Introduction Video
I’d like to share why I’m so passionate about you learning God’s way of handling money. My business partner asked me to join him in a study of the Bible to find out what it said about money. We spent a year identifying every verse that dealt with finances, and it totally changed my life. We were surprised to learn that there were 2,350 verses dealing with money. There are several reasons why the Lord says so much about it.
First, how we handle money has a significant impact on our relationship with Christ. Jesus said it this way in Luke 16:11,
“If therefore you are not faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you.”
And what are the true riches? -- A more intimate relationship with the Lord.
Money is also a primary competitor with Christ for the lordship of our life. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus said,
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Now, the way most people handle money is so different from God’s ways. Isaiah 55:8 says,
“For your thoughts are not My thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
Not only are God’s ways different, they’re so much better. The next verse tells us,
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Because followers of Christ have not been trained to handle money God’s way, they’ve adopted the world’s perspective of handling money – and often with terrible consequences. So, I want to encourage you—no I want to challenge you—be faithful to do the work for the class. It’ll benefit you and it’ll benefit the others in your group.
Now I’d like to introduce you to Kyle Hasbrouck who will be walking you through the rest of this study.
This first week, we’ll explore how money impacts our relationship with the Lord. And there are a couple things you’ll need to do prior to the first meeting.
First, read the book Your Money Counts prior to attending the first class.
Second is verse memorization. Every week there is an assigned memory verse, and this week’s verse is Luke 16:11.
Last, complete the Homework questions and begin to record your income and expenses on the 30-Day Diary. Here’s how it works:
Download the 30-Day Diary worksheet which is designed to help you track your income and spending. Every time you receive income, record the amount in the Income column. And every time you spend, record the amount under the appropriate spending category.
We list the spending categories at the end of the lesson to help you categorize your spending. Start on this right away as it’s critical to helping you build a spending plan.
Well, I’m so thankful you’re taking this study. My prayer is that during this time, you’ll become financially healthier, develop close friendships with others in your group, and most importantly, you’ll grow even closer to our Lord and Savior. May God bless your faithfulness throughout this study.