Study 8 of 13 on Discipleship
“Let’s set things straight if you’re rich you’re not on the road to perdition. For two reasons…perdition isn’t a Scriptural concept…and Scripturally speaking…being rich isn’t a sin. If that were the case Abraham…Jacob…Solomon…Esther…and a whole bunch of others would NOT be included in the Biblical narrative. The love of money…did you hear that?…the LOVE of…or the desire for…money is what separates us from God. Just as much the love of poverty…the love of the work of ministry….the desire of anything that supersedes our growing relationship with God…is what separates us from Him. So go hug a rich person…they need it just as much as anyone else…. And they need to know that they are part of God’s gospel calling….and are integral to His narrative.”—Falvo Fowler
Scriptural Basis: Deut. 8:17, 18; Gen. 13:5, 6; John 3:1–15; Luke 19:1–10; Mark 4:18, 19; Matt. 19:16–26.. Key Text: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1Timothy 6:10 NIV).
1. What would you do if you were poor? How different would it be if you were given a lot of money? 2. What’s wrong with being rich? 3. Why does it seem that the Christian church is fixated on the poor? You don’t see as many ministries created for the affluent. 4. Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, and the Rich Young Ruler…how did Christ relate to each one (remember to the Rich Young Ruler, Jesus didn’t say become poor) 5. What good examples of the wealthy do you find in the early church? 6. What specific things can your church realistically do to reach the rich?