Personal Reflection 1. Are my finances an indication of an insane chasing after things or seeking God first?

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1 Life Group Study Guide April 14, 2013 The Chase David Clayton FOCUS: Main Points of the lesson 1. Definition of insanity: Doing the wrong things over again expecting a right result types of Greed: Security, Stuff, Envy, Covet 3. Kingdom Priority, Kingdom Economics, Kingdom Generosity, Kingdom Reward Read: Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. 1. What distinction, if any, is Jesus making between weariness and burdens? 2. Besides the rest of heaven, what rest would you like now from Jesus? Read: Matthew 6:32 33 For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 1. How is our daily living a reflection of seeking God or chasing after things? 2. What caution should be used in reading this saying of Jesus in regards to those who are unemployed and struggling financially? 3. Practically, from this verse, what does it means to daily seek first the kingdom and righteousness of God? 4. Describe some ways that the insane chasing of things hinders our trust and spiritual growth? 5. Most Pew Research surveys reveal that the average Christian, regardless of income level contributes about 2% of their annual income to the church. How does the insanity of the chase negatively affect a spirit of generosity? 6. Explain some ways that the insane chasing of things harms the work of the church in taking the gospel to the world, caring for the needs of others, and other ministries. 7. Explain how Kingdom economics is not dependent upon any earthly economic system. 8. Describe a time when God was generous to meet a need. Personal Reflection 1. Are my finances an indication of an insane chasing after things or seeking God first? 2. Take inventory of my Financial Lifestyle a) How much do I give out of every paycheck? b) How much do I spend out of every paycheck? c) How much do I save out of every paycheck? d) How much do I pay on existing debt out of every paycheck? e) How much has my chasing affected my generosity to others? 3. What must I do to stop the insanity of the chase and start seeking God more?

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4 Doing the same wrong things over again expecting a right result. Insanity Defined

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6 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

7 Kingdom Priority For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33

8 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33

9 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart is also. Matthew 6:19

10 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33 So do not worry, saying, what shall we eat? or what shall we wear? or what shall we drink? Matthew 6:31

11 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:32 DISTINCTIONS Want Need Lazy Effort Greed Savings Lust Ambition Exploitation Opportunity Jealousy Thankful Selfish Generous

12 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33 How do I Know? I chase after where I live, what I drive, and what I wear because it reveals to others who I am.

13 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33 How do I Know? When I really want something I chase after it because I won t be happy until I have it.

14 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33 How do I Know? When someone else has something I don t have I think God is not being fair to me.

15 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33 How do I Know? When my chasing to own more causes me to disregard the debt, high interest, or cost.

16 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33 How do I Know? When my chasing for more strips away my gratitude for what you have.

17 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33 How do I Know? When my chasing for more puts me in so much debt you cannot be a cheerful giver.

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20 The he (Jesus) said to them, Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a person s life does not consist in the abundance of a person s possessions. Luke 12:15

21 The he (Jesus) said to them, Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; a person s life does not consist in the abundance of a person s possessions. Luke 12:15 4 Types of Greed Security Control Stuff Happy Envy Fairness Covet Entitled

22 Come with me to one of the most populated prisons in the world. It has more inmates that bunks. More prisoners than space. It has more residents than resources.

23 The bunks are hard. The walls are bare and the food is cold. And there is never enough. People try to get out of this prison but they get stuck.

24 What is the name of this prison? This is the prison that is named W A N T It is the prison of want. How do people try to get out of this prison?

25 Well they make an appeal. What is their appeal? It is MORE -they want more. Usually you don't want muchright you just want one more.

26 The fun fades The fizzle sizzles The dazzle dims In this prison of want you are stuck because all you want is just more, more, more.

27 Stewardship Contentment Generosity

28 Kingdom Economics For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33

29 KINGDOM ECONOMICS But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33

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31 KINGDOM GENEROSITY But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33

32 Stewardship Contentment Generosity

33 Kingdom Reward But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:32-33

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