Real Wisdom A Look into Proverbs

Transcription

1 Real Wisdom A Look into Proverbs Lesson Seven Wisdom And Finances Last Week in Review Lesson 6 helped us focus on living a life of wise integrity before God and man. Integrity means something whole, complete. It is the kind of life we see reflected by Christ and also in godly men and women. There is indeed a crisis of a lack of integrity in our culture; therefore, we must live all the more in such a way to glorify the Lord. We saw that having integrity actually becomes a source of security and confidence. A sterling reputation, a good name, is more valuable than anything else we can possess. We went on to discuss integrity in our interpersonal relationships, in the world of work, of our daily relationships with others. We also saw how God literally hates false dealing in the workplace and with others. We took the last two days of the study to examine examples of integrity in action: in the life of David; in what God recorded through His prophets about the kind of heart of integrity He seeks; of how faithfulness and integrity go hand in hand; of the type of life the apostle Paul lived in integrity; and lastly, how we need to pray for a life of integrity, making it our aim to conduct ourselves in such a way that no-one will have grounds of accusation against us on that final day. How we use our finances also is a mark of our integrity as believers. As men especially, we are called to be stewards of our households, as a first priority (1Timothy 3:4, 5). In this lesson, we will examine what Solomon and others have to teach us on the subject of the wise use of our finances. Some completing this lesson may be in a place of a great financial strait. Be assured that God cares more about your needs and finances than even you do! Prayerfully this lesson will also help you to gain renewed trust in God and to see Him work in the realm of your finances. Let s see what we can glean on this vital topic and how we can best glorify God with how we use our money. Day One: Giving of Our Finances Part 1 Please carefully read Proverbs 3:9, 10, Haggai 1:3-10, and Malachi 3:8-10, and answer the following questions. Rather than beginning with a treatise on multiplying your finances or making wise fiscal investments, Solomon began his guidance on the use of money with the topic of giving, investing in God s kingdom. As we ll see over the 1

2 first two days of our study, giving is the true key to seeing our financial life come back into balance. The real focus of this is what Solomon taught us in Proverbs 3: What is the real purpose for our giving according to v. 9a? Note: The word honor means literally to be heavy, to be weighty, glorious, and to esteem; it is similar to the Greek word doxa, where we get our word doxology, meaning to glorify someone or something.1 2. How are we then to give to bring honor to God (v. 9b)? Give him the first and the best. (Proverbs 3:9b, The Message) 3. What will be result for those who give to honor God (v. 10)? Note: Of course, this is a generalization and not necessarily everyone s experience, as is true in many other Proverbs, or else God is someone we invest in, rather than honor.2 But we can be sure that as we give, He will more than meet our needs, as we ll see below. 4. According to Haggai 1:3-10, God s people had misplaced priorities that led to their financial woes: they were seeking after their own desires, their own paneled houses, while neglecting the house of God, so God called them to Consider your ways! What financial problems, familiar to many of us today, faced the Israelites (Haggai 1:6, 9)? 5. What was the solution for those people, and what contemporary solution may be needed for us as well who face such struggles (Haggai 1:7, 8)? 2

3 6. Malachi 3:8-10 is another key passage on giving. We must realize that while this command and its subsequent promise was made to Israel, and we must not misappropriate every Old Testament truth given to Israel which may mislead New Testament believers,3 these principles have proven to be true in a general sense. Similar to passages from Haggai, how had the Israelites failed in their financial stewardship (Malachi 3:8, 9)? 7. What was God s remedy for this problem, and what did He promise these people if they followed His prescription for financial healing (Malachi 3:10)? Scripture Memory: This week we will be memorizing Proverbs 3:9-10. Review the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely. Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10, NKJV) Day Two: Giving of Our Finances Part 2 Please carefully read 1 Corinthians 16:1-3, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:6-9 and answer the following questions. 1. The suffering believers of Jerusalem and in the general area of Palestine, in the midst of their significant needs, were in need of great help, so Paul enlisted the help of the Corinthians as well as other churches.4 How did Paul describe his directions about this (1 Corinthians 16:1)? Note: The Greek phrase for given orders means to command, appoint, a concrete command;5 obviously giving to this need for the church was not a suggestion! 2. What specific plan did he set up for such offerings to be gathered, and method of accounting established (1 Corinthians 16:2, 3)? 3

4 3. Addressing this again in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul shared an example of what the heart of giving to honor God is all about. How was this seen in the churches of Macedonia (2 Corinthians 8:1 2)? Note: Whatever the circumstances these believers faced, they were extreme. Deep poverty comes from the Greek word bathos, meaning the depths of the ocean, so their poverty was really extensive.6 4. Despite their great afflictions and poverty, they had a great excess of joy that poured forth despite their circumstances, and their joy in giving was practically demonstrated. How else did Paul describe their gracious giving (2 Corinthians 8:3, 4)? 5. What was the real secret to such joyful giving (2 Corinthians 8:5)? 6. Paul gave us all some very practical guidance toward giving that truly honors God, in 2 Corinthians 9:6-9. What general guidance did he pass along about both the way and attitude with which believers should give (vv. 6, 7)? Note: God loves a cheerful giver, which means a hilarious giver, one who is light hearted, joyous, and happy.7 7. What is wonderfully true also for the believer who chooses to give out of such an attitude (2 Corinthians 9:8 9)? 4

