SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

O how I love Thee well,

I am happy, it makes me glad

To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Thy friendship suits me well,

Both young and old will sing Thy song,

We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Christ was Thy first teacher,

The Holy Spirit, great teacher,

Does manifest 6⁶

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

This testimony is sure,

That God, the Father Almighty,

Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,

Though the sun be so bright,

Or if the clouds be black with rain,

I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day

I rejoice to see Thee,

Will thou pass over me today?

Without my being blest?

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 25:14-18 (NKJV)

[14] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

[15] And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

[16] Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

[17] And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.

[18] But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

MEMORY VERSE: “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labour will increase.” Proverbs 13:11 (NKJV).

INTRODUCTION: In the parable of the talents in Luke 19:11-27, Jesus makes it clear that He expects His followers to be faithful stewards of the resources that He has put at their disposal. Good stewardship includes wise investments. Some believers find it difficult to adopt a practical theology for money management and investing for a distant and uncertain future. The Bible, however, offers practical wisdom on investing the resources we have with insight and foresight.

OUTLINES:

1. Biblical Principles For Savings And Investments

2. Reasons For Investment

1. BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS

It is important to note that saving for future needs is biblical (Genesis 41:34-36; Proverbs 6:6-11).Saving honours God because it rightly values money as a gift that He has given to us (James 1:16-17). Instead of unplanned, or impulsive spending, wise savings demonstrate the importance of stewarding His gifts (Luke 12:47-48). Saving may also allow you to leave an inheritance, blessing your heirs so they can then be a blessing to others (Proverbs 13:22).

Investing is commended if done wisely. It is about putting money and other resources into real businesses that employ people and deliver products or services to customers. Hopefully, when the companies we invest in do well there will be a commensurate return on our investment (Proverbs 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 11:1-6). However, believers should invest only in businesses they understand or have experience in – real estate, contracts, ventures, stocks, shares, bonds, etc (Proverbs 24:3-4). We are to avoid get-rich-quick schemes at all costs (Proverbs 13:11, 21:5). Do not invest what you do not have. It is better not to invest at all than to invest what you cannot afford to lose. Do not accumulate debt in the name of investment (Proverbs 22:7). Guard against investing ignorantly just because you know the person; that is not a guarantee against loss. Investing in your education and those of your children is a wise decision to make.This helps to prepare you for opportunities that will surely come your way and secure your future.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Give examples of what we can invest in.

2. REASONS FOR INVESTMENT

1. Wealth Creation – Investing your money will allow it to grow and compound. You earn money on the money already earned and create wealth over time.

2. Beat Inflation – Returns from the investment help maintain the purchasing power at a constant level. If you do not beat the inflation rate you will be losing money, not making money.

3. Retirement Mass Creation – You should invest while you are earning to create a mass of funds that can be used when you retire. This provides security to maintain a comfortable lifestyle even after retirement.

4. Accomplish Financial Goals – Investing can help you reach bigger financial goals. The returns on your investments can be used toward major financial goals, such as buying a home, buying a car, starting your own business, or putting your children through school.

5. High Returns – Investing would help to achieve high returns as compared to a bank’s savings account which provides little return.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Each student should mention the benefit of investment.

CONCLUSION: Investing in the future is not an act of anxiety, everyone must save for a rainy day. To build wealth, you should invest your money.

QUESTIONS:

* Why should you invest?

* What are the principles that should guide our investment?

FURTHER READING: MON: Gen.26:12; TUE: Gen.8:22; WED: Lk.6:38; THUR: Ps.107:37; FRI: Ps.126:5; SAT: Eccl.11:4; SUN: Eccl.11:6.

ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) benefits of investing rightly (2X5=10 Marks).