Bling Bling! What Matters Most?

Opening Prayer

We who mystically represent the Cherubim and sing the thrice holy hymn to the life giving Trinity; Let us set aside the cares of this life that we may receive the King of all.

Icebreaker (Pose the following 2 questions to the group. Go around and allow each participant to answer each question.)

• What is your most prized possession? 
• Is there anything for which you would give up your most prized possession?

Discussion

• Now that we know what types of things we love to have, what does it feel like when we gain something that we want? 
• If we get the money, clothes, gadgets, etc. that we want, how do we respond?  (Allow for discussion and there are no wrong answers.  Look for expressions of happiness, relief, and empowerment.)
• Is there ever a time when getting what we want is not satisfying?  (Allow the group to answer and follow with more questions.)
• Sometimes, getting the material things that we want just makes us want more…  We are never satisfied.  Has anyone experienced this?
• Can anyone think of people in real life, television, movies or books who have been so obsessed with possessions or a possession that they loose sight of the more important things in life?  (examples: the father on the WB’s Everwood, Gollum of The Lord of the Rings, and Ebenezer Scrooge of A Christmas Carol)
• What happens to our families and relationships when we become greedy?

Read Luke 12:13-34

Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of these things he posses.” Then He spoke a parable to them saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasures for himself, and is not rich towards God.”

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is there you heart will be also.

Challenge

How can we remember the most important things in life and “store up treasure in heaven?” (Hear the group’s ideas and then emphasize the following.)

• Reading Scripture
• Prayer
• Fasting
• Works of Mercy

Challenge the group to spend more of the time, treasure and talent toward the Kingdom of God and less toward material wealth.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who is present in all places and fills all thing, Treasury of good thing and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us.  Cleanse of every stain and save our souls, O, Good One.  For Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, always, now and forever and unto the ages of ages.  Amen.