One Step Out?

Posted by Dave Stone

Revelation 18:1-19:4

These questions are for the week of Thanksgiving. We’re offering five application questions for this week.

1. On the continuum below, assess your attitude about money.

My income and stuff comes from my hard work……………………..It comes from God.
My money is for me to play…………………………………….I’m a steward of God’s money.
I use my wealth to get my way…………………………….I use my money to get God’s way.
Money is power………………………………………………………….Money is responsibility.
Money makes me independent……..My use of money demonstrates dependence on God.

2. What is one step you need to take to move out of the Babylonian mindset or lifestyle?
This might be a question to guide you into your prayer time. Ask for God’s help to identify and take this step. This could also be a good accountability question…might want to follow up on it next week.

3. If I were on trial for the way I use my money, cite the evidence that would convict me of being a follower of Christ.
Examples: I give regularly to the Lord. I pray about my purchases. Be sure to guard against specifics in this one (e.g., I give $500 weekly).

4. Since worldly goods can be a trap or a blessing, what practical principles keep you from being excessive (see Luke 16:10-15)?
Principle: If I’m spending more than $??? I need to discuss it with my spouse.
Principle: All money is God’s (he owns the cattle on a thousand hills-Psalm 50:10)
Share the principles from your group below in the comments.
The issue is not the “stuff.” The issue is our attitude about the “stuff.” Is it wrong for someone to have an expensive car? No. What is the issue, then? The issue is that the person’s attitude is one of stewardship and not ownership.

5. How can the use of money make you proud, even when being generous (see Luke 21:1-4 and Mark 10:17-31)? How do you fight for humility (see Philippians 2:3-11)?
Note that in the Mark 10 passage, the disciples were bragging about giving up everything. In Luke 21, the principle is not “give everything you have” rather, it is the attitude of your heart–are we willing to give what God calls us to give? For example, the person who gives 20% isn’t more godly than the person who gives 10% if they’re both giving what God calls them to give. The one giving 10% may also be supporting family members. Fight for humility by following Christ’s example, laid out in Philippians 2.