• PARABLE OF THE SHREWD MANAGER
• WISDOM BETTER THAN MONEY
• HONESTY
• DILIGENCE
• MORE ON MONEY
• CONCLUSION
* QUESTIONS
* PARABLE OF THE SHREWD MANAGER
Jesus tells his disciples (showing that what He is saying pertains to believers) a parable about a rich man that accuses his manager of wasting his possessions. The manager decides to decrease the bills of his master’s debtors so that when he loses his job he will be welcomed into their homes. The master commends the dishonest manager because he acted shrewdly. Jesus, in telling this parable, is not condoning dishonesty. In fact He says: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches….You cannot serve both God and Money.” Luke 16:11-13 God will not give us the true riches of heaven if we choose not to use our worldly possessions for His glory.
What are the true riches of heaven? One aspect of our true riches in heaven is the people that are in heaven in part because of the influence we had in their lives. Jesus told the parable of Luke 16:1-13 to show that we, as Christians, need to use worldly wealth to gain: “…friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:9
Paul tells the Thessalonians: “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and our joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. Every little thing that we do for Jesus will make a difference in the number of people that go to heaven. For instance, we might say or do some little thing to encourage a fellow believer and, he, because of that might encourage someone else who just needs that push in order to feel good enough about himself to tell someone about Jesus.
To the Corinthians Paul writes: “…And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus…” 2 Corinthians 1:13-14 The way we relate to everyone with whom we come in contact will determine the true riches we receive in heaven.
Another aspect of the true riches we will receive in heaven is the responsibility of reigning with Jesus and the joy it will bring. Jesus told a parable (Matthew 25:14-30) about three servants who were put in charge of their master’s money while he was gone. When he returned, he said to the two who had used his money wisely: “… ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” Matthew 25:21,23 Jesus told this parable to show us how we will be judged and how we will be rewarded. We will be put “in charge of many things” and we will share our “master’s happiness.”
Paul told Timothy: “if we endure, we will also reign with him…” 2 Timothy 2:12 He also let the Corinthians know some of what we will be doing in heaven. “Do you not know that we will judge angels…” 1 Corinthians 6:3
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 Paul’s whole life was a striving to win this prize in heaven: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 We will win riches, a prize or a crown that will last forever. In order to win this prize, we must expect to sacrifice. This will be easier with the right attitude: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 We can obtain the true riches of heaven by giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
Using our money in a way that is pleasing to God is one way to lay up treasure in heaven. By studying and applying the Scriptures we can be sure that we are earning, spending and giving our money in a way pleasing to God: “…he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 Telling others about Jesus and living in such a way that others will come to know Him is wise.
"How much better to get wisdom than gold, to chose understanding rather than silver." Proverbs 16:16
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 3:13-15
"…and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 8:11
God doesn’t need money, but He uses it. God uses money to test our obedience and to give us wisdom. Money is just one of the means God uses to give us wisdom.
Wisdom is everything that comes from God. The first few chapters of Proverbs, most of which were written by King Solomon, personify wisdom and explain it well.
What is wisdom? "then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:5 "By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations…by his knowledge the deeps were divided…" Proverbs 3:19-20
Who gives wisdom? "For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6
How do you find wisdom? "…if you accept my words and store up my commands within you…and search for it as for hidden treasure," Proverbs 2:1-4
Does God want you to find it? "Wisdom calls aloud in the streets," Proverbs 1:20
What are the benefits of wisdom? "…I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you." Proverbs 1:23 "He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path…Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you." Proverbs 2:7-12 "for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity… Long life is in her right hand; and in her left hand are riches and honor…She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed." Proverbs 3:2-18 When God gave Solomon riches and honor besides the wisdom he asked for (1 Kings 3:5-15; 2 Chronicles 1:7-12), Solomon was getting the natural results of wisdom. The man who desires true wisdom often receives riches as well.
How do we recognize wisdom in ourselves and others? “But the wisdom that comes from heaven if first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 If, when we think we are wise, our attitudes and actions do not measure up to the guidelines of this verse, we are being deceived.
The highest wisdom is shown in a life lived according to this standard: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27 To know God and acquire His wisdom is much more important than money. Money means nothing without wisdom.
"Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?" Proverbs 17:16 A fool has no desire to get wisdom; he has no desire to know God. Even his money will not benefit him.
