Money Matters

Consider this Jewish proverb about money:

Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,

Or else I might be full . .
and deny my God, saying “Who is He?”

Or else I might need something and steal,
And throw mud on the name of my God.

Do you have any similar type proverbs in your native culture? What kinds of lessons do fathers and mothers teach their children about money as they’re growing up in your native culture? Do school teachers and the government teach the same things? Give examples of common wisdom about money in your experience.

How does money fit into the normal goals of an adult in your native society? How does money fit into your own personal goals? Has your view of the role of money in life changed as you have grown older or as your circumstances have changed? Explain.

How do you define “poor” or “poverty”? How do you define “rich”? Do you think most people agree with your definitions? Would people in the U.S., China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Guatemala or other countries agree with your definition? Explain why or why not. Do you believe that the definitions of “poor” and “rich” have changed over time in your native culture, or in the world? Explain your answer.

How do you like to handle your own money? Are you free with your money? Do you save a lot of money? Do you like to borrow or do you avoid borrowing? Why or why not? If you have a spouse, do you prefer to handle the bill paying or do you like to have your spouse do those tasks? What do you think is a safe investment for the future? Are you saving for your retirement?

What do you think of this?

“Jesus said, ‘Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who have it all to enter God’s kingdom? I’d say it’s easier to thread a camel through the eye of a needle than get a rich person into God’s kingdom.

“Then who has any chance at all?” others asked.

“No chance at all,” Jesus said, “if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.” Luke 18 (the Message)