Greed & Generosity - The Battle for your Heart Sunday 17th May 2009

Talk by Dave Vinall

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Today's passage was from Luke 12:13-34.

Read through all of Luke 12:13-34. Jesus’ suggestion to get over greed is to trust in God. How do you feel about this? Does it seem realistic? In what ways do you grow in trust with another person? How might this be applied to our relationship with God?

Read Luke 16:1-15. This is a very strange parable to understand. What attitude and principles is Jesus commending to us?

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-19 and Philippians 4:10-13. Do you feel content? If you could be honest with your subconscious for a moment, what do you think it would take to be content? No mortgage, nice car, better pay… Why might these things be deceitful? How do we stop fooling ourselves?
How would you rate your generosity? How do we judge someone’s level of generosity – is it in action or attitude or both? Do you ever give when you don’t want to or don’t enjoy it?

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. This is written as the church in Corinth prepares to send a gift to help the church in Macedonia. What is the link here between sowing and reaping? How might it apply to your life? In verses 11-15 there is a link between giving and worship. When you are generous do you feel like it is worship? Why?

We want to run a money management course for the church and the community. If you’d like to be one of our guinea pigs when we run a pilot course please contact the office. Also get in touch if you would like to be involved in organising these.

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Being Wise When You Splash Your Cash Sunday 10th May 2009

Talk by Dave Vinall

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Today's passage was from Proverbs 17:16.

Read Luke 16:10-13. What do you think true riches are? What might they be for you? Think about things that money can’t buy. Do you think Jesus is talking about after we die or the here and now? Do you think you already have any true riches? Have a look at Ephesians 3:16.

Read the rest of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21. What do you base your identity on? Imagine describing yourself to someone you don’t know over the phone or email. How would you describe yourself and your life? If you wanted to impress the person how might the description change?

In verse 15 Paul says we derive our identity from God (this is what ‘name’ means). What does this mean? How does it work? What does it look like? How might we assess whether we do get our identity from God or not? Read Genesis 1:27 and Romans 8:29 for more ideas.

Do you budget? If you do, why? Do you feel like it gives you greater or less freedom with your finances? How much is it about handling you money wisely and how much is it about being in control? Think about control and how God plays a part in this.

If you don’t budget, why not? Think about what might be the reasons you don’t. What could you do to overcome these reasons?

As an exercise look at your last few months of bank statements. Look at where you are spending your money. Use the Budget Worksheet to help (available to download from takeaway website or from office). Do this with your spouse if you’re married. Are you spending your money how you want? What needs to change? Where can you cut back? Think about what you class as necessary and luxury items. Do you need to rethink these?

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BUDGETING RESOURCES

Download a worsksheet by right-clicking here. This worksheet can be used with bank statements to assess your recent spending or for budgeting to the future.

10 free budgeting spreadsheet templates for Microsoft Excel or Open Office.

Reviews of free budgeting software.

Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert Budget Planner.

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We want to run a money management course for the church and the community. If you’d like to be one of our guinea pigs when we run a pilot course please contact the office. Also get in touch if you would like to be involved in organising these.

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Riches & Relationships Sunday 3rd May 2009

Talk by Stuart Brown

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Today's passage was from Luke 16:10-15.

• Money is a big part of our lives but should it take up as much profile as it does?
• Take some time out and consider your own attitudes to money – you never know, some of the answers may surprise you!
• How would you define good stewardship?
• How are we meant to view money - as a blessing or a necessary evil?
• Should our spending patterns reflect our convictions?
• If you really analysed your spending patterns would they reflect your priorities?
• Would there be any surprises?
• If there were surprises would you be prepared to change your spending patterns so they did reflect your values?
• How would you react if you lost half your wealth?
• How far is your identity related to your possessions and wealth?

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