"The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly." Proverbs 14:24 Wealth acquired by honest means can bring honor and respect. Money acquired apart from the wisdom of God will be wasted or used for harm.
If we are dishonest with unbelievers in any way we should never expect them to come to know Jesus. If they do, it will be in spite of us, not because of us. If we are dishonest with other Christians, they will lose trust respect for us. They might even become bitter: ”See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15 If someone becomes bitter because of of our dishonesty, and many are defiled, it is our fault as well. We are hurting God deeply when we are dishonest with anyone: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…” Ephesians 4:30 We are destroying God’s kingdom.
“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:35-36 When we use honest scales and weights we show that we respect God.
"Do not have two differing weights in your bag–one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house–one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” Deuteronomy 25:13-16 In Old Testament times the amount of exchange in buying and selling was often determined when an object of like weight was put on the opposite end of a scale. It was fairly easy to tamper with the true weight of that object. The consequence for the Israelites of having dishonest weights was not living long in the land God had given them. In a sense, we can see that same consequence coming to pass today. If a person is dishonest, it soon becomes known, and their reputation and business endeavor (if that is involved) is ruined.
God detests dishonestly and He: “…sees what is done in secret…” Matthew 6:4 Although only God might knows initially when a person is dishonest, soon others will know. “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9
"Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag of His making." Proverbs 16:11
"The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment." Proverbs 10:16 This passage implies that the wicked in this case are people that have acquired their money dishonestly. That is why their income will bring them punishment.
"The righteous eat to their heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry." Proverbs 13:25 The same promise is found in the New Testament–the righteous do not have to worry about the necessities of life: “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:31-33 The righteous are those that seek God’s will; they seek His kingdom and His righteousness. We are not righteous in ourselves, only when we apply Christ’s righteousness to our lives.
"The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble." Proverbs 15:6 A general principle is that if a person works diligently and is honest with all they have, they will begin to acquire “great treasure.” What the wicked (the dishonest) acquire will “bring them trouble.”
"Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. " Proverbs 19:1 This helps define a fool: someone whose lips are perverse. He is contrasted with one whose walk is blameless. “Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse." Proverbs 28:6 The world puts much stock in riches. They need to see the truth of this parable. Unfortunately there are Christians, blinded by greed, that have not yet seen that riches mean nothing if a person’s ways are dishonest, even in small matters.
"A man’s greed is his shame; better to be poor than a liar." Proverbs 19:22 The fact that a person is greedy is shameful. Greed will bring shame.
"Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth of gravel." Proverbs 20:17 An evil man takes pleasure in acquiring something by deceit. He does not realize that he will suffer the just consequences of his sin.
"The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off." Psalm 37:21-22 The wicked think that they will have more because of their deception, but God sees everything and works it out so that they will be destroyed. Instead, the righteous who give to the Lord will inherit the land.
"He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich–both come to poverty." Proverbs 22:16 Anyone who oppresses the poor to increase his money is going against the very heart of God–he will come to poverty.
"Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them." Proverbs 22:23 You are fighting the Lord when you fight the poor and needy in court.
"A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops." Proverbs 28:3 A ruler that oppresses the poor causes much destruction. In many nations, because of corrupt governments, the people are starving even though there could be an abundance of food.
"By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down." Proverbs 29:4 The influence of a ruler is very great. When a ruler accepts bribes, everyone in the nation is hurt.
"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern" Proverbs 29:7 One characteristic of a wicked man is that he does not care about the poor. We are to do what we can to bring justice to the genuinely poor.
"Two things I ask of You, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I will have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." Proverbs 30:2-9 If we have just the right amount of money we will not be either tempted to steal or tempted to think that we do not need God. We should ask God to give us just the amount of money that will glorify Him most.
"There are…those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind." Proverbs 30:11-14 Destruction caused by the wicked can be very great. The wicked not only do not care about the poor–they devour the poor. The depth of corruption is found in people who use the things of God for their own gain. That is why they peach the gospel, acquire Christian friends, attend church, appear at Christian functions, etc. The sad thing about this is that they have wandered so far from the truth that they often do not realize the depths of their depravity. There are others that have no time for Christianity because they have wandered from the faith, which initially started with their love of money: "…Men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:5-10 But the exciting truth is that all we need is God. When we act like Him, we will have “contentment and great gain”.
