UNLOCK YOUR ABUNDANCE

“Prosperity, Wealth, Riches, and Financial Blessings

through God”

Financial Freedom is already on your hands

Learn the Secrets to Unlock it

Jennifer B. Dicang
 Copyright © 2017 Jennifer B. Dicang

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other
noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted,Scripture Quotations are from King James Version (KJV).

Bible Gateway https://www.biblegateway.com

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am very thankful and very grateful first and foremost to God who had been with me
and my family through those years of pain and failures that led me to this book. I thank
God for the wisdom, the resources and the experiences in life that I’ve been through
that taught me and corrected me of my mistakes especially on my finances.

I am also blessed and very grateful of my partner Warren who taught me how to be
more mature on my emotions, perspectives and money matters. Who never stopped
challenging me, helping me develop new ideas and always supporting me in everything
I do. He is my number one Supporter and my number one Critic. I Love you.

I am very blessed and grateful to God for my two kids Angel Bernice and Dwayne Tyler
as my inspirations in making books and in everything I do. They make me happy and
inspired every day.

I would also like to acknowledge the support and love of my family- my parents, Teofilo
and Nelia Dicang, my sisters Grace and Shally Dicang, my brothers Joel, Joseph, Fred,
John and Daniel Dicang. They all kept me going. I thank them for their patience, love
and understanding even when I failed them in so many ways.

I’m very thankful to the Pastors who permitted me to use their articles for this book. I
don’t want to claim what is not mine. I won’t edit anything because I respect their
wisdom and how God talked to them to be able to come up with these articles. I am very
grateful and blessed with their ministry and kindness. To Rev Greg Simas
(gregsimas.org), To Pastor Steve Cole (fcf online) , and To Pastor Patrick Layhee
(God’s Career Guide) thank you so much for your kindness and the Lord will pour out
His blessings on you, your ministry and your family.

A special thanks to Pastor Jonathan Crosby (Let God Be True), a very humble and kind
minister of God. I’ve taken a lot of his articles from his website because they are all
straightforward, clear and easy to understand. He doesn’t want to be credited, he wants
me to plagiarize it and have it as my own but I don’t want to do that. Credit belongs to
this very humble worker of God. I am so blessed on all his articles. God has endowed
him wisdom and he is using it for God and for all people to be enlightened and be
blessed without asking for any credit or any exchange. He is serving God and people for
FREE. God bless you more Pastor, your family and your ministry.

Heartfelt thanks to you who bought this book, it is my prayer that God will bless your life
more and God will give you the desires of your heart especially on your finances for
your family, for other people and for God’s glory.
 FOREWORD
If you are looking for answers on how to be successful in your financial life and to break
the bondage of debt, then this book can be a lot of help for you.

Everyone faces financial temptations and difficulties but through this book we can see
how God wants us to be free from these difficulties. People think that money is from
Satan and brings us disastrous life and snatches us away from God. Everything that we
own belongs to God including money and He will use it to direct our lives. It’s the love of
money that gets us in trouble. Our attitude towards money is the problem, not the
money itself. Money is morally neutral.

Christian financial expert Howard Dayton has said that the Bible references money and
possessions 2,350 times. Wow that’s a lot, God knows how much we need guidance
on money.

Through this book we will enjoy the journey to financial blessings as we see the secrets
to financial freedom, freedom from the bondage of debt, discovering God’s abundance
in our lives and many scriptures to help us understand and know more about God’s
promises for us regarding wealth and prosperity.

READ, LEARN, ENJOY AND ACT. Then expect a financial breakthrough in your life
with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and by the permission of God to bestow that
blessing you have been waiting for all throughout your life

Jennifer B. Dicang

Worship leader, Web Developer

And a mom of two

 INTRODUCTION
“I want an abundant life.”

“I wish and pray that I and my family are enjoying the abundance of life just like other
wealthy people.”

Have you ever heard someone make those statements? Or have you ever made those
statements to yourself or to other people? What does abundance mean to you?

When we look at the meaning of abundance:

Oxford Dictionary

 A very large quantity of something.

 The state or condition of having a copious quantity of something;
plentifulness.
 Plentifulness of the good things of life; prosperity.

The Free Dictionary by Farlex

 a copious supply; great amount

 degree of plentifulness
 affluence

Abundance in life can be in several ways: Health, Wealth, Happiness, Success, Gifts,
Friends, Love and more.

Does it ever feel like you just never seem to get ahead? Sometimes you ask yourself
why you still seem to come up with nothing, even when you work so hard. Even when
you receive your weekly or monthly pay, worry doesn’t go away, and you’re still left
feeling frustrated, scared and struggle in so many ways.

Financially broke? Unemployed? Depressed on a failed business, plan, job, family, etc?
You can have a financial freedom.

We don’t have to be a slave to poverty, overdue bills, debt or lack of money. What’s the
secret? READ THIS BOOK.

YOU and I deserve the very best quality of life that God wants us to have. MONEY,
WEALTH, PROSPERITY, SUCCESS, PEACEFUL and a HAPPY LIFE can be ours
because our Father wants us to have plenty and more than enough not little.

This book will give you fresh yet innovative, practical and Biblical approaches to
creating the person you want yourself to be and to live the life you’ve wanted
abundantly. Your true potential and God’s blessings are waiting to be unlocked. With
this book you will learn the secrets to abundance which are already in your hands, you
only have to learn how to unlock it, open it and walk through that door into the abundant
world.

What goes into your mind when you hear the words Prosperity, Riches, Money,
Financial Blessing, Wealth, and Abundance?

Everyone wants to be blessed financially and so with our Father in Heaven. God wants
to Bless YOU and ME even your family.

In the book of Vincent Grote he said that “wealth, substance, riches, sufficiency are
nothing spiritual but God wants us to have all the material resources we need to do
what He has called us to do. All through the Bible, God talks about prosperity, wealth,
honor, riches, health and peace for His people and are all attached to His Blessings.”

Who doesn’t want to be blessed? Not me. I always pray for God’s blessings especially
for my kids, my family, my work and the church.

In Psalm 112:3 it says “Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their
righteousness endures forever.” Whose house? It is in verse 1 “Blessed are those
who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands.” Are you the blessed man
that God is talking about? Then say AMEN!

God doesn’t want us to struggle financially. In Jeremiah 29:3 “For I know the plans I
have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future.” With this verse it confirms that God wants the best for
us.

Many false conceptions are introduced about money and Christianity. People say that
“money is the root of all evil” and believe that it comes from the Bible but it does not. In
1 Timothy 6:10 it SAYS “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which
some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows.”

Money isn’t the culprit. It’s us. It’s how we handle it.

Do you want to get out from the bondage of debt? You can

Do you think you’re a loser? You can be a winner

Do you feel you are poor and have little? You can be rich and have more than enough

In Deuteronomy 8:18

And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He

who gives you power to get WEALTH THAT He may
establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as
it is this day.
God is not a small God. He owns everything. The problem is we think small, we have to
think Big, Have a Big FAITH about God’s provision for your finances.

We as children of God need to commit ourselves to receive God’s wealth to assist Him
to establish His covenant. We must start looking at ourselves as God sees us… whole,
healthy, wealthy, bold, powerful, successful, smart and more than conquerors. As His
children He wants us to be abundant in many things so that in return we can be a
blessing to our family, our church and to other people to help for God’s glory.

Being happy and fulfilled is not just a dream. It is a reality that awaits us if we want and
choose to have it. We all have the ability to live abundantly; it has been within us all
along, without you knowing it.

As we journey to the life that God planned for us, let us let go of things that are holding
us back, free ourselves from stress, choose healthy decisions for your body (food), mind
and spirit.

There may be seasons of struggle or financial crisis that we all go through but there are
reasons also why we face these situations but sometimes we tend to blame God as if
He’s breaking His promises. This book will help you realize how Blessed you are, how
loving our Father is, where did we go wrong, how you can live in financial freedom, and
how to unlock the door of financial blessings for a prosperous, wealthy, rich, abundant
and a happy life with God.

You’ve taken the first step by getting a copy of this book. Now get prepared to go on a
journey that will give you a renewed spirit, a sense of purpose and transform your life
abundantly and in a whole new way.

Welcome to your first day of Abundant, Happy, Contented and Blessed Life with God.
 Proverbs 10:22 (NIV)

The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, WITHOUT painful

toil for it.

2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you
will always have everything you need and plenty left over
to share with others.
 David Livingstone, Missionary to Africa

DO NOT THINK ME MAD. IT IS NOT TO MAKE MONEY

THAT I BELIEVE A CHRISTIAN SHOULD LIVE. THE
NOBLEST THING A MAN CAN DO IS, JUST HUMBLY TO
RECEIVE, AND THEN GO AMONGST OTHERS AND
GIVE.

William Tiptaft, Minister

If I love money more than Christ, woe is me!

John Piper, Theologian, Preacher and Author

The person who thinks the money he makes is meant

mainly to increase his comforts on earth is a fool, Jesus
says. Wise people know that all their money belongs to
God and should be used to show that God, and not
money, is their treasure, their comfort, their joy, and their
security.
 CHAPTER 1: BIBLICAL VIEW OF MATERIAL
GOODS, RICHES AND WEALTH

Is it a sin to become rich? No, absolutely not. Money, possessions, and riches
are blessings from God and are not actually evil. They only become a problem if:

• A person is putting his trust in riches and his own strength

instead of putting his trust in God
• A person is greedy or longs for money to serve selfish
ambition.
• A person uses the money in wrong motives and in wrong or evil
works like for vengeance, for self-glorification and other actions
that may hurt other people, himself, his family and affects the
ministry.