5 Scripture Memory: Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today. Honor the LORD with your, and with the firstfruits of all your ; so your barns will be with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10, NKJV) Day Three: Using Finances to Help Others Please carefully read the following passages and answer the following questions. 1. What are some practical ways that we can use the resource God has given us to help others (Proverbs 3:27-30)? 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. (Matthew 22:37-40, NLT) 2. What are some of the blessings experienced by those who choose to use their finances to help those in need (Proverbs 11:24-26)? 3. What strong contrast does Proverbs 14:31 give about this? Note: The word reproaches literally means to expose something by stripping; it means to defame, blaspheme, or defy.8 4. What else did Solomon warn about those who refuse to help others in need when they can (Proverbs 21:13)? Note: To shut the ears here means to deliberately and purposefully block or jam one s self from their cries.9 5. How did John, the apostle of love, warn us in a similar fashion in 1 John 5

6 3:17 18? Scripture Memory: Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today. Honor the LORD with your, and with the of all your ; so your barns will be with plenty, and your vats will with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10, NKJV) Day Four: Diligence with Finances Please carefully read the following passages and answer the following questions. 1. We talked about diligence in work in a past lesson. How does this tie in with our finances (Proverbs 10:4, 5)? 2. What alone really makes a difference in the long run (Proverbs 11:4)? Right living is a safeguard. Proverbs 11:4b NLT 3. Jesus taught much about diligence with all areas of our lives, and often we tend to get burdened and worried about finances and how we will have all we need, to see our ends met, etc. What are some of the wonderful things He reminded us of, and what are our responsibilities on a daily basis in view of our financial needs (Matthew 6:24-34)? 4. What awesome promise does Philippians 4:9 also encourage us with in our ability to rightly use our finances? 6

7 Scripture Memory: Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today. Honor with your, and with the of all your ; so your barns will be with, and your vats will with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10, NKJV Day Five: Warnings of Financial Traps Please carefully read the following passages and answer the following questions. Our finances can be used to God s glory, be a blessing to ourselves and others, or else they can become a real trap that can seemingly hopelessly ensnare us. Let s close this week by considering some of Solomon s warnings about this. 1. What is one trap that has ensnared many a person to their own hurt (Proverbs 11:15, 17:18)? Note: The word surety means basically as the NIV translates it, putting up security for someone else, like being a cosigner on another s loan. The Hebrew term literally means to intermix; it is to have business dealings with, to mortgage, or be the guarantee for the life of another.10 This is a bad idea whether it is a stranger or a friend, Solomon warned. 2. What else did he warn about becoming surety for another in Proverbs 22:26, 27? 3. What is also a vain thing to hope in (Proverbs 20:21)? 4. What is the biggest trap we end up falling into, especially in our contemporary culture (Proverbs 22:7)? 7

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8, NIV 5. One of the biggest tools the enemy has in his arsenal is a blinder. He has blinded us from the truths of God s Word, especially when it comes to finances and contentment in what God has provided, and all we can focus on are things of this world rather than God s kingdom. Read 1Timothy 6:6-12. Take off the blinders. Record here the things that God shows you about this, and getting back on the right track with your finances and your service to Him. Scripture Memory: Can you write out this week s passage by memory here below? Give it a try, and keep reviewing the passage several times throughout the day. Proverbs 3:9-10: Day Six Wise Walking 1. As we read on Days One and Two, ironically one of the keys to proper financial management and stewardship is not taking a course on investing, or getting into some money making scheme. It is giving of our finances, choosing to honor God before all else with the finances He in turn provides! We get so enwrapped with the bills, the kids needs, the house, the car, and many other worldly wants rather than actual needs that interfere with our ability to give. How is your giving life? What differences do you know that you need to see in your giving? How did the examples related about the poor Macedonian 8

9 believers attitude encourage you to give more of the resources God has entrusted to you? Record some thoughts here, and some practical ways you can better honor God through your giving. 2. The second main point given was that our finances are not just for honoring God and meeting our own needs, but in seeking to meet the needs of others, helping them with our resources as much as we can. What are some ways you can seek out the needs of others around you and take some steps to help meet their needs in a small way, whether it is through your financial help, or through other practical assistance? Remember the warning of James 2:15-16: If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (NKJV). Share some thoughts and ideas here. 3. God wants us to also diligently use our finances. This may involve putting your own financial life under the scalpel of our great Surgeon, letting Him cut and shape and refocus our financial life to better glorify Him. This can involve setting up a personal budget, of setting specific goals of how to better use our money on a monthly down to even a daily basis. What are some ways you would like to trust God 9

10 for help in about restructuring how you use finances? How can your group pray for you in this? 4. The two biggest financial traps we read of this week, the have ensnared many a believer, are cosigning for someone unreliable, and amassing insurmountable debt that undercuts our ability to make an impact for our world and for the gospel. Yet even if we have been ensnared in these traps, there is a way out as we confess our failures and sins, and take practical steps of repenting from this. God will make a way; as we saw this week, as we seek first His kingdom and righteousness, He can transform everything else for our best. That doesn t mean it won t be hard or even painful; but He wants His children to use their finances for His glory, not to be wasted through debt and other financial traps. Please write out here the struggles you face with these things, and lay them out before the Lord. Commit to manage these resources more effectively, and seek help from godly others in specific ways you can do so. Scripture Memory: Hopefully you now can write out this week s passage completely by memory. Do so now, and keep on reviewing it do you will be ready to share it with others in your group time. Proverbs 3:9-10: 10

11 Lecture Notes 1 Spiros Zodhiates (Ed.), The Complete Word Study Old Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994), p Sid S. Buzzell, Proverbs. In J.F. Walvoord and R.B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books/SP Publications, 1985), p Lewis Goldberg, The Practical Wisdom of Proverbs (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1990), p R.C.H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul s First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians (Minneapolis, MN: Ausberg Publishing House, 1937), p Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1991), p R. Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1991), p Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study New Testament, p James Strong, A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Hebrew Bible; With their Renderings in the Authorized English Version. In James Strong, Strong s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1890 Reprint), p Ibid., p Zodhiates (Ed.), The Complete Word Study Old Testament, p