Crown Financial Ministries Small Group Biblical Financial Study, Week Three: Debt

Scripture to memorize:

Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

Proverbs 22:7 (TLB)

Day One:

Read the God's Part/Our Part Notes on pages 22 to 28.

1. How have you observed the Lord using money to mold your character?

God has certainly used money to point out areas of (lack of self-discipline) inefficiency, laziness, and selfishness.

2. What strengths have been developed in your character

Contentment, efficiency, frugality

3. What weaknesses in your character still need to be addressed?

Laziness, lack of discipline, still too much short-term thinking.

Day Two:

Read Deuteronomy 15:4-6, Deuteronomy 28:1-2,12, and Deuteronomy 28:15,43-45.

1. According to these passages how was debt viewed in the Old Testament?

Deuteronomy 15:4-6

As a sign of being out of God's blessing and a position of being under the rule of another.

Deuteronomy 12:1-2,12

As a sign of not being in obedience to God.

Deuteronomy 28:15,43-45

As a sign of being cursed by God, of being the "tail" to the "head" of the alien, and as a sign of being disobedient to God.

With respect to the "head and tail" analogy with respect to Israelites and the aliens who would live among them, I am struck by the analogy between Israel then, and the United States today. I am certain that the Christian founding and heritage of this nation led to God's blessing; nothing else rightfully explains the cultural and economic advances the country made during its first few hundred years (going back to the Colonial period). The United States rose to such economic prominence that the country became the lender to the world. And today, coincidental with the moral decline of the past 50 years, the United States is significantly more indebted to other nations. Coincidence does not prove causation, but verses such as these certainly make one wonder.

2. What was the cause of someone getting in debt (becoming a borrower) or getting out of debt (becoming a lender)?

Obedience to God and observance of His commands and decrees.

Day Three:

Read Romans 13:8, Proverbs 22:7, and I Corinthians 7:23.

1. Is debt encouraged in Scripture? Why?

Romans 13:8

No debt, except debt of love. from v.1-7: (Getting/staying out of debt) as a sign of submission to authority, and giving what is due to him to whom something is due.

Proverbs 22:7

No. The borrower is servant to the lender.

I Corinthians 7:23

No. We are not to become "slaves" to men due to an owed debt. Since we were bought for a price, we don't have the right to mortgage ourselves.

2. How does this apply to you personally and to your business?

Get out of debt! Give what is due to him to whom it is due.

3. If you are in debt, do you have a strategy to get out of debt? If you have a plan, please describe it.

Yes:

• One step at a time.
• No new debt (house excluded).
• Prioritize according to amount due and interest rate.

Day Four:

Read Psalm 37:21 and Proverbs 3:27-28.

1. What do these verses say about debt repayment?

Psalm 37:21

Not to repay is the way of the wicked. The righteous do not need to go into debt, but have enough to give generously (and do so).

Proverbs 3:27-28

The repayment of a debt is the first priority in the use of what we have.

2. How will you implement this?

Know what I how, and get it paid off.

Day Five:

Read 2 Kings 4:1-7.

1. What principles of getting out of debt can you identify from this passage?

• Take the request to God
• Have faith that He will provide
• God will use His people to meet each others' needs

2. Can you apply any of these principles to your present situation? How?

• Present my financial situation to God.
• Thank Him for His provision.
• Look for opportunities to help meet others' needs.

Day Six:

Read Proverbs 22:26-27 and Proverbs 17:18.

1. What does the Bible say about cosigning (striking hands, surety)?

Proverbs 22:26-27

Don't risk what you can't afford to lose. Don't put up security for (another's) debt.

Proverbs 17:18

To put up security for (another's) debt is a sign of a lack of judgement.

Read Proverbs 6:1-5.

2. If someone has cosigned, what should he or she attempt to do?

In humility, press and plea with your neighbor to release you from the security.

I will take the following action as a result of this week's study:

I will form a specific plan to eliminate all debt.

Crown Financial Ministries Small Group Biblical Financial Study, Week Two: God's Part/Our Part

Scripture to memorize:

Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the ruler of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and at your discretion men are made great and given strength.

I Chronicles 29:11-12 (TLB)

Day One:

Read the Introduction Notes on pages 10 and 11 and answer.

1. What information especially interested you?

The notes in general, in light of Jim's message this past weekend regarding worshipping God with our money.

2. comment on any personal challenges you felt after learning the three reasons the Bible says so much about money.

The three reasons given:

1. How we handle our money influences our fellowship with the Lord
2. Possessions compete with the Lord for first place in our lives
3. Much of life revolves around the use of money

A good question to ask myself always is: "am I being faithful with the small things?" I think I am, generally. But the small things are also the ones easiest to overlook. I find that I get in the most trouble whenever I start overlooking the small things. I don't think I have a problem letting money or materialism compete with God for first place in my life. I'd be perfectly happy living in a hut up in the mountains in Mexico - in fact, I look forward to the day when I can do just that.

