We Don't Need More Money; We Need Wisdom

Planning the Session

Session Goals

As a result of conversations and activities connected with this session, group members should begin to:

• Reflect on biblical passages related to money and wisdom.

• Understand the meaning of both money and wisdom.

• Assess their relationships with money and wisdom.

• Explore John Wesley's teachings on the nature of money.

Biblical Foundation

Happy are those who find wisdom
and those who gain understanding.
Her profit is better than silver,
and her gain better than gold. (Proverbs 3:13-14)

Special Preparation

If group members are not familiar with one another, make nametags available.

Remember that there are more activities than most groups will have time to complete. As leader, you'll want to go over the session in advance and select or adapt the activities you think will work best for your group in the time allotted. Depending on which activities you select, you'll need to make some of the following special preparations.

• If possible in advance of the first session, ask participants to bring either a spiral-bound notebook or an electronic means of journaling, such as a tablet. Provide writing paper and pens for those who may need them. Also have a variety of Bibles available for those who do not bring one.

• Make sure all participants have a copy of the study book Earn. Save. Give. Invite them to read the Introduction and Chapter 1 in advance of the first session. You also should read this material.

• On a large sheet of paper or a board, print the following at the top: "Money is ..."

• On another sheet, print: "Wisdom is ..."

• Have available large sheets of blank paper or construction paper and colored markers for group activity.

• Depending on the size of your space, post some or all of the following Scripture references: 1 Kings 3:5-9; Proverbs 1:5-8; 2:6; 3:5, 7-10, 13-16; 4:7; 5:7; 8:23; 9:10; 11:15; 19:27; 23:19; Psalm 78:1-7; Matthew 6:33; Luke 16:8-9; 1 Timothy 6:10; James 1:5, 17.

Getting Started

Welcome

As participants arrive, welcome them to the study and invite them to make use of one of the available Bibles, if they did not bring one.

Opening Prayer

Gracious and Loving God, as we begin this study, open us to your presence and fill us—our time, our conversations, our reflections, our doubts, and our fears—with the joy of exploration and the wisdom of your love. We gather together in Jesus' name. Amen.

Opening Activities

When all participants have arrived, invite each person to introduce him- or herself by name and verbally complete one of the posted prompts ("Money is ..." or "Wisdom is ..."). When the circle is complete, invite general responses to each of the prompts and post them on the sheet or whiteboard. Participants may repeat their original response or add to it. Defining these terms provides a foundation and starting place for the study. Invite participants to add comments and new understandings to these definitions and lists during the weeks of the study.

If they have not already done so, invite group members to read the Introduction silently in the study book. Explore together:

• Author James A. Harnish suggests that money might be at the top of our lists if we could ask God for anything. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

• When you hear about the "wisdom of Solomon," what immediately comes to mind?

• Invite participants to read aloud 1 Kings 3:5-9 from at least three different translations. How do the various translations and paraphrases present Solomon's request in verse 9? (NRSV has "understanding mind"; NIV has "discerning heart"; CEB has "discerning mind"; The Message has "God-listening heart"; Good News has "wisdom.") Ask participants to describe the differences among these various phrases.

• Ask participants to read 1 Kings 3:11-14 aloud from various versions. Do you think the additional gifts to Solomon ("riches and honor" in NRSV; "wealth and fame" in CEB) are a blessing or curse? Why?

• Invite a volunteer to read the paragraph "Money Matters" in the Introduction. The author goes on to say that money matters for our souls and that wisdom is more valuable than money. Invite participants to respond to these ideas.

Learning Together

Video Study and Discussion

Pastor and author Jim Harnish introduces John Wesley—Christian theologian, evangelist, and founder of the Methodist movement—and Wesley's advice to "earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can." Harnish talks about the wisdom and challenges in that advice with three pastors: Justin Coleman, Judi Hoffman, and Erica Allen. Discuss:

• What are the biggest financial challenges faced by people in your community, church, and family? Give examples.

• How are those people coping with the challenges, and how can the church help?

• To the extent that you feel comfortable sharing, what are some examples of financial challenges, past or present, in your own life?

• What is your own experience regarding stewardship programs in churches?

