What the Bible Says About Relationships and Money
Week of November 13, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
Psalm 37:21
21The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.
Proverbs 22:7
7Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
Luke 12:15
15Then he [Jesus] said, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.”
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, as I come to another Lord’s day, thank You for being worthy of my worship and praise. As the one, true and living God, I glorify You and adore You. Receive my worship today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, as I continue to learn about the godly use of wealth, I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live wisely, and not become overburdened by debt. Let me repay anything I have borrowed, and thus remain in godliness. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Tuesday |
Heavenly Father, I don’t want to be a “slave” to lenders. Give me a renewed resolve to live a faithful lifestyle with giving and saving first, that I may honor You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Wednesday |
Heavenly Father, The lure of wealth IS such a temptation as I live in this culture. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may think Your thoughts and live in Your ways. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, help me to see today and always that the abundance of things is NOT real life—that YOU and You alone are life and are the source of eternal life. Let me live in that Life through Jesus, today and always! This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Friday |
Heavenly Father, Thank You for caring enough about me to give me instructions for every area of living, including the use of worldly wealth. Let me use it faithfully, so that Your kingdom my grow and You be honored. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. |
Saturday |
Heavenly Father, Thank you for another week of living and moving and having my being in You! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that throughout this day You may be glorified and that others may know You as well. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. |
Background on the Text
This week’s Scriptures point out the dangers of debt. Please, understand that the Scriptures don’t say that debt is a sin, but each Scripture points out a danger of debt or of believing that a lifestyle filled with things gives real meaning to life. The first Scripture tells us that when it comes to borrowing money, the wicked borrow and don’t repay, while the godly always repay their debt. This gives us reason to pause before taking on debt in the first place, because we don’t want to find ourselves in the place of default, as the bible calls this wickedness. The second Scripture reminds us of a simple truth: a debtor is a slave. When we borrow money, we are servants—literally—slaves of the ones who lend us the money, and remain so until we have paid back the debt. Finally, Jesus reminds us that while our culture may say that “real” life consists in the abundance of things it doesn’t. Real life comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and understanding that we will spend eternity with Him, thus living wisely in all ways here and now!
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts