Navigating Finances with Wisdom from Proverbs

Devotional

Day 1: Navigating Life's Gray Areas with Wisdom

Wisdom is about making competent decisions in the gray areas of life, where moral rules alone are not enough. It involves foresight and the ability to navigate complex situations, much like a skilled guide on a whitewater rafting trip. This kind of wisdom is essential for making decisions about relationships, careers, and daily interactions. Proverbs 3:1-18 emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding. This passage sets the stage for our discussion on wisdom and wealth. We often think of someone good with money as someone who has a lot or gets great deals, but being wise with money is different. Wisdom in finances is about understanding the purpose, power, and priority of money. [35:02]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Think of a recent decision you had to make in a gray area of your life. How did you approach it? Did you rely on your own understanding, or did you seek God's wisdom? How can you better incorporate God's guidance in future decisions?

Day 2: The True Purpose of Money

People often seek money for satisfaction, significance, and security. However, Proverbs teaches that these needs cannot be fully met by wealth. True satisfaction, significance, and security come from our relationship with God. Earthly wealth is temporary and can be deceptive, leading us to false senses of self-sufficiency and pride. The purpose of money can be broken down into three main areas: satisfaction, significance, and security. While money can provide temporary satisfaction and a sense of significance or security, it cannot fulfill our deepest needs. Proverbs warns us that wealth can be deceptive and even corrupting. It can puff us up and make us think we are self-sufficient, but true security and significance come from our relationship with God. [50:39]

Proverbs 11:28 (ESV): "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf."

Reflection: Reflect on your current financial goals. Are they driven by a desire for satisfaction, significance, or security? How can you shift your focus to find these needs met in your relationship with God instead?

Day 3: The Limited Power of Money

The power of money is limited. It cannot save us from death or protect us from life's uncertainties. Proverbs emphasizes that righteousness and character are more important than riches. Wealth can lead to pride and self-reliance, but wisdom helps us see the true value of things and keeps us grounded in our faith. Earthly wealth can lead to pride and self-reliance, but wisdom helps us see the true value of things. [55:00]

Proverbs 11:4 (ESV): "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."

Reflection: Consider a time when you relied on money to solve a problem or bring you peace. How did it turn out? What steps can you take to prioritize righteousness and character over financial gain in your daily life?

Day 4: Prioritizing Money Wisely

Wise people manage their money differently. They spend less than they could, earn less than they could by being honest, and give more than they should. This approach reflects a heart that trusts in God rather than in material wealth. It also shows a commitment to living a life that is generous and life-giving to others. Jesus exemplified this wisdom by living a life of righteousness and generosity, showing us where true satisfaction, significance, and security lie. [57:49]

Proverbs 13:11 (ESV): "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."

Reflection: Evaluate your current spending, earning, and giving habits. Are they aligned with the principles of wisdom and trust in God? What changes can you make to better reflect a heart that prioritizes God's values over material wealth?

Day 5: Jesus as the Ultimate Example

Jesus exemplified wisdom by living a life of righteousness and generosity. He showed us that true satisfaction, significance, and security come from our relationship with God. His life and teachings remind us that earthly wealth is fleeting, but the treasures we store in heaven are eternal. Jesus lived a life of righteousness and generosity, showing us where true satisfaction, significance, and security lie. [01:01:02]

Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Reflection: Reflect on how you can follow Jesus' example of righteousness and generosity in your daily life. What practical steps can you take to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into the topic of wisdom, particularly focusing on how it applies to our finances. Drawing from my recent experience whitewater rafting in Colorado, I likened our guide, Odie, to a wise person who navigates the complexities of life with foresight and skill. This summer, we've been exploring the book of Proverbs, which offers profound insights into living wisely. Proverbs teaches us that wisdom is not just about knowing right from wrong but about making competent decisions in the gray areas of life.

We read from Proverbs 3:1-18, which emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding. This passage sets the stage for our discussion on wisdom and wealth. We often think of someone good with money as someone who has a lot or gets great deals, but being wise with money is different. Wisdom in finances is about understanding the purpose, power, and priority of money.

The purpose of money can be broken down into three main areas: satisfaction, significance, and security. While money can provide temporary satisfaction and a sense of significance or security, it cannot fulfill our deepest needs. Proverbs warns us that wealth can be deceptive and even corrupting. It can puff us up and make us think we are self-sufficient, but true security and significance come from our relationship with God.

The power of money is limited. It cannot save us from death or protect us from life's uncertainties. Proverbs teaches that righteousness and character are more important than riches. Earthly wealth can lead to pride and self-reliance, but wisdom helps us see the true value of things.

Finally, the priority of money in our lives should be carefully managed. Wise people spend less than they could, earn less than they could by being honest, and give more than they should. This approach reflects a heart that trusts in God rather than in material wealth. Jesus exemplified this wisdom by living a life of righteousness and generosity, showing us where true satisfaction, significance, and security lie.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Making**: Wisdom is about making competent decisions in the gray areas of life, where moral rules alone are not enough. It involves foresight and the ability to navigate complex situations, much like a skilled guide on a whitewater rafting trip. This kind of wisdom is essential for making decisions about relationships, careers, and daily interactions. [35:02]
2. Purpose of Money: People often seek money for satisfaction, significance, and security. However, Proverbs teaches that these needs cannot be fully met by wealth. True satisfaction, significance, and security come from our relationship with God. Earthly wealth is temporary and can be deceptive, leading us to false senses of self-sufficiency and pride.

