Less Money, Mo’ Problems: No Uhauls Allowed
Rev. Courtney Clayton Jenkins
Job 1:3


weekly prayer
Lord, many of us have a “Uhaul” mentality. We’ve hoarded people and possessions that we can’t take with us when we leave this earth. Many of us are facing scarcity and problems because of how we’ve mishandled seasons of blessing and plenty. It takes discipline to become good stewards of plenty, but instead, we’ve been disciplined about superficial things rather than sowing into what matters most. We repent and ask for Your forgiveness.

Lord, we came into the world in need of Your help and we will leave this earth in need of Your help. Apart from You, we can do absolutely nothing. Holy Spirit, help us to put our lives in context so that we might remain faithful in the face of loss and grief. God, with the loss of dreams, possessions, and people, we choose to be intentional about giving You the praise You deserve regardless of our circumstances. Even in the face of difficult circumstances, we declare, “blessed be the name of the Lord.”

In the name of Jesus, we pray, amen. 

WRITTEN BY TAMIKA NUNLEY
growth moment
Scripture:
Job 1:13-22

Scriptural Questions:
What does it say? What does it mean? Why does it matter?

Context:
So much of life is about money and 2020 seems to be offering less and less of it. We seem to be on the brink of economic collapse. Many of us seem to have more month than we do money. Unemployment has run out. Bills are piling up. Food costs are on the rise. Christmas is right around the corner. We seem to have less money and mo' problems. During this all tithe month, we will look at four biblical stories of how people lost their income and still found a way to trust God and give generously. 

Key Points:
  • Job was conscious. We are simply human and should be conscious to fragility of life.
  • Job is willing to put things in context.
  • Only accept the blessings of God.
  • It is a question of faithfulness in context.
  • Can we be faithful in good and bad times?
  • Job has commendation (praise) informed by consciousness and flow through any context for him to give God praise anyhow- a commendation that God is still good.

Questions and Discussion:
  • Describe a period in your life in which you recall your life overflowing with God’s blessings and when it seemed that the “well had dried up”? Were you able to praise God anyhow? Why or why not?

  • During a time when something or someone you love was taken from you, what did you do to maintain your trust in God?

  • How would you share this sermon with someone who does not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?