Chapter
15
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STEWARDSHIP
It is important for Christians to learn how to successfully
manage their finances.
Most
Christians experience debt some time during their life.
It
is advisable for them to get out of debt and stay out
of debt.
Many
people today have been trained with certain skills to
be money earners.
Some
have increased that ability by developing those skills
or changing their vocation.
Very few have been trained how to spend money.
Christians
should be taught how to biblically and sensibly manage
their money.
Knowing
basic fiscal principles will help Christians to be financially
successful.
When
becoming a Christian a person experiences three basic
changes:
A change of status.
We
are no longer subject to satan, but are children of
the Most High God and citizens of His Kingdom.
2. A change of position.
We
have been placed in Jesus Christ and are seated together
with Him in heavenly places.
3. A change of allegiance.
Our
allegiance is to God who reigns over the Kingdom of
God with its laws, culture and financial system.
It
is important for Christians to adapt themselves to this
new way of living.
There
are nine important things we should understand about
true riches, possessions and the things of this world:
We
should understand:
1.The infinite principle of ownership.
It
is important to understand that God owns everything.
Psalm
24:1
"The
earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein."
Haggai
2:8
"The
silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD
of hosts."
God
owns everything and can pass its ownership to whomsoever
He pleases.
2.
What is most important to us?
God
and His Kingdom should always be first in our lives
above all the things that we desire and possess.
Matthew
6:33
"But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you."
3.
What is the true focus of our love?
We
are told to love God and not things.
I
John 2:15
"Love
not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is
not in him."
We
are to set our affection on Him and His things.
Colossians
3:1-2
"If
ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of
God.
Set
your affection on things above, not on things on the
earth."
4.
God is the source for everything we need and desire.
God
entrusts possessions and wealth to all of us.
Deuteronomy
8:18
"But
thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that
giveth thee power to get wealth."
God
knows what we need, supplies those needs and continuously
blesses us.
Matthew
6:32
"For
your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things."
Philippians
4:19
"But
my God shall supply all your need according to his riches
in glory by Christ Jesus."
5.
It is God that prospers and blesses us in the five areas
of our life:
1. Financially,
2. Physically,
3. Intellectually,
4. Emotionally,
5. Spiritually.
3
John 2
"Beloved,
I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and
be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
Psalm
1:3
"And
he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf
also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper."
We
are to experience total prosperity.
We
are to prosper in everything we do.
We
are to prosper in Body, Soul and Spirit.
If
we are obedient to God and do what he commands us to
do, we will experience total prosperity and success.
Joshua
1:8
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all that is written therein: for then thou
shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou
shalt have good success."
6. We may receive the things we need, by prayerfully
asking God in faith for them.
Matthew
21:22
"And
all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing,
ye shall receive."
7.
We must be good stewards of what God has given
us.
God
gives us different measures of blessing. He requires
us to intelligently, responsibly use and invest what
He has given us.
God
gives:
Wealth,
Money,
Property,
Possessions,
Stock
and shares,
Valuables,
Positions,
Honor,
Royalty.
8.
God requires good stewardship of our talents and abilities!
He
wants us to use our talents and develop what He has
given us.
Matthew
25:15-21
"And
unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to
another one; to every man, according to his several
abilities; and straightway took his journey.
After
a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth
with them.
And
so he that had received five talents came and brought
other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto
me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five
talents more.
His
lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful
servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things."
By
knowing and practicing the above eight principles, we
will be able to experience the ninth principle and move
to a higher dimension of receiving from God.
This
higher dimension of receiving comes, after God has found
us to be faithful good stewards of earthly riches. He
then can entrust to us true spiritual riches.
9.
God requires Good stewardship of spiritual riches.
There
is a scriptural connotation between earthly and spiritual
riches. If God cannot trust us with earthly riches,
why would He trust us with spiritual riches?
Luke
16:11
"If
therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous
mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?"
There are many Christians who go through life and ignorantly
or stubbornly miss this truth. They never experience
the powerful spiritual things of God in their life.
How sad!
It
is wonderful for those who are good stewards of Gods
earthly blessings, to then focus their attention on
and seek above things.
