Youth 4th quarter 2024
November 24, 2024
“There is desirable treasure and oil in the house of the wise, but a foolish man devours it.”
( Pr 21.20 )
LESSON SUMMARY
We protect our money when we practice the virtues of generosity and prudence.
WEEKLY READING
SECOND - Pv 11.24 The virtue of generosity makes rich
THIRD - Pv 13.11 The virtue of generosity does not allow for dissimulation
FOURTH - Pv 17.18 The virtue of prudence does not leave one to be a guarantor
FIFTH - Pv 21.20 The virtue of prudence makes us think about the future
FRIDAY – Acts 20.35 It is better to give than to receive
SATURDAY – Pv 3.9.10 Honoring the Lord
OBJECTIVES
UNDERSTAND the value of wisdom in relation to money:
RECOGNIZE generosity as a protection for money:
BECOME AWARE of prudence as a protection for money.
INTERACTION
Dear teacher, have you been handling your money wisely? Then you will have no difficulty in preparing and teaching this Sunday’s lesson, because we will discuss how we use money. We will also look at generosity, giving to God and to others. Proverbs shows that those who give receive more, and those who do not will suffer losses (Proverbs 11:24). Emphasize to the students that the virtue of generosity helps us not to fall into the trap shown in chapter 13 of Proverbs, that is, dissimulation with wealth (Proverbs 13:7). Dissimilar to wealth means appearing to have a standard of living that we do not have and unfortunately nowadays, influenced by social media, many want to show off their iPhones and latest generation electronics and end up getting into debt. May we come to understand that we need to manage our assets wisely and not forget generosity. Honor the Lord with the first fruits of your possessions and be successful in all areas. Be faithful to the Lord and generous with others.
PEDAGOGICAL GUIDANCE
Teacher, reproduce the table below on the board and look at the advice from Proverbs regarding money with your students. The advice is:
money. The advice is:
| Be generous in giving | 11.21425 229 |
| Put people's needs ahead of profit | 11.26 |
| Be cautious about serving as a guarantor. | 17.18, 22.26,27 |
| Do not accept bribes | 17.23 |
| Help the poor | 19.17.21.13 |
| Save for the future. | 21.20 |
| Be careful when borrowing. | 22.7 |
Proverbs 11.24.25; 13.7.11; 17.18.23: 21.20; 22.7
Proverbs 11
24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases; and there is one who holds back more than is right, but it is to his loss
. 25 A generous soul will become fat, and he who waters will be watered himself.
Proverbs 13
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and there is one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
11 The wealth of vanity will diminish, but he who gathers by labor will increase .
Proverbs 17
18 A man void of understanding lends his hand and becomes surety for his neighbor.
23 The wicked takes a gift from the bosom to pervert the paths of justice.
Proverbs 21
20 Treasure is desirable and oil in the house of the wise, but a foolish man devours it.
Proverbs 22
7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender .
INTRODUCTION
In this lesson, we will study about advice related to finances. You will see that this is also a spiritual area in which the Lord wants us to be blessed and have wisdom to manage everything we receive from His hands.
I- WISDOM WITH MONEY
1- An important consideration. Before we focus on the text and the subject of this lesson, an important note is in order. In the previous lesson, we concluded the first section of the Book of Proverbs (1.19.18). In this lesson, we find the second section of the book (10.1-22.16). In it, considered by scholars to be the main one, we will not find a logical ordering of the discourse, but a style of aphorisms, that is, short verses made up of similar words that contain a meaning in themselves, without the need for complements in the next or previous lines of the text, such as: “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out” ( Prov. 10.9 ). So, in this lesson we will address the topic of money, which, unlike the previous chapters, does not present the same logical ordering of ideas. The topic is scattered through short sentences throughout section 10.1-22.16.2- Generosity through money. Proverbs 11:24-25 deals with generosity. The expression “scatter” in verse 24 has the meaning of “giving generously.” Thus, the text says that those who give receive more and those who do not give will suffer losses ( Prov 11:24 ). That is why the generous soul “will grow fat” (Prov 11:25). In this aspect, the virtue of generosity helps us not to fall into the trap described in chapter 13 of Proverbs, that is, dissimulation with wealth ( Prov 13:7 ), in appearing to have a standard of living that we do not have. May our generosity begin with God: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your presses will overflow with new wine” ( Prov 3:9-10 ). So, we will also be generous with others.
3- Prudence with money. If on the one hand Proverbs teaches generosity, on the other it strongly advises prudence with money. First, avoiding taking on a debt that is not ours, preventing the practice of being someone else’s guarantor ( Proverbs 17:18 ). Second, never perverting the path of righteousness because of a bribe (Proverbs 17:23). The word that appears as “gift” in verse 23 has the meaning of “bribe” in Hebrew. Third, taking care to save money thinking about the future. Because a characteristic of the wise is to have “treasure and oil permanently and according to the daily portion, but the foolish devour everything now and do not think about the future” ( Proverbs 21:20 ). And finally, taking care not to end up in the hands of those who lend ( Proverbs 22:7 ). Therefore, the teaching of Proverbs advises us not to be guarantors, not to be bribers, to save the money we receive and to be careful with lending.
THINK!
Generosity is a virtue that protects us from the vanity of money.
IMPORTANT POINT!
Prudence is a virtue that prevents us from being dominated by money.
SUBSIDY 1
Teacher, explain to the students that there are those who think that dealing with finances is a carnal matter, because for these people, in eternity we will not be measured by what we have, but by what we did with what was given to us. Our stewardship will be charged based on what we receive from God to manage, and this should motivate us to understand that money needs to be well taken care of. In many passages of Scripture, God speaks about money. It is He who says: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8). The precious metals that the planet has belong to God. Jesus, in his earthly ministry, mentioned money and its influence on a person’s life when he observed the widow bringing the only two coins she had to give as an offering (Luke 21:1-4). When he paid the tax with Peter (Matthew 17:24-27). when he told the parable of the Good Samaritan, who gave two denarii to the innkeeper, and spoke of the lost drachma (Luke 158-10). found later. Even in his ministry, Jesus experienced financial support, and we are told that Judas, the traitor, used the resources of Jesus’ ministry to get money for himself (John 12.6). Therefore, dealing with finances is a spiritual matter, and the Lord Jesus knew the need to deal with money while he was in this world.” (COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Pattern for Christian Life: Walking According to the Teachings of the Holy Scriptures, Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024, p. 110.)
. 2- Generosity with the work of God. The book of Proverbs teaches us to be generous with the things of God ( Prov 3:9,10 ). We can put the virtue of generosity into practice with the various activities that the local church is responsible for. First, by being disciplined and generous in delivering tithes and offerings to support the work of the Lord; by being generous with the Mission projects that we have on multiple fronts where there are missionaries who live entirely from the ministry; by being generous with various fronts of social work. The letters of the apostle Paul teach us a lot about true generosity with the work of God ( 1 Cor 8.1-5 ; Phil 4.18 ). By doing so, we will honor God with our income (Prov 3.9).
3- Generosity with others. The Word of God also speaks about our individual generosity towards those in need ( Luke 6.37,39 ; Acts 10.4 ). When we are willing to donate to those in need, at the same time, we protect our hearts from greed, avarice and selfishness. In a context where there is much talk about the obligation of institutions to meet the needs of others (it is important that institutions have this disposition), we cannot forget that there is a biblical imperative for us to look at and directly serve those in need, those people of “flesh and blood” ( James 1.27 ; 2.14-17 ). These people in need may be in our family, in our neighborhood, at school, at work, on the streets. Therefore, our relationship with money should be based on the virtue of generosity.
THINK!
SUBSIDY 1
Teacher, explain to the students that there are those who think that dealing with finances is a carnal matter, because for these people, in eternity we will not be measured by what we have, but by what we did with what was given to us. Our stewardship will be charged based on what we receive from God to manage, and this should motivate us to understand that money needs to be well taken care of. In many passages of Scripture, God speaks about money. It is He who says: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8). The precious metals that the planet has belong to God. Jesus, in his earthly ministry, mentioned money and its influence on a person’s life when he observed the widow bringing the only two coins she had to give as an offering (Luke 21:1-4). When he paid the tax with Peter (Matthew 17:24-27). when he told the parable of the Good Samaritan, who gave two denarii to the innkeeper, and spoke of the lost drachma (Luke 158-10). found later. Even in his ministry, Jesus experienced financial support, and we are told that Judas, the traitor, used the resources of Jesus’ ministry to get money for himself (John 12.6). Therefore, dealing with finances is a spiritual matter, and the Lord Jesus knew the need to deal with money while he was in this world.” (COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Pattern for Christian Life: Walking According to the Teachings of the Holy Scriptures, Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024, p. 110.)
