Read Proverbs 6:6-8. To maximize this life that God has given us we must use our resources for God’s purposes. The problem comes when we are more focused on consuming and thus always working to pay off the past, instead of being a creator who makes financial decision based on the future. Just like the ant, we need to become more focused on the future so that we can leave a good legacy for our children as well as fulfilling God’s purposes.

• Are you currently making financial decisions focusing on the future or trying to pay off the past?
• How does focusing on the future help you make sound financial decisions?

Read II Corinthians 9:6-11. One of the best ways we can become creators instead of consumers is to find good money mentors and learn from them. Successful Godly mentors are both generous and disciplined and know how to sow for a righteous harvest. They also know how to discipline themselves financially to maximize their mission for Christ.

• From whom did you initially learn how to handle money and finances? Was that a healthy approach to money matters? Explain.
• Successful people are generous and disciplined. Do you struggle with one or both of these? Explain.
• Name a particular way you are disciplined in your finances? What is one area of struggle for you?

Read Proverbs 6:1-2. The second way we become creators is to continually store for the future. The key to financial freedom is not to make more money, but to spend less than we earn. By doing so we are determining the quality of our own future, the future of our children, and the future of others in need. By consuming more than we make we hamper not only our future financial situation but also those whom God has called all of us to help, feed, and literally save with our resources. Things like credit card debt and overspending at Christmas time severely hamper us in the fulfilling God’s mission to the world.

• How easy is it for you to use your credit card? Has credit card debt hampered you in becoming healthy in your finances?
• How much will you spend this Christmas season? How can you spend less to maximize God’s purposes?
• How are you currently sowing to a righteous harvest? Can you increase that?

Read Proverbs 6:9-11. Finally, all good financial creators gather well. They do so by maximizing their opportunities, talents and gifts that God gives them and make sure they don’t leave any fruit on the tree. By maximizing earnings and minimizing losses creators stay ahead financially and are able then to do the things God has called them to do.

• What are you current streams of income? Can you increase those streams so that you maximize all the fruit God has given you?
• What is one debt you need to immediately minimize? How will you go about doing that? Who will help you and keep you accountable?
• Which action steps will you take this Christmas season: Avoid using your credit card, Establish a spending budget in your means and stick to it, Spend less to be able to give more to the Sudan.