You’ve probably heard stories or perhaps the personal testimony of people who struggled with ‘bad’ (or what I prefer to refer to as ‘detrimental’) habits, who prayed for God to take the habit away and then, suddenly, the habit was gone, never to return. While that is a fantastic experience for those for whom that … Continue reading –>
We all have habits. The question is: What kind are they? Good or bad? Of all the good habits a Christian could have, seeking God first thing every day would have to be the most important one of all. “Every morning dedicate yourself, soul, body, and spirit, to God. Establish habits of devotion and trust … Continue reading –>
I often felt I would never get out of debt. I even considered declaring bankruptcy. After paying for things four times over, I considered writing my creditors and telling them I was not paying any more and they could just send me to jail if they wanted. I considered changing my identity and moving to … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Eph. 5:15-17, Col. 3:23, Luke 12:35-48, James 4:14, Acts 3:21, 1 Cor. 9:24-27. Memory Text: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Every natural ability, skill, or gift comes from God, whether we were genetically born with it, influenced and educated by our environment, or both. The important part of the equation is what we do with the abilities and skills we have. God expects stewards to learn to be masters of their skills and abilities … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: The believer who lives debt-free is both financially and emotionally free. Wise management of financial and material resources includes saving and investing. Lesson 11, March 17, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 28:44,45. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. … Continue reading –>
Ants labor to save provisions for the winter (Prov. 6:6-8). We are wise to consider their ways when we save money routinely for a specific purpose. The point in saving is to have resources available for our living expenses or needs as opposed to wasting or hoarding what we earn. Managing money requires wisdom, budgeting, and discipline. … Continue reading –>
I don’t know why this even sticks out in my mind, but I remember riding with my dad to play with his company softball team. On the way Dad decided to swing into Wal-Mart and buy a new softball glove. It sticks out in my mind, because at the time I could not just swing … Continue reading –>
Read Deuteronomy 28:12. What does this teach us about getting into too much debt? What principle do we see at work here? It’s just common sense to avoid debt as much as you can. Scripture discourages us from cosigning other people’s debts as well (Prov. 17:18, Prov. 22:26). Debt leverages the future and obligates us to submit to its … Continue reading –>
“There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it” (Prov. 21:20, NKJV). This text contrasts the stewardship of economic responsibility with luxurious and wasteful management. Foolish people make no plans to live within their means. They greedily spend wealth at their disposal, even borrowed wealth, feeling that financial … Continue reading –>
“Give everyone what you owe him.” Have you ever been tempted to spend more than you have? What should we do when we are tempted to borrow money for things we’re sure we need but maybe we could get by without them? Is it wrong in every case to borrow money? The house you live in, … Continue reading –>
Our continuing debt is to “Love one another” says our memory text for this week: Hymn 76, “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”, Hymn 77, “O Love of God Most Full” and Hymn 79, “O Love of God, How Strong and True!”. The “old hymnal” (pre 1985) has the perfect hymn for Monday’s study: Number 498, Yield … Continue reading –>
