Sending Path · Business as Mission · Lesson 6: Making Money, Losing Money, and Success
This lesson in one sentence: When making money, do not trust in money; when losing money, still trust in God. Success is being called ‘good and faithful’ by the Lord.
Timing (about 60 minutes)
- Opening5 min
- Read Together10 min
- Practice Together15 min
- Discussion20 min
- This Week5 min
- Pray for One Another5 min
Opening
If you suddenly had extra money tomorrow, what is the first thing you would want to do? (Joking answers are fine.)
Read Together
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 8But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:6–10 · WEB
17Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
1 Tim 6:17–19 · WEB
17For even though the fig tree doesn’t flourish, nor fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food, the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, 18yet I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Hab 3:17–18 · WEB
yet I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Hab 3:18 · WEB
Practice Together
Divide into two groups: one imagines the small bakery ‘earned twice as much’ and lists three things to do; the other imagines it ‘must close in three months’ and lists whom to look after first and what to account for. After both report back, read Hab 3:17–18 together.
Discussion
- “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim 6:10)—why does Paul say ‘the love of money’ and not ‘money’?
- Standing before the burnt printing house, Carey said, ‘The Lord has laid me low.’ In a loss you have been through, what did God teach you?
- The master said exactly the same words to the servant with five talents and the one with two. How does that change the way you see ‘success’?
This Week
This week, read Matthew 25:14–30, the parable of the talents. Notice what the master says to the two faithful servants, and how much each one gained. Then write one sentence: what could ‘faithfulness’ look like for you this week?
Each person says when they will read Matt 25:14–30 this week.
Closing
In pairs, pray for the ‘money matter’ the other person is most worried about right now.
Tips for the leader
- Someone in the group may be going through a business failure, unemployment or debt right now. When discussing ‘losing money’, listen first, do not rush to comfort with verses, and never say ‘you didn’t have enough faith’.
- Do not compare in the group who earns more or who gives more.
General principles for leaders
- The leader is not a teacher but someone who walks alongside everyone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak; with someone who talks a lot, you can gently say, ‘Let’s also hear from friends who haven’t spoken yet.’
- Don’t rush to give answers. If someone is silent, wait a few more seconds.
- For a question you can’t answer, you can say, ‘I don’t know either; let’s look it up together,’ and note it down for next time.
- What is said in the group stays in the group.
- At the opening, the leader can give their own answer first, showing that it can be simple and honest.