REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“Financially Free”

ICEBREAKER: What is the biggest check or most money you have ever held in your hands?

OUTLINE: 7 Freedoms of Being Financially Free

1. Free to choose

2. Free to save

3. Free to give

4. Free to invest

5. Free to buy

6. Free to sell

7. Free to lend

TOP 10 SIGNS YOU MIGHT BE BROKE

10. American Express calls and says: "Leave home without it!"

9. You’re formulating a plan to rob the food bank.

8. Long distance companies don’t call you to switch.

7. You rob Peter...and then rob Paul.

6. You finally clean your house, hoping to find change.

5. You think of a lottery ticket as an investment.

4. Your bologna has no first name.

3. You start washing the Styrofoam plates.

2. McDonalds supplies you with all your kitchen condiments.

1. At communion you go back for seconds.

TEXT: Proverbs 3:7-18

A Few Scriptures Regarding Money

a). "You may say to yourself, ’My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth." (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)

b). "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)

c). "The land is Mine and you are but aliens and My tenants…the silver is Mine and the gold is Mine." (Leviticus 25:23; Haggai 2:8)

d). "Your plenty will supply what they need…You will be made rich in every way so you can be generous on every occasion."

(2 Corinthians 8:14; 9:11)

e). "God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

f)."Do not store up treasures on earth…Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:19-20)

g)."We will all stand before God’s judgment seat. Each of us will given an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)

h)."To whom much is given, of him will much be required"

(Luke 12:48)

i). "It is required of a steward that he be found faithful."

(1 Corinthians 4:2)

j). "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."

(I Chronicles 29:14)

k). Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and it is certain that we will not carry anything out. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil."

(I Tim. 6:10)

l). "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

m). "I have learned to be content with whatever the circumstances I am in. I can do everything God asks me to do with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power." (Phil. 4:12, 13)

n). "If you fully obey the Lord your God... all these blessings will come upon you... the Lord will grant you abundant prosperity - in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground." (Deut. 28:1, 2, 11)

o). "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. 9:6, 7)

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. What is the worst part of not having any money?

a. You can’t give to others

b. You have to settle for leftovers

c. You get mean and cranky

d. You feel inadequate

e. _____________________________________________

2. Why do you think that the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil?

3. What are some of the excuses people give for not giving to charities or the church?

4. What is the greatest financial pressure in your life right now?

5. If God were to suddenly bless you with millions of dollars what would be your top 3 priorities to do with that money?

6. Why are money issues often a big problem in relationships

7. How should Christians think differently about money than the world does?