Small Group Discussion Guide

"How We Show God We Love Him Through Our Finances"

A Message by Pastor Willie Russell

1. SERMON RECAP

Pastor Willie Russell opened by establishing that money is not merely a natural resource but a spiritual force that must be dealt with spiritually. He challenged the congregation to recognize that the spirit of mammon — defined as a false god of riches and greed — actively competes with God for a believer's trust, devotion, and obedience. Pastor Russell closed by calling the group to move beyond simply agreeing with God's Word about finances and toward genuine, practical obedience to what Scripture teaches.

2. KEY SCRIPTURE

Luke 16:13 — "No one can serve two masters, since he will either hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

3. ICE BREAKER

What is the earliest memory you have of learning something about money, whether from a parent, a teacher, or a hard personal experience?

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Question 1 Pastor Willie pointed out that the Bible contains over 2,000 scriptures related to money and finances, making it one of the most discussed subjects in all of Scripture. Why do the group members think God devoted so much attention to this particular topic? What does that level of emphasis suggest about how seriously God takes our financial lives?

Question 2 Pastor Willie described four signs that the spirit of mammon may be influencing a person's life: anxiety over unmet needs, fear about the future, unbelief and disobedience, and an inability to trust God. Which of those four resonates most honestly with where the group finds itself today, and why is that one so difficult to shake?

Question 3 He drew a sharp distinction between agreeing with God and obeying God, stating that God is not interested in having his ego stroked by our agreement but is far more interested in our obedience. Where is it easiest for believers to stay in the "agreeing" lane without ever crossing into the "obeying" lane when it comes to financial decisions?

Question 4 Pastor Willie described the spirit of mammon as having a loud, persistent voice that speaks into everyday decisions — from career choices to mission trips to insurance coverage. Can the group think of a recent moment when that voice was louder than the Word of God in a financial decision? What did that sound like internally?

Question 5 He referenced the testimony of a church member whose student loans were canceled and suggested that her consistent tithing, generous giving, and faithful service created the conditions for God to move on her behalf. How does the group respond to that kind of connection between obedience and blessing? Where does faith end and presumption begin in that conversation?

Question 6 Pastor Willie stated plainly that giving confuses the spirit of mammon, because generosity runs completely counter to the logic that spirit operates by. Why does giving function as such a powerful spiritual weapon, and what makes it so difficult to use that weapon consistently?

5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE

Before the group meets again, each member should set aside 30 minutes to do a specific, honest financial audit using only the lens of Scripture. This means opening a Bible alongside a bank statement or budget and asking one straightforward question about each significant expense or financial habit: does this reflect trust in God or trust in mammon? Members should write down at least one area where the audit reveals a gap between what they say they believe and what their financial behavior actually shows. They should bring that one finding to the next group meeting, prepared to share it if they feel comfortable doing so.

6. PRAYER POINTS

First: Pray that each group member would develop honest eyes to see their own financial life clearly, without self-justification, and that the Holy Spirit would surface any area where the spirit of mammon has taken root without their awareness.

Second: Pray specifically for any group member who is currently experiencing a genuine financial crisis — an unmet need, a threatening bill, a job loss, or a debt that feels impossible — that God would meet them at the point of their obedience and demonstrate himself as Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides.

Third: Pray for the courage to move from financial agreement with Scripture to financial obedience, and that the group as a whole would build a culture of accountability around this area of discipleship rather than avoiding it out of discomfort.

7. MEMORY VERSE

Philippians 4:19 — "And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Leader Note: This topic can surface genuine shame, fear, and vulnerability in group members. Create space for honesty without allowing the conversation to become a comparison of incomes or a debate about church giving policies. The goal is not financial information but spiritual transformation.