Work, Money and Economic Justice
Engage: with the Sunday conversation...
Connect: with your small group this week…
In the following we have laid out an introductory conversation about money, drawn from the Lazarus at the Gate curriculum (authored by M. Nagasawa, G. VanderPol). See the full curriculum below as a possible small group discussion guide for your church or campus community! We hope this will help you get the conversation started.
Entering In / Group Examen
How are you entering into this space? What emotions are you experiencing in your body/heart/mind?
What word/phrase would you use to describe your (work) week?
When did you experience God’s presence in your week?
When did you experience the absence of God’s presence in your week?
Group Discussion: Sharing Personal Money Stories
What were you taught about money growing up?
How have your family, your peers, and your culture influenced your views about money?
Consider: Global Money Stories
Go to the website: https://howrichami.givingwhatwecan.org/how-rich-am-i
Input your current data, or if you are a student, google the average starting salary of your intended profession.
Do you find the results surprising? Why or why not?
Consider: although globally incomes and wealth have risen significantly over the past several hundred years, much of the world continues to live on a few dollars per day. Our world continues to have significant wealth and income inequality.
Scripture Reflection: Lazarus & the Rich Man
Read Luke 16:19-31
In light of our personal money stories and the global money stories, in our world today, who is Lazarus? Who is the rich man? Who are we?
Biblical principles about money
Mako laid out several biblical principles for how to think about money and wealth:
Wealth is a blessing
Wealth is meant to be justly distributed
Wealth is spiritually dangerous
Wealth is for sharing with the poor
Which of the principles align with your personal views on money? Which of these are different from your personal views of money?
Reflect on this comparison. If there is dissonance, why do you think that is?
Which of the principles is more challenging for you to live out? How might you practice growing in that area this summer?
Closing
How can this group pray for you this week?
Apply: on your own this week ...
- Spiritual Formation Activity:
- Mindful Giving: How can you establish giving norms that are mindful and joyful?
- Reflection Prayer: We live and work in a capitalist system. Pay attention to when the forces of this system are affecting you, or bringing about feelings of negativity, anxiety, and fear. Pray through these emotions and give them to God. Consider how you might be generous with your time, talent, or money when you feel these forces impacting your life.
- Here are some additional resources
- Lazarus at the Gate small group money curriculum
- Article written by M. Nagasawa on communal living & homeownership