Proverbs: Money

Intro Question

Which “money style” do you most identify with?

  1. Avoider – Rather not think about it

  2. Spender – Enjoys spending freely

  3. Hoarder – Always saving, hesitant to spend

  4. Status Seeker – Wants money for the lifestyle it brings/ Big ticket items.

  5. Something else?

Read the Following Proverbs. (text them to group members so everyone can see them all at once)

Proverbs 3:5-10
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Proverbs 13:11
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

Proverbs 11:24–25
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 15:16
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Proverbs 23:4–5
Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.

Proverbs 30:8–9
Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.


Discuss
1. What stands out or is surprising to you from any of these proverbs?

2. In what way does our usage of money reveal what we ‘fear’ or ‘trust’ in for our happiness/ security?

3. Why is it the ‘firstfruits’ that are specifically named in what ought be used to honour God?

4. What do these proverbs teach us about the danger of loving money?

5. How do you see contentment expressed in Proverbs 15:16 and 30:8–9?

6. In what way is generosity spoken of in a counter-intuitive way?

7 Proverbs 22:7 warns about debt. How do you see debt shaping our culture—and your own life?

8. Proverbs 13:11 points to wealth growing little by little. How does this challenge our culture’s desire for instant success or “get-rich-quick” schemes?

9. Do you tend to find yourself stressed around finances? If so, what contributes to that?

10. How does understanding God’s generosity to us free us to be generous toward others?

Apply

  1. Reflecting on the past month, have you stewarded your money in a way that honours God and blesses others? If not confidently a yes, what is making this challenging for you?

  2. What is one financial habit you could change or begin this week based on these proverbs?