Week of September 30th – Diligence

Key Thought:
Too many people are waiting for prosperity to find them. If you are hoping that there is some big payoff right around the corner that is going to be your financial savior, it’s time to stop dreaming and start promising. When you make a promise to yourself that you are going to stop being a servant to money, it means you’re ready to take control and that you are ready to stop passively wishing for someone or something to miraculously fix your life. This may sound devoid of faith, but in fact it is the very first step of genuine biblical faith. Some people think that God has let them down because they have been praying for him to solve the problem. However, they have not exercised any faith beyond simply praying about their problems. God has only promised to provide us with the basics for our lives. He hasn’t promised to bail us out of our self-induced financial dilemmas, and he definitely hasn’t promised to make us rich on this earth. He wants us to step forward in faith - demonstrated by practicing the principles of stewardship, generosity and diligence. Here’s the wealth equation: diligence, plus living in the U.S., plus your God-given common sense, plus sound advice, plus Godly discipline and contentment, plus patience, plus biblical wisdom will usually equal wealth. Sound too difficult? Everything worthwhile is difficult! It takes diligence to get out of debt. Then, it takes diligence to save and invest. However, if you choose to be a diligent person you not only will have wealth, but you will be able to better represent Jesus who was both generous and a hard worker!

Sermon:
Take some time to write down some important thoughts that stick with you from Steve’s Sermon “The Buck Starts Here” (Sep 30th , 2007)

Bible Reading:
Mon – Proverbs 10:1-5
Tue – Proverbs 12:24, 27
Wed – Proverbs 13:4, 7
Thurs – Proverbs 21:5, 6
Friday – Proverbs 6:6-11

Key Questions to Ponder During the Week –

1. What types of things do people do to get rich quick or to get out of debt quick? Why is it so dangerous to put our hope in these methods?
2. What are some of the wise decisions you’ve made in the area of finances? What decisions do you wish you could do over?
3. If Christians are to be different from the world, how does a Christian investor distinguish herself/himself from someone else who doesn’t know Christ and whose life revolves around money?
4. What are some Godly reasons we should save and invest? How much is enough savings?
5. What is your personal conviction about using money as something for you and your family to enjoy?
6. If you saved up an extra $50,000 beyond your goals for retirement and family goals, what are some causes or organizations that you would love to be generous with?