Class Lesson August 7, 2016

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

After several mission trips to Honduras, Emilee Connell was overcome by the country’s extreme poverty and desperate need for jobs. She was only 25, but she had an idea. She met with a few ladies in Honduras, and together they crafted designs for bracelets made from pine straw and thread. The growth of this trade eventually created opportunities for these women to provide for their families, send their children to school, and maintain a consistent income. 

Emilee felt God calling her to take a risk. She left her job with good pay and benefits and moved to Honduras to further develop her idea. Her faithful stewardship of worldly wealth enabled her to use those resources to grow something far beyond herself. She founded and leads SoloHope (solohope.org), an organization that now employs eight women in Honduras—and helps them find hope.

We might not work with pine straw and thread, but we’re no different than Emilee. In the closing chapter of the Book of Proverbs, we see the value of managing the money and assets God has given us.

 
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

 
Proverbs 31:13-21 

13 She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands.14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants. 16 She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings.17 She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. 18 She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. 19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed.

Spinning staff (v. 19)—This long stick had unspun fibers (generally flax or wool) wrapped on top. It kept the fibers untangled before they were spun into thread. 

 
 
Proverbs 31:13-15

The standard presented by the writer of these verses is a worthy aspiration for all women. Nonetheless, men would do well to pay special attention to the example lifted up in this passage, as well. 

The writer began by paying careful attention to the enterprise of this woman. She worked “with willing hands” (v. 13). The Hebrew word for willing is often translated “delight, pleasure, or desire.” This woman willingly and delightfully took up her work, not begrudgingly or under compulsion. 

Stewardship isn’t simply a matter of how we use our finances; it’s the proper management of all the resources God has entrusted to us, including relationships, time, talents, personal testimony, possessions, and real estate. Stewardship is ultimately a matter of lordship: when we live under the lordship of Christ, all we are and all we have is His—and we are to use everything for Him. Wise stewards recognize the amount of what we manage is irrelevant. Stewardship is an issue of the heart. 

Jesus taught this very principle: “Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much. So if you have not been faithful with the unrighteous money, who will trust you with what is genuine? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to someone else, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16:10 -12).

The woman in Proverbs 31 was a faithful steward in all she did, both at home and in her dealings with others. The overflow of her life shows that first and foremost her heart was in the right place. Surrendered first to God, she wisely used her assets and abilities in honorable, productive ways.

How does being a Christ-follower
impact how we view and manage
our money?

"Most people fail to realize that money is both a test and trust from God." -Rick Warren

Proverbs 31:16 -17

We need to be alert and guard against several spending dangers:

• Impulsive Spending. It’s hard to pass up a good deal. Words such as “sale,” “free,” and “deal” try to lure us into a trap. Many of us are suckers for a no-money-down, no-interest-until-2050 sale. But do we really need it?

• Compulsive Spending. Spending money to heal our brokenness or “medicating” internal pain by shopping is a dangerous path. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can heal the brokenness in our lives.

• Bored Spending. If we’re bored, the last thing we need to do is watch a home shopping channel or head to the mall! We should spend our time doing something productive, like serving, giving back, or investing in others.

• Self-centered Spending. It’s a wise discipline to budget in advance for hobbies, interests, travel, and so forth. If we set a limit on our spending and stick with it, we can avoid getting lured into selfishly indulging our pleasures. God has entrusted financial resources to us, not only for our provision, but also for the advancement of His kingdom. 

• Status Spending. “Keeping up with Joneses” is a rat race that will keep us chasing after whatever is newest and brightest. Merchants feed this consumerism by constantly introducing the latest and greatest. Be careful not to get caught in this trap!

The woman in Proverbs 31 made purchases, but she made an evaluation before she purchased. Just slowing down long enough to think clearly about our spending habits will help us not get caught up in the race to acquire more stuff.

When have you been most tempted to
spend money impulsively?

Proverbs 31:18 -21

We’ve talked extensively about hard work, but what do we get for our efforts? Many people work long hours with very little production to show for it. On the other hand, the woman in this passage recognized that both her wares and her profits were good.

Biblical stewardship acknowledges the need for excellence. This woman was never so rushed that she cut corners in order to amass greater production and thus greater profit. Poor craftsmanship, shoddy performance, and dishonest gain should never be practiced—or even hinted at—among believers. Every detail of our labors should honor the God of excellence we serve.

Here are three reasons Christians should work with excellence:

1. We are salt (see Matt. 5:13). Our lives should create a greater thirst for understanding God and act as a preservative against the evils of this world. Jesus said if we lose our saltiness, we become worthless. In a society where people regularly cut corners for the sake of faster gains, our excellence and blamelessness flavor the world around us.

2. We are servants (see Mark 10:43-45). An improper view of money places all the focus on self. We become self-absorbed, self-sufficient, and self-centered. Jesus taught that we should seek to serve, not to be served. Let’s use our unique giftedness to serve those around us, putting others’ interests ahead of our own.

3. We are stewards (see 1 Cor. 4:1-2). We are stewards of the mysteries of God! As we honor Him with our assets, we display the greatness of God and the precious mystery of the gospel to those who are watching. 

No matter your place in life—man or woman, employed or unemployed, rich or poor—you’re called to act responsibly with all that God has given you. Do whatever it takes to make that choice each day.

What does this passage reveal about being a good steward? 

What obstacles hinder us from
acting responsibly with what God has
given us?

LIVE IT OUT

What are some practical ways to act responsibly with what God has given you? Consider the followings suggestions:

• Take inventory. Make a list of the main talents and abilities God has given you. Make a separate list of the major resources (money, possessions, property) God has entrusted to your care. Finally, place a check mark next to the items on each list you are currently using to advance God’s kingdom.

• Memorize. Choose a favorite verse or passage from Psalm 31—one that summarizes how you want to live as a steward of God’s resources. Memorize that verse or passage this week.

• Go deeper. Learn more about money management by reading a book or taking a course. Topics could include investment, getting out of debt, philanthropy, and so on. (Note: To make this experience even better, consider asking a friend or family member to join you in learning more about being a good steward of the resources God has given you.)

You don’t have to start a non-profit ministry to be a good steward for God’s kingdom. Working responsibly is an act of faithfulness—and it all starts in the heart.



Teacher's Notes (Charlie Saylor)

A BIG THANKS to Charlie Saylor for leading our class in worship this week!

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan