THRIVE THOUGHT
Questions Rather Than Answers
Jesus frequently taught through questions rather than simply providing answers.
The Gospels record numerous examples where Jesus used questions to encourage self-reflection, reveal motives and assumptions, lead people to discover truth for themselves, challenge pride or faulty thinking, and engage people in dialogue rather than lecture.
In reading an article by Paul David Tripp, I appreciated his approach to the topic of money. Take a few moments to contemplate how you might respond to his questions:
“Money is an accurate window on what is truly important to us. It exposes the fact that this side of eternity it is really hard to hold in our hearts as important what God says is truly important…”
I pray this month for humble hearts—that we might reflect on what is truly important and consider how our approach to money reflects it.
Tripp, P. D. (2020, October 27). 6 questions about money. Crossway.
Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.
Learn more about Thrive Financial Ministry HERE.
Questions Rather Than Answers
Jesus frequently taught through questions rather than simply providing answers.
The Gospels record numerous examples where Jesus used questions to encourage self-reflection, reveal motives and assumptions, lead people to discover truth for themselves, challenge pride or faulty thinking, and engage people in dialogue rather than lecture.
In reading an article by Paul David Tripp, I appreciated his approach to the topic of money. Take a few moments to contemplate how you might respond to his questions:
- When you have extra money, what do you dream of buying?
- Does it make you happier to use your money for your own purposes and pleasure or to offer it to God for his purposes and the work of his kingdom?
- Do you find it way easier to get than to give?
- Do you envy the person next to you who has resources you don’t have?
- Do you tend to spend more than you should while telling yourself that you would give more if you could?
- Does the level of your contentment rise and fall with the amount of money in your wallet?
- Are you able to celebrate what you’ve been given while at the same time looking without compassion at someone clearly needier than you?
- Are you ready, willing, and quick to give?
- Do you look for need that you can alleviate with resources that you don’t really need?
- Are you glad to give, even in seasons when you don’t have much?
“Money is an accurate window on what is truly important to us. It exposes the fact that this side of eternity it is really hard to hold in our hearts as important what God says is truly important…”
I pray this month for humble hearts—that we might reflect on what is truly important and consider how our approach to money reflects it.
Tripp, P. D. (2020, October 27). 6 questions about money. Crossway.
Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.
Learn more about Thrive Financial Ministry HERE.
Posted in Thrive Thought