Bible Study and Discussion

Throughout Chapter 1, the author examines biblical references to wisdom. Invite participants to form pairs. Each pair will take five minutes to read one of the following passages and share what it teaches about wisdom. It is unlikely that you will assign all the passages; assign at least the readings from Proverbs 2 and Matthew 7, and expand from there as your group size permits:

• Proverbs 1:5-8

• Proverbs 2:1-6

• Proverbs 3:5-10, 13-14

• Proverbs 9:7-10

• Matthew 6:19-21

• Matthew 6:25-33

• Matthew 7:24-29

• Matthew 24:45-51

• Philippians 4:12-13

• James 1:5-10

Invite the pairs back to the larger group to share insights from their conversations. If the group wants to add any new ideas or insights to the posted group "definition" of wisdom, invite participants to do so.

Book Study and Discussion

Money and Wisdom

In the opening section of Chapter 1, the author points to a commercial about "Stanley Johnson" and his relationship with money (consider viewing the brief video, which is available on YouTube; search for "Stanley Johnson commercial"). Harnish then shares some money-related concerns he encountered as a pastor.

In preparation for the conversation to follow about money and wisdom, ask participants to review Harnish's examples of money-related concerns ("As a pastor, I've seen ..." through the five bullet points) and consider how those examples relate to their own lives and their experiences with money. After a time of silent reflection, invite responses to one or more of the following questions:

• What is your happiest memory in connection with money?

• What is your unhappiest memory in connection with money?

• Do you consider yourself a generous person? How do you define generosity ?

These questions are designed to encourage participants to begin thinking about their relationships with money. Remember to be sensitive to the willingness of participants to share personal stories during this discussion. These and other questions related to one's relationship with money are adapted from Money Autobiography, a study tool created by Dan R. Dick.

Wisdom Begins With God and Leads to Life

In Matthew 6:21, the author draws attention to the order of words: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." He helps us see that we need wisdom to help us understand the true nature of both treasure and heart. This is followed by an exploration of the biblical understanding of wisdom lifted up throughout Proverbs, in the following sections of the chapter:

• Wisdom Begins With God

• Wisdom Is Passed on to the Next Generation

• Wisdom Is Better Than Wealth

• Wisdom Leads to Life

Form four small groups and ask each group to explore one of these sections of the chapter. Distribute large sheets of paper and markers, then invite each group to record their responses to the following and to choose a spokesperson:

• This is what the author means by this statement ...

• We believe this statement is true in these ways ...

• We have these questions about the information shared in this section ...

After groups have had a chance to work, ask them to post their papers on the wall at intervals around your space. Have the spokesperson for each group report on the group's discussion. Then invite participants to share how this information and insight helps them to understand more completely the terms wisdom, money, treasure, and heart.

Wisdom From Wesley

The author shares insights from John Wesley's sermon "The Use of Money" as a foundation for understanding the importance of a right relationship with money and the pursuit of wisdom in its use.

• Invite a volunteer to read aloud Luke 16:1-13.

• Invite another volunteer to read aloud the author's commentary on Wesley's use of the passage (from "The story turns our expectations inside out" through the bullet points: "Gain all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.").

• Ask participants to reflect on the relationship of the readings to their growing understanding of wisdom and money.

• Ask participants to share their responses, and invite them to post new insights on the various posted meanings of money and wisdom.

Wrapping Up

Closing Activity

Review your posted meanings of money and wisdom. Then split the group in half or form pairs and, based on the conversation during the session, invite the small groups to write meanings for each term. Have half the small groups write on money and half write on wisdom.

• Prepare two large, clean sheets of paper or whiteboard with the headings: "Money is ..." and "Wisdom is ...".

• Invite a representative of each group to post the new definitions.

• Invite responses and questions for consideration.

• Note: Record these definitions or save the newsprint. They will be revisited and refined in later sessions.

• Encourage participants to reflect on and journal about new understandings of and questions about wisdom and money as they read Chapter 2.

• How does wisdom relate to the way I earn money?

• How might wise management of our money benefit our congregation?

Closing Prayer

God of wisdom and love, fill us with your power as we leave this place, so that all we have shared and learned here helps us to be more faithful disciples. As your church in and for the world, we pray in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

Earn All You Can

Planning the Session

Session Goals

As a result of conversations and activities connected with this session, group members should begin to:

• Reflect on some biblical passages related to earning and using money.

• Understand the meaning of calling, common sense, and expense in relation to earning and managing money.

• Assess their relationships with the money they earn and the money they spend.

• Explore John Wesley's teachings on money and work.

Biblical Foundation

The wages of the righteous lead to life; the earnings of the wicked lead to sin.

(Proverbs 10:16)

Special Preparation

If group members are not familiar with one another, make nametags available.

