GREED

Opening Question

When have been the times in life where you have felt most content? Was money the main factor in these?

Read 1 Timothy 6:6–10, 17-19

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Discussion Questions

  1. What stands out to you from these passages?

  2. Paul says, “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” When you hear that, does that sound realistic to you? why/why not?

  3. What are some of the ways that greed, or the love of money, can lead to other kinds of evil?

  4. In verses 17–19, what are the rich commanded to do? How does this show us that money itself can actually be good?

  5. How does a gospel perspective change how we view money, and how does it give us contentment?

  6. Jesus says you cannot serve both God and money. Why does greed run in such stark opposition to a Christ-centred life?

  7. Paul warns that those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap. What traps around money do Christians need to be alert to today?

Apply

  1. What areas of life do you find hardest to wisely navigate when it comes to money?

  2. How can we work out the difference between wise financial planning and greed?

  3. Where are you most tempted to put your hope in money rather than God?

  4. What is one practical step you could take this week to grow in contentment, generosity, or trust in God?

Prayer

Pray that God would help us to be content in him, free from the love of money, generous with what we have, and rich in good deeds.