1. Proverbs: Wisdom About Wealth Adapted from “Proverbs: Wisdom for Living” a Discover Life series from Faith Alive Christian Resources (www.faithaliveresources.com)

2. Accumulation of wealth is not evil, but neither is it the most important thing in life. We can increase our wealth by hard work, careful planning, generous giving, and fearing God. Wealth pursued from the wrong motives or in the wrong ways will not last. Recognize our wealth comes from God and honor Him with it. God will help us enjoy wealth, in proper perspective, when we ask His help and seek to honor Him. Key ideas...

3. How do you picture someone who is wealthy?

4. What is wealth according to Proverbs 3:13-16? Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

5. Ever heard the phrase “money isn’t everything?” Do you agree? What is more important than wealth? Why?

6. A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat.” Proverbs 13:8 What effect can wealth have on our lives?

7. “Money is not everything. In fact, it brings problems of its own.” What problems does wealth bring with it? How?

8. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23 In the following Proverbs, what principles are given for increasing wealth?

9. He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich. Proverbs 21:17 In the following Proverbs, what principles are given for increasing wealth?

10. One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. Proverbs 11:24-26 How is it that a generous man can get rich while a stingy person will not?

11. Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Proverbs 23:4 When, according to the Proverbs below, is it dangerous to pursue wealth, and why? A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20

12. “Proverbs warns against putting up ‘security’ that could exhaust one’s resources.” Talking Point The Bible refers to security as a guarantee for a debt or other obligation for another.

13. For example, a man might pledge to give the lender his house and lands if he could not pay the debt back. Talking Point Proverbs warns against putting up security that could exhaust all one’s resources.

14. Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. Why according to Proverbs 22:26-27, is putting up security a bad idea?

15. “Accumulation of wealth is not condemned, but how one gets the wealth is important.” Talking Point

16. Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. Proverbs 13:11 What will eventually happen to money gotten by dishonest means?

17. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. Proverbs 21:6

18. What will eventually happen to money gotten by dishonest means? He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich – both come to poverty. Proverbs 22:16

19. What role does God play in our accumulation of wealth? How should our financial goals be influenced by knowing that wealth comes from God?

20. Let’s look at Proverbs 11:24-26 again. How can someone honor God with his or her wealth? One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.

21. Accumulation of wealth is not evil, but neither is it the most important thing in life. We can increase our wealth by hard work, careful planning, generous giving, and fearing God. Wealth pursued from the wrong motives or in the wrong ways will not last. Recognize our wealth comes from God and honor Him with it. God will help us enjoy wealth, in proper perspective, when we ask His help and seek to honor Him. Let’s review the main points… Talking Point

22. This presentation was developed by Barnabas Foundation (www.barnabasfoundation.com) and adapted from “Proverbs: Wisdom for Living” a Discover Life series from Faith Alive Christian Resources (www.faithaliveresources.com)