Colossians
3:1-2
"If
ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of
God.
Set
your affection on things above, not on things on the
earth."
Experiencing
the financial realm of Gods' Kingdom.
The
Kingdom of God is not subject to or within the jurisdiction
of earthly kingdoms.
It
operates far above the fiscal principles of this world
and cannot be affected by them in any way.
The
Kingdom of God does not experience such negatives as
inflation, depression, recession, loss or lack.
Gods'
Kingdom enjoys an abundance of supply and wealth that
is designated for the needs of Christians. Gods Kingdom
here on earth, has enjoyed a consistent track record
of prosperity and success. This is evident throughout
the Bible and history. God wants to bless all of His
children as He blessed Abraham in the Old Testament.
Galatians
3:14
"That
the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through
Jesus Christ;"
Like
any other father, God wants heaven and earth to see
how He profits and blesses His children.
1
Timothy 4:15
"Meditate
upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that
thy profiting may appear to all."
Matthew
7:11
"How
much more shall your Father which is in heaven give
good things to them that ask him?"
God
actually causes an exchange of wealth in favor of the
righteous.
Proverbs
13:22
"The
wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
A
new way of thinking makes better stewards.
This
new thinking involves a new value system that has three
aspects:
1.
How we value ourselves.
Proverbs
23:7
"For
as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:"
Do
we think about ourselves, positively or negatively?
We
should think of ourselves as Children of the Most High
God.
We
are citizens of Gods kingdom and of Royal and Kingly
stature.
Our
body is a Temple of the Holy Ghost.
We
need a change and renewal of mind.
Romans
12:2
"But
be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."
God
wants us to put away childish thinking and think soberly
and maturely.
1
Corinthians 13:11
"When
I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a
child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man,
I put away childish things."
We
must not harbor thoughts of worry that cause us to take
unwise and irresponsible financial decisions.
Matthew
6:31-34
"Therefore
take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what
shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
For
your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things.
Take
therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow
shall take thought for the things of itself."
God
doesn't want us to worry.
He
wants us to relax, trust Him and enjoy a peaceful nights
rest.
Psalm
127:2
"He
giveth his beloved sleep."
2. How we value others.
We
are to respect, value and love others as we love ourselves.
James
2:8
"If
ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:"
3.
How we value things and possessions.
We
should appreciate all that God has created on land,
in the forests, skies, rivers and oceans.
John
1:3
"All
things were made by him; and without him was not any
thing made that was made."
We
should appreciate and value all wealth and possessions
that God has entrusted to our care.
Christians
should be hardworking and creative.
God
abhors idleness and laziness.
Christians
should be hard working and care for their family.
Proverbs
19:15
"An
idle soul shall suffer hunger."
Nehemiah
4:6
"For
the people had a mind to work."
1
Timothy 5:8
"But
if any provide not for his own, and specially for those
of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse
than an infidel."
God
gives Christians special abilities, creative thoughts,
inventions and favor.
Proverbs
8:12
"I
wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of
witty inventions."
Philippians
4:13
"I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me."
We
need to take the challenge and with confidence achieve
success.
Hebrews
10:35-36
"Cast
not away therefore your confidence, which hath great
recompence of reward.
For
ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the
will of God, ye might receive the promise."
Galatians
6:9
"And
let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not."
By
perseverance and hard work we will achieve our goals,
be successful and prosperous.
Christians
are called to be givers.
God
is the greatest giver of all time:
He
gave the world Himself,
His
only begotten Son,
The
Holy Spirit,
Salvation,
Eternal
life,
The
Kingdom of God,
Heaven,
The
Angelic Hosts,
Creation,
Our
daily needs.
We
are Gods children, born again of His incorruptible seed
and partakers of His Divine Nature.
2
Peter 1:4
"Whereby
are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature."
By
our new nature we should also be givers.
God's
example of giving inspires us to be givers.
By
giving, we empty our barns and make room for more blessings
from God in our lives.
Luke
6:38
"Give,
and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed
down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men
give into your bosom. For with the same measure that
ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Understanding
the genesis principle.
In
the book of genesis, many spiritual principles have
been introduced and established.
God
meant them to be applied by all generations until the
end of time.
