Main Scripture Reference - Luke 18:18-27

Other Scripture References: II Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 2:5; Ephesians 4:22-25; Psalm 145:16; Romans 8:32; II Corinthians 9:10-12; Proverbs 28:27; John 3:16; Luke 19:8-10; Luke 6:38

INTRO–‘Change of Perspective’Read II Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 2:5; & Ephesians 4:22-25

As the II Corinthian passage states if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation which in turn means that they should also have some radical changes in perspective. This changed thinking should affect all dimensions of life from sexuality to service, from marriage to life purpose. However the attitude about money is almost always a challenge to change, but if you are to serve God fully than you need to be renewed in your mind about your finances as well.

• Name one change of perspective you have had since becoming a Jesus Follower? How has your perspective on money and finances changed?


• Why do you think finances and money tend to be the toughest perspective to change?

STEP 1–‘Focus on God’s Generosity’Read Luke 18:18-27; Psalm 145:16; & Romans 8:32

Just like the rich ruler you might confuse your moral goodness with true Gospel living. When you focus on yourself and your righteousness you will tend to begin believing you are deserving of all that you have and believe that you deserve even more. You become self focused and self serving not really seeing your own spiritual blindness. The focus should never be on your own moral goodness but only on God’s generous and self-giving nature. God is a God of the open hand, who did not spare his own son Jesus, but gave him to all humanity. This is the proper perspective, not one of scarcity but one of God’s overwhelming abundance.

• Have you ever tried to justify yourself or your actions to God, especially around the issue of money? What do you think you deserve from God?


• How have you experienced the self-giving nature of God? Has God’s self-giving nature influenced you to be more giving? Explain.

STEP 2–‘Understanding the Heart of God’Read II Corinthians 9:10-12 & Proverbs 28:27

The problem is that money is one of the greatest barriers to fully committing to God; and how you deal with money truly exposes the depth of your faith in God. The question that needs to be answered in your life is who do you trust more, God or your money? It’s easy to mistake the source of your money as being yourself. You worked for it, you deserve it, and you ought to be able to control it. However that is a lie. God is the source of all that you have and God owns it all. God gives you the ability, the opportunity, and the resources to make money and blesses you with all you need. But when you close your hand to God you also disconnect from the heart of God which is to reach out to the least and the lost in this world.

• How do you think money exposes true faith and trust in God?


• How much do you struggle living life with an open hand to God?

STEP 3–‘Loving is Giving’Read John 3:16; Luke 19:8-10; & Luke 6:38

To change your perspective you must continually come into contact with God whose loving nature continually gives in all ways and in all manners. In fact loving is giving and when you become a follower of Christ you too should become a loving giver. God blesses you to be a blessing to those around you and to the whole world. If every Christian in the U.S. would give just a tithe of 10% there would be enough money according to the U.N. to give basic health care and education for every poor person in the whole world with 70 billion left over. You are the channel of God’s blessing to the world. So become a blessing today!

• Describe a time your generosity was a blessing to another person.


• On what occasions are you generous and on what occasions do you feel stingy with your finances?


• How has God blessed you so that you can be a blessing? How can you become more generous?