These are based on the brainstorm we had two weeks ago. Please feel free to add to this list and to share your thoughts in the comments.Rich v. poor
* How do we get away with ignoring Jesus’ commands to give away our coats, sell everything we own, etc?
* Does God want everyone in the world brought up to our level or does he want the rich brought down a bit too?
* How can we justify spending thousands of pounds on our cars, when that amount of money can save thousands of lives in a poorer country? If we could see starving children next to the car in the showroom, would we think differently?
* Regarding the poor, are we guilty of ‘bed-bug thinking’? (ie. we all know that they’re there, but we prefer not to ponder the issue.)
* Is a British child’s life worth more than a Zimbabwean child’s life, for example?
What the Bible says about money
* It could be argued that tithing is an excellent discipline. In what ways might the tithing principal fall short?
* Jesus told us not to worry about our lives, what we will eat/drink/wear. How easy is that to do when you are severely cash-strapped? Does God provide?
* Hearing of others’ generosity in their giving can be inspiring and can encourage us to re-think our lifestyle. But Jesus says that when giving, our left hand shouldn’t know what the right is doing. Can it ever be okay to talk frankly about our giving?
* Does God communicate to us about money? How? Does He talk in exact figures?
The early church
* Should we be more like the early church in having everything in common and giving to whoever is in need? What difficulties might arise from this?
* How radically are we called to live?
Wealth within the established church
* Would Jesus be happy with the amount of money we spend running our church buildings?
* What changes could we make to the way things are currently done?
Ethical buying
* What items can we easily buy ethically?
* How can we shop for clothing ethically without breaking the bank?
* Can you shop ethically on a tight budget?
* Which is the most important pressure: to be green or to support the people involved in manufacture?
* Is it better to buy quality items that will last longer even though they are more expensive? Should Christians therefore be interested in changing fashions?
Materialism
* When did the cult of materialism take hold, historically?
* What are the differences between our generations’ attitudes to money and those of people of the older generation? What has happened to cause the shift in attitudes?
* What are your buying weak spots? How do you hope spending in these areas will make you feel? Does it work?
* Do we ever reach the point where we have enough stuff?
Advertising pressures
* What strategies do advertisers use?
* Do you think adverts still work now we’re all so media-savvy?
* Should Christians de-face adverts?
* Should Christians expose themselves to the pressure of adverts, either on TV or in magazines?
Greed
* Wesley decided early on in his life how much money he needed to live, then gave the rest away. As his income increased, he lived on the same amount, and was able to give more away. If we were attempting the same thing, how might we be tempted to break this rule?
* What sort of possessions that belong to others might we covet?
* What luxuries would you find it hard to give up?
* How much is our perception of what we need influenced by the belongings and lifestyles of our contemporaries?
Prosperity gospel
* Why is this so popular?
* What should we do about it?
* In what ways can ‘prosperity thinking’ influence our thinking at times?
Being responsible with money
* Is it ever okay to borrow money as a Christian?
* Is being in debt a problem with God?
* What do we do if our lifestyle is more expensive than our income?
* Should we help someone out of debt if their bad choices have got them into trouble in the first place?
Gambling
* Is it ever okay for Christians to gamble? (e.g stockmarket, lottery, dog racing, sweepstakes, raffles.)
Government’s role (lending etc)
* How do you think the government should respond to the current financial crisis?
Happiness
* What is it that makes us happy - the act of purchasing or the acquisition of something that we want?
* What are the issues for Christians in indulging in retail therapy?
* Is there a level of wealth below which you cannot be happy?
Time
* “Time is money”. How far is this true?
Sharing talents within the group
* What are some of the practical issues that arise from planning to do this?
7 comments:
PS I am slightly addicted to wordle at the moment.
Should the SofaChurch group talk more frankly about their incomes?
Should they ask members to help them when they don't have enough money or are in debt?
Do you have any money saving tips?
What advice would you give a recovering spend-a-holic?
Is it okay to spend loads of money so long as it's on 'Christian' merchandise?
Good questions, Anonymous, thanks for your input.
We discussed some of these questions at the meeting last night; here are some selected thoughts. If the other people who were there would like to add anything then please do.
In relation to borrowing money, we thought that there were responsible and irresponsible ways of doing this. You have to make sure that you can genuinely pay back the loan, and only borrow money when waiting and saving is not a possible option. For example, we can't often wait and save up to buy a house, so mortgages are normally necessary.
A couple of people in the group suggested that if you wish to buy a luxury item it might be a good idea to save enough money, give it to charity, then start saving again to buy the item.
Emily mentioned a tv programme about an Amish family who worked hard and built up a lot of savings. When a neighbour hit hard times they generously gave their savings to them. But soon after their daughter got Leukaemia and needed expensive treatment that they could no longer afford. Should we balance our generosity with saving for our own needs for a rainy day? Did the early church's pooled money run out quite quickly?
Should the group have a bank account that people can put surplus (ha - we all wish) money in, so that money can be 'gifted' when someone within the group hits a hard time or (for example) their washing machine breaks and they can't afford to replace it?
Sounds a fab idea, Suse. Another example of 'pooling resources' in order to make a real difference.
Just got back from hols, and captivated by the range of issues being discussed on the blog at the mo.... lots of thought-provoking ideas/questions and practical applications too.. wonderful!!! Suppose that's what happens when folk are focused on a single extremely salient topic.
Thank you! :0)
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