II – AGENEROSITY AS PROTECTION FOR THE HETEROSEXUAL
1- Generosity as a virtue. Throughout the Scriptures we learn that the sin of “greed,” that is, attachment to money, is a vice and a way of life that does not please God. The virtue of generosity is the opposite of the vice of greed, and for this reason, both in Proverbs and in the New Testament, it is encouraged and taught: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” ( Acts 20:35 ). Now, the virtue of generosity allows us to step outside our own interests and look at the needs of others who are before us. Therefore, when we are generous, we resemble Jesus who, by emptying himself ( Phil 2:1 ), was generous with us, in the midst of our lack of salvation ( Eph 2:1,2 ). 2- Generosity with the work of God. The book of Proverbs teaches us to be generous with the things of God ( Prov 3:9,10 ). We can put the virtue of generosity into practice with the various activities that the local church is responsible for. First, by being disciplined and generous in delivering tithes and offerings to support the work of the Lord; by being generous with the Mission projects that we have on multiple fronts where there are missionaries who live entirely from the ministry; by being generous with various fronts of social work. The letters of the apostle Paul teach us a lot about true generosity with the work of God ( 1 Cor 8.1-5 ; Phil 4.18 ). By doing so, we will honor God with our income (Prov 3.9).
3- Generosity with others. The Word of God also speaks about our individual generosity towards those in need ( Luke 6.37,39 ; Acts 10.4 ). When we are willing to donate to those in need, at the same time, we protect our hearts from greed, avarice and selfishness. In a context where there is much talk about the obligation of institutions to meet the needs of others (it is important that institutions have this disposition), we cannot forget that there is a biblical imperative for us to look at and directly serve those in need, those people of “flesh and blood” ( James 1.27 ; 2.14-17 ). These people in need may be in our family, in our neighborhood, at school, at work, on the streets. Therefore, our relationship with money should be based on the virtue of generosity.
THINK!
The virtue of generosity is the antidote to greed.
IMPORTANT POINT!
We must be generous with God’s work and with our neighbors.
SUBSIDY 2
“God can give us more resources than we really need. With these resources, we can save and prepare for the future, which is lawful. But we must also remember those of our brothers who have less than we have, and who can be used to help them in times of distress. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, gave the example of the Philippian Christians. These believers knew that their brothers in Jerusalem were in need, and even though they had few resources, they asked the apostle to participate in that help by sending the few resources they had, which would be sent to Jerusalem. No one has so little that it cannot be shared. And generosity makes a difference when we give ourselves to the Lord (2 Cor 8.5). When we talk about helping our brothers, it is worth demonstrating the importance that the gospel has in this regard. Focusing on the Bible, we will realize that the big problem is not an economic system that can work, but sin, which hinders any system that can be invented”
(COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Pattern for Christian Life Walking According to the Teachings of the Holy Scriptures Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024, p. 110.)
2- Do not do illegal or dangerous business. In Proverbs 17 we saw that the Word of God instructs us not to be a guarantor or to bribe anyone. The New Testament presents a case of lying with money that resulted in the death of a couple ( Acts 5:1-11 ). Furthermore, it is not wise to be a guarantor for someone, especially if we do not have the resources to put up the guarantor if the favored person cannot pay. It is not wise to subvert or bribe someone through financial resources to obtain advantages. Those who take this path of illicit and excessive advantages may find themselves with the Justice.
3- Do not think only about the now. With money, it is not wise to spend it all at once. You need to think about later. Here it is the sense of responsibility that must be considered. You are young, you have plans ahead, and every plan must have the financial resources calculated and thought out. So, make it your goal to take at least ten percent of everything you get, whether through formal work or not, so that you can save it to build up an emergency income and buy something in the medium and long term. Also, be very careful with loans of any kind. It is not that it is forbidden to use them, because if well planned and thought out, they can be a great help. However, loans are not income: that money is not ours. Our Lord once gave the following example: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?” ( Luke 14:28 ). Therefore, be prudent in dealing with money, saving to create an emergency fund, also saving to buy in the medium and long term, and, finally, avoid loans. Never spend more than you earn or will earn.
