No Big Deal…Until It Is – Healthy Perspective

(Message 2) What you are working for? Happiness? A comfortable life? A future retirement or legacy? It’s not wrong to have wealth, as long as wealth doesn’t have you. Join us for a perspective shift as we listen to Jesus’ warning about wealth, greed, and death in our message, “No Big Deal…Until It Is – Healthy Perspective.” #GCNBD

The Danger:

  • to work hard and never ask what you are working for
  • it’s not wrong to have wealth, it’s dangerous when wealth has you

 

“…who will get everything you worked for?”

 

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

 

How not to be a rich fool:

  • Develop a rich relationship with God
  • Stop buying golf ball cleaners
    • How much is enough?
  • Walk in the way of wisdom

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Key Scripture:

Luke 12:13–15 (NLT)

13 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” 

14 Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Luke 12:16–21 (NLT)

16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’ 

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ 

21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Luke 12:29–31 (NLT)

29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Romans 5:1 (NLT)

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

  • What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever purchased?  What happened to it?

Start sharing. These questions are to help get your group thinking and to create openness.

  • Can you think of a time in your life when something was NBD until it was?  What changed your perspective?
  • Read Luke 12:13-15.  Why was this request so important for this man?  Why did Jesus seem to blow it off?
  • What did Jesus mean by the statement, “Life is not measured by how much you own.”  Have you ever measured yourself that way?
  • Read Luke 12:16-21.  Is building bigger barns and acquiring wealth an evil thing?  If not, where did this guy go wrong?
  • Discuss the following statement: It’s not wrong to have wealth, it’s dangerous when wealth has you.  What’s the danger?  How do you know when wealth has you?
  • According to God, who is a fool?
  • What does it mean to have a rich relationship with God?
  • According to Luke 12:29-31 how does a wise person live?
  • In your life:  How much is enough?  Are you living that way?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

  • This week, identify and remove one habit or area where you are spending time or money which doesn’t contribute to a healthy perspective.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

  • Give thanks to the eternal God, for His giving you an opportunity to know Him and to serve His will and kingdom, in this life, now.  Confess where you aren’t living for His kingdom, and ask for His help in repenting.

Start digging. For further study.

Speaker

Troy Knight

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