3. Power of Money: The power of money is limited. It cannot save us from death or protect us from life's uncertainties. Proverbs emphasizes that righteousness and character are more important than riches. Wealth can lead to pride and self-reliance, but wisdom helps us see the true value of things and keeps us grounded in our faith.

4. Priority of Money: Wise people manage their money differently. They spend less than they could, earn less than they could by being honest, and give more than they should. This approach reflects a heart that trusts in God rather than in material wealth. It also shows a commitment to living a life that is generous and life-giving to others.

5. Jesus as the Ultimate Example: Jesus exemplified wisdom by living a life of righteousness and generosity. He showed us that true satisfaction, significance, and security come from our relationship with God. His life and teachings remind us that earthly wealth is fleeting, but the treasures we store in heaven are eternal.

### [35:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:47] - Introduction and Whitewater Rafting Analogy
[34:26] - The Importance of Wisdom
[35:02] - Wisdom in Daily Decisions
[35:42] - Proverbs 3:1-18 Reading
[37:38] - Overview of Proverbs Series
[38:42] - Wisdom and Wealth
[39:53] - Natural Abilities vs. Wisdom
[41:04] - Context of Proverbs
[42:12] - Wisdom Literature in History
[43:07] - Everyday Wisdom in Proverbs
[43:46] - The Jelly Bean Problem
[44:54] - Contradictions in Proverbs
[45:28] - Job and Proverbs
[46:40] - Probabilities vs. Promises
[47:14] - Modern Sayings and Proverbs
[48:05] - Wise Approach to Money
[48:36] - Purpose of Money
[50:39] - Satisfaction, Significance, and Security
[52:53] - Proverbs on Wealth
[55:00] - Power of Money
[57:49] - Priority of Money
[61:02] - Jesus as the Ultimate Example
[61:49] - Wise Financial Management
[64:49] - Fountain or Drain?
[65:40] - Generosity and Wisdom
[67:23] - Reflection and Communion

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the three main purposes of money as discussed in the sermon? ([50:39])
According to Proverbs 3:1-18, what are the benefits of trusting in the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding?
How does the sermon describe the power of money in relation to life's uncertainties? ([55:00])
What does the sermon suggest about the priority of money in the lives of wise people? ([57:49])

Interpretation Questions

How does Proverbs 3:1-18 illustrate the relationship between wisdom and wealth?
In what ways does the sermon suggest that earthly wealth can be deceptive and lead to pride? ([50:39])
How does the sermon use the analogy of whitewater rafting to explain the concept of wisdom in decision-making? ([33:47])
What does the sermon imply about the limitations of money in providing true security and significance? ([55:00])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own financial decisions. How often do you consider the purpose, power, and priority of money in your life? ([50:39])
Proverbs 3:1-18 emphasizes trusting in the Lord. How can you apply this principle to your financial planning and decisions?
The sermon mentions that wise people spend less than they could, earn less than they could by being honest, and give more than they should. How can you incorporate these practices into your financial habits? ([57:49])
Think about a recent financial decision you made. Did you rely more on your own understanding or did you seek wisdom from God? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? ([36:28])
The sermon suggests that true satisfaction, significance, and security come from our relationship with God rather than wealth. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and shift your focus away from material wealth? ([50:39])
Jesus exemplified wisdom by living a life of righteousness and generosity. How can you model your financial decisions after Jesus' example? ([01:01:02])
Reflect on a time when you felt insecure despite having financial stability. How can you shift your trust from money to God in similar situations? ([55:00])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Wisdom is being competent in all of the decisions of daily living. It's knowing what the right thing to do is when the moral rules aren't enough when just knowing right and wrong isn't enough to know what to do." [35:02] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding and all your ways. Acknowledge him and he will make straight your pads. Be not wise in your own eyes fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." [36:28] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom and the one who gets understanding for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit is better than gold. She is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare with her." [37:38] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "How much better to get wisdom than gold? To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. But our society constantly focuses on wisdom, not wealth, not wisdom." [59:20] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Jesus came and showed what real satisfaction, what real significance, what real security means. He came to earth, and even though he had the stamp of approval from God himself, and was God the Son, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. He showed us that a life of poverty can still be very rich." [01:00:11] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Wisdom isn't primarily a right way of living. It's a right relationship with God and centering your life around him." [37:38] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The wise approach money differently than everyone else. They think differently particularly about the power money has, the purpose money has, and the priority of money." [50:13] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If God is not the center of our lives, we'll replace it with something else. Not everybody uses money to look for satisfaction, significance, or security. But they look to something." [01:00:11] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you have money, you can spend it whatever you're... And then And I do know many people who have more money than we could ever want, and yet their family members can't talk to each other. Is that what we should be striving for?" [58:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer. Another withholds what he should give and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." [49:01] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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