Some people think that money is just a symbol, a fair exchange for goods and
services. They work, get paid, use the money to buy their needs and wants then
work again. It’s just a cycle that goes on and on.

For some, money is power, as they always say “money talks”. They can get
anything they want. It can be true, as we can observe on what’s happening
around us.

But that is not the kind of money that God want us to have. Money that can make
us wealthy and healthy. Physically healthy, mentally, emotionally, socially and
most of all spiritually.

Everyone needs money, and most could use more left over after paying the bills!
King Solomon was incredibly rich, and he gave inspired advices to his children
and citizens to be financially wise. Some of his rules for success are well known,
but others are not taught in any business school. If you want to make the most of
your labor and income, then read on.

The Lord can open heaven’s windows and pour out financial blessing and favor
more than you can believe (Mal 3:10).

Malachi 3:10

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,

That there may be food in My house,

And try Me now in this,”

 Says the Lord of hosts,

“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven

And pour out for you such blessing

That there will not be room enough to receive it.

And He dares you to test Him (Mal 3:8-12).

 WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT WEALTH OR
MONEY?

Genesis 1:10

And God called the dry land Earth, and the

gathering together of the waters He called Seas.
And God saw that it was good.

1 Timothy 4:4

For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to

be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;

God created the world; He created it “very good”. He created everything good
and everything means “all”, then that includes money.

Don’t be misguided with the claims that money is evil or being wealthy is a sin.
Absolutely and definitely WRONG. Money is not evil but the “love of money” is
considered as the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). When we become obsessed
with wealth and possessions, our desires increase unnecessarily without being
conscious about it because we were consumed already with our selfish
ambitions. The result is either we become frustrated in our attempts to
accumulate more wealth and fulfill unlimited self-desires or we tend to move
away from the right path and destroy our relationship with our family, with other
people and with God, and that’s the time we sin. As we go on we will be able to
learn more about wealth or money and also the dangers and warnings on wealth.

God entrusted all resources to man to supply our needs and to take care of it. In
the Parable of the Talents Jesus taught us about taking care of what is entrusted
to us.

The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30
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.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants came

and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and

brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you
delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five
more talents besides them.’

21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and

faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things,
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into
the joy of your lord.’

22 He also who had received two talents came and

said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I
have gained two more talents besides them.’

23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and

faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few
things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter
into the joy of your lord.’
 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came
and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man,
reaping where you have not sown, and gathering
where you have not scattered seed.

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in

the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You

wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap
where I have not sown, and gather where I have
not scattered seed.

27 So you ought to have deposited my money with

the bankers, and at my coming I would have
received back my own with interest.

28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to

him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given,

and he will have abundance; but from him who
does not have, even what he has will be taken
away.

30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer

darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.

This parable teaches us that we are God's stewards on earth to whom He has
entrusted various resources, abilities, skills and opportunities. We are expected
to use them to benefit His kingdom. The choice is yours today, either use it or
hide it but the consequence will either be blessing or curse.

When someone gives you something especially if it is expensive we take care of

them, more if it is given by someone we love or someone special to us. That’s
great. But if it’s given by someone not special to us and something not expensive
we don’t take care of it and sometimes end up in the trash can. Well, that’s rude,
really wicked. I mean, it is a human response these days especially if it’s on
material things. We are happy if we were given something new, glittery,
expensive and given more. But if it is old, small, cheap and not shiny we tend to
get annoyed and don’t take care of that thing. Knowing that the person isn’t rich
but giving that thing to us out from his heart and it’s all they got but their love. I’m
saying this because I have experienced it and maybe you have experienced it
too. You gave something either money, food or anything and the response you
get is not what you are expecting. They frown, sometimes complain and
sometimes “NO THANK YOU” at all. It is not a normal reaction for normal people
but normal to those who are not contented, those who are not thankful for every
little thing that comes their way and normal to those who wants more.

It’s not that we want people to thank us or appreciate us but the point here is little
or big things we should learn to be thankful to those people who are giving us but
most especially to God. That small thing is a blessing from God. You didn’t work
for it, just a heart from someone who cares and wants to share their blessings to
you.

From the verse we had on the parable of the talents some say that the talent or
the midas in Luke is about the skills given to us by God, some say that the talent
is a unit of weight of approximately 80 pounds (36 kg), and when used as a unit
of money, was valued for that weight of silver.

Whether that is money, material, wealth, skill or ministry entrusted to us by God

take care of it. From the parable it teaches us that we were not created equal.
You may say that it is unfair like what I thought before. “Why are they wealthy
and I am not?” “They are tall, I am Short” “They are successful, I am not”

Remember that God created us all unique and in terms of financial status you
have to bear in mind that with much is given much is required. Are you
responsible enough to take care of that blessing if God is going to give it to you
now? Are you responsible enough to spend wisely the wealth that you want from
God? Some Christians are wealthy as a result of their diligence in work and Faith
in God. Some ministers are blessed with wealth because God intended to bless
them for their worldwide ministries. This book will help us all go through that
journey of wealth as we follow and learn all the steps to be financially free. So
whatever you have today use it for the glory of God.

Everything including your small amount of money was given for you not to hide it
but to use it to help your family, yourself, other people and for the ministry of
God. We work and live for the master and not for our selfish purposes or
ambitions. A blessing should not be kept especially if it is a skill, use it for God’s
glory and if that talent given to you is wealth then use it for God’s work and His
people. And we will all be rewarded with our work. In the end we will all be held
accountable with what is entrusted to us when the Master comes back. It is
about whole-life STEWARDSHIP.

What God has given us today, appreciate it, be thankful, take care of it and use it
for God’s glory. Don’t be like the unfaithful steward who wasted the opportunity to
receive more blessings and was judged wicked and lazy.

One day we will be all held responsible of what was given to us.

What we hear from the Master on that glorious day is up to us today.

BIBLICAL VIEW ON WELATH

The Bible neither condemns nor encourages wealth. Neither poverty nor
prosperity as a sign of integrity or morality.

What’s crucial for us Christians is how and what we understand about wealth.

What does the Bible say about wealth and Christianity?

What is God’s point of view on material wealth?

I have an article below that could elaborate well about wealth from Pastor Patrick
Layhee , the founder and president of GANE Technology, Inc., a Houston-based
professional recruiting firm. He is the founder of GodsCareerGuide.com

From the book of David Kotter: A Biblical answer to Poverty, he defines wealth
as:

 A suitable accumulation of resources and possessions of value.’

Under this simple definition, one is wealthy to the extent that one has
sufficient food of good quality, clothing appropriate to keeping cool or
warm, and shelter for protection from the elements. In a modern economy,
this definition is often extended to include access to safe and reliable
transportation and communication that enables one to work.
 Wealth includes adequate physical possessions to live and flourish
as a human being created in the image of God, and it also requires a
specific heart attitude toward the purpose of possessions.”

David Kotter also states that in the Bible “wealth” and “riches” are often used
interchangeably, but he draws a spiritual distinction between the two regarding
the heart attitude of their possessors. According to Kotter “riches” correspond
with self-indulgent hearts while the wealthy see themselves as stewards of
God’s gifts and manage their possessions in ways that honor him. For example,
the riches of the young ruler (Luke 18:18-25) skewed his thinking and blocked his
union with Christ but Lydia, a dealer in expensive purple cloth (Acts 16:14),
worshipped the Lord with an open heart and was baptized.

What constitutes a person’s basic needs has changed throughout history and
these needs vary widely from location to location, culture to culture, and tribe to
tribe. But, the key for today’s Christian is to know if God has given you the
basics of what you need to “live and flourish as a human being” then you are
wealthy by his standards—wealthy in the sense of being materially equipped to
pursue a fruitful life in the world God created.

Appreciating your material wealth as a blessing from God to be used in ways that
glorify him is one thing, but when this same wealth separates you from God and
stifles your spiritual growth then this is an altogether different matter. Jesus is
speaking to the negative aspects of riches in the Parable of the Sower when he
warns that we can be “choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures.” (Luke
8:14).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE WEALTHY

1 Timothy 6:17-18 offers divine instructions for the wealthy among us

Instructions to the Rich

17 Command those who are rich in this present age

not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches
but in the living God, who gives us richly all things
to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in
good works, ready to give, willing to share,

When your season of material wealth arrives, if it hasn’t already, this 1 Timothy
6:17-18 passage is telling you to do the following four things:

1. Don’t become arrogant. Work hard and become successful in life

but don’t think of yourself as better than others because of your material
wealth. In Deuteronomy 8:18 Moses reminds us, “But remember the Lord
your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”
2. Don’t put your hope in your wealth. Proverbs 23:5 says, “Cast but a
glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and
fly off to the sky like an eagle.” A good job or business and its steady
earnings can be here today and gone tomorrow.
3. Be rich in good deeds. A good deed is a free and voluntary act of
service toward another person. Doing good deeds for others is the fruit of
 your salvation in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:10 tells us: “For we are God’s
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”
4. Be generous and willing to share. Generous people are synergistic.
They build organizations and contribute to the success of others. Think
about it: who wants to do business with someone who only takes?

You are already wealthy by God’s standards. Honor Him with your success.
Enjoy the things God has sent your way while being respectful of others, rich in
good deeds, and generous with the less fortunate.

