IN GOD WE TRUST | MARCH 22, 2026

Learning to Live Within Your Means – Chip Henderson

Key Passage: 1 Timothy 6:6

OPENING QUESTION

When you think about money and contentment, do you tend to feel more peace or more pressure? Why?

GROW

In a culture that constantly tells us we need more, Scripture calls us to something different. Paul writes in 1 Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain. That means true wealth is not found in how much we have, but in how satisfied we are in God.

Learning to live within your means is not just a financial principle. It is a spiritual one. It requires trust, discipline, and a shift in perspective. Instead of chasing more, we learn to be grateful for what we have. Instead of overspending, we learn to live wisely and steward what God has given us.

Contentment is not natural. It is learned. And as we grow in contentment, we experience freedom from the pressure, comparison, and stress that money can bring.

  • What does contentment mean to you in your current season of life?

  • Why is it so difficult to feel content in today’s culture?

  • How does living within your means reflect trust in God?

  • What role does a budget play in helping you live with wisdom and contentment?

PRAY

Contentment begins in the heart. It grows as we trust God to provide and as we surrender our desires to Him. Prayer helps us realign our hearts and find peace in what He has already given.

  • Where do you feel the most pressure or stress when it comes to money?

  • Are there desires or habits that are making it harder for you to be content?

  • How can we pray for each other to trust God more in this area?

CONNECT

Money can be a sensitive and isolating topic, but we are not meant to walk through it alone. Honest conversations and encouragement can help us grow in wisdom and accountability.

  • Who in your life models contentment well?

  • How can this group create a safe place to talk about finances and growth?

  • What is one practical way we can encourage each other to live within our means?

SHARE

When we live with contentment, it becomes a powerful witness. It shows others that our hope is not in money but in God. A content life points people to something greater than possessions.

  • How can contentment in your life influence those around you?

  • What is one way you can demonstrate trust in God through your financial choices?

  • Who might benefit from seeing a different approach to money in your life?

NEXT STEP

Choose one action for this week in one of the Be The Church rhythms:

Grow: Reflect on 1 Timothy 6:6 each day and ask God to grow your contentment.
Pray: Ask God to help you trust Him with your needs and desires.
Connect: Talk with someone you trust about your financial goals or struggles.
Share: Take one step of generosity, even if it feels small.

PRAYER

Close by thanking God for what He has already provided. Ask Him to help you find true contentment in Him, not in what you own. Pray for wisdom to steward your resources well and for a heart that trusts Him fully.