Work, Wealth, and the Kingdom

What You Will Learn

• Explain why work is part of God's good design
• Describe what Deuteronomy 8:18 teaches about the source and purpose of wealth
• Compare a Kingdom view of business with the world's view
• Name your own beliefs about money and work

Lesson Notes

Work Was God's Idea

Before sin entered the world, God gave work: And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it (Genesis 2:15). Work is not a punishment. Sin made work harder (Genesis 3:17–19), but not bad.

A business can be a place where God's goodness shows up in honest products, fair prices, and real service.

Where Wealth Comes From

God warned Israel not to say, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth (Deuteronomy 8:17). Verse 18 answers: it is God who gives the power to get wealth: your health, mind, skills, opportunities, and the people who help you. Remembering the Source keeps us humble in success and hopeful in struggle.

Wealth With a Purpose

Profit is not the enemy and not the god. It is a tool that keeps the doors open, pays workers, provides for your household, and makes generosity possible.

• The world says: get all you can, any way you can; you are what you own.
• The Kingdom says: work faithfully, deal honestly, provide, give, and seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).

Your Money Story

We all carry beliefs about money from experience: money is scarce, take what you can get, people like me don't own businesses. Some protected us in hard places; some no longer serve us. You do not have to share your story. Simply notice your beliefs and hold them up to Scripture: be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Two Ledgers

Draw a line down the page. Label one side The World Says and the other The Kingdom Says. Write five pairs about work, money, success, competition, and failure, with one Scripture on the Kingdom side.

Money Beliefs Inventory

Privately complete: Growing up, money meant… Business owners are… What I fear most about money is… Circle one belief you want God to renew. Sharing is optional.

Assignment: My Work and Wealth Statement

Write one page answering:

• Why do I want to work and build something? (At least two reasons beyond money.)
• Where does my ability to earn come from? (Use Deuteronomy 8:18.)
• What will I do with what I earn? (Provision, saving, giving, growth.)

Keep this page; it becomes your mission statement draft in Module 8.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Deuteronomy 8:18 says God gives the power to get wealth. What gifts or opportunities has God already given you, even in this season? How does remembering Him change how you think about success?

Prayer focus: Thank God for the gift of work and ask Him to shape your heart toward money before He places more in your hands.

Remember the Source

Many of us were taught, directly or not, that money is either everything or something to be ashamed of. Scripture gives a different picture. Work was God's idea from the beginning: He placed the first people in a garden to dress it and to keep it (Genesis 2:15). Work is part of how we reflect a God who creates, orders, and cares.

Deuteronomy 8 was spoken to people leaving the wilderness for a land of plenty. God knew that full houses can lead to proud hearts, so He told them to remember: it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth. Your skills, your health, your ideas, and the doors that open for you are all gifts.

That truth works in both directions. When business goes well, it keeps you humble. When business is slow, it keeps you hopeful, because your provision never depended on you alone.

Lorraine grew up believing that people like her did not own businesses; they worked for people who did. (Lorraine is a composite example.) The first time she wrote God gives me the power to get wealth at the top of a page, she cried. She was not promised riches. She was reminded that she was not shut out.

Think About It

1. What did you learn about money growing up? ______________________
2. Which of those beliefs do you want God to renew? ______________________
3. What would ‘success’ look like if you measured it God's way? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 1

Good Work From the Beginning

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.— Genesis 2:15 (KJV)

Work came before the fall. It is not a curse but a calling to care for what God made.

Reflect: What work do you find meaningful right now?

Pray: Lord, thank You for the gift of work.

Do: Do one task today as if tending God's garden.

Remember the Source

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.— Deuteronomy 8:18 (KJV)

Every ability you have to earn is a gift. Remembering keeps you humble and hopeful.

Reflect: What abilities has God given you?

Pray: Lord, help me never forget You are my Source.

Do: List five gifts or strengths God has given you.

Profit in Labour

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.— Proverbs 14:23 (KJV)

Dreams need doing. Small, steady work produces more than big talk.

Reflect: What idea have you talked about but not acted on?

Pray: Lord, turn my plans into faithful action.

Do: Take one small step toward a goal today.

Seek First

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.— Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

A Kingdom business puts God's ways first and trusts Him with the rest.

Reflect: What competes with God for first place in your plans?

Pray: Lord, I seek Your Kingdom first.

Do: Begin your day with prayer before planning.

A Renewed Mind

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.— Romans 12:2 (KJV)

Old money beliefs can change. God renews minds one truth at a time.

Reflect: Which belief about money needs renewing?

Pray: Lord, renew my mind about work and wealth.

Do: Write one old belief and one Scripture that answers it.