Session Outline:

Ecc.. 5:10-12 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.

Ever since the fall of man we have been looking for ways to feel better about ourselves--more secure. There are only two ways to get a sense of security--the world’s way or God’s way.

Money has become the center of the world’s system for ultimate security. It is a false security that says the more we have the better off we are. When we give into this idea it always leads to financial bondage.

"God’s way to financial freedom lies in our ability to seek Him first--He wants to show us our real worth--our inner man--not our outer appearances."

Life Implication:

1 Tim. 6:10 love of money is the root of all sorts of evil

Having the wrong idea about money and its place in your life can have one of the most devastating effects on us. It is consistently the number one or two cause for marital failure.

The devil knows that this is an area where he can occupy us and ultimately keep us from realizing God’s special plan for our life. We must come to understand the symptoms of financial bondage and seek God’s way to financial freedom.

Rom. 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Thorstein Veblen, "The Theory of the Leisure Class"

Isa. 55:2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Luke 12:13-21 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ "Then he said, `This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ‘ "But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Ecc. 5:-5 It is better that you should not vow—than to vow and not pay.

Matt 6:24-25 No man can serve two masters-God and mammon

Luke 12:22 don’t be anxious—wages war between spirit and soul. Vs. 31 seek first the kingdom of God—

Prov 28:20 A faithful man will abound in blessings—but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in little, is faithful in much

Phil 4:11 Paul learned to be content—whatever the circumstances.

Eph 5:5 No covetous man, who is an idolater has an inheritance in the kingdom of God.

Ecc. 5:10-12 Whoever loves money never has enough.

Prov. 23:4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth.

Luke 12: 13-21 Why toil and spin--consider the ravens and

seek Him first.

Prov. 18:11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an un scalable wall.

James 2:1-13 Do not hold the rich in high esteem.

Jas. 2:15-16 If brother or sister is without—and you say go in peace — be warmed and filled — and do not give them what

they need —— what good is that?

Prov. 3:9-10 Honor the Lord from your wealth and the first of all your produce — so that your barns will be full of plenty.

On a scale of 1 (bondage) to 5 (freedom) rate each symptom on the above list. Discuss ways you might improve in the areas where you are experiencing the most difficulty.