Week 2: Finances

SESSION GOALS
The point of every session is a main idea with the goal of informing our knowing, feeling, and doing.
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MAIN IDEA: You are called to live in financial freedom.

Head Change: To know that you aren’t meant to have a two-way relationship with money, but a three-way relationship between you, your money, and God.

Heart Change: To respond emotionally to God (thanking Him for providing), instead of reacting emotionally to money.

Life Change: To seek first God’s Kingdom and righteousness, knowing He gives you everything you need to do His will.

OPEN
Do you tend to have too much money at the end of the month, or too much month at the end of your money? Either way, what do you do with the excess or deficit? Does money make a man, or does a man make money? What’s the difference?

In this session, Anthony admits that for many years he excelled as a self-taught financial fool and shares the valuable lessons he has learned about the powerful role – for better or worse – money plays in our lives.

VIEW
As you watch, take note of how Anthony answers these questions.

• How was Anthony legally able to spend more money than he had?
• What might stop us from addressing our financial situation?
• List four reasons why many people aim to make as much money as possible.
• How does Anthony define financial freedom?

Show SESSION #2: Finances (11 minutes)

REVIEW
Anthony opens the session with a confession: for years he immediately spent any income that came his way and got into debt via credit cards and store accounts. ‘It wasn’t until I got married,’ he says, ‘that someone far more sensible than me said she was going to do some plastic surgery: cut up the cards.’ Is it easier to get into debt or out of debt? If you’re currently in debt, do you have a plan to get out? What’s your first step?

The world makes it easy for us to live beyond our means, financially unbalanced. We’re also quick to blame our financial indiscretions on the volatility of the global economy. Do you agree? Why, or why not? Do you hope things will improve for you financially? If so, what measurable actions is that hope based on? If you have a history of racking up debt, what accountability measures do you have in place to ensure you don’t fall into the same spending patterns again?

Anthony points out that how we feel about money is important, because plenty of our financial decisions are feelings-based. Our emotional and psychological reactions to the subject make all the difference. Complete this sentence with three adjectives: When I think about money, I feel _______, _______, and _________.

You may be hesitant to take an honest look at this aspect of your life because of fear. You feel trapped and alone. Just when you start to make ends meet, somebody moves the ends. Can you relate? If you feel comfortable doing so, talk about your financial fears.

It’s also possible you believe you don’t need to consider your financial position because you’re pretty comfortable (though of course, a little extra income wouldn’t hurt). Anthony says, ‘If that’s you, please don’t tune me out, because you too could actually be out of balance in a way that’s a lot less obvious. What if God wants to stretch you outside your comfort zone so your trust really has to be in Him?’ Does the suggestion that God wants to teach you something about money make you uncomfortable? If so, what does that tell you?

The concept of financial balance is helpful. When things become unbalanced, they accelerate out of control and affect individuals, businesses, banks, and even nations. Break the laws of financial balance and you’ll end up broke. Is there someone in your family, workplace, church, or wider community who strikes you as being financially balanced? What is it about their lifestyle or decision-making that inspires or impresses you? If you’re trying to balance your finances, what are you focusing on? What’s your financial aim?

Anthony reckons some people just aim to (1) make as much money as they can – and no matter how much they make, it’s never enough. Some men aim to (2) provide for their loved ones (even though our kids want our presence more than our presents). Some aim to (3) save as much money as possible (even though eventually we’ll leave behind all our investments). And some aim simply to (4) spend, spend, spend! Anthony says, ‘If your upkeep exceeds your income, your outgo will be your downfall.’ Which of these four categories do you fall into? Would your spouse, kids, parents, or closest friends agree?

A far better financial aim is to be financially free – which doesn’t mean being able to do whatever you want. Financial freedom means not worrying about money, because you simply have enough to do whatever God wants. This is the way Jesus lived during His time on earth and He said we can live like this too. Do you believe you have enough in your bank account, today, to do God’s will? Why, or why not?

According to Jesus, you’re not supposed to have just a two-way relationship between you and your money, because then money will be your master. Jesus introduced a three-way relationship between you, your money, and God (Matthew 6:25–34). Anthony says, ‘Whether thinking about saving, spending, investing, or giving, the Bible says consistently: if you want true financial balance, your aim should be to put God and His kingdom and what He wants first…’ What tempts you to make money your master? How has God provided for your needs this week? What might a three-way relationship between you, your money, and God look like the next time you shop online, pay bills, or do a quick grocery run?

The same principle that governs your health applies to your wealth. God gives you 100% of everything you have. He expects you to look after it well and give some of it back as a grateful response to His generosity and love. What percentage of your income did God give you? What percentage of your income do you give away? What percentage of your income do you save? What percentage of your income is left for you to spend?

We tend to compare up. We see someone with more than us and we feel like we don’t have enough. When you compare down, to the vast majority of people on the planet, how do you feel? Would you describe yourself as being ‘rich in this world’ (1 Timothy 6:17)? If so, what’s your next step?

Anthony says, ‘You never met an unhappy generous person!’ Who is the happiest person you know? Are they generous?

BIBLE EXPLORATION
Read the story of the rich fool in Luke 12:13–-21. Is it wise to invest your money? Will you benefit from your financial investments in eternity? How would you explain true financial wisdom to a teenager who just got their first job, or to a tech startup entrepreneur who just turned thirty and made their first million?

On the day he gave away tons of his own gold to fund building work on the temple in Jerusalem, King David said, ‘Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things’ (1 Chronicles 29:11). Did David experience both poverty and riches in his lifetime? What was his attitude towards wealth and where it came from? If you’re a ‘king’ in your business, family, or community, how can you seek God’s Kingdom first?

Paul’s ideas about wealth were similar to King David’s. Read 1 Timothy 6:17–18. Paraphrase Paul’s financial perspective as expressed in this verse. What opportunities have you had this week to ‘do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share’?

LAST WORD
If you long for freedom and joy, put God in charge of your money. He’s the supplier and owner of everything, and everything you have is on loan from Him. Resist placing your hope in money, because tomorrow it might all be gone. Rather, remember that contentment begins when you count your blessings. If you’re working through this series, it’s likely you’re more blessed than many on this planet. Jesus said to whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48). But whether you have much or a little, you can be generous and worry-free, living to give not to get.

DEEPER WALK
Select at least one activity below to complete before watching the next session.

Read: Read Luke 6:38, Philippians 4:19, and Hebrews 13:5. Read them slowly and prayerfully. If possible, read them aloud too. What convicts you? What comforts you? Is God calling you to take a step of faith or obedience in your finances?

Write: Write out a list of all the ways you’ve been blessed to be a blessing. Now write down the names of people you have an opportunity to bless this week. Could you do it anonymously? Write out a plan to be a channel of God’s goodness to these particular people.  

Pray: To keep envy at bay, thank God for how He has poured out financial blessing on someone you know and love. Thank Him for how He has blessed you, too. Thank Him that because He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:11), there’s plenty more where that came from.