WEALTH AS A BLESSING
Often the Old Testament speaks of wealth as God's blessing for the righteous,
for those who obeys God and live by Faith.

Psalm 25:13-15

13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity,

And his descendants shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear

Him,

And He will show them His covenant.

15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Psalm 128:1-2 Blessings of Those Who Fear the Lord (A Song of Ascents.)

1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

2 When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

 Proverbs 3:9-10

9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,

And with the first fruits of all your increase;

10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,

And He adds no sorrow with it.

Proverbs 11:24-28

24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;

And there is one who withholds more than is right,

But it leads to poverty.

25 The generous soul will be made rich,

And he who waters will also be watered himself.

26 The people will curse him who withholds grain,

But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,

But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,

But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

 Deuteronomy 7:12-13 Blessings of Obedience

12 “Then it shall come to pass, because you listen

to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the
Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and
the mercy which He swore to your fathers.

13 And He will love you and bless you and multiply

you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and
the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine
and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the
offspring of your flock, in the land of which He
swore to your fathers to give you.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Blessings on Obedience

28 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey

the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully
all His commandments which I command you
today, that the Lord your God will set you high
above all nations of the earth.

2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and

overtake you, because you obey the voice of the
Lord your God:

3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed

shall you be in the country.

4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the

produce of your ground and the increase of your
herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring
of your flocks.

5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading

bowl.

6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and

blessed shall you be when you go out.
7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise
against you to be defeated before your face; they
shall come out against you one way and flee before
you seven ways.

8 “The Lord will command the blessing on you in

your storehouses and in all to which you set your
hand, and He will bless you in the land which the
Lord your God is giving you.

9 “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to

Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep
the commandments of the Lord your God and walk
in His ways.

10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you

are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall
be afraid of you.

11 And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in

the fruit of your body, in the increase of your
livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the
land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give
you.

12 The Lord will open to you His good treasure,

the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its
season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You
shall lend to many nations, but you shall not
borrow.

13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the
tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if
you heed the commandments of the Lord your God,
which I command you today, and are careful to
observe them.

14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the

words which I command you this day, to the right or
the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
You may ask why is it that there are Christians who are wealthy and others are
not? Are they doing something wrong? Are they not faithful to God? Is it a
punishment from God?

Let me answer these questions one by one.

First, some are blessed with abundant wealth because God wants them to use it
in building and running their ministries. Others are not blessed abundantly
because:

a) They don’t need it at the moment (God’s own time)

b) God knows that any kind of wealth will destroy their lives, their
relationship to their family and ministry because they are not yet prepared
to handle wealth.
c) They didn’t give their all, their 100% on their work / jobs / career
d) They didn’t entrust their job or work to God. They believe on their
own wisdom, skills and strengths.
e) There are still weeds in their lives that needs pruning (negative
attitudes and spiritual immaturity)
f) Weakness in money Handling (spending more than saving etc)
g) They did not become good steward of God’s blessings
h) They made their possessions become their idol (God has to get it
back)

Maybe you are saying right now that some wealthy people are not Christians
while you are not that rich knowing that you are a child of God. Let’s put it this
way, some wealthy people are unconsciously doing what the Bible commands us
to do. King Solomon is blessed by God with wisdom and wealth and he gave us
many verses from the Bible regarding money. Let me share some of the verses
that the unbelievers are unconsciously following and we should also do.

Proverbs 10:4

He who has a slack hand becomes poor,

But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

BEFORE YOU CAN SAVE OR INVEST MONEY, YOU MUST EARN IT.
SOLOMON EMPHASIZED DILIGENCE AS A KEY TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS. A
LAZY PERSON WILL BE POOR, AND MOST POOR ARE RELATIVELY LAZY.
I’M NOT SAYING THAT ALL POOR ARE LAZY BUT MOST OF THEM. BUT
THE LABORS OF THE DILIGENT MAN WILL ACQUIRE RICHES.
 PROVERBS 12:11

11 HE THAT TILLETH HIS LAND SHALL BE

SATISFIED WITH BREAD, BUT HE THAT
FOLLOWETH VAIN PERSONS IS VOID OF
UNDERSTANDING.

HARD WORK WORKS! TALKING ABOUT A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY? I

DON’T THINK SO. IF BUSINES IS YOUR LINE THEN GO ON BUT DON’T BE
FOOLED WITH PEOPLE TELLING YOU TO FOLLOW THEM TO GET RICH
QUICK.CALLED MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING OR DIRECT SALES, THEY RELY
ON RAH-RAH MEETINGS TO GET YOU TO BUY OVERPRICED PRODUCTS
IN HOPE YOU MIGHT BECOME A MILLIONAIRE. BEWARE

PROVERBS 13:23

 MUCH FOOD IS IN THE TILLAGE OF THE POOR,

BUT THERE IS THAT WHICH IS DESTROYED
FOR WANT OF JUDGMENT.

IS THE IDIOM TRUE, A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE SOON PARTED? IT IS,
AND IT WAS. SOLOMON SAW THE POOR GATHER LARGE HARVESTS, BUT
THEY NEVER HAD ANYTHING LEFT AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THEIR
LACK OF FINANCIAL JUDGMENT COST THEM THEIR INCOME.

PROVERBS 30:25

THE ANTS ARE A PEOPLE NOT STRONG, YET

THEY PREPARE THEIR MEAT IN THE SUMMER;

SAVING MONEY IS NOT JUST A GOOD IDEA OR POSSIBLE USE OF

INCOME. IT IS A COMMANDMENT OF GOD, AND HE CREATED A LITTLE
CREATURE TO TEACH YOU THE LESSON – THE ANT! THEY WORK HARD
ALL SUMMER, AND THEY SAVE MUCH FOOD FOR WINTER.

PROVERBS 21:20

THERE IS TREASURE TO BE DESIRED AND OIL

IN THE DWELLING OF THE WISE, BUT A
FOOLISH MAN SPENDETH IT UP.
A MAN, WHO WORKS HARD, SAVES SOME OF ALL INCOME, AND
RESTRAINS HIS SPENDING WILL HAVE AN ESTATE. BUT A FOOL CANNOT
RESIST THE URGE TO BLOW HIS INCOME ON THINGS HE DOES NOT
NEED. HE WILL NEVER HAVE AN ESTATE OR ANYTHING NICE IN LIFE.

PROVERBS 21:17

HE THAT LOVETH PLEASURE SHALL BE A

POOR MAN; HE THAT LOVETH WINE AND OIL
SHALL NOT BE RICH.

ARE YOU A SPENDTHRIFT? YOU CANNOT PROSPER. IT IS NOT THE HIGH

COST OF LIVING HURTING YOU, BUT RATHER THE COST OF HIGH LIVING.
STOP SPENDING BEYOND YOUR INCOME. WISE MEN DO NOT SPEND ALL
THEY MAKE, BUT FOOLS DO AND DIE POOR.

PROVERBS 14:15

 THE SIMPLE BELIEVETH EVERY WORD, BUT

THE PRUDENT MAN LOOKETH WELL TO HIS
GOING.

BERNIE MADOFF MADE OFF WITH OVER $68 BILLION OF OTHER'S

MONEY, THE LARGEST FINANCIAL FRAUD IN US HISTORY. THE NEXT
BERNIE MAY SCAM YOU, UNLESS YOU LEARN TO THINK CRITICALLY.
SOLOMON KNEW MORE ABOUT FRAUDS AND HOAXES THAN ANY MAN,
AND HE GAVE A SIMPLE RULE TO PROTECT YOU.

PROVERBS 11:242

THERE IS ONE THAT SCATTERETH AND YET

PROSPERETH; AND THERE IS ANOTHER THAT
WITHHOLDETH MORE THAN IS MEET, BUT IT
TENDETH TO POVERTY.

A GREAT WAY TO GET AHEAD IS TO GIVE YOUR MONEY AWAY! IT IS

TRUE! BUSINESS SCHOOLS ARE NOT SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW IT, BUT
SOLOMON DID. IF YOU STINGILY HOLD BACK TO PROTECT ASSETS, YOU
WILL LOSE; IF YOU THROW IT AWAY, YOU WILL PROSPER! HELP YOUR
FAMILY AND OTHER PEOPLE.
 PROVERBS 3:9

HONOR THE LORD WITH THY SUBSTANCE AND

WITH THE FIRSTFRUITS OF ALL THINE
INCREASE:

YOU CAN HONOR GOD BY OBEDIENCE, WORSHIP, PRAYER, AND

SINGING. BUT YOU CAN ALSO DO IT BY FIRST FRUITS GIVING (NO OTHER
KIND WILL WORK). IF YOU PUT HIM FIRST THIS WAY, HE WILL PUT YOU
FIRST IN LINE FOR FINANCIAL BLESSINGS. READ IT.

PROVERBS 14:4

WHERE NO OXEN ARE, THE CRIB IS CLEAN,

BUT MUCH INCREASE COMES BY THE
STRENGTH OF THE OX.

YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY TO MAKE MONEY. IF YOU HAVE HEARD

THIS BEFORE, IT WAS TAKEN FROM THIS PROVERB. WISE MEN INVEST
SAVINGS IN INCOME-PRODUCING ASSETS TO LEVERAGE THEIR ABILITY
AND TIME TO GET AHEAD FASTER THAN OTHERS.