Day Two:

Read Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalm 24:1, and I Corinthians 10:26 and answer.

1. What do these passages teach about the ownership of your possessions?

I don't own anything - everything belongs to God.

1. God makes us stewards - we are given responsibility for the use and care - of thigns, but He retains ownership.
2. I belong to God. I am a steward of my faculties and abilities, but God is responsible for my survival and well-being.

Read Leviticus 25:23, Psalm 50:10-12, and Haggai 2:8.

2. What are some of the specific items that the Lord owns?

Leviticus 25:23

The land (we are but aliens and tennants)

Psalm 50:10-12

• Every animal of the forest
• The cattle on a thousand hills
• ("I know...") Every bird in the mountains
• The creatures of the field
• The world, and all that is in it

Haggai 2:8

The silver, the gold

3. Prayerfully evaluate your attitude of ownership toward your possessions. Do you consistently recognize the true owner of those possessions? Give two practical suggestions to help recognize God's ownership.

• Praying I Chronicles 29:11-12 and other Scripture emphasizing God's ownership and our stewardship
• Be even more giving

Day Three:

Read I Chronicles 29:11-12 and Psalm 125:6.

1. What do these verses say about the Lord's control of circumstances?

God is in control of everything. All things happen at His discretion. We exist in His kingdom. God has the power, ability, and wisdom to do whatever He pleases.

Read Proverbs 21:1, Isaiah 40:21-24, and Acts 17:26.

2. What do these passages tell you about the Lord's control of people?

Proverbs 21:1

God controls the hearts of the leaders He puts in place. He directs their hearts as He pleases.

Isaiah 40:21-24

God controls eternally that which exists temporally

Acts 17:26

God made all nations from one man. God determined the times set for every nation of men. God determined the exact places where every nation would live.

3. Do you normally recognize the Lord's control of all events? If not, how can you become more consistent in recognizing His control?

Normally, I do recognize - or, more correctly, acknowledge - God's control of all events. We can't always recognize the means or evidence of God's control, since His ways are higher than our ways, but acknowledgement of His control is a matter of choice. To be more consistent, I can meditate more on such Scriptures as Romans 8:28.

Day Four:

Read Genesis 45:4-8, Genesis 50:19-20, and Romans 8:28.

1. Why is it important to realize that God controls and uses even difficult circumstances for good in the life of a godly person?

Perspective: we rarely can see the "big picture" of God's eternal perspective. If we allow ourselves to become mired in the tyranny of momentary circumstances, we risk losing hope, and so act out of fear rather than out of faith.

2. How does this perspective impact you today?

"This too shall pass." "Do not worry about what you will eat or what you will wear." "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

3. Share a difficult circumstance you have experienced and how the Lord ultimately used it for good in your life.

Being engaged, having the greatest desires of my heart - a wife and family - and then having the relationship end. I don't yet know fully how the Lord will ultimately use it for good in my life, but these things I do know:

• I know what it means to love to the point of dying to self for the sake of another
• I know the true meaning of sacrifice
• I have learned utter reliance upon and faith in God to sustain me in every circumstance

Day Five:

Read Psalm 34:9-10, Matthew 6:31-33, and Philippians 4:19.

1. What has the Lord promised about meeting your needs?

Those who fear the Lord will lack nothing. Those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing. We are responsible for seeking God and His kingdom, and He will provide for our needs. God will (and is able to) meet all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus

2. From the Bible, give an example of the Lord providing for someone's needs in a supernatural way.

Elijah fed by ravens (I Kings 17:1-5). Elijah and the widow at Zarephath (I Kings 17:6-15). The feeding of the 4,000/5,000 (Matthew 14-15). All Jesus' healing miracles.

3. How does this apply to you today?

I have never gone hungry (to the point of starvation), thirsty (to the point of dehydration), naked or homeless

Day Six:

Read I Corinthians 4:2.

1. According to this verse what is your requirement as a steward?

We must prove faithful. We must demonstrate our worthiness both to receive the trust, and to handle that trust properly. We are entrusted with something as an investment, and must prove faithful to provide a return on that investment.

2. How would you define a steward?

One entrusted with authority over and responsibility for - but not ownership of - something.

Read Luke 16:1-2.

3. Why did the master remove the steward from his position?

For wasting the master's possessions. For being unable to give a worthy account of his management.

Read Luke 16:10

4. Describe the principle found in this verse.

Trustworthiness is a matter of character. It is an intensive characteristic of a person. That is, it does not change according to the size of the trust.

5. How does this apply in your situation?

Reality check! How faithful am I with the "little things"? Where do I need to grow or change my character to be more trustworthy?

I will take the following action as a result of this week's study:

I will become more conscientious about the "small things", and develop the discipline to remain faithful with those small things. I will begin tracking and recording everything I spend.