YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NPC WOODLEY

MONEY AND THE LORD

INTRODUCTION
Money is probably the most spoken-about subject characterizing human life, and rightly so, because the need for and interaction with money permeates virtually all aspects of our lives. Interestingly, even the Bible speaks about finances more than most subjects. Money has transformed the world and the church in both positive and negative ways. Lack of and/or mismanagement money has hindered the achievement of crucial goals at individual, family, national and global level while abundance has led to historic changes and worthy legacies. Conversely, in many cases the increase of wealth has also resulted in the proliferation and increase of negative individual traits and societal evils such as pride, discrimination, oppression, greed, immorality, materialism and unhealthy or unfair competition. Today, many people including Christians determine their relationships and associations based on their financial worth e.g. potential mates and parents choose or accept prospective spouses based on social class and abundance of possessions. This study is designed to enable Christians deliberate on fundamental questions on finance affecting the Body of Christ within the context of the Word of God. It is not only intended to help combat the emergence of distorted doctrines in the church driven by the love for money but also enlighten Christians on the purpose and value of money in fulfillment of Gods plan for our lives at individual, family, national and global levels and divine secrets codified in Gods Word that would help secure a constant supply of money in righteousness.

A. CONFRONTING OUR MONEY HABITS 1. Discuss the purpose and value of money in a Christians life? (Mathew 6:19-21, 31-33) (Mark 10:17-30) (1Tim. 6:6-10) (Prov.15:6) (Prov.11:28) (Prov.14:20) (Prov.19:4,7) (Eccl.7:11) (Eccl.10:19) (Prov.28:6) 2. (a) How and from where do we acquire our orientation on handling money? (b) How does this orientation affect our level of financial success? (Prov 22:6) (Prov.13:20)

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3. List and discuss some myths about money created by our orientation on finances. 4. What causes poverty? Is it the will of God for some people to remain poor while others grow in riches or is it a matter of choice and consequence? (Prov.22:2) (Acts 17:26) (Haggai 1:2-11) (Mal.3:6-9) (Prov.10:4) (Prov.13:18) (Prov.14:23) (Prov.12:11) (Prov.20:13) (Prov.21:17) (Prov.24:33, 34) (Prov.13:21) (Prov.28:19) 5. Discuss the present day church doctrine on handling finances and wealth creation vis--vis biblical teaching. Distinguish truths and myths. (1 Tim.6:3-5) (Matthew 7:15-20) 6. Discuss the impact of the following attitudes and practices on a christians life and how a Christian can confront the same: (a) Greed (Eccl.5:10) (Luke 12:14) (b) Meanness (Prov.11:24, 25) (c) Laziness (Prov.12:24) (Prov.13:4) (Prov.20:4) (Prov.19:15) (d) limited vision (Prov.29:18 KJV) (e) poor debt management (Prov.22:7) (f) flashy living and indulgence (Prov.12:9) (Prov.13:7) (g) Corruption (Ps.66:18) (Eccl.7:7) (Prov.11:1) (Prov.10:2) (Prov.13:11) (h) Covetousness (Prov.23:17,18) (i) poverty mentality Recommended Books: 1. Mixing God and Money by Dennis O. Tongoi 2. Gifted Hands by Ben Carson 3. Retire Young, Retire Rich by Robert Kiyosaki 4. Debt Trapped by Harrison Nguru 5. Debt-free Living: How to get out of debt and stay out by Larry Burkett 6. Get Rich by Making the Most of Your Money by Leah Karimi

