Pulpit Curriculum
Redeeming the Curse of Money and
Possessions Part 3
by Pastor Kurt Gebhards
Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12
You are not expected to cover every detail of this Pulpit Curriculum, rather, consider it a resource to
help you in guiding your group to a deeper understanding and application of the Word. As you
participate in your Lifegroup use the box to the right to identify GETTING AFTER IT NOW moments
to help you plan and be better equipped to grow in your response to the Word. After Lifegroup dig
deeper into the truth you have discovered.
Introduction
We live in a church culture today that communicates the message, “don’t talk to me
about money”. Maybe you cringe every time you hear a message about giving. Why
do you think this is a subject people find uncomfortable in church? What might
someone react negatively to a subject addressed throughout the Scriptures? Do you
see money and possessions as a threat? How do money and possessions reveal your
heart of joy or satisfaction? Is your satisfaction found in Christ?
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon, one of the richest men in history, tries to loosen our grip
on stuff. Money is not bad unless you hold it too tightly and if you hold it too tightly,
it will be a curse.
In our study in Ecclesiastes 5-6 we have observed several facts:
1. Corruption spoils productivity 5:8-9
2. Success takes joy 5:10-12
3. Possessions fail us in the end 5:13-17
4. Pleasure is not the same as satisfaction 5:18-20
This week we completed our study by considering Chapter 6.
5. Others enjoy the fruit of our labors 6:1-6
What is the word in 6:1 that describes Solomon’s observation of riches? Are the
riches evil or is it the result of all of one’s toil that takes an evil course? There is a
danger that looms when our desire for riches exceeds our desire to honor the Lord.
How can we know when the desire what we need is out of balance with what we
want? What are some desires that people would consider excessive and
unnecessary? What are some desires that we might debate as necessary or
unnecessary? What are the essentials that we would all agree on? What does
Scripture say?
When it is all said and done, everything ends up in the same place beyond our grip.
That is because we will not be here forever. How did Solomon characterize this
reality in the text in 6:2-6? Pastor Kurt shared his interest in watches. Are watches
bad? What do you have a weakness for? When do you know when too much is too
much? What did the story of Jack Whitaker, major lottery winner, tell you about
being the recipient of great riches? Possessions are not the problem. Our life
orientation to possessions is the problem.
GAIN moments
6. Futility rains on most parades 6:7-12
Read 6:7-12. Underline the words that Solomon uses to describe the emptiness of a life driven by riches. A
life apart from God is bound to end in catastrophe. How does Mark 10:25 characterize the chances of a
person who lives for money and possessions? A focus on things can easily lead you to a blindness toward
eternity when it all counts.
Pastor Kurt referenced John Piper’s blog where he wrote on “Four Questions to Keep Close to Your Wallet”.
In this article [found here http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/four-questions-to-keep-close-to-yourwallet ] he challenges us to seek the Lord’s guidance with our money and possessions:

Is my spending marked by Christian generosity?

What does my spending say about what makes me most happy?

Does my spending suggest I’m collecting for this life?

Is my spending explicitly supporting the spread of the gospel?
Mutual Ministry: Are you redeeming the curse of money or possessions? What are the ways that you are
doing that? Money and possessions are viewed as very personal matters between you and God. What do
your possessions and your financial choices say about your spiritual condition? How might God rank your
use of what He has given you?
If you have given in to a desire for more, take time to confess this sin to God and then to one another
(James 5:16), to exhort to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24), to encourage the weak (1 Thess. 5:14), to bear
one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), and to offer biblical edification to one another (Eph. 4:29). Encourage
through the week to seek contentment, generosity and godliness with your gains.
Pray for generosity in our giving Pray for hearts open to loving God more and loving things less. Pray as
our people take the call to make disciples, to be excellent examples of Christ Pray for unity in Christ and
fulfillment in serving and fruit that remains from our efforts. Pray for Lifegroups to lovingly support one
another in the battle.
The “Intercessory Prayer” groups during our worship services 07/27/14:
1st hour – J. Turner
2nd hour – Ashoff
Going Deeper
Read Luke 12:13-34
 List the desires revealed by the rich man.
 Summarize the parable Jesus used to teach Christ’s warning to any who pursue wealth and leave
out God.
 Create a list of principles in 22-34 that Jesus exhorted his disciples to live by.
 Create your own practical guidelines for money and possessions.
Read 1Tim. 6:17-19
 List the warnings given to the rich.
 Summarize the dangers of riches as well as the benefits of riches.
 Create a practical guide to you to use when making choices about the purchases that you make.
Stewardship report:
PLEDGE
GIVING
LAUNCH
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
$833,317
$910,632
$999,251
$1,012,998
$859,162
$631,819
$257,991
$4,575
Building Update and Stewardship Savings
As we watch the continued progress of our facility and look forward to settling in there we want to encourage
you with a detailed awareness of ways that our ministry construction team have pursued value while at the
same time achieving significant cost savings.
Work crews to help with the work:
The Harvest construction team is most grateful for the help of hundreds of people who have assisted with the
early stages of construction. Many helped with the demolition at the start. A good number helped make the
outside space look attractive. Plans are in the work to save money by pulling the wires for our security system.
Landscaping will offer opportunity for our church to help finish the work. In all of this, many dollars have been
saved by your helping us. For this we praise the Lord and thank you.