Remember that there are more activities than most groups will have time to complete. As leader, you'll want to go over the session in advance and select or adapt the activities you think will work best for your group in the time allotted. Depending on which activities you select, you'll need to make some of the following special preparations.

• Ask participants to bring their notebooks or electronic journals. Provide writing paper and pens for those who may need them.

Also have a variety of Bibles available for those who do not bring one.

• Invite participants to read book Chapter 2 in advance of the session.

• Invite participants to reflect on and journal about the questions at the end of Session 1 in the Leader Guide. Ask them to consider one insight they might want to share with the group.

• Post the group's definitions of money and wisdom from the previous session.

• Post the following words on a large sheet of paper or whiteboard:

• Have available blank paper or construction paper and markers or crayons.

• Have a large sheet of paper or whiteboard available for group activity.

• Locate a recording or the lyrics of "How Much Is Enough?" (The Fixx, 1991) and a means to play it for the group.

Getting Started

Welcome

As participants arrive, welcome them to the study and invite them to make use of one of the available Bibles, if they did not bring one.

Opening Prayer

Calling God, we gather here to know you better, to learn ways for our lives to be more attuned to your will. Open us to your presence and assurance as we share our experiences and knowledge, our doubts and embarrassment. We humbly rely on you, Lord, and we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Opening Activities

When all participants have arrived, invite them to introduce themselves by name and to share a current or past source of income. (This will allow unemployed persons to participate without revealing they are not currently employed.) Be prepared for a variety of responses, from paying jobs outside the home to school loans to no current source of income. When the circle is complete, ask participants how it felt to share the source of their income. Ask them to record in their journals which of these posted words describe their feelings or attitudes about money. (They may choose more than one.)

If they have not already done so, invite group members to read silently the opening section of Chapter 2 through the section headed "The First Rule of Christian Wisdom" (ending with "... faithful followers of Jesus can earn all they can.").

• The author examines John Wesley's advice on the wise use of money. Together, review the group definitions of wisdom and money (from Session 1).

• Ask a volunteer to read aloud the two paragraphs that begin with "The first time I preached on Wesley's rules ..." and ending with "... his money, and his faith." Ask participants how the businessman's sharing compares with sermons on money they have heard and their feelings related to preaching about money in the church.

• Invite group members to share understandings of wealth as both prosperity and obstacle.

• Play a recording of "How Much Is Enough?" by The Fixx (1991). Invite responses to the message of the song.

• Invite participants to share one new insight from their journals.

Learning Together

Video Study and Discussion

We meet entrepreneur and business mentor Michael Burcham.

He discusses with Jim Harnish the power of money for good and describes ways in which he helps others discover where their great passion meets the world's great need. Discuss:

• Are you surprised by Wesley's advice to "earn all you can"? What do you think Wesley meant?

• When Jim says that Michael is channeling John Wesley, what do you think he means?

• If you feel comfortable sharing, give examples from your own life about earning in a healthy way and earning in an unhealthy way.

• Why do you think Wesley called money "God's excellent gift"? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Bible Study and Discussion

The chapter focuses on our approaches to earning and managing money. The author shares that John Wesley used a surprising passage, Luke 16:1-9, as the reading for his sermon, "The Use of Money." Harnish also lifts up selections from Proverbs and other biblical texts that illustrate the lessons offered by this story of the dishonest manager as well as other lessons about money management.

Invite participants to form five small groups. Each group will take time to read one of the following passages and discuss what it teaches about our relationship with money. Encourage the use of a variety of Bible translations and versions. Have each group choose a spokesperson.

• Luke 16:1-9 (the dishonest or shrewd manager)

• Matthew 19:24 (a camel through the eye of a needle)

• Proverbs 6:1-11 (the ant)

• Proverbs 31:13-24 (the wise woman)

• Luke 12:13-21 (the rich farmer)

Invite the groups back together to share insights and collective wisdom from their conversations. If the group wants to add any of the new ideas or insights to the posted group definitions of wisdom or money, invite the spokesperson to do so.

Book Study and Discussion

Gain All You Can by Honest Industry

Distribute blank paper and markers or crayons. Ask volunteers to read aloud from the study book the quotation from John Wesley's sermon that begins "Lose no time ..." and the "Wisdom From the Proverbs" quotations. Invite participants to draw pictures of both diligence and laziness. They may draw stick figures in action, swatches of color, or whatever expresses the concepts.