Here
are seven spiritual principles introduced in Genesis:
a.
Man experiencing Gods love.
b.
Man experiencing Gods mercy and forgiveness of sin.
c.
Man serving and being obedient to God.
d.
Man experiencing Gods provision for every need.
e.
Man praying and being answered by God.
f.
Man worshipping God by giving first fruits.
g.
God Covenanting with man.
The
giving of first fruits is one of these principles and
continues throughout the Bible.
Genesis
4:4
"And Abel, he also brought >of the firstlings
> of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had
respect unto Abel and to his offering:"
Exodus
23:15-19
"And
none shall appear before me empty ...
When
thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field ...
The first fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy
God."
Nehemiah
12:44
"And at that time were some appointed ... for the first fruits, and for the tithes,
to gather into them out of the fields."
First
fruits are tithes.
Leviticus
27:30
"And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit
of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD."
Malachi
3:10
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse."
Here
are five examples:
1. First fruits in the time of Adam.
It
is evident from scripture that Adam taught his children
to bring their first fruits to God.
Genesis
4:4
"And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.
And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:"
Hebrews
11:4
"By
faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice
than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was
righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he
being dead yet speaketh."
Cain >brought "some" of his fruit to and God had no respect for it.
Genesis
4:3
"Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD."
2. First fruits during the time of the Patriarchs.
Abraham
brought his first fruits (tithes) to the High Priest
of the Most High God.
Hebrews
7:1-2
"For
this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the Most
High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter
of the kings, and blessed him:
To
whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all:"
3.First fruits during the time of the Law and
Prophets.
Words
spoken by Moses:
Leviticus
27:30
"And all the tithe of the land, it is holy unto the LORD."
Words
spoken by Solomon:
Proverbs
3:9
"Honour
the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits
of all thine increase:"
Words
spoken by the Prophets:
Nehemiah 12:44
"And
at that time were some appointed over the chambers for
the treasures, for the offerings, for the first fruits,
and for the tithes."
Malachi
3:10
"Bring
ye all the tithes into the storehouse."
4.
During the ministry of Christ.
Jesus
gives a parable that relates to first fruit giving.
Mark
12:1-2
"And
he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man
planted a vineyard ... and let it out to husbandmen, and
went into a far country.
And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant that he might receive fruit
of the vineyard."
At
about the same time of this parable, they ask Him a
question about giving to God and He answers them:
Mark
12:15-17
"Shall
we give, or shall we not give? ...
And Jesus answering said unto them; Render to God the things that are God's."
He
then goes to the Temple to watch people giving.
Mark
12:41-44
"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money
into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
And
there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two
mites, which make a farthing.
And
he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them,
Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast
more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
For
all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of
her want did cast in all that she had, even all her
living."
Jesus
commended the giving of tithes:
Luke
11:42
"For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, these ought ye to have done."
5. In the times of the Apostles:
New
Testament Christians give their tithes to their High
Priest, Jesus Christ.
1
Corinthians 16:2
"Upon
the first day of the week let every one of you lay by
him in store, (give) as God hath prospered him."
2
Corinthians 9:7
"Every
man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him
give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth
a cheerful giver."
There
are five aspects that show the importance of giving
first fruits:
1.
Giving first fruits is putting God first.
Matthew
6:33
"But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you."
It
is giving to God before we give to ourselves or anyone
else.
2.
Giving first fruits is honoring God.
Proverbs
3:9
"Honour
the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits
of all thine increase:"
It
is giving God our very best.
Numbers
18:12
"All
the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and
of the wheat, the first fruits of them which they shall
offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee.
3.
How much is first fruits?
First
fruits are synonymous with tithes.
Nehemiah
12:44
"And at that time were some appointed ... for the first fruits, to gather into
them out of the fields."
Giving
first fruits is giving to God at least a tithe, or one
tenth of what we have received.
The
Apostle Paul refers to this:
Hebrews
7:2
"To
whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being
by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that
also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;"
The Hebrew word tithe is "maser".
The Greek word tithe is "dekate".
4.
What does first fruits do?
Giving
first fruits is for our own benefit.
