Invested (Part 2): A Different Kind of Storehouse

TO START: Every breath, relationship, ability, and financial resource is entrusted to us for partnering and fueling God's work. In the Invested series we unpack how we invest our lives, especially our finances, to align ourselves in the present with God's coming future. In this second message of the series we unpack how Jesus’ parable of the rich fool reveals that everyone is an investor of the resources they’ve been given, with the opportunity to invest either in the short-term plans of self or the long-term priorities of God’s coming future.

TO READ: Luke 12:13-21

TO DISCUSS:

(1.) What’s something you’ve poured time or money into that just wasn’t worth it in the end?

(2.) When you think about your family growing up, how would you describe their attitude toward money? Were they more like spenders, stressors, or stockpilers?

(3.) When have you, like the owner in Jesus’ story, built a bigger barn only to realize it kept you from investing in God’s priorities afterward?

(4.) When you think about your circle of friends, who comes to mind as someone who is rich toward God and how have they demonstrated that attitude?

(5.) As you think about your future, do you see an opportunity to stretch yourself by investing more deeply in God’s priorities, purposes, and people?

TO CLOSE/TO PRAY: Consider following the prayer exercise below

Leader: Invite the group to take a deep breath and become still before God. 

Leader: Say something like, “Let’s quiet our hearts and become aware of God’s presence” Then Read Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Leader: “Take a moment to soak in Luke’s words → Ask the question to reflect on silently: Where might God be inviting you to shift your investment–from self to His purposes? Earthly things  to Heavenly things?” (Pause a couple minutes) 

Leader: “Now is the time to share anything that bubbled up as you sat in prayer on that question.” 

Once folks have finished sharing and things quiet down, consider closing in prayer in light of what comes up. Maybe something like this, “Tonight, we release to You the things we hold too tightly. Forgive us for the times we’ve built bigger barns instead of bigger hearts. Holy Spirit, show each of us the ways you are longing for us to invest in eternity and give us courage to follow through!”