MAIN POINT:

God wants us to prioritize the resources He gives us and be willing to live by the Bible’s teachings about saving and investing.

ICEBREAKER:

Tell the group how you learned to set up a budget. If you do not have a budget, what is the biggest value you see in setting up a budget after hearing the last few messages?

INTRODUCTION:

Seventy-two per cent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. There are three critical categories to save for: first, emergencies. Save up to build an emergency fund. Secondly, save for purchases, like furniture, Christmas, cars, and vacation. Thirdly, invest for future needs, such as kids’ college and retirement. In order to save for future times, we must embrace sacrifice today. Say “no” to self now for a better life later. We need to prioritize our dollars so that our money can work for us. A formula to follow for investing is money+time+consistency=wealth. Scripture encourages us to be savers and investors, not just consumers. However, don’t invest in anything you do not understand. Be careful that you find a knowledgeable mentor. Don’t put all your investments in one basket. Don’t try to get rich quick. We have become accustomed to instant gratification. Instead, be a marathon investor. In other words, plan to invest consistently over time. God’s Word has financially sound principles for those who want to be free from money’s bondage. To get started, make a budget and take a class, like Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University.” To register for this class at Faith Promise, click here.

ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH BIBLE STUDY:

Read Proverbs 6:6-8.
1. What can we learn from the ant?

Read Prov. 21:20.
2. A foolish man uses up all his resources as soon as he can. What does the wise man do?

II Thessalonians 3:10.
3. What is Paul’s harsh advice?

Read Matthew 25:14-30 or have someone paraphrase the parable of the talents.
4. How does God expect us to handle the resources He gives us?

Read Prov. 24:3-4.
5. This verse demonstrates the value of wisdom. How can Christian gain knowledge, understanding, and wisdom regarding money?

Read Ecclesiastes 11:2 (also see introduction).
6. What old saying is 
Ecclesiastes akin to?

Read I Timothy 6:9.
7. Is money the downfall or is it greed? What happens when we try to get rich quick?

Read Prov. 13:11.
8. How does this verse advise money handling? Is this sound advice for today?

9. Why is it so hard to wait to buy something you really want instead of just using credit?

10. Do you have a better lifestyle than your parents?

11. See introduction. Explain how the formula for wise investing works.

LEADER NOTES

1. The ant gathers and prepares for the future.
2. A wise man stores away for future needs.
3. If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. Note that Paul is not advocating turning a blind eye to those who are unable to work-see 1 Timothy 5 for his instruction on caring for widows.
4. He expects us to be wise; to save and make investments.
5. Find a mentor. Take classes. Live by a budget.
6. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Diversify your investments.
7. Get rich quick schemes do not work.
8. Gather little by little and with integrity and money will grow. This is still wise advice today.
9. & 10. Opinion
11. money+time=consistency=wealth. If a person routinely puts aside/invests even a small amount every payday, eventually that money becomes a large sum.