Proverbs are not promises, they are general principles for a better life.

How to be wise with my money

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! ECCLESIASTES 5:10 NLT

Don’t expect it, work for it

Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. PROVERBS 10:4 NLT
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. PROVERBS 13:11 NLT
It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them. PROVERBS 13:19 NLT
Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can’t even find their way home. ECCLESIASTES 10:15 NLT

Earn money morally

Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. PROVERBS 10:2 NLT
Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap. PROVERBS 21:6 NLT
Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life. PSALMS 62:10 NLT

Stop stupid spending

The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. PROVERBS 10:16 NLT
Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness. PROVERBS 13:16 NLT
Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness. PROVERBS 14:24 NLT
The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. PROVERBS 21:20 NLT
Most of our garages are full of dumb decisions.

Make better financial decisions

Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation. PROVERBS 27:23 NLT
She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden. PROVERBS 31:6 NLT
Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries. PROVERBS 8:21 NLT

Live the lifestyle you can afford

Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor. PROVERBS 13:7 NLT

Ask God for what you can handle

O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. PROVERBS 30:7 NLT

Honor God with what I have

True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. PROVERBS 22:4 NLT
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. PROVERBS 3:9-10 NLT

Community Group Discussion Guide

1. Why do you think the book of Proverbs (and the Bible) has so much to say about money?
2. Why do you think so many people today struggle with the concept that money comes from hard work? How does this concept impact you?
3. How has your faith shaped what you have or haven’t done for money? If it hasn’t, how should it?
4. Are you content with your current financial situation (why or why not)?
5. What does it look like when a wise person honors God with their money?
6. How do you honor God with the money that he has given you? What are some steps you can take to get from where you are to where you want to go? (Visit move.sc/finances for ideas and help.)

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God. Give yourself permission to think openly about how you feel about money, both the good and the bad. What would you do if someone were to give you more money–would you buy a better house, go on vacation, give it to someone or something? Spend a few minutes reflecting on what needs these things would meet for you–would you feel more secure, more loved, more comfortable? Now ask God to show you how he would like to meet you in the midst of those needs. In what way does he want to address those needs in you? As you move through your week, consider sharing your experience with someone you trust.