PROVERBS 11:152

 HE THAT IS SURETY FOR A STRANGER SHALL

SMART FOR IT, AND HE THAT HATETH
SURETYSHIP IS SURE.

MOST FINANCIAL LOSS AND RISK CAN BE AVOIDED, IF YOU STRICT

ABOUT YOUR COMMITMENTS. RISK IS THE DANGER OF SOMETHING
ELSE TAKING YOUR MONEY FROM YOU. BUT YOU CAN BE SURE IN YOUR
ESTATE, IF YOU HATE THE RIGHT THINGS THAT SOLOMON TEACHES.

PROVERBS 28:22

HE THAT HASTENETH TO BE RICH HATH AN

EVIL EYE AND CONSIDERETH NOT THAT
POVERTY SHALL COME UPON HIM.
SLOW DOWN! ESPECIALLY WITH MONEY! HASTE MAKES WASTE! GOD
AND SOLOMON ORDER YOU TO SLOW DOWN, BECAUSE AMBITIOUS AND
IMPULSIVE DECISIONS REVEAL A COVETOUS AND GREEDY MAN, AND
POVERTY IS COMING TO THOSE HASTY TO BE RICH.

There are many reasons why God is not yet pouring out that abundance to other
people or maybe to you. Don’t ask God “Why am I not getting the wealth or
abundance I have been praying for?” but ask yourself “Where did I go wrong?”

Sometimes God doesn’t allow wealth to come our way because He knows that
we are not yet ready. We have so many “money weaknesses” and if not taken
care of, wealth will destroy our relationship to God because it will go to our head
and will lead to pride, greed and other negative effects of wealth.

God has been blessing us and if God saw that you are not a good steward with
small blessings, how then will God bless you abundantly? If there are still weeds
that need to be pruned, don’t complain. Let God mold you, help you and prepare
you for the great, huge and big blessings and abundance that He is about to pour
on you, your family and to your ministry.

God is just protecting us from future destruction of our lives, relationships and our
salvation.

Wealth and prosperity is not a measurement of righteousness and faithfulness to

God. Wealth is a gift and a great blessing to those whom God had entrusted it
with. Jesus denied that wealth is a sign of God's favor or that poverty is God's
punishment for sin. We can look at the life of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke
16:19-31). The rich man went to hell and Lazarus was with God.

If we read the Bible and other books we can see that there are many zealous
Christians who are really devoted and living a Christian life but are not wealthy.
God is not punishing them. These are the people who are blessed not with
material things but wealthy on the inside. They are abundantly happy, at peace
and contented and because of their faithfulness they are being rewarded by God
with overflowing fruits of the Spirit and overflowing inward blessings which is
what they need for their ministry or calling in making their family and other people
to become a believer.

Other people including some pastors are misleading their members and other
people because they are giving the wrong idea about wealth and prosperity. It is
not a sign of God’s favor and that the poor have done something wrong to
deserve their situation or it is okay to be poor because it is being humble or a
sign of humility or it is a sin if we accumulate wealth on this earth that we live
today. Wrong! Absolutely, wrong. Wealth as I say again isn’t a measurement of
someone’s faithfulness to God.

Wealth Is a Gift from God to Be Used in His Service

 BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF WEALTH AND
PROSPERITY
What God did for our fathers in the Bible He will do also to us.

 Abraham

GALATIANS 3:14, GOD MADE THE BLESSINGS OF ABRAHAM AVAILABLE

TO ANYONE THAT WILL HAVE THEM.

Abraham was an extremely rich, successful and prosperous man!

Genesis 13:2

And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in

gold.

Genesis 24:35

The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he

has become great; and He has given him flocks
and herds, silver and gold, male and female
servants, and camels and donkeys.

Isaiah 51:2

Look to Abraham your father,

And to Sarah who bore you;

For I called him alone,

And blessed him and increased him.”

 Isaac

Genesis 26:12-14

12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in

the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed
him.
 13 The man began to prosper, and continued
prospering until he became very prosperous;

14 for he had possessions of flocks and

possessions of herds and a great number of
servants. So the Philistines envied him.

 Jacob

Genesis 36:6-7

6 Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his

daughters, and all the persons of his household, his
cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which
he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a
country away from the presence of his brother
Jacob. 7 For their possessions were too great for
them to dwell together, and the land where they
were strangers could not support them because of
their livestock.

 David

1 Chronicles 29:28

28 So he died in a good old age, full of days and

riches and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in
his place.

 Solomon

2 Chronicles 9:22

So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the

earth in riches and wisdom.

 Jehoshaphat

2 Chronicles 17:5
 5 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his
hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat,
and he had riches and honor in abundance.

 Hezekiah

Chronicles 32:28

Hezekiah’s Wealth and Honor

27 Hezekiah had very great riches and honor. And

he made himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for
precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all
kinds of desirable items;

28 storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and

oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock, and folds for
flocks.

 Job

Job 1:1 (Job was a righteous man)

Job 1:3

Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep,

three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen,
five hundred female donkeys, and a very large
household, so that this man was the greatest of all
the people of the East.

Because Job’s loyalty to God he was given more wealth and riches than before.

Job 42:10

And the Lord restored Job’s losses[a] when he

prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job
twice as much as he had before.
In the New Testament most of Jesus’ followers were not wealthy, but a few ones,
like

 Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus

Matthew 27:57-58

57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich

man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself
had also become a disciple of Jesus.

58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body

of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be
given to him.

 Zacchaeus the tax collector

Before faith, cheated citizens and abused the poor.
After faith, repented and made restitution.
Luke 19:1-2

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus
who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.

 Women supporters of Christ (Luke 8:3; 23:55-24:10; Mark 15:40;

16:1
Supported Jesus’ work and Assisted in His burial (probably donated
expensive perfume).
 Roman centurion who believed.(Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:5)
Showed kindness toward the Jews., Paid for the building of a synagogue
and Showed compassion for his ill servant.
 Philemon (Philemon 1) Owned slaves and other property.
Forgave a runaway slave, both morally and financially.
 Joseph, called Barnabas(Acts 4:36-37) Sold land and gave the
proceeds to believers.
 Lydia (Acts 16:13-15, 40) Hosted the first church in Europe in her
home.
 Cornelius the Centurion(Acts 10:1-48)Generous to the poor and
sought out Peter concerning the faith.
 The Ethiopian Treasurer(Acts 8:26-40 Nurtured his belief in God
by traveling to Jerusalem.Invited Philip to explain more about the faith.
 CHAPTER 2: STEPS TO UNLOCKING GOD’S
FINANCIAL BLESSINGS

In this chapter there are 17 steps to follow and are not in order because all of
these steps should and must be followed without leaving any or 1 step behind. It
is useless to follow the 16 steps if you left 1 step. It is like getting up in the
morning and went on your work without praying then the night comes, you are
tired, went on to bed then rest. I don’t know about you but when I get up in the
morning I have my devotion then pray. Sometimes I wake up late then my kids
are awake, I have to go to the kitchen fast and prepare my kids food then go on
with my household chores and forget to pray. I am a hands on mom, I want to be
the one preparing everything for my kids specially their food, we are health
conscious. By the end of the day I feel incomplete, something’s missing. I feel
uneasy, sometimes easily annoyed, only because I forgot or been lazy to have
my devotion and pray to ask God’s guidance and protection for the day. The
same as through with these steps, doing the 16 and leaving the other one won’t
bring you any success. It’s like starting a work or a job without finishing it, is
useless. They are all practical. I said practical because we already know all these
steps in this book the only missing is our action and our biblical understanding
about them.

I want to warn you, this is not an overnight process. You may be able to read this
book in one day but don’t ever expect for the result the next day, next week or
next month. It takes time and takes action, effort and FAITH. Maybe you are
doing some of the steps already, that’s great. Continue doing it and do the rest.
Live with it daily and always ask God’s help and guidance.

Don’t email me and complain that you are not getting what you are expecting to
happen in your life, while you have followed all that is in the book. God knows
your heart and how you live daily. Build your Faith and trust in God first then the
rest will be as easy as pie.

You may say that you have followed everything but why nothing is happening? Is
this just a prosperity gospel book? You think you have followed every step but
the attitude you have (you can’t wait for God to work) then there’s still wrong with
you. This is not a prosperity gospel; this book will help you open the doors of
abundance in your life if you let God take over your life especially your finances.

You may fool other people or even fool yourself by showing that you have
changed your negative attitudes, by giving to the poor, by giving your tithes, or by
working hard. People can see the outward you, your actions but only God knows
you and sees your heart. Only God knows your heart, your motives, and your
ambitions. If you are doing these things because you want to get rich only then
you have to wait a little bit longer for God to pour that blessing. You have to
rethink your ways and change. Deepen your relationship with our Father in
heaven.

I pray that you will learn and whatever steps we have here act on it immediately
with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

There are some who teach that if you just believe hard enough, you can have all
the wealth and prosperity you could ever want. Of course, belief and faith are
one part of the equation, but there’s a lot more to it than that. That’s why I would
like you to read and understand carefully all the steps we have on this chapter.

On the other hand some preachers try to convince you that being wealthy,
successful, and prosperous are something to be avoided- that the poorer you
are, the more humble you are and the closer to God you become.

Some people believe it is a sin for a Christian to be rich. There are certainly
many believers who do not have much, while others are fairly well-off. It is not the
riches that is the problem but how it is used.

