Money and Lifestyle: Part 1 - Conversion & Security

Money is one of the most profoundly spiritual issues we can raise in business school and the marketplace:

• More than 450 separate passages in the Bible address issues related to money — making it a theme second only to idolatry in its prominence.
• One-sixth of Jesus’ recorded statements deal with money, meaning that he said more about this than about heaven and hell.

However, we rarely hear sermons about how to make Christ “Lord of our money” and, in our culture, it is a difficult subject to discuss. Yet, it may be impossible to truly follow Jesus (or remain a follower) without facing this issue. That’s why this two-part Bible study is so important.

In Part 1, we’ll cover Mark 10:17-27 and Luke 12:15-34. In Part 2, we’ll cover Luke 16:1-13 and 1 John 3:16-18.

The Scripture and Background

These two passages raise for us important questions about what it means to follow and trust Christ.

Mark 10:17-27

A young man approaches Jesus and is “ripe” for conversion. He is interested in “eternal life,” bows before Jesus, already lives an upright life.

The man becomes discouraged and goes away sad when Jesus asked him to give up his wealth.

Jesus reminds his disciples of the impossibility of salvation apart from God.

Luke 12:15-34

What Jesus called greed (in verse 15), the man in the story considers to be prudent planning for the future.

The ravens and the lilies are reminders that we need not worry about the future, since God knows our needs.

Our hearts are with the things we treasure. That is, if you want to know where your heart is, then look at what you value.

Issues Raised

What is the relationship between our money and our choice to follow Jesus? How is it related to conversion and repentance?

What is security? How can we truly trust God to meet our needs as he cares for the birds and the flowers?

What is our responsibility to one another in addressing these issues? How can we learn to speak candidly and honestly — both to share our own struggles and to offer support and counsel?

Discussion Questions

What role does “the money” play among business students in the process of securing a job? What effect does it have on individual self-worth?

Why do you think Jesus raises the issue of money with the upright, ready-to-convert young man? Is this issue as important today in the marketplace? Why or why not?

Do we give up all we own to follow Jesus?

Can God really be trusted to meet our needs like the ravens and the lilies? Why? How?

What does it mean to plan for the future (e.g. savings, investments, retirement) and yet not set our heart on, or run after, security outside of God?

What does it mean to “seek his kingdom”? What are we called to treasure?