Last night, Jamie Leach came down from Philly and gave us Drivers Ed Part 7: Proverbs on Money.

Jamie had some fascinating statistics: the Gross National Product (total value of all goods and services produced) of the United States is $12.41 trillion. That’s more than all of Europe and a large slice of the world’s $59 trillion total. We live in one of the two wealthiest counties in the country, and enjoy physical comforts that would have been completely unimaginable only a century ago. As Jamie said, “Does it look like I’m overworked and underfed?” Nope. Me either. We are wealthy people! Proverbs has a lot to say about wealth: see Proverbs 3:9-10, 13-18; 2:2-8; 7:1-4; 8:10-11, 17-21; 16:8, 16.

Jamie helped us to see that real wealth is in Christ and his kingdom. He quoted one of my favorite lines from missionary-martyr Jim Elliot:

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

How do we do this? By getting our focus off the next five minutes or the next five days, and looking a million years down the road. What is going to really matter on that day? See Proverbs 4:20-27.

Jamie also peppered his message with helpful evaluation questions. Here are some great questions for parents and teens:

• When I say wealth, what comes to mind?
• What do you have in your life that you won’t take any amount of money for?
• Do you tithe? What is your attitude towards tithing?
• Are you generous?
• Has your work ever interfered with church or a five15 event? Why?

One of my favorite resources on this topic is Randy Alcorn’s little book, The Treasure Principle. Watch for posts on this book all week. The bottom line of this book: “Priceless treasure is within your reach. And with it, liberating joy…” Read more to find out!

Categories: Drivers Ed, five15 blog