Part 4: Money is the Root of All Evil

Pastor Joe Champion June 28, 2015

BIG IDEA: Pastor Joe explores what the Scripture really says about money, and the pitfalls we encounter when our attitudes and behaviors are in error. DISCUSSION POINTS: 1. Dangerous Mindsets About Money: "My money is": Mighty; Came from me; All mine; Makes me friends; Makes be better; is my motivation. Discuss in your group what the more healthy alternatives would be to these mindsets.

2. Dangers Of Loving Money: Pastor Joe listed five of these. "You'll stop serving God"; "You'll be blinded from seeing true riches"; "You'll never be satisfied"; "You're perspective will be perverted"; and "You'll miss out on the blessed life". Has one of these been, or likely to be a pitfall for one of the group members? How can each of these be particularly dangerous for us as believers?

3. Remember Where Our Money Comes From: Pastor Joe urged us to remember where our blessings come from in the first place, and also challenged us to be content in seasons of prosperity. What can we do to act on the principle that all good gifts are from God? Should our attitudes toward tithing and gifting be different in times of wealth and financial struggle?

ACTION ITEMS: 1. Review your current financial situation. Consider your income, use of resources, debt, and current tithing and gifting practices. Prayerfully consider any changes that may need to be made so that your attitudes and behaviors will be more in line with what God is nudging you to do. If you have a family, consider including them in your financial discussion. Be bold to report back to your small group about the results you encounter. 2. Has the "love of money" caused you to fall into a season of financial stuggles? Seriously and prayerfully consider getting financial help. Listed are three excellent programs which will help. a. Crown Financial Ministries www.crown.org b. Dave Ramsey Ministries www.daveramsey.com c. Robert Morris, Gateway Church www.blessedlife.com PRAYER FOCUS: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that we are blessed to live in a prosperous nation. Help us to see the blessings in our lives, and to remember where they come from. Please guide us and direct us to be more generous in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Teach us to be obedient to your word in regard to our finances, and in the ways you are prompting us. In Jesus' name we ask, Amen.

SCRIPTURES CITED: Psalms 24:1 Proverbs 3:9-10; 8:21; 11:24; 11:28; 14:20; 19:17; 21:5; 23:4 Matthew 4:18-24; 6:19-21; 6:24; 6:33; 19:16-22 1 Timothy 6:6-11; 6:17-19