THINK!
SUBSIDY 2
“God can give us more resources than we really need. With these resources, we can save and prepare for the future, which is lawful. But we must also remember those of our brothers who have less than we have, and who can be used to help them in times of distress. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, gave the example of the Philippian Christians. These believers knew that their brothers in Jerusalem were in need, and even though they had few resources, they asked the apostle to participate in that help by sending the few resources they had, which would be sent to Jerusalem. No one has so little that it cannot be shared. And generosity makes a difference when we give ourselves to the Lord (2 Cor 8.5). When we talk about helping our brothers, it is worth demonstrating the importance that the gospel has in this regard. Focusing on the Bible, we will realize that the big problem is not an economic system that can work, but sin, which hinders any system that can be invented”
(COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Pattern for Christian Life Walking According to the Teachings of the Holy Scriptures Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024, p. 110.)
III- PRUDENCE AS PROTECTION FOR MONEY
1- Prudence as a virtue. On the one hand, we must deal with money under the aegis of generosity; on the other, we must deal with it under the aegis of prudence. The ancients understood prudence as “acting in accordance with right reason,” that is, when faced with a situation, we must act in such a way that we have the ability to, between virtuous and vicious actions, always choose those that exude the righteousness of the values of the Word of God. For this reason, the Book of Proverbs ( Prov 21:20 ; 22:7), as well as the Bible, encourages us not to make decisions without thinking. We can observe the virtue of prudence very clearly in the way Jesus acted ( Luke 10:1 ; John 8:6-9 ). Therefore, it is not worth getting carried away by emotion when it comes to money.2- Do not do illegal or dangerous business. In Proverbs 17 we saw that the Word of God instructs us not to be a guarantor or to bribe anyone. The New Testament presents a case of lying with money that resulted in the death of a couple ( Acts 5:1-11 ). Furthermore, it is not wise to be a guarantor for someone, especially if we do not have the resources to put up the guarantor if the favored person cannot pay. It is not wise to subvert or bribe someone through financial resources to obtain advantages. Those who take this path of illicit and excessive advantages may find themselves with the Justice.
3- Do not think only about the now. With money, it is not wise to spend it all at once. You need to think about later. Here it is the sense of responsibility that must be considered. You are young, you have plans ahead, and every plan must have the financial resources calculated and thought out. So, make it your goal to take at least ten percent of everything you get, whether through formal work or not, so that you can save it to build up an emergency income and buy something in the medium and long term. Also, be very careful with loans of any kind. It is not that it is forbidden to use them, because if well planned and thought out, they can be a great help. However, loans are not income: that money is not ours. Our Lord once gave the following example: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?” ( Luke 14:28 ). Therefore, be prudent in dealing with money, saving to create an emergency fund, also saving to buy in the medium and long term, and, finally, avoid loans. Never spend more than you earn or will earn.
THINK!
The virtue of prudence has to do with acting in accordance with right reason.
IMPORTANT POINT!
The virtue of prudence allows us to think about money, not only for now, but also for the future.
SUBSIDY 3
“Money has the power to change a person’s thinking, and when such a person replaces God with money, forgetting that the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10), he will soon be lost. Many brothers and sisters get into trouble in the search for more money, regardless of the source from which it comes. Stealing can increase a person’s income, but it is a sin, and whoever does it is a thief. Receiving a bribe is also considered unjust, even if it brings wealth and status to the recipient. Failing to pay an employee who has worked is an act condemned in the Law of Moses (Lev 19:13). Therefore, greed cannot be part of the life of those who serve God. In ancient times, the people around Israel accepted sexual sins as offerings. but God has rejected such customs: “You shall not bring the wages of a prostitute or a prostitute into the house of the Lord your God, for both are an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 23:18, NKJV). The principle here is that God accepts only the financial fruits of honest and enjoyable work. To Him, how we earn our money makes all the difference. Therefore, if a man or woman has a business or activity that brings shame to the name of the Lord, God will not receive that offering, no matter how large it is and no matter how much it can be used to benefit the sanctuary ( COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Standard (For Christian Life: Walking According to the Teachings of the Holy Scriptures. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024. p. 110)
TEACHER, “one of the greatest challenges for human beings is dealing with financial resources. We live in a world where money is widely used and its influence reaches all people, whether they believe in God or not. And what does Christianity teach about money and its use, and how can these teachings be applied to our lives? God, in His Word, shows us the importance that money has in our personal and family life, how to acquire it, and the necessary care so that it does not become a god in our lives” ( COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Standard for Life Christian. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024, p. 105).