God wants to bless His children and we can see that from the many scriptures as
we go along. I have to tell you that these are not merely my ideas and
experiences but also from other ministers who experienced and are enjoying the
abundance from God because they are living by Faith and following God’s rules
regarding their finances. May we all have our financial breakthrough today in
Jesus name. SAY AMEN!
 I. TRUST YOUR FINANCES TO GOD

Matthew 6:26

 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap
nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. Are you not of more value than they?

Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name trust in you,

 for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you

PRAY then let it go, don’t try to manipulate or

force the outcome.
Just TRUST GOD to open the right doors at the
right time.
“QuotesGate”
 A.WHAT IS TRUST?
According to Robert Longman “Trust is a deep sense of assurance, based on strong but
not logically-conclusive evidence, and/or based on someone/something's character,
ability, or truth over time or across situations. You can trust someone to do good or to
do bad, based on the evidence and track record. You trust someone who brings a
quality of insight, wisdom, and usefulness to what they do. Trust makes for a sense of
being safe or of being free from fear, enough so your focus can be on other matters
because that matter is taken care of. It becomes easier to simply enjoy life.

Trust is a risk. We leave ourselves open for loss. When our trust is betrayed it hurts so
much and it will be hard to trust again.

Many believers are confused between “Faith and Trust”. They are not the same and
neither contradicts each other.

Trust is based on evidence that is real. We just don’t trust unless we see established
evidence while Faith is the substance of Hope. We will learn more about faith in the next
step.

Trust is the core conviction of judgment based on knowledge, instinct, and experience.
It is a verb. It is something you do or act upon. It is a willful choice, a deliberate action,
and can only grow out of your faith.

MONEY OR GOD?

Matthew 6:24

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate
the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the
one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
mammon.

From Adam and Eve to our generation today, we have only one master and that is God.
But there is a battle between God and money. A battle between what we want and what
we desire with what God wants and desire for us. It is a constant war that people fight
with it every day. Crimes are everywhere because of money. But even in the olden
times, money has also been waging war against God. Judas was one of them who sold
Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, why? One reason is greed. It is the love of money that
brings us to destruction.
Let me just give the arguments of ministers why Judas betrayed Jesus beside distrust
and greed.

1. It was foreordained or predestined

Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. It was foreordained that he’s a traitor.
John 6:64

But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus
knew from the beginning who they were who did not
believe, and who would betray Him.

Some people are asking, if Judas was predestined to betray Jesus and was known by
Jesus beforehand, did Judas have a choice?

Yes he does have a choice. He was not a robot or a puppet that is controlled by God.
He acted on his own. He could have repented when Jesus said in Mark 14:18 that one
of the disciples will betray Him. This will be elaborated on another topic. I will just have a
little background on the reasons why Judas betrayed Jesus according to some ministers
like Don Stewart and got questions.org.

Some are saying that “Judas had a wicked or a very bad fate. It is a pity.”

C’mon, as if they are blaming God for the death of Judas and God used Judas for Jesus
to fulfill His purpose on earth. Judas can ask God’s forgiveness right there and then
even if he failed Jesus. But he did not; he was consumed with guilt and took his life. If
he had a close relationship with Jesus like Peter he could have repented and changed
his ways even it was foreordained or predestined that he will be a traitor. He has a
choice, he has freewill like you and I.

You can’t say that you are predestined to be poor, sickly, weak, and unsuccessful or
nothing at all. It is not your destiny or fate to be a loser. If you really are a child of God
then you and I are foreordained to enjoy the blessings and the promises given by God
to our forefathers like Abraham. The choice is yours, either you stay the way you are
and your way of living or choose to be a winner and live the life that God has
foreordained you to have. A life that is filled with happiness, contentment, peace and of
course financial blessings as He promised it to us.

You have a choice like Judas but please don’t choose the path Judas chose. Choose
God not money and not Satan.

2. Judas never believed Jesus.

He never believed Jesus to be God. Unlike the other disciples they call Jesus as “Lord”
while Judas call Him “Rabbi” which acknowledges Jesus nothing more than a teacher.
The same as true with us, if we don’t and can’t acknowledge God as our Father, creator
and provider then how will He pour out His blessings to us if we don’t believe that God
Himself can and will provide our needs?

3. Judas had a little or no personal relationship with Jesus.

According to Got Questions? .org “WHEN THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS LIST THE
TWELVE, THEY ARE ALWAYS LISTED IN THE SAME GENERAL ORDER WITH
SLIGHT VARIATIONS (MATTHEW 10:2-4; MARK 3:16-19; LUKE 6:14-16). THE
GENERAL ORDER IS BELIEVED TO INDICATE THE RELATIVE CLOSENESS OF
THEIR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS. DESPITE THE VARIATIONS,
PETER AND THE BROTHERS JAMES AND JOHN ARE ALWAYS LISTED FIRST,
WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH JESUS. JUDAS IS
ALWAYS LISTED LAST, WHICH MAY INDICATE HIS RELATIVE LACK OF A
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. ADDITIONALLY, THE ONLY
DOCUMENTED DIALOGUE BETWEEN JESUS AND JUDAS INVOLVES JUDAS
BEING REBUKED BY JESUS AFTER HIS GREED-MOTIVATED REMARK TO MARY
(JOHN 12:1-8), JUDAS’ DENIAL OF HIS BETRAYAL (MATTHEW 26:25), AND THE
BETRAYAL ITSELF (LUKE 22:48).”

If we have a close relationship with our earthly father we can ask anything, in a nice way
of course. When I was in my school days, I can always talk to my dad and also my mom
about my needs. They do their best to provide it and I should admit that there were
times when I lied to them that I needed money for a project but actually used it to
something else. Well that was before I became spiritually matured. I asked God’s
forgiveness already about those immaturities and never done it again. Our earthly
fathers provide our needs even their children are evil or have done many wrong things
because they love us. How much more with our heavenly Father?

Matthew 7:11

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto

your children, how much more shall your Father who is in
Heaven give good things to them that ask Him?

We have to develop our relationship with God by prayer, worship, reading His words,
doing His commandments and seeking Him. As we grow spiritually we will understand
and learn more about what God really want for us and how can we achieve our financial
breakthrough. All will be clear; the Holy Spirit will reveal it all to us. We just have to have
a close relationship with God.

4. Judas was a super patriot

Judas may have followed Jesus because he wanted to use Jesus to overthrow the
Roman reign that are oppressing them and may have hoped that he can benefit in
associating with Jesus if He will be in political power.
This has no evidence in the Bible that this is one of Judas motive in betraying Jesus but
according to Don Stewart “Others have considered Judas a super patriot.”

How is this related to our finances?

Let us assess ourselves, why do we want to be financially successful?

Are you like Judas who wants to use Jesus for personal reasons? For personal
pleasures? Do you want to be acknowledged by your family, friends and the world? Do
you want to get rich to revenge?

This is not how to trust God, you have to start changing your ways, recalibrating your
minds and heart and redirecting your steps to God. .

Be careful with our motives because if we will not get the result that we are hoping for, it
may turn into tragedy like Judas. God knows you more than other people do, He can
read your mind and your heart. He knows if you deserve the blessings.

God wants us to succeed to be able to serve Him more.

5. Judas was a thief

John 12:5-6

5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred
denarii[a] and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that
he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and
had the money box; and he used to take what was put in
it.

Judas was consumed with greed to the point of betraying Jesus. He was a thief with an
ambition to have power and money. He followed Jesus because he thought that he
would receive an important place in the kingdom. But when Jesus talked about dying,
Judas realized that the kingdom won’t come immediately. That’s where betrayal came
in.

Judas may have desired to follow Jesus simply because he saw the great number of
people following Jesus and thought of having a profit from the collections taken for the
group. Judas did not only betray the trust of Jesus but also his fellow disciples.

John 13:29

For some thought, because Judas had the money box,

that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for
the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

Be careful not to be considered a thief like Judas.

Greed is not only about money and material things that we desire; it could be power and
security. A greedy person has an excessive love and desire for money, possessions,
power and too attached and cares so much to his money and position.

Don’t ask why we have so many corrupt officials even to the lowest position in your
community. Why we have so many crimes around us, why the police are involved into
drugs and other crimes? They already established a life, a shelter and food for their
family because they already have a job, but why? They are like Judas, it is all about
GREED. They want to have more, they are not contented. Let us pray for the salvation
of these people; if you know somebody then share God’s words to them don’t be greedy
to share the love of Christ.

Maybe you will say that you did not steal anything or rob anyone. That’s great.

Let me tell you this, you may not have robbed somebody or stole anything but if we are
not giving what is due to God then we are thieves. If we have the capability to help other
people especially our family and we didn’t do anything because of greed, then what do
we call ourselves? We may say that we are saving for something that is why we can’t
help even if it is an emergency, an urgent need but we still don’t want to help, we are
still Judas no matter how much we make excuses to cover our actions. I’m sorry if I’m
being rude but I just want us to learn from the life of Judas because if we don’t want to
change then we don’t deserve God’s blessings.

Jesus talked to Judas to help the poor because he has the money bag, instead of using
the money for his personal wants. The same also with us, if we have the money why
keep it to yourself? Remember it is not your money even though you worked for it; it is
still a blessing that comes from God for us to share. It is His money, we are just His
managers. Are you a trustworthy manager? Or a Judas?

Trust God not on the security that wealth can bring.

Should you trust money for happiness? Fools call it financial independence or security.
They think riches will protect and prosper them. But the man trusting money and wealth
will fall and be destroyed, while he with a righteous life will be protected and prospered.

