What if we believed that there is more than enough? If there were MORE than enough, how would that change the way we live and give?

My upbringing was simple. My parents were the children of sharecroppers in Kentucky and Tennessee. Both of them were chopping and picking cotton by the time they were six. It was how families survived back then.

My Parents background influenced them to raise me on Murphy’s Law and Andrew’s Corollary. “If anything can go wrong it will.” And I honestly believe my grandfather Andrew, hence the corollary, believed that Murphy was an optimist.

I share this with you so that you can see that trusting God with resources, particularly financial ones, is not easy for me.

- Do you find it difficult to celebrate the successes of others? When is it difficult? What makes it difficult?

- Do you believe that you are “practically” on your own in life and that “if it is to be it’s up to me”? How do we balance faith in God and personal responsibility?

Judas ended up trapped by an agreement with Satan. I don’t think he knew he was making that agreement. I think he was like us, in that he was just trying to secure a future for himself. Did Judas believe in Jesus? I’m not sure, but I do know that Jesus did not meet his expectations.

The Weight of Resources. Judas was the “Church Treasurer” in a way. I don’t know if you know what that is like. But, you should know, it’s a lot of pressure. Judas held the bag for ministry and the disciples’ survival. I can only imagine how he felt the day Jesus said, “You feed them.” It seems that one rattled all of them. I just want you to walk in Judas' shoes for a bit. Try to understand what drove his terrible choice.

What About Me? By Matthew 26, it was clear to Judas that this “Jesus thing” was NOT going to turn out the way he had planned. Jesus had disappointed him. Is it so hard to understand that Judas was looking for an escape hatch? Is the idea that “I’ve got to watch out for and take care of myself” so far out of the realm of comprehension. I’m not saying it’s right. I’m saying, it’s fairly human.

The need is real. That’s what you can’t dismiss. It’s so easy to dismiss people with an ignorant judgment than to understand and learn. The Financial part of our lives is SO IMPORTANT. You can walk through life saying, “Oh I don’t care about money.” All you want. You will regret not taking the matter seriously. You have needs that money can meet. And the enemy has a way of using that legitimate need as a way to trap you.

- Could you identify with Judas' dilemma and the choices he made because of them? How does Jesus fail to meet our expectations? How do you handle that?

- What does it mean to trust God with your finances? How does your faith intersect with your spending and saving practices?

Jesus Said There Will Be Enough For Today. The verse above finally settled my financial story. You see, I read Matthew 6:33 and Holy Spirit spoke it into my heart. (Romans 10:17 “So Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”) Jesus said there would be enough for today.

We don’t know much about tomorrow, but Jesus tells us that as soon as it becomes today, there will be enough. If you desire financial freedom, don’t start with how much you need to make or save. Begin, with the promise that there will be enough for today.

Paul Said Contentment Is Wealth. Who has more, the man who wants just a little more, or the woman who has enough? Do you see how contentment can be wealth? When I have enough I am free. The desire for more can ruin you. The burning need for just a little more can ruin your peace, your health, and your relationships. The stress that need creates is a terrible thing. It gives birth to a fear that eats at us like cancer.

Before I start freaking out about what I need, what if I first say, “What I have is enough.”

Paul Said Giving Prepares A Harvest. When we share with those less fortunate, or we give for the advancement of ministry and missions, we are planting seeds for the future. A person who does not give does not have financial freedom. And, possibly, the only reason to not give is the fear that we won’t have enough for ourselves. However, Paul tells us that giving away what we have and sharing is how we actually prepare for the future.

How do you choose to live today? Do you want to live in lack for the rest of your life? Do you want to wonder if there is going to be enough for you? Do you like the fear that you might not get what’s yours?

Jesus said there would be enough for Today. Contentment is believing and remembering that Jesus said there would be enough for today. Sharing is taking actions based on Jesus’ words.

- What do you think Jesus meant by saying that there would be enough for today? What kinds of things can we apply Jesus’ words to?

- How is contentment great wealth? What are some practical ways to practice contentment?

- Do you believe God is a generous God? Why? How does God give to us?

- How does giving plant seeds for the future? Share a time that you shared your resources that brought you great joy.