It
does not focus on what we are giving to God. It focuses
on what He is giving to us. If God had not given us
an income in the first place, we would not have first
fruits to give to Him.
The
first fruits (tithe) we give, sanctify the nine tenths
of income that we have and removes all curses from it.
Romans
11:16
"For
if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy:"
The
first fruit is holy and always removes the curse.
When
God gave Jesus the first fruit of His children, Jesus
removed the following curses from them:
Sin
Sickness
Poverty
Death
and
Hell.
When
we give first fruits, we give the first tenth of our
income to God. The remaining nine tenths is ours. The
first fruit sanctifies and blesses the remaining nine
tenths.
Without
this blessing, your money would remain as ungodly mammon.
Luke
16:11
"If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit
to your trust the true riches?"
5.
To whom do we give the first fruits?
First
fruits are given to the Priesthood.
Hebrews
7:5
"And
verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive
the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to
take tithes of the people ..."
Abraham
> brought his first fruits (tithes) to his High Priest
Melchisidec.
Hebrews
7:1-2
"For
this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the Most
High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter
of the kings, and blessed him: To whom also Abraham
gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation
King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem,
which is, King of peace;"
Paul
teaches that Jesus Christ is our High priest and we
should give our first fruits to Him:
Hebrews
7:14-17
"For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda.
And
it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude
of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Who
is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment,
but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth,
Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec."
Hebrews
7:8
"And here men that die receive tithes; but there He (Jesus Christ) receiveth
them, of whom it is witnessed that >he liveth.
Four
facts about Jesus and giving:
a.
He received financial gifts from men.
b.
He observed and commended people for giving in the
Temple.
c.
He commanded us to give God the finance that belonged
to Him.
d.
He continues to receive from us our first fruits (tithes).
Why
would the Lord require us to pay tithes?
God
has given us everything we have and is entitled to ask
us for anything.
Job
1:21
"The
LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be
the name of the LORD."
The
purpose of tithing is fourfold:
1.
It is to return to God what belongs to Him.
God
has entrusted ten tenths to us. Surely He has the right
to test our faithfulness and honesty by expecting us
to return a small portion, only one tenth to Him.
Malachi
3:10
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse."
2. It is Gods way of financing His Kingdom on
earth.
With
the tithes received from all the Christians, the financial
needs of the Church are taken care of.
Malachi
3:10
"Bring
ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may
be meat in mine house."
The storehouse is the place where the income is received and dispersed by Gods
leadership.
Earthly
Kingdoms receive taxes from their citizens to finance
their economies.
God
receives first fruits from His citizens to finance His
Kingdom on earth.
Ephesians
2:19
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with
the saints, and of the household of God;"
3. It is an opportunity to test God:
Malachi
3:10
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine
house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of
hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven,
and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be
room enough to receive it."
4.
It is a personal experiment:
The
only way to find out if God blesses the giving of first
fruits is to personally do it.
2
Corinthians 9:13
"While by the experiment ...your liberal giving unto them, and unto all men;"
What
happens if we do not pay our tithes or first fruits
to God?
1. We rob God.
Malachi
3:8
"Will
a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein
have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."
2.
We bring a curse into our lives.
Malachi
3:9
"Ye
are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me."
This curse is activated and perpetuated by the "devourer."
Malachi
3:11
"And
I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall
not destroy the fruits of your ground;"
In
our lives we experience either blessings or curses.
1.
Experiencing Blessings.
The
Blessings of Abraham were spoken over the Israelites.
Deuteronomy
28:2-13
"And
all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake
thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD
thy God.
Blessed
shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be
in the field.
Blessed
shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy
ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of
thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
Blessed
shall be thy basket and thy store.
Blessed
shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt
thou be when thou goest out.
The
LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against
thee to be smitten before thy face:
The
LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses,
and in all that thou settest thine hand unto:
The
LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure,
And
the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail:"
These
same blessings are spoken over the New Testament Saints:
Galatians
3:14
"That
the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through
Jesus Christ;"
2.
Experiencing Curses.
Deuteronomy
28:15-20
"But
it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto
the voice of the LORD thy God, that all these curses
shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
Cursed
shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be
in the field.
Cursed
shall be thy basket and thy store.
Cursed
shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy
land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy
sheep.
Cursed
shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt
thou be when thou goest out.
The
LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke,
in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do,
until thou be destroyed."
Pharaoh
and Egypt experienced being cursed.
When
God pronounced the curses of the ten plagues on the
Egyptians, He was actually reversing the process of
blessing.
The normal process is giving one tenth to God, keeping nine tenths and then being
blessed.
With
Egypt God cursed them with nine plagues, and the tenth
was to take their firstborn (first fruits) of everything.
How
can this curse of not giving first fruits be removed?
There
are three things we need to do for God to remove this
curse:
1.
We need to recognize and admit our sin of robbing God
of the first fruits (tithes).
2.
We need to repent, ask forgiveness and God will forgive
our debt of the unpaid tithes of the past.
Matthew
6:9-12
"After
this manner pray: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed
be thy name ... forgive us our debts."
3.
We need to give God our first fruits and continue doing
so.
Compassionate
giving.
This
charitable giving to help others is called offerings
and should be in addition to our first fruits.
1
John 3:16-17
"Hereby
perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his
life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for
the brethren.
But
whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother
have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion
from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
Galatians
6:9-10
"And
let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not.
As
we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all
men, especially unto them who are of the household of
faith."
Matthew
25:44-45
"Then
shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we
thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked,
or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Then
shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these,
ye did it not to me."
The
law of sowing and reaping.
The
law of sowing and reaping applies to all the principles
of life. It is a perpetual law that has never failed
from the beginning of time until now. It also applies
to financial giving.
It
is a Biblical principle:
Galatians
6:7
"For
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Paul
> teaches this truth.
2
Corinthians 9:6-7
"But
this I say, he that soweth sparingly shall reap also
sparingly; and he, which soweth bountifully, shall reap
also bountifully.
Every
man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him
give: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth
a cheerful giver."
A
financial harvest next year will depend on the financial
seed sown this year.
Luke
6:38
"Give,
and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed
down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men
give into your bosom. For with the same measure that
ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Giving
is a cycle that never stops.
As
we give to God we empty ourselves. He then blesses us
and refills us, so that we can give to him again. This
cycle continues without end.
The
hundredfold principle.
Mark
10:28-30
"Then
Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and
have followed thee.
And
Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, there
is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters,
or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands,
for my sake, and the gospel's,
But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and
sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with
persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."
Here
Jesus specifically mentions four things:
1. We receive a hundredfold increase for our giving.
2. We receive it now in this time.
3. We receive possessions, family blessings and eternal life.
4. We receive all of this in spite of >persecutions.
Paul
teaches this also:
2
Corinthians 9:8-10
"And
God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that
ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may
abound to every good work:
Now
he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister
bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and
increase the fruits of your righteousness:"
Giving
to God may take on four different forms.
1.
Giving first fruits to a local Church.
2.
Giving to the poor.
Proverbs
19:17
"He
that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD;
and that which he hath given will he pay him again."
3.
Investing in other Ministries.
Romans
15:26
"For
it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make
a certain contribution for the poor saints which are
at Jerusalem."
4.
Giving to Christians.
Acts
2:45
"And
sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to
all men,
as
every man had need."
Whenever
we give to God and for whatever reason we will be blessed.
Luke
6:38
"Give
and it shall be given unto you;"
The
principle of vowing.
Vowing
to God is a special agreement made between a person
and God.
When
Believers experience a problem or special need in their
life, making a vow to God can bring about His special
intervention and help.
A
person can vow to give a gift or service to God in return
for His help.
This is what David did at Gods invitation:
Psalm
50:14-15
"Offer
unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most
High:
And
call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee,
and thou shalt glorify me."
When
God comes to our aid, it is important to keep the vow
we have promised.
Psalm
76:11
"Vow,
and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round
about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared."
Christians
need to be balanced in their giving.
They
need to be good stewards of all that the Lord has entrusted
to them.
1.
They need to give themselves to God.
2
Corinthians 8:5
"But
first gave their own selves to the Lord."
2.
