Desperate Households: Desperate for Financial Freedom

September 17, 2006 - Rev. Rurel Ausley, Jr.; Rev. Kevin Kelly

1 Timothy 6:6-10

1. Why do you think arguments over money is one of the leading causes of divorce? What are the arguments about? Why are couples unable to agree about money? Why is money so contentious? In what ways do we overvalue money? In what ways to we underestimate the importance of handling it biblically?

2. What do you think about our definition of one who avoids debt: “One who avoids entering into debt, is careful and strategic when incurring debt, and always repays debt.”? What is the difference in “mortgage debt” (buying a house) and “consumer debt” (buying clothes, etc., on a credit card)? Discuss this statement: “Debt has nothing to do with our income. It has to do with how we handle the money we have.” What happens if we do not spend more than we make?

3. During the message, we will talk about four traps of unneeded debt. Read the Prodigal Son for the principles that we will highlight from the Scriptures about how debt traps. (Luke 15:11-32) 1. The first trap is overestimating the importance of wealth. How do we do that? What happens to us when money becomes more important to us than our relationships? 2. What role does “instant gratification” play in debt? When does one usually receive his/her inheritance? What is your credit card debt? How can you resolve to eliminate that? 3. What happens when we fail to anticipate hard times? What would happen to your house payment if interest rates went up 1-2%? Credit card payments? 4. What happens when we spend more than our resources allow? (Luke 15:14)

4. Our last effort is to take steps to overcome debt. These steps come from the same Scripture in Luke 15:1. How might we accept responsibility for the situation we are in? How was going into debt a choice we made? (Luke 15:15) 2. What would it mean to “acknowledge the bondage” we are in? What does it mean to come to our senses? 3. What plan might you use to get out of debt? (Luke15:18-19) 4. Why should you start this plan immediately? (Luke15:20) 5. How do you think God will receive you? (Luke15:20-24)

5. What is a prudent consumer? Can you remember the definition given in the message? Read Prov. 13:18; 1 Tim. 6:6-10. What is the difference in enjoying the fruits of our labors and materialism? What happens to those who do not discipline themselves in their finances? (Prov. 13:18) What does the Bible say about the love of money? What happens to those who are eager for money? (1 Tim. 6:10) How does comparing ourselves to others stir up a desire for more? How can we stop comparing? In what kind of ways might we discipline our spending to be better managers?

6. In the message I list six things to do to get control of spending. What were they? Do you currently operate by a budget? Why is it as important to have a budget when we have much as it is when we have little? What advantage might there be to pay your bills as they come in? How could you save lots of money by paying off your credit card debt? Do you have a plan for emergencies? What about “fun money”?

7. What is a wise investor? Can you remember the definition given in the message? Read Prov. 21:20. What does a foolish man do? If you are a saver, how have you found ways to save? If you are not a saver, how might you find ways to save? What is the difference in saving and hoarding? Have you ever saved for a goal and then not wanted to use it for its intended purpose? How does our desire for security push us to hoarding? How does our desire for status push us toward hoarding? What might you do to make sure you are not hoarding?

8. How important to your Christian life is it to be a generous giver? Can you remember the definition given in the message? Read 1 Tim. 6:18-19; Deut. 15:7-8; Lev. 27:30. What is a tithe? Where does it say that the tithe goes? (Mal. 3:10) Want to do an interesting biblical study on tithing/giving? See if you can find any biblical reference to dividing up the tithe. (3% here, 2% there, 5% over there). See if there is any biblical reference to substituting service for the tithe. See if there is any biblical reference to giving the tithe anywhere other than the priests at the temple/tabernacle. See if there is any biblical reference to anything less than the tithe being acceptable to God.

9. After the whole tithe is given to the Lord at His church, what other things ought we be giving to? (Deut. 15:7-8; James 2:14-17)