CONCLUSION
Throughout this lesson, we have seen that biblical wisdom regarding money has two perspectives: that of generosity and that of prudence. Our relationship with money cannot be selfish or undisciplined. We need to give to those in need in order to meet their needs and not be dominated by money; but we also need to be prudent in the use of money, saving and not getting into trouble by borrowing.
TIME FOR REVIEW The expression “scatter” in verse 24 has the meaning of “giving generously
1- What is the meaning of the expression “scatter”?
SUBSIDY 3
“Money has the power to change a person’s thinking, and when such a person replaces God with money, forgetting that the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10), he will soon be lost. Many brothers and sisters get into trouble in the search for more money, regardless of the source from which it comes. Stealing can increase a person’s income, but it is a sin, and whoever does it is a thief. Receiving a bribe is also considered unjust, even if it brings wealth and status to the recipient. Failing to pay an employee who has worked is an act condemned in the Law of Moses (Lev 19:13). Therefore, greed cannot be part of the life of those who serve God. In ancient times, the people around Israel accepted sexual sins as offerings. but God has rejected such customs: “You shall not bring the wages of a prostitute or a prostitute into the house of the Lord your God, for both are an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 23:18, NKJV). The principle here is that God accepts only the financial fruits of honest and enjoyable work. To Him, how we earn our money makes all the difference. Therefore, if a man or woman has a business or activity that brings shame to the name of the Lord, God will not receive that offering, no matter how large it is and no matter how much it can be used to benefit the sanctuary ( COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Standard (For Christian Life: Walking According to the Teachings of the Holy Scriptures. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024. p. 110)
TEACHER, “one of the greatest challenges for human beings is dealing with financial resources. We live in a world where money is widely used and its influence reaches all people, whether they believe in God or not. And what does Christianity teach about money and its use, and how can these teachings be applied to our lives? God, in His Word, shows us the importance that money has in our personal and family life, how to acquire it, and the necessary care so that it does not become a god in our lives” ( COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Standard for Life Christian. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024, p. 105).
CONCLUSION
Throughout this lesson, we have seen that biblical wisdom regarding money has two perspectives: that of generosity and that of prudence. Our relationship with money cannot be selfish or undisciplined. We need to give to those in need in order to meet their needs and not be dominated by money; but we also need to be prudent in the use of money, saving and not getting into trouble by borrowing.
TIME FOR REVIEW The expression “scatter” in verse 24 has the meaning of “giving generously
1- What is the meaning of the expression “scatter”?
2- What attitudes does the Book of Proverbs advise us to take and what does it have to do with prudence?
If on the one hand Proverbs teaches generosity, on the other hand it vigorously advises prudence with money
If on the one hand Proverbs teaches generosity, on the other hand it vigorously advises prudence with money
3- What does the virtue of generosity allow us to do?
Now, the virtue of generosity allows us to step outside our own interests and look at the needs of others who are in front of us.
Now, the virtue of generosity allows us to step outside our own interests and look at the needs of others who are in front of us.
4- How can we understand the word “prudence”?
“To act in accordance with right reason”, that is, when faced with a situation we must act in such a way that we have the capacity to, between virtuous and vicious actions, always choose those that exude the righteousness of the values of the Word of God.
“To act in accordance with right reason”, that is, when faced with a situation we must act in such a way that we have the capacity to, between virtuous and vicious actions, always choose those that exude the righteousness of the values of the Word of God.
5- Which two virtues related to money were addressed in this lesson?
Generosity and prudence.
Generosity and prudence.
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