God sent rich King Solomon to warn you about the deceitful illusion of riches. Here is a
lesson to keep you from wasting your life chasing a pipe dream. Though he admitted
money can help in some situations, if God blesses it, personal righteousness will help in
all situations, for it guarantees God’s blessings of all kinds for both time and eternity.

If a poor man wrote these words, you could suspect he criticized wealth out of envy at
the luxurious lifestyles of the rich. You could justifiably discount or ignore his words,
because you would know he had no experience with money. However, King Solomon,
the richest king of Israel, wrote these words. And the Lord his God inspired the wisdom.

Solomon taught wisdom by comparisons. He said,

 Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness,

Than vast revenues without justice.

His father David had taught,

Psalm 37:16

A little that a righteous man has

Is better than the riches of many wicked.

The world, the devil, and your flesh reject this advice, for they want to sell you greed
and covetousness. Is the testimony of God, David, and Solomon enough for you to
believe this proverb?

The man that trusts his riches will fall. What will he do when he discovers that he is still
not content but wants even more (Eccl 5:10)?

Ecclesiastes 5:10

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver;

Nor he who loves abundance, with increase.

This also is vanity.

When he learns that his expenses have increased as fast as income (Eccl 5:11)?

Ecclesiastes 5:11

When goods increase,

They increase who eat them;

So what profit have the owners

Except to see them with their eyes?

When his wife wins a huge alimony settlement? When the taxing authority wants
interest and penalties for back taxes? When he realizes his children are fools and will
quickly waste his inheritance once they have it?
What will you do, when the doctor says, “You have cancer; there is nothing we can do”?
Will you spend all to cure an incurable disease? Will you buy morphine to ease the pain
before you get to die? Will you buy life insurance that will be impossibly expensive? Will
you buy Buddhist or Catholic candles? Will you buy food you cannot enjoy? Or will you
finally trust God, Who helps the righteous even on their sickbed (Ps 41:1-3)?

Psalm 41:1-3

The Blessing and Suffering of the Godly

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 Blessed is he who considers the poor;

The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

2 The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive,

And he will be blessed on the earth;

You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

3 The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness;

You will sustain him on his sickbed.

Consider two rich men that Jesus used as horrible examples of trusting riches. One
lived and ate luxuriously every day, but he went to hell when he died, while the destitute
and diseased beggar at his gate went to heaven (Luke 16:19-25).

Luke 16:19-25

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in

purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20
But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of
sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with
the crumbs which fell[a] from the rich man’s table.
Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it
was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels
to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was
 buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his
eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy

on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his
finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in
this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in
your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise
Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are
tormented.

Another rich man boasted to himself about plans to build bigger barns to store his
increase, but God called him a fool, and asked who would get his estate, for he was to
die that very night (Luke 12:15-21).

Luke 12:15-21

15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of

covetousness,[a] for one’s life does not consist in the
abundance of the things he possesses.”

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground

of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought
within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no
room to store my crops?’ 18 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. 19 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.”’ 20 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?’

21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not

rich toward God.”

Having wealth is not a sin, for great men in the Bible were rich, but trusting in riches is
sin.
 Psalm 62:10

Do not trust in oppression,

Nor vainly hope in robbery;

If riches increase,

Do not set your heart on them.

It is the ambition and desire for wealth that is fatal .

Proverbs 23:4-5

4 Do not overwork to be rich;

Because of your own understanding, cease!

5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not?

For riches certainly make themselves wings;

They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

1 Timothy 6:6-11

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we

brought nothing into this world, and it is certain[a] we can
carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with
these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be
rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and
perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of
evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their
greediness, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows.

The Good Confession

 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
gentleness.

It is humanly impossible for such men to be converted.

Mark 10:21-27

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him,

“One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have
and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in
heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful,

for he had great possessions.

With God All Things Are Possible

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples,

“How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the
kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at
His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them,
“Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches[a] to
enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter
the kingdom of God.”

26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among

themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is

impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are
possible.”

They foolishly trust in their riches without regard for death .

Psalm 49:6-14

6 Those who trust in their wealth

And boast in the multitude of their riches,

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother,

Nor give to God a ransom for him—

8 For the redemption of their souls is costly,

And it shall cease forever—

9 That he should continue to live eternally,

And not see the Pit.

10 For he sees wise men die;

Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish,

And leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever,

[a]

Their dwelling places to all generations;

They call their lands after their own names.

12 Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain;

[b]

He is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the way of those who are foolish,

And of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah

14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave;

Death shall feed on them;

The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning;

And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from

their dwelling.
Only God’s grace can save a fool whose lust and pursuit of money denies God like an
idolater.

Job 31:24-28

24 “If I have made gold my hope,

Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’;

25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great,

And because my hand had gained much;

26 If I have observed the sun[a] when it shines,

Or the moon moving in brightness,

27 So that my heart has been secretly enticed,

And my mouth has kissed my hand;

28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment,

For I would have denied God who is above.

The prophet Agur prayed for God to save him from poverty and riches.

Proverbs 30:7-9

7 Two things I request of You

(Deprive me not before I die):

8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me;

Give me neither poverty nor riches—

Feed me with the food allotted to me;

9 Lest I be full and deny You,

And say, “Who is the Lord?”

Or lest I be poor and steal,

 And profane the name of my God.

Riches are a pain to get and to keep, and you cannot take them with you (Eccl 5:10-12;
I Tim 6:7-8).

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12

10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver;

Nor he who loves abundance, with increase.

This also is vanity.

11 When goods increase,

They increase who eat them;

So what profit have the owners

Except to see them with their eyes?

12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,

Whether he eats little or much;

But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.

1 Timothy 6:7-8

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is

certain[a] we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food
and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Godly men put God first and business a distant second (Matt 6:24, 33).

Matthew 6:33

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His

righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

They know the true measure of success is godliness with contentment (I Tim 6:6).

1 Timothy 6:6
 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

When wealth increases, they spend it for God’s glory and people (Acts 4:34-37; I Tim
6:17-19).

Acts 4:34-37

34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all
who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and
brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and
laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to
each as anyone had need.

36 And Joses,[a] who was also named Barnabas by the

apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a
Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it,
and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

The righteous man is like a branch, tightly connected to God his Saviour (John 15:5).

John 15:5

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in

Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can
do nothing.

He trusts God for all things, and he prospers perpetually (Ps 1:1-6; Jer 17:7-8).

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

1 Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

 3 He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord.

8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

Which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear[a] when heat comes;

But its leaf will be green,

And will not be anxious in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

What a difference between a leaf and a branch! A leaf lasts only a season, and then it is
gone. A branch, though it may look bare during the winters of life, will bud and blossom
again, reaching even higher than before, until it is transplanted into the very presence of
God.
Salvation and faith make all the difference in the world. A man with eternal life has
everything that matters. He is a child of God by election and regeneration, and God has
richly given him faith, joy, peace, and hope.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

Stand Fast

13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for

you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the
beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification
by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of
the Holy Spirit.

This man low in the world’s opinion should rejoice (Jas 1:9; Ps 73:18-28).

Psalm 73:18-28

18 Surely You set them in slippery places;

You cast them down to destruction.

19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a

moment!

They are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 As a dream when one awakes,

So, Lord, when You awake,

You shall despise their image.

21 Thus my heart was grieved,

And I was vexed in my mind.

22 I was so foolish and ignorant;

 I was like a beast before You.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;

You hold me by my right hand.

24 You will guide me with Your counsel,

And afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but You?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

26 My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion

forever.

27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;

You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;

I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,

That I may declare all Your works.

On the other hand, a rich and famous man falls sick by his weakness, then is thrown
into the grave, and then into hell. If he could, he would scream to warn you to be
ambitious toward God rather than riches.

I will say this again, it is not wrong to be wealthy or to be abundant in everything. It

becomes a sin when we become greedy and stingy. It is when you started to love your
money, your position, your career, your business, your possessions and the people
around you; then sin comes in. The problem is when people put their trust on those
things or people instead of trusting God for their finances, health, business, family and
everything.

Remember to always “Seek first the kingdom of God and all the things that you wanted
and looking for shall be given to you”. God first then next your family, job, business, and
friends then you will be surprised how God is going to open the door of abundance if
you put Him first and entrust everything to Him.
 B.RECOGNIZE THAT GOD IS WORTHY OF YOUR TRUST
The Words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified
seven times. (Psalms 12:6, KJV)

The scripture says God isn’t a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should
change His mind. God can be trusted to do what He has said concerning your life, your
plans and dreams, your problems, your illnesses and your finances. God’s words are
pure and flawless. They contain nothing worthless or useless. When He promises to
bless you, He will really bless you.

It’s hard to trust especially when you were betrayed by the people or person whom you
trusted most. I know the feeling because I’ve been through those pains also. It takes
time or even years to get through with those emotions but if you let go and let God,
everything will be alright.

Some people say “I don’t know if I can trust God with my finances. God didn’t bless me
with a job”; “I don’t have money to pay my bills, why God won’t hear my prayers?”, “ I
am sick or a family is sick and no money for the hospital bills, where is God?”

“My child can’t go to school because I need money to enroll the kids and I have none”, “I
don’t even have my own house”, “I can’t buy my needs and so on”. Sometimes we tend
to blame God and point our fingers at Him when we face crisis or struggle on a
situation. We forget how He had been delivering us, healing us, providing us and giving
our daily needs. We easily forget how He loved us and saved us through His one and
only son JESUS.

