A Four-Week Study about money + Giving

During the month of May our groups will be exploring God’s heart for our resources. Our desires is to grow in our understanding of God’s love and generosity toward us in Christ, so that we become a more generous, worshipful, and healthy people. We’ll look at Proverbs, Luke, 2 Corinthians, and James to gain a wide biblical perspective on money and giving.

In addition, we’ll be exploring experts from Professor Craig Blomberg’s book, Neither Poverty nor Riches. Group leaders can download the digital version or pick up a copy at our next Sunday gathering.

Please reach out to one of our elders if you have any questions about the study.

What does the bible say about our resources?

  • Week 1: May 7th

    God Owns Everything We Own

    Everything we own belongs to the Lord. Therefore the way we save, spend, use, invest, and enjoy our resources should reflect his love and character.

    ____________

    Prepare by reading: “Neither Poverty nor Riches” pages 60-69.

    As a group, read Proverbs 30.

    Discuss these questions together:

    Professor Craig Blomberg writes, “God’s people must put their trust in him, not in whatever measure of earthly resources he has granted them or that they might wish he had granted them” (60). What do you think it looks like to trust God and not our resources?

    What has your experience been with the Church’s teachings, practices, and conversations about money?

    One of the ideas Proverbs 30 hints at is contentment. What does it mean to be content?

    How does Jesus’ work on the cross and through resurrection empower us to trust God and be content in him? What does he put to death in us? What does he bring to life?

  • Week 2: May 14th

    What We Possess Shouldn’t Possess Us

    The way we relate to our money and possessions reveals the nature of our souls.

    ____________

    Prepare by reading: “Neither Poverty nor Riches” pages 119-120

    As a group read: Luke 12:16-21

    Discuss these questions together:

    Professor Blomberg writes, “The rich man demonstrates an unrelenting, self-centered focus and an unmitigated accumulation of surplus goods, with no thought for anyone else” (119). Why do you think Jesus doesn’t want us to be so possessed by our possessions? 

    What are you prone to accumulate? Why? What implications does this have on you and your community?

    How has Jesus taught us to be “rich toward God”? What’s this look like spiritually? What does it look like practically?

  • Week 3: May 21st

    Giving Freely What God has Freely Given

    Jesus’ loving incarnation and sacrificial death shape generous habits and hearts in God’s people.

    __________

    Prepare by reading: “Neither Poverty nor Riches” pages 190-199

    As a group, read: 2 Corinthians 8:1–15

    Discuss these questions together:

    Professor Blomberg writes about 2 Corinthians 8, “the ultimate comparison is not the Macedonians’ generosity or any other human action but the incredible condescension of Jesus Christ in his incarnation” (193). How was Jesus ‘rich’? How did he become ‘poor’?

    Jesus’ generosity led the early church to sacrificially give away their money and possessions. What generous habits is Christ shaping in you? How does giving your money away unsettle you and bring you joy?

    Why do you think it’s important to regularly give to the church (inwardly) and as a church (externally)?

  • Week 4: May 28th

    Releasing Rotting Riches

    God sees, cares, and responds to systematic economic injustices, and so should we.

    ____________

    Prepare by reading: “Neither Poverty nor Riches” pages 156-160

    As a group, read: James 5:1-11

    Discuss these questions together:

    Professor Blomberg invites Christians to “besiege God with complaints about injustice, particularly among the oppressed poor of our lands, and plead before God’s people for a greater measure of compassion, generosity and sacrifice” (159). What economic injustices exist in our city that we should be praying about and responding to?

    How do James’ words expose our hearts and complicity in the face of systematic oppression? How ought this passage shape our stewardship of personal and church resources?

    How does the cross promise to bring ultimate justice to us, our city, and the world?

Read the Book