1. Pick one area that's been a strength for you-earning, spending, saving, or giving-and explain why.

2. Read Luke 18:18-27. Explain the difference between this rich man's outward behavior and the inward motivation of his heart? What issue was Jesus speaking to: a good work to be added or a hindrance to be removed?

3. From Luke 18:28-30, what promise does Jesus offer to those who follow him? Do you find this easy or difficult to believe, and why? If believed, how would this change your heart and, therefore, your behavior?

4. Pick one area of money in which you struggle to trust Christ-earning, spending, saving, or giving. Tell your group what you think is the underlying reason that you find it difficult? (e.g., need for approval, control, identity, fear, security, comfort, achievement, prestige, power, etc). Is it, for you, a sin? What do you want to do?

Further Study:

Earning: Proverbs 13:4; 27:23-24; 28:20, James 4:13-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Saving: Proverbs 21:20; 13:11
To calculate savings/retirement go to Ballpark Estimate at: http://www.asec.org/ballpark/nonblpk.htm
Spending: 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31; James 4:3
Giving: Mat 5:42, 23:23; Luk 12:33; Pro 11:25, 11:24 21:13; Deu 16:17; 1 Cor 16:2; 2 Cor 9:7; Lev 25:35; Deu 15:7; Ecc 5:13