If you have these questions now, He could be saying this to you, “My Child where is
your Trust? After all those years that I have been your Father, provider, healer,
protector, comfort, refuge and now you doubt me because of these circumstances
happening?

My friend, if you are that person or on that situation, then stop doubting and start
entrusting your finances to GOD.

I have these questions and doubts before but every day as I wake up in the morning I
entrust everything unto Him even my finances because I believe that what God has
done to His people before and even in the Bible times He can do it also to me and my
family.
 Mathew 6: 31-34

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink? or, Where withal shall we be
clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles
seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have
need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom
of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the
morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of
itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Mathew 6:26

26 Behold* the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither
do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly
Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Deuteronomy 8:17-18

17 then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of
my hand have gained me this wealth.

18 “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is

He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may
establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as
it is this day.
 Jeremiah 17:7-8

7“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord.

8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,

Which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes;

But its leaf will be green,

And will not be anxious in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

2 Samuel 22:31

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is

proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
 C. TRUST GOD NOT MAN NOR THE BANK
Don’t put your trust to your neighbor, your family and friend or to the bank where you
can loan or your credit cards. When life doesn’t turn out the way we’d hoped, planned or
expected, we feel tremendous disappointment and start doubting everything, ourselves,
including God.

According to Christine Hassler, a life coach and speaker, these disappointments are
called “expectation hangover” and have three categories:

 Situational: something doesn’t turn out the way we wanted it to; or we

don’t get the satisfaction we thought we would from a particular result.
 Interpersonal: we are let down by someone else; or we’re “unpleasantly
surprised” by their actions.
 Self-imposed: we don’t live up to the standards or expectations we’ve set
for ourselves.

We are disappointed when our finances are on the “rocks”. Who’s not anyway? But
when a circumstance like this comes, we have to have peace and trust God that He is
going to help us fix things. But we have to determine the cause first why our finances
are on the rocks. Sometimes it is our mishandling of money. Ask God’s forgiveness and
trust in His provision.

You may have lost a job, trust God because He has something better for you. The same
with people being dumped by their boyfriends and girlfriends, wives or husbands, trust
God He has prepared the best for you.

A failed business? Trust God, He’ll make a way. He will restore your lost or even double
or triple it if you remain faithful to God and keep on trusting Him like Job did.

Some are disappointed because their neighbor is rich and they’re not. Or the neighbor
is richer than them. With these disappointments, people put things on their own by
borrowing money from other people or having a loan to fulfill their wants. Some may say
“it is not a want but a need”. Okay fine, a need then. But because of that action, it shows
that there is no trust in God as our provider. Sometimes we can’t wait for God to take
action so we hastily do what we think is best. We borrow from our friends or other
people and join the so called “loaning industry”. Why do we have to loan? Before you
apply for a loan, you have to remember the interests of that loan. Do you have a job or a
business where you can get to pay for that loan? Or have to borrow again from other
people or banks to pay for your first loan or debt, this will be a cycle that will go on and
on if you will not stop and cut this addiction.

I call this people “Loan Addicts”. They didn’t trust God but on the money that they can
borrow. They forgot God’s promise that He is going to provide our needs.
 Proverbs 10:3

3 The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,

But He casts away the desire of the wicked.

Well, He is going to provide our needs if our heart and desires are not wicked.

“Loan Addicts” are those people who put their trust on people or banks that they can
borrow money from. They did not put their full trust to God for their finances. More will
be tackled about loan when we get to step IX about debt.

 Recognize that God wants you to Trust Him

How much can we trust God?
When did you start trusting God with your finances?
What will happen if we make God’s promises the foundation of our financial
security? I believe that the result is positive.
Why can’t you trust God?
Haven’t you seen all the evidence yet?
Has He not been providing for you?
I don’t think so. You are alive today not because of your own strength or way but
because God has been with you all throughout your life providing you shelter,
food and love. All you need is to Trust Him who provides your needs and
sometimes grants your wants.

 Realize That God Wants You to Live a Full and Abundant Life.

John 10:10.

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My

purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

How does this promise apply to financial freedom?

Do abundant life means having all the money or possessions you want? Why or why
not?

Do you feel you have abundant life right now? If not, what is keeping you from it?

God wants everything good for His children especially abundance. What is Christian
abundance? We will know more about this in chapter 3.

 Remember that God keeps on blessing, protecting, guiding, molding and

providing us everything since we were born. We forget all the great things God
has given us especially how He suffered for our sins to give us the free gift of
salvation, we complain and even deviate from God because we are not getting
 the wealth that we wanted. Why? Because we are not contented with our lives?
How about Christ, is He not enough?
 Ask God to Supply Your Needs

Why do we lack good things? (James 4:2-3, John 15:7)

James 4:2-3

2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and
cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet[a] you do not have
because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive,
because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your
pleasures.

You can ask God anytime and anywhere. But let me remind you that you can’t fool
God. He knows your motives and He knows the future. He won’t give you the wealth
that you wanted if you are not yet ready because it will only lead you into
destruction.

John 15:7

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[a]

ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

We should ask God and Trust Him that He will provide our needs the way He had
been providing us everything ever since. Ask God for wisdom, strength and
guidance as you work hard for whatever you and your family needs.

Trust means, there is already evidence that we have seen that is why we say that
we can Trust. Have you not seen God’s financial blessing in your life yet? If you
have, then there shouldn’t be any reason for you to doubt. But if not, then you should
assess yourself because I am sure that the problem is not with God but on you.

 Recognize that God owns everything

Psalm 50:12

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you;

For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.

Our heavenly Father owns it all. He has unlimited resources to meet each and every
one’s needs at His own disposal. However, He is a good Father who gives us what we
need in His perfect timing and He grants our desires according to His own will and way,
not your wife or husband’s way nor your way but God’s. As children of God, we have
the responsibility to trust in Him with all our hearts even regarding money in spite of
every circumstances we are facing and were about to face.

You might be saying now that you are disappointed because God didn’t answer your
prayers. First thing first, let us assess ourselves, our intentions, actions and service or
ministry to God and His people.

Ask yourself these questions:

Have I done what God wants me to do?

Have I given my best to God, ministry, family, to the poor or needy?

Have I fully trusted God in terms of my finances?

Did I give my best to my job?

Am I spending wisely?

Did I save?

Did I give my tithes?

Did I share?

Can God trust me with

money?

Have I been a good

steward of the little
money God has given
me?

And many more

questions to assess
yourselves where did
you go wrong, then pray
and ask God’s
forgiveness for using
God’s money unwisely
then trust God that He
will help you on how you
will manage your
finances wisely and in
Godly way.

Trust God that He will provide your needs.

Trust God that He will help you achieve your dreams even your financial dreams.
 II. FAITH
Deuteronomy 8:18

 “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He

who gives you power to get wealth that He may establish
His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this
day.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you

pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have
them.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the

evidence of things not seen.

Believe that God will restore your finances,

health, relationships, and career.
HAVE FAITH IN GOD!
 If we are to please God, have a successful life, and secure our eternal
inheritance, we must live by faith.
 Controversial subjects from creation to capital punishment to the Bible
version controversy require faith.
 The Christian life is a life of faith – and this faith is much more than mere
belief, but rather confident action.
 Faith knows only one direction – forward. If you backslide or wander from
truth or joy, it is a lack of faith.
 Faith is key to enjoying today’s worship, a happy marriage, success on the
job, and facing death confidently.
 This message is incredibly basic and simple, but the fact is that most
Christians have wavering faith. Shame!
 If faith comes by hearing, and hearing by preaching the word of God, then
preaching about faith should work!
 The O.T. is not primarily for children (Bible stories), but for adults to build
faith by examples (Romans 15:4; I Cor 10:1-11).

Romans 15:4

For whatever things were written before were written for

our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of
the Scriptures might have hope.

 Faith is not something we need to learn: it is something we need to

exercise. Today is to set our resolve!
 Afflictions and trials are coming. Are you ready for them? Strong faith will
not faint in adversity (Pr 24:10).

Proverbs 24:10

If you faint in the day of adversity,

Your strength is small.

 If church members had strong faith, their pastor’s work would be made
easier and he could lead them higher.
 Strong faith (a) trusts His promises, (b) believes every word of God, and
(c) keeps his commandments.
 WHAT IS FAITH?

 Faith is strong confidence in the existence and precepts and promises of

God.
Hebrews 11:3, 6

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by

the word of God, so that the things which are seen were
not made of things which are visible.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he

who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is
a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

1. Faith believes God so strongly that things hoped for become real and the
invisible becomes seen!
2. Faith trusts the revelation of God so absolutely that it understands the
creation of the universe!
3. Faith goes to God with supreme confidence in His existence and reward of
diligent obedience!
4. See that faith is for (a) coming to God, (b) the way to seek God, and (c)
confidence of reward.
5. Abraham had great faith – he confidently believed promises seeming
impossible (Rom 4:17-21).

Romans 4:17-21

17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many

nations”[a]) in the presence of Him whom he believed—
God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things
which do not exist as though they did;

18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he

became the father of many nations, according to what was
spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”[b

] 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his

own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred
years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through
unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to
God,

21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised

He was also able to perform.

6. Peter had little faith – he became frightened quickly when he saw the
storm.

Matthew 14:28-31

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You,

command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down

out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,[a] he
was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying,
“Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and

caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did
you doubt?”

