Contentment 

Ice-breaker

Does thinking about budgeting give you a breath of fresh air or make you feel constrained? Why?

Wisdom in Preparation 

Read Proverbs 21:5.

1. Where are you tempted to make hasty money decisions?  
2. What has been or could be helpful for you to avoid making unwise or unnecessary purchases? 
3. How do you like to keep track of your budget? Share your favorite tools or tips with the group.  (If no one mentions it, mint.com is a great free tool to put in your credit & debit cards, categorize your purchases, and create a budget you track throughout the month). 

Contentment 

Have two people read Hebrews 13:5 and 1 Timothy 6:6-8.

1. What kinds of things tempt you most to want to keep up with the Joneses’ or feel like you NEED something?  (TV ads? Social media highlight reels? Buy/sell groups?)
2. ​​​​What things have you done that have helped you grow in contentment? Is there a practice you want to pick up, such as gratitude journaling or prayer walks focused on thankfulness? 
3. How do these verses encourage believers to combat the love of money and find contentment in Christ?

Study Scripture Together: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20

Have one person read Ecclesiastes 5:10-15, and another 16-20 out loud.

Give everyone 3 minutes to re-read it to themselves quietly once or twice. (Consider putting some soft music on for background noise to help kill the awkward quiet.) Encourage everyone to highlight or underline things that stand out to them. 

Discuss

1. What stood out to you from this passage? 
2. How would you summarize these verses in your own words?
3. What does this passage suggest is a proper view and use of wealth?
4. What does this passage suggest is meaningless or even evil?

Optional Deep Dive or Personal Reflection

If a stranger looked at how you spend money, would they get an accurate view of what you value?  Why or why not?