Stewardship | Faith That Moves | 1.4.26

Follow Along with the Message

Scripture Reference: James 5:1-6

In this passage, James uses brutal, confronting language.  Not to shame us, but to wake us up.  There were people from every kind of background coming into the church family: different social classes, different levels of wealth, the rich and the poor, and different degrees of power and influence. And as they came together and found themselves bowing in submission before Christ and his cross on equal footing, it created a collision leading to opportunities for dysfunction.

1. The temptation of wealth is that it subtly creates in our hearts—both the poor and the rich- a false sense of security. And tied to that false security is the abuse of power, used to protect what we’ve come to idolize.  Because this temptation is subtle, take time to examine your heart.  Have there been times when your reliance on your finances has crowded out your reliance on Jesus?
2. Materialism isn’t just having things—it’s trusting things to give us what only God can give: identity, security, and joy.  Which of these three gifts from God - identity, security, or joy – are you most tempted to derive from created things?
3. According to Globalrichlist.com, an annual salary of $25,000 makes us wealthier than 98% of all people in the world and $50,000 makes us among the global elite – wealthier than 99.7% of all people in the world.  How does this information impact your view of your own financial circumstances?
4. Read verses 2-3 and discuss the sobering reminder that James gives us regarding the durability of earthly riches.
5. Read James 4: 13-14.  As you reflect on your life as a “mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”, how are you impacted by the reality that what we do with this brief moment of life echoes forever in the Kingdom of God?
6. Read 1 Timothy 6:10. Money itself isn’t the enemy. It’s a gift from God and a useful tool. But the moment it becomes what we trust in, it becomes a terrible god.  Risk being vulnerable as you reflect on the following questions:

• What am I trusting to keep me safe?
• Who pays the price for my comfort?
• Is my heart becoming more tender… or more insulated?

7. Phil shared a video about a woman who leveraged her little to invest in eternity.  Ponder the generosity of Jesus with outstretched arms on the cross, and how, as His son/daughter, you are inspired to bless others with the resources God has given you to steward during your time on earth.