"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest–and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 6:6-11 God does not want us to be lazy. In this passage He defines the sluggard–one who is lazy. He is someone that needs to be made to store up provisions. He would rather sleep than work. He does not worry about food for a later time, not because he trusts in God, but because he does not even consider the future. If he needs money or provisions he plans to manipulate or steal in order to acquire them. But someday poverty and scarcity will come to him. God has even provided us an example from nature of what we should be like. The ant does not require anyone to tell it what to do, yet it stores up provisions.
"Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son." Proverbs 10:4-5 Laziness is the opposite of diligence. Diligence is the characteristic of a leader: “…if it is leadership, let him govern diligently…” Romans 12:8
"Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor." Proverbs 12:24 The diligent rule. "Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry." Proverbs 19:15 Too much sleep is a characteristic of the lazy: "Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare." Proverbs 20:13 "As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed." Proverbs 26:14
"The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions." Proverbs 12:27 A lazy man lets what he has decay while taking care of possessions is a characteristic of the diligent.
"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Proverbs 13:4 A general principle is that those who work hard receive all they need.
"Where there is no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest." Proverbs 14:4 When we plan and work to acquire the right equipment, much can be accomplished.
"The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more but the righteous give without sparing." Proverbs 21:25-26 The sluggard refuses. When he does acquire money he spends it quickly and foolishly.
"I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest–and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 24:30-34 The logical consequence of being a sluggard is poverty. .
"The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth." Proverbs 26:15 The characteristic of a sluggard is laziness.
“One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.” Proverbs 18:9 The sluggard not only hurts himself, he hurts others.
‘He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored." Proverbs 27:18 We should receive a reward for our work: “The hard-working farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.” 2 Timothy 2:6
"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown in not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats milk to feed you ad your family and to nourish your servant girls." Proverbs 27:23-27 It is honorable and profitable to work as a farmer with animals.
"A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him." Proverbs 28:11 Riches can make a person feel that they are wise even when no skill or intelligence was involved in acquiring them.
"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." Proverbs 14:23 There are people who talk and talk but never accomplish anything. Hard work has to accompany talk.
‘The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste lead to poverty." Proverbs 21:5 Trying to earn money quickly will fail. Unless it is in the plan of God, some dishonesty is usually involved: "A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." Proverbs 28:20
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 In this passage God, through Paul, is telling us that to work diligently and not be dependent on anybody should be our ambition. How often do people come to know God because of the quiet, orderly, joyful, honest, diligent life of a believer? Probably more than we know.
"Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred." Proverbs 15:16-17 We have probably all experienced a time when, although much preparation which had gone into a special meal, it meant nothing because of strife. That should put great wealth in perspective. It means nothing without love that comes from the fear of the Lord.
"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:7 Our relationship is not the same with someone from whom we have borrowed money. The attitude of someone who lacks integrity will be begrudging. A person of integrity might be grateful but still feel obliged or indebted.
"The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall." Proverbs 18:11 The rich often are so blind they feel secure as long as they have money.
The money we have affects the way we treat others and the way we see ourselve:. “A poor man begs for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly." Proverbs 18:23 The poor sometimes lose their friends: “Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man’s friend deserts him." Proverbs 19:4 "The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends." Proverbs 14:20
Some people are friends because of what we can do for them: “A poor man is shunned by all his relatives–how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he pursues them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found." Proverbs 19:7
Are they really our friends who would desert us when we become poor? Our money should not affect our friendship with people. If we are poor, we should be hospitable with the little we have and not expect our wealthier friends to pay our way, and if we are rich, we should not embarrass or look down on our poor friends. It is people of high integrity, on both sides, that can be close friends with a person of a great economic difference. Jonathan and David would be such an example. When David was a poor shepherd that was called on to sing for King Saul and Jonathan was the son of a king, their friendship was first formed out of a deep love of both for God (1 Samuel 18).
"’It’s no good, it’s no good!’ says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase." Proverbs 20:14 We need wisdom because there are many people who are dishonest in acquiring money.
"One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” Proverbs 13:7 What a man says about how much money he has is not always a good indication of the truth.
“A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat." Proverbs 13:8 There are some advantages of not having money.
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife." Proverbs 17:1 No matter how excellent the food, if there is strife it will not be enjoyed.
Moses “chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.” Hebrews 11:25
"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." Proverbs 23:4-5 A wise person will work enough to support himself and his family and have enough to give to others. He will not spend unnecessary time working just to get money. Even the time we spend working belongs to God.
“…But you have insulted the poor….But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” James 2:6-9 To show favoritism to the rich would be to seek your own honor or fortune. To do so is to violate God’s law.
“A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” Proverbs 13:22 Justice will be done eventually–the righteous will receive the wealth of the wicked. The Lord gives the only secure inheritance.
"Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Deuteronomy 25:4 is quoted in the following Scripture: "Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: ‘ Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely He says this for us, doesn’t He? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have shown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we do not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should get their living from the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:7-14
"Anyone who works in the service of the Lord should be paid enough so that he can do the work of the Lord without hindrance. The elders who directed the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’ 1 Timothy 5:17-18
However, Paul would not accept any money even though he was entitled to be paid for his services: "…But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel, I may offer it free of charge, and so make use of my rights in preaching it." 1 Corinthians 9:15-18
It would be to the Lord’s honor not to accept unnecessary money from God’s people. Also, no one should decide on their own that they are entitled to be paid. For instance, there are people that expect to live off others because they are a self-proclaimed evangelist, worship leader, etc. Ideally God should choose the person chosen to be pastor, evangelist, etc. Certainly they were in Old Testament times. For example: “Those were the names of Aaron’s son, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests…Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.” Numbers 3:3-6
God gives us money and the freedom to spend much of it the way we wish. We can use it selfishly or wisely. In talking about Timothy, Paul says: “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:19-20 Are we using our money to further the interests of Jesus Christ? Are we laying up treasures in heaven–true riches?
PARABLE OF THE SHREWD MANAGER
1. How is the manager shrewd?
2. Why does the master commend the dishonest manager?
3. What would Jesus not commend about the dishonest manager?
4. What is the main point of th parable of Luke 16:1-15?
5. What are the true riches of heaven?
6. What does the parable of Matthew 25:14-30 show about how we will be judged and how we will be rewarded?
7. Who will we judge when we get to heaven? What does that show us about what we should be doing now? (1 Corinthians 6:1-5)
8. What are we supposed to do because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain?
WISDOM BETTER THAN MONEY
1. How does God use money? Why do we have money both from a natural perspective and a spiritual perspective?
2. What can compare to wisdom?
3. What is wisdom? Who gives wisdom? Where do you find wisdom? Does God want you to find it? What are the benefits of wisdom? (Proverbs)
4. What else did Solomon get when he chose wisdom?
5. How is wisdom shown in our lives? (James 1:27, 3:17)
6. Why is money of no use in the hands of a fool?
HONESTY
1. What happens when we are dishonest with unbelievers? With believers?
2. What are we showing when we use honest scales and weights?
3. Who does the Lord detest?
4. According to the Word of God, how do the wicked use their money? Give some examples from your experience.
5. According to the Word of God, how do the righteous use their money? Give some examples from your experience.
6. What will happen if we have crooked paths? How can we walk securely?
7. Why aren’t we to worry about material possessions? What are we to do instead?
8. What does the income of the wicked bring them?
9. What happens to food gained by fraud?
10. Why does the writer of Proverbs 30 want neither poverty nor riches?
DILIGENCE
1. What can we learn from the ant about diligence?
2. What does the .lazy man do? What are the results of laziness?
3. What does the diligent man do? What are the results of diligence?
4. What does mere talk and haste lead to? What are the opposites of these actions and what are the results? Give examples from life.
5. How will we win the respect of outsiders? Give examples of how you have seen the results of this principle.
MORE ON MONEY
1. How does money effect the way we treat others and the way we see ourselves?
2. How will a true friend treat us as regards to money?
3. What advantages are there to being poor?
4. Can you give an example of a sinner’s wealth being stored up for the poor (Proverbs 13:22)?
5. Give examples of showing favoritism. Give examples of treating others as you wish to be treated.
6. What does it man to muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain (Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Corinthians 9:7-14)?
a. Discuss how the Word of God applies this principle.
b. Discuss practical way this principle should be applied.
c. Paul is an example of someone that did not use the privileges of this principle. What effect did his sacrifice have?
7. Are you using your riches to further the cause of Jesus Christ? Are you laying up your treasures in heaven? Give an example of how you are doing this. Could you do better?