They need to count giving to God as a special privilege
and honor.
3. need to be stable in financial matters.
Those
who are unstable in fiscal matters do the following:
1.
They break their promises to pay bills.
2.
They often are deceitful.
3.
They often are greedy.
4.
They often are covetous.
5.
They can be resentful of those who are blessed.
6.
They worry.
Gods'
children need to give with the right attitude.
They
need to give with cheerfulness.
2
Corinthians 9:7
"God
loveth a cheerful giver."
They
need to give with forgiveness.
Matthew
5:23-24
"Therefore
if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest
that
thy brother hath ought against thee:
Leave
there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way: first
be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer
thy gift."
It
grieves God if His children are offended.
That
is why He demands the reconciliation of His children
before
they
offer gifts to Him.
Christians
should not be lovers or servants of money.
Matthew
6:24
"
>No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate
the one, and love the other; or
else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Christians
should be content with the things they have.
1
Timothy 6:10
"For
the love of money is the root of all evil:"
Proverbs
30:8-9
"Remove
far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty
nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest
I be full, and deny thee, and say, who is the LORD?
or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my
God in vain."
Philippians
4:11
"For
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith
to be content."
Job
31:24-28
If
I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold,
Thou art
my
confidence;
If
I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because
mine hand
had
gotten much;
This
also was an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for
I should
have
denied that God is above."
Christians
should be thankful for the blessings they receive from
God.
Proverbs
10:22
"The
blessing of the LORD maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow
with it.
Christians
should be liberated from debt.
Our
enemy satan controls, makes our lives unpleasant and
destroys us with debt. Debt robs us of our freedom to
do things and go places for God. It causes unnecessary
worry and uncertainty in our lives.
God
wants to liberate us from this form of bondage.
Proverbs
22:7
"The
rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant
to the lender."
Galatians
5:1
"Stand
fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath
made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke
of bondage."
It
often takes a miracle to be delivered from debt.
We
read of a man that was in trouble because he lost his
neighbors axe.
He
was indebted to his neighbor and needed a miracle:
2
Kings 6:5-7
"One was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water: and he
cried, Alas, master! For it was
borrowed.
And
the man of God said, where fell it? And he showed him
the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither;
and the iron did swim.
Therefore
said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand,
and
took
it."
Peter
needed a miracle to pay his taxes:
Matthew
17:24-27
"And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came
to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Jesus
saith unto him ... Notwithstanding, lest we should offend
them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take
up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast
opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money:
that take, and give unto them for me and thee."
Eleven
steps to a new future without debt and financial bondage.
1.
Pay your first fruits and offerings to God before
anything else.
2.
If you have failed in the past admit it, confess
it to God, repent and be
faithful to pay first fruits and offerings in
the future.
3.
Never submit yourself to financial bondage and
debt again.
4.
Develop a budget for managing your income and
expenditure.
5.
Work out a recovery plan to pay back the debt
you owe.
6.
Increase your income -
Get a better job
Get a second job
Embark on a money making business venture.
7.
Increase your finances by saving on your expenditures:
Cut your interest rates.
Buy at cheaper prices.
Shop around for cheaper payments.
8.
Pay off your smaller debts first and then use
that extra money to pay
your larger debts.
9. Never buy on the spur of the moment.
10. Live within your means.
11. Walk in the counsel of Godly people for:
Finances.
Investments.
Purchases.
Real Estate.
Legal counsel.
Health services.
Memorize
these promises of God:
Philippians
4:19
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus."
Joshua 1:8
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all that is written therein: for then >thou
shalt make thy way prosperous, and then >thou shalt
have good success."
Psalm
35:27
"Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the
>prosperity
of his servant."
Jeremiah
29:11
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of
peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Psalm
139:17
"How
precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great
is the sum of them!"
John
10:10
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might
have it
>more
abundantly."
Psalm
116:12
"What shall I render unto the LORD for all
>his
benefits toward me?"
Deuteronomy
8:18
"But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power
to get wealth."
Psalm
112:1-3
"Praise
ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD,
that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever."
Christians
should never give up on prosperity and success!
Galatians
6:9
"And
let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not."
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