ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

FROM SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2007

MONEY MATTERS

1. What does the word 'stewardship' mean to you? Why in general do we find the idea so tricky to discuss?

2. Read 2 Chronicles 31:2-10. What principles are set out for us here? What positive benefits arise?

3. On Sunday I told a story about someone who wanted to take seriously what it means for Jesus to be Lord. Faced with the need to give everything to Jesus, the man hears Jesus say, 'These are all mine, but it's alright. I'd like you to look after them for me - until I ask for them back...' What do you think of this way of looking at things?

4. How do you respond to the suggestion that what you think of as your money isn't really yours at all?

5. How do you think we should apply the biblical teaching about tithing to our lives today? (See, for example, Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Nehemiah 10:35-37; Malachi 3:8-12.)

6. The New Testament only mentions tithing in passing (eg, Matthew 23:23; Luke 18:9-14). Have a look at 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 (a long passage, but well worth it!). What principles about giving do we find here? Where does tithing fit in?

7. How can our giving as Christians be joyful? Why does this matter?

8. 'The first Christians did not start to share their goods in a full and free manner till after the bomb of the Spirit exploded in their souls at Pentecost. Before then, they would be morally incapable of this free and joyful sharing. The acquisitive habit is one of the deepest rooted habits of the human race. To say, "this is yours, not mine" and to carry the words into effect, is as much a miracle of God as raising of the dead' (David Watson, in 'Discipleship').

9. Take some time to pray about our response as a church to the issue of money. Give thanks for a long history of generosity in the life of St Nicolas, a generosity which has continued this year despite the adverse financial climate in the world around us. Pray for those who carry the responsibility of managing the church's finances and for those who make the decisions about how we spend our money.

David Stone
6 November 2007