THE SUM OF IT ALL | WEEK 1
The Sum of Meaning
In all its subtle forms, greed has the potential to rob your life. But the secret to living a meaning-filled life is found across the border from what’s in it for me.
Discussion Questions:
Jesus instructed us to be on guard against “all kinds of greed.
How would you describe a greedy person?
Would you consider yourself greedy at times?
Greed manifests itself in time, money & hospitality.
Which of these areas does greed manifest in your life?
Purpose is defined as “the reason for which something was created and exists.”
Remember the Pastor used the example of the shovel and its purpose of digging holes.
The shovel like us was created to be the means to an end, not the end itself.
Likewise, we are created to be a means to an end and we are not the end ourselves.
How does that thought strike you?
When was the last time you experienced joy as a result of serving as a means to an end?
Are you currently giving a portion of life to something beyond you that doesn’t benefit you? If so, how? If not, why not?
Read Luke 12:13–21
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Throughout this series, we will ask the question, What breaks your heart? Do you have a clear answer to that question?
If so, what is it?
If not, why do you think that is and what can you do about it?
Remember:
The Sum of it all is to live a meaning-filled life that is found across the border from what’s in it for me.