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B. EMBRACING FINANCIAL PROSPERITY 1. What is your ideal picture of a financially successful Christian? Compare this with the biblical ideal of financial success and discuss how sometimes the two have led to a conflict in your heart and lifestyle. (Matthew 6:33) (1Tim.6:6-10, 17-19) (2 Peter1:3-4) (Prov.13:22) (Prov.15:16) (Prov.23:5,6) (Luke 12:16-21) 2. Does the type of job, vocation, profession or business that a Christian engages in determine the level of financial success that he/she can attain? (Eph.2:10) (Jer. 29:11) 3. Discuss the following key factors that influence financial success giving illustrations on how they have manifested in your life: (a) planning (Prov.20:18) (Prov.21:5) (Luke 14:28) (b) discipline (Prov. 13:18) (c) diligence (Prov.14:23) (Prov.22:29) (d) association (Prov.13:20) 4. It has been said that growing from one financial level to another is determined by the principle of leverages. Discuss how the following leverages result in financial prosperity: (a) leverage of a mentality of prosperity (b) leverage of financial education (c) leverage of effective use of time (d) leverage of taking advantage of opportunity (e) leverage of starting and running your own business (f) leverage of the grace of God divine direction, secrets & favour 5. Identify some of the persons (especially Christians) you regard as highly financially successful and discuss some their attitudes and habits that led to their financial success. Discuss whether you have understood and embraced some of these habits into your life and whether since taking that step the level of your financial success has increased. Recommended Books: 1. Mixing God and Money by Dennis Tongoi 2. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
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3. How to Become a Lifelong Financial Success by Manyara Kirago 4. 12 Keys to Financial Success: A guide to Financial Success by Stephen Adei 5. How to Start and Manage Your Own Business by J.N. Mwangi & M.O. Omollo 6. Common Reasons why Start-up Businesses Fail and What You Can do About It by Murori Kiunga 7. Challenges of Starting a business and How to Overcome Them by Murori Kiunga & Muriithi Gituma 8. Ten Habits of Millionaires by Keith Cameron Smith 9. Retire Young, Retire Rich by Robert Kiyosaki 10.The Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanley 11.Snowball: Warren Buffet and the Business Life by Alice Schroeder 12.Tough Choices by Carly Fiorina 13. Losing my Virginity by Richard Branson

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C. THE MYSTERY OF SUPERNATURAL PROVISION AND INCREASE 1. Is supernatural provision and increase a present-day spiritual reality? Discuss some of the biblical accounts of people who experienced supernatural provision/increase and how they did so. Have you ever experienced supernatural provision and increase? If so, how was this triggered? (Gen.26:1-6 & 12-15) (Deut.8:18) (Deut. 6:10-12) (1 Kings 3:5-15) (1Kings 17:1-16) (2 Kings 4:1-7) 2. List some of the key differences between supernatural increase and natural increase? (Prov.10:22) (Ephesians 3:20,21) 3. Do most Christians gain access to supernatural provision and increase? If not, why? (James 4:3)(Matthew 6:33)(Hosea 4:6)(Luke 6:46-49)(1 John 1:22-25) 4. Discuss how the following key practices and principles can influence the level of supernatural provision and increase in a Christians life: (a) Faith and commitment to the Word of God (John 8:32) (Psalms 1:1-3) (Joshua 1:8) (b) Aligning oneself with Gods purpose for your life (Eph.2:10) (Jer.29:11) (Prov.19:21) (c) Divine Direction (Prov.3:5,6) (d) Giving Tithe (Mal.3:6-12) Various kinds of offering (Luke 6:38) (2 Cor.9:6-8) (Prov.3:9,10) (2 Cor.8:1-4) Fulfilling vows (Eccl.5:4-6) Helping the Poor (Prov.19:17) (Prov. 28:27) (1 John 3:17, 18) Blessing ministers of the Word (1 Sam. 9:6-8) (1 Cor.9:718)(Phil. 4:10-19) (e) Favour (Prov 10:22)(2 Sam.6:19-12) (Gen.39:2-6, 20-23) (Gen. 26:115) (f) Faithfulness (Luke 16:10-12)

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5. Why does God continually increase resources of Christians who are faithful in giving? (2 Cor. 9:10-15) 6. What dangers should Christians guard against as we seek to embrace the mystery of supernatural provision and increase today? (Deut. 8:10-18) (Luke 16:13-15) (1 Tim. 6:3-10 & 17-19) Recommended Books: 1. God's Plans for Your Finances by Dwight Nichols 2. Using your Money Wisely by Larry Burkett 3. Releasing Your Potential by Dr Myles Munroe

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