Rooting Path · Christian Living · Lesson 4: Money · Where Your Treasure Is
This lesson in one sentence: Money is not bad, but it shows most clearly what the heart relies on; where your treasure is, there your heart is also.
Timing (about 60 minutes)
- Opening5 min
- Read Together10 min
- Discussion30 min
- This Week10 min
- Pray for One Another5 min
Opening
When you were growing up, what was your family’s attitude toward money?
Read Together
Charge 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; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 · WEB
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 · WEB
Discussion
- “on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)—how does the word ‘enjoy’ strike you?
- “it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky” (Proverbs 23:4-5)—have you ever seen money ‘fly away’? What was in your heart then?
- “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21)—if someone looked at your spending, could they tell where your heart is?
- “rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)—what is the difference between giving ‘willingly’ and giving because you ‘should’?
- “godliness with contentment is great gain”—when do you find it hardest to be content? At those times, what is ‘a little more’ doing for you?
This Week
Look through the past month’s spending and ask just one question: where has my money been flowing? Then, for one concrete need near you, give something freely—how much is up to you.
Each person says: this week I will look through the past month’s spending, and freely give something toward one concrete need near me (no need to say how much).
Closing
In pairs, pray one sentence about the money worry your partner struggles with most.
Tips for the leader
- Don’t ask anyone about their income, savings or how much they give. Money is where people most easily feel ashamed, and most easily compare themselves with others.
- This lesson does not discuss tithing: if someone asks, say it is something churches understand differently (the book’s Questions 73–75), and to ask their own church.
- If someone in the group is in financial difficulty, ‘giving something freely’ can be time or a meal; the group can also help them first.
- ‘Contentment’ does not mean telling people in financial hardship not to seek a better situation; if someone is struggling to make a living, help them first—no lecturing.
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.