When Dreams Become Nightmares - Bible Study Week 2

When Dreams Become Nightmares
This week’s bible study shed light on the American Dream – has it become the American Nightmare? Do I live beyond my means? Do I struggle with unwise spending habits, credit card debts, and dwindling saving accounts? Do I look at my W-2 at the end of the year and ask “Where did it all go?” Do I tithe?

If you answered yes to the majority of these questions, you are not alone. If you answered honestly, we show that the majority of us are affected socially and spiritually by two “illnesses” – AFFLUENZA and CREDITITIS.

Affluenza is defined as “the bloated, sluggish, and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses”. We wrestle with the desire for more stuff – newer and better stuff. We’ve increased the square footage of our homes (1660 sq ft in 1973 vs. 2400 sq ft in 2004), yet we still have to rent storage space to hold all of our things.

Credititis is defined as “the idea that we can have something now and pay for it later which exploits our lack of self-discipline and allows us to feed our affluenza”. The days of “layaway” disappeared over the years and was replaced with instant gratification, while Americans go deeper into debt with the mantra “there are some things money can’t buy, but for everything else there’s MasterCard” echoing in our heads. We worked hard over the years to purchase our home, only to withdraw money from our single largest savings account (our home) under a Home Equity Loan to buy more stuff. ~~But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)~~

There is a deeper problem within us: a brokenness called sin. Three of the seven deadly sins directly address our problem: envy, greed and gluttony. The devil plays upon the sin nature in each of us. The devil makes us his slave, tempting us into debt. If you spend all you have, you’ll never offer your tithes to God, help the poor, or accomplish God’s purposes in life. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Our creditors are now the center of our lives and thoughts (how can I pay my bills). Too many gadgets are playing in the background of our lives – how can we hear God’s calling “be still and know that I am God “(Psalm 46:10)

Have I passed judgment on others based on their possessions and lifestyles? Bible Study scenario: A pastor invited a missionary to speak at his church about social justice and ministry with the poor. As the pastor and missionary were pulling into the parking lot, a man driving a new Lexus parked beside them. The missionary became quite upset and pointed out to the pastor how the man’s spending priorities were not in line with God’s will of ministering to the poor. The pastor was quick to point out facts about the man driving the Lexus – he makes a million dollar a year and gives $700,000 a year to run the mission for the poor in our city. He is humble and caring, and lives five steps below his means. The pastor then asked the missionary “Would to God that you and I gave away as much of what we have as he does”. Group discussion: We are not in a position to pass judgment on others. Some offer tithe, others struggle to tithe. It is important that we offer our fruits first to God, but for those of us that struggle to tithe, or have not grasped the tithe concept, we need to continue to pray for God’s help and work step-by-step to give our offering – maybe we are giving 2% now, can we increase it to 3%? A great example was offered during discussion: I have ten bags of cookies. I am going to give one bag of cookies to the church and keep the other nine bags for myself. When you think about tithing in reverse – I keep 90% for myself, the tithe amount seems insignificant. ~~Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. (Matthew 7:1-2)

Is an attempt to better ourselves financially a sin? How can wealth be sinful? I go back to school to obtain a better job, which enables me to take better care of my children – is this morally and spiritually wrong? Group Discussion: Bettering yourself through education, or increase wealth is not a sin. How we choose to use our increased talents and resources is the key to salvation. Will we use our new talents and wealth to do God’s will, or will we use them for selfish gains and increased possessions.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36) The answers are within our faith in God and the teachings of the Bible. We need to change our lifestyle to reflect the teachings of God. Our bible study goal over the next few weeks will be to replace the muck of our lives (materialism) with God’s light, allowing us to first seek His kingdom and do His will. By replacing the debts of our financial world, we will be able to make a difference with our time, talents and resources to do God’s will.

Enough - Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity

Welcome to the first week of our 5-week bible study of “Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity” (Adam Hamilton). Our group meets Monday nights from 7pm-8pm in the Youth Room at Grace UMC. We offer this bible study blog as an additional resource for Monday night participants and for those unable to attend, but desiring to become wise stewards of the resources God has given them.

Faith In the Midst of Financial Crisis

Stress, Anxiety and Fear. These three simple words have been captured in the hearts and minds of many of us over the past year, month, week, and days. The economic crisis of America, and the world, hits us close to home with rising utility prices, loss of jobs, declining 401Ks, and foreclosures. We’ve pointed fingers at various causes, but we are now forced to take a deeper look at indirect problems of the current crisis.

With Adam Hamilton’s guide, we are redirected that the ultimate causes are not financial but spiritual. At least 5 of the 7 deadly sins come into play on “Wall Street” and “Main Street”: gluttony, greed, sloth, envy and pride. We look to place blame on the CEOs on Wall Street, but we must look unto ourselves – we’ve used tomorrow’s money to finance today’s lifestyle. We’ve stopped saving, took the equity from our homes, and charged away as if there was no tomorrow.
An economic crisis is also a crisis of faith. This is not saying we do not have faith in God, but we have lost faith in those around us. Without faith, we will face our most potent threat – as FDR stated in his 1933 Inaugural Address – we have nothing to fear but fear itself. Throughout the Bible, we find words of hope and promise that remind us we have no reason to fear, for God is our refuge and strength.

The word “credit” comes from the Latin word credo, which means “I Believe”. As Christians, our credo is in God. The Apostle’s Creed begins “I believe in God the Father Almighty”. We must remember this creed and use it as our building block. The church and our spiritual life is to be a beacon of light inviting people to find deliverance, redemption, salvation, hope and a new way of life.

We must now re-evaluate what constitutes the good life. Hamilton reminds us that there is no sin in having wealth. It is the love of money that Scripture says is a root of all kinds of evil. Our problems arise by placing wealth and possessions at the focal point of our life. Jesus taught “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).

Lord, help me to be grateful for what I have, to remember that I don’t need most of what I want, and that joy is found in simplicity and generosity. Enough by Adam Hamilton