. (I Timothy 6:17-18 [GodsWord]
E2 For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need. Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:34-37 [WEB]
D2 Helping
E1 Helping to support pastors, missionaries, and other gospel workers: Nevertheless, it was kind of you to share my troubles. You Philippians also know that in the early days, when I left the province of Macedonia to spread the Good News, you were the only church to share your money with me. You gave me what I needed, and you received what I gave you. (Philippians 4:14-15 [GodsWord])
E2 The poor with their needs: For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem. (Romans 15:26 [WEB]
C2 Bad things Riches...
D1 Cannot pay God off: Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches— none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him. For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough, (Psalms 49:6-8 [WEB]
D2 Can make a person do more evil: “Behold, this is the man who didn’t make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” (Psalms 52:7 [WEB])
D3 Brings a temptation to trust in riches rather than God: Don’t trust in oppression. Don’t become vain in robbery. If riches increase, don’t set your heart on them. (Psalms 62:10 [WEB])
D4 Develops an attitude that since one is rich, there is no need for God: Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches. (Psalms 73:12 [WEB])
D5 Don’t deliver on the day of wrath: Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 11:4 [WEB])
D6 Are more important than honor: A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches. (Proverbs 11:16 [WEB])
D7 Are more important than a good name (reputation): A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1 [WEB])
D8 Causes people to make hasty decisions (get rich quick): A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him. (Proverbs 28:22 [WEB]
D9 Hinder one from becoming a Christian: Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23 [WEB])
D10 Cause a person to neglect their love for God: That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. (Luke 8:14 [WEB]
D11 Cannot buy the Gift of God: But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! (Acts 8:20 [WEB]
B5 Deuteronomy 8:10-18,
C1 Deuteronomy 8:10: When God blesses us with what we need and perhaps more, what are we to do?
C2 What happens sometimes when we have more than what we need? (We forget God and His ways). How do we prevent that?
C3 When is it right and good for us to look back on our life and reflect on God’s goodness and times of deliverance? Can you share a time this happened to you?
B6 Colossians 3:1-5,
C1 Colossians 3:1, what are the things above that we are to seek? (God’s ways, for that is where Messiah sits).
C2 In Colossians 3:2, the word for set is φρονέω phroneo. It means to have as our main interest, our highest priority. Does this mean that all we think about is singing songs and playing harps in heaven? (No, for we are servants of the Most High and need to promote, live, teach His ways, especially the Gospel).
C3 What are we to put to death? How do we do this?
B7 1 John 2:15-16,
C1 What does the word world refer to? (See John 15:19, Romans 12:2, and Ephesians 2:2).
C2 What are 3 identifiers of the world? (The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life). Give an example of each.
B8 Luke 12:13-34,
C1 In Luke 12:16-19, what did this rich man not understand? How can we avoid his foolishness? Why do many people miss what is really important?
C2 Why does Jesus encourage them not to be anxious? (He knows anxiety is hard on our health, and He emphasizes what is really important. We should be wanting to be rich spiritually). How do we become rich spiritually?
C3 What is the key teaching in Luke 12:34?
B9 1 Timothy 6:6-10,
C1 Another translation: A godly life brings huge profits to people who are content with what they have. (I Timothy 6:6 [GodsWord]). What kind of profits is the Apostle referring to?
C2 How does earthly riches compare to heavenly riches?
C3 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away[ from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10, NASB). Is the love of money the only root of evil? (The Greek does not have THE root of all evil, but A root of all evil).
B10 Matthew 6:24-33,
C1 What is the reason that we cannot serve 2 masters?
C2 Which master should we serve?
C3 How do we do that? (Consider, But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you. (Matthew 6:33 [GodsWord])
C4 How do we not worry?
B11 Next week:
C1 Where Does the Time Go?
C2 Theme: Honoring God with Our Time
C3 Scriptures:
- 1 Peter 4:8-11
- Ephesians 5:15-17
- Ephesians 6:5-8
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