RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 7 March 2021 – Lesson 27
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TOPIC: The Christian Approach To Investments (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 7 March 2021)
MEMORY VERSE: “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” – Proverbs 13:11
BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 19:11-27 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 7 March 2021)
11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
INTRODUCTION:
In the parable of the talents in Luke 19:11-27, Jesus makes it clear that He expects his followers to be faithful stewards of the resources that He has put at their disposal. Good stewardship includes wise investments. Many believers find it difficult to adopt a practical theology for money management and investing for a distant and uncertain future. The Bible, however, offers practical wisdom on investing the resources we have with insight and foresight.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- Biblical Principles For Investments And Savings
- Reasons For Investments
1. BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR INVESTMENTS AND SAVINGS
Investing’s is actually commended if done wisely. lt’s about putting money and/or other resources into real businesses that employ people and deliver products or services to customers. Hopefully, the companies we invest in do well and provide a return commensurate with our investments (Proverbs 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 11:1-6).
However, believers should invest only on businesses (real estate, contracts, ventures, stocks, shares, bonds) they understand or have experience in (Proverbs 24:3-4). We are to avoid get-rich-quick schemes at all cost (Proverbs 13:11, 21:5). Do not invest in what you do not have. It is better not to invest at all than to invest what you cannot afford to lose. Do not accumulate debt in the name or investment. Prov. 22:7. Guard against Investing just because a Christian offers it; that is not a guarantee against loss.
Investing in your education and those of your children is a wise decision to make. By doing so you are preparing yourself for opportunities that will surely come your way and securing your future.
It’s equally important to also note that saving for future needs is biblical (Genesis 41; Proverbs 6:6-11, 21:5). Saving honours God because as it rightly values money as a gift that He has given to us (James 1:16-17) Instead of unplanned, impulsive, or foolish spending, wise saving demonstrates the importance of stewarding His gifts (Luke 12:47-48). Saving may also allow you to leave an inheritance, blessings for yours so they can then be a blessing to others (Proverbs 13:22).
2. REASONS FOR INVESTMENTS
i. Wealth Creation: investing your money will allow it to grow and compound. You earn money on the money already earned and create wealth over time.
ii. Beat Inflation: Returns from investment help to maintain the purchasing power at a constant level. If you do not beat the inflation rate, you will be losing money, not making money.
iii. Retirement Mass Creation: You should invest while you are earning so as to create a mass of funds that can be used when you retire. This provides security to maintain a comfortable style even after retirement.
iv. Accomplish Financial Goals: Investing can help you reach bigger financial goals. This return on your investments can be used towards financial goals, such as buying a home, buying a car, starting a business, or putting your children through school.
v. High Returns: Investing would help to achieve high returns as compared to banks savings account which provides little return.
CONCLUSION: Investing into the future is not an act of anxiety, everyone must save for the raining day. In order to build wealth, you should invest your money.
QUESTIONS
- Why should you invest?
- What are the principles that should guide our investments?
FURTHER READING:
Monday: Genesis 26:12 (KJV)
12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
Tuesday: Genesis 8:22 (KJV)
22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Wednesday: Luke 6:38 (KJV)
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Thursday: Psalm 107:37 (KJV)
37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
Friday: Psalm 126:5 (KJV)
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Saturday: Ecclesiastes 11:4 (KJV)
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
Sunday: Ecclesiastes 11:6 (KJV)
6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
ASSIGNMENT: Mention the five disadvantages of excess consumption over investment.
RCCG Sunday School HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?