 True faith is much more than bare belief, for it results in action (Gal
5:6; I Thes 1:3; James 2:14-26).

1 Thessalonians 1:3

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of

love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the
sight of our God and Father,

Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor

uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through
love.

1. God has called us to a life of active obedience by faith, not bare belief .
 Ephesians 2:10

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus

for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we
should walk in them.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

For this is man’s all

2. Boaz blessed Ruth for noble deeds and promised God’s reward, all for her
faith (Ruth 2:11-12).

Ruth 2:11-12

11 And Boaz answered and said to her, “It has been fully
reported to me, all that you have done for your mother-in-
law since the death of your husband, and how you have
left your father and your mother and the land of your birth,
and have come to a people whom you did not know
before.

12 The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given

you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you
have come for refuge.”

3. All the persons in Hebrews 11 are listed for some great action brought out
because of their faith.

 Faith believes every word of God without question or compromise

(Ps 119:128; Is 8:20; I Tim 6:20).

Psalm 119: 128

Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things

 I consider to be right;

I hate every false way

Isaiah 8:20

To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak

according to this word, it is because there is no light in
them.

1. Not only should we happily preach and defend every word, we must
believe and obey each one!
2. Faith believes the Bible of (a) what He has done, (b) what we should do,
and (c) what He will do.

A. Hebrews 11:1 and 11:6 give us a wonderful definition for this word and concept that
is so important.

B. Faith takes God's promises that are the basis for our greatest hopes and turns them
into reality.

C. Faith takes God's declarations of invisible events and things and turns them into
certain evidence.

D. Faith takes God's commandments and makes them clearly the most important
matters of life.

E. Faith is the basis of our religion (Rom 1:17). The ability for faith comes by
regeneration (II Pet 1:1).

F. Faith is brought to action and exercised by hearing things from God’s word to believe
(Rom 10:17).

G. Faith is increased and perfected by difficulties, which require a greater reliance on

God (Jas 1:2-4).

H. Faith is the only way to please God, as it was the means that Enoch used to please
Him (Heb 11:5-6).

I. Faith is how we come to God to be His true worshippers; no outward actions will
suffice (Heb 11:6).

J. Faith rests on two things – God’s existence and His faithfulness to reward obedience
(Heb 11:6).
K. But faith exerts itself diligently, for it knows that God will mock halfhearted efforts
(Heb 11:6).

M. We like: “God said it, I believe it, that settles it,” but the middle clause is not
necessary (Rom 3:3-4).

N. Yet the middle clause describes our faith, for without it God’s words are personally
worthless.

THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH

FAITH is like a house that must be built on a strong foundation if it is going to stand
tests and storms. Faith’s foundation is the Word of God. You cannot build a great faith
life without it.

How important is the Foundation of our Faith?

Whenever men build a building they must first lay a proper foundation. God used it to
teach a great spiritual truth.

1 Corinthians 3:9

9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field,

you are God’s building.

We are God’s building and we must have a proper foundation in order to build a good
spiritual house. The foundation must be laid according to the builder's plan. The Bible
gives the plan of the master builder, Jesus Christ.

If the foundation of a building is not properly laid the whole structure can collapse. The
same is true in our spiritual life a wrong foundation will result in spiritual disaster.

What is the purpose of our Spiritual Building?

The purpose of your spiritual "building" is to provide a habitation [a dwelling place] for
God. His Spirit will dwell in you only when your life is built on the right foundation. Paul
told us in I Corinthians 3:16 that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are
cautioned to build our spiritual life properly in

1 Corinthians 3:10

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as

a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and
 another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he
builds on it.

I love the way Darrell Huffman talked about Faith and compared it to a deed of a
property.

As Huffman stated “If you have the deed to a house, you can stand on its front porch
and threaten me all you want to keep me from trying to enter the house. But it won’t
make any difference what you say or do, because I have every legal right to grab you by
the nape and throw you out into the yard. If I have the title deed, it’s my house, and I am
going in! In the same way, faith will give you all the assurance you will ever need in this
life to take what is yours according to the Word of God.

If you build your faith—your title deed—on God’s Word, it won’t matter if the devil hits
your body, attacks your finances, or tries to steal your peace. You can kick him off your
property because your faith will be the proof of ownership you need. With that
assurance, absolutely nothing can stand in your way. So build that house of faith and
move in! God’s Word promises that He gives”

2 Peter 1:3

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain

to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who
called us by glory and virtue

It is important that we should know God’s promises for us, to gain knowledge we need
to take hold of our deed that enables us to claim what belongs to us through our Faith in
God.

Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word

of God.

Have Faith in God for your finances and you will be amazed with the surprising things
that will come your way.

Our Faith’s foundation or our spiritual foundation should be and must be based on
God’s Words and must be built upon an immovable rock who is Jesus Christ not on any
religious ceremony, a denomination or a man-made creed but on Jesus Christ alone.

A proper spiritual foundation is a prerequisite to spiritual maturity. In Hebrews 6:1-3 we

are told; we cannot go on to perfection unless the spiritual foundation is properly laid.
Spiritual maturity is the superstructure [the building] which rests on the spiritual
foundation. If the foundation is wrong then the superstructure will not stand and you will
never achieve spiritual maturity.

Hebrews 6:1-3

The Peril of Not Progressing

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary

principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying
again the foundation of repentance from dead works and
of faith toward God,

2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of

resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3 And this we will[a] do if God permits.

Spiritual Maturity means you have that strong Faith that could open God’s heart for you
even for your financial blessings.

Receiving, it’s the word that all people would want to have in their live every day. Who
doesn’t want anyway right? But to be able to receive from God we need to strengthen
and activate our Faith.

As God blessed our fathers from the Old Testament, We will receive also if we have
Faith.

The Apostle James said that we are to ask of God, but instructs us to ask in faith in
order to receive.

JAMES 1:5–7

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who
gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be
given to him.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who

doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the
wind.
 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive
anything from the Lord;

James is talking about receiving wisdom, but he ends the passage talking about
receiving anything. Anything like healing, protection, deliverance and wealth.

The Word of God makes it clear that faith, or believing God’s Word brings results and
that we receive from the Lord by faith

MATTHEW 21:22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,

believing, ye shall receive.

MARK 9:23

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are
possible to him that believeth.

MARK 11:23–24

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this

mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and
does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things
he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when

you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have
them.

Believing starts from the inside, from our heart not the physical organ that pumps blood
throughout the body. Believing doesn’t take place in the head nor the emotion.

As we believe in the inside it is manifested in the outside. The same on how God works
in us then outside. If we pray and ask for healing it all start with our heart, believe that
we have received the healing we have been praying for then we shall have that healing
we desire. As we ask we have to believe that God can, either big or small. We have a
big God who can do all things for His children.

ROMANS 10:8–10
 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your
mouth and in your heart”[a] (that is, the word of faith
which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth
the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with
the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation. Did you notice
that the word “heart” and some form of the word “believe”
or “faith” are used in each one of these verses? Verse 10
says, “. . . with the HEART man BELIEVETH unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.” But it’s also true that whatever we receive
from God comes the same say—by faith, or by believing.
And it’s with our heart, not our head—our intellect or our
physical senses—that we believe. Heart

Many apostles were able to minister and heal other people because of Faith.

By Faith healing, blessings, prosperity, riches and wealth comes our way as we accept
the words of God and believe it in our hearts.

And faith won’t come just by listening to teaching tapes or to messages you hear on the
radio or on television.

Don’t be like other Christians who look and take from any of the scriptures that suits
what they want and feed on them. Some have never missed a Sunday worship service
for many years but don’t have the Faith that God wants to see. Don’t be hearers only
but be doers. What we have heard from the sermons on Sunday services, on tapes, on
radio and televisions, on seminars and what we have read on the Bible we have to live it
and do it.

Always study the Word of God and believe in our hearts to receive from Him. God can
and God will work miraculously in our lives in His own time. Father knows best, right?
But don’t just sit around and wait for something to happen. Get in the word of God,
believe and do what the WORD says. Let your Faith grow.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who

comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a
rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
 TAKE YOUR FINANCIAL FAITH IN A NEW LEVEL

I have some articles of Pastor Jonathan Crosby about Faith. Check his website Let God
Be True (www.letgodbetrue.com) you will learn a lot and be blessed with his articles.

FAITH IS IMPORTANT

A. Faith pleases God, and you cannot please God without faith: consider
Enoch and faith (Heb 11:5-6).

Hebrews 11:5-6

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see
death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”;
[a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he
pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please
Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek
Him.

B. All the heroes and heroines of faith pleased God and received a good
report by faith (Heb 11:2,39).

Hebrews 11:2

For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

Hebrews 11:39

And all these, having obtained a good testimony through

faith, did not receive the promise,

Love is greater than faith, for the word of God declares it (I Cor 13:13). But faith is
the foundation!

1 Corinthians 13:13
 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the
greatest of these is love.

D. We live and walk by faith, not sight (II Cor 4:18; 5:7). Therefore, we act different than
any others.

2 Corinthians 4:18

while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at

the things which are not seen. For the things which are
seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are
eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

FAITH ILLUSTRATED AND APPLIED

A. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 shows us how the elders of Israel were great
by faith (Heb 11:2,39).

1. These are God’s heroes, and they should be our heroes. Their good report is from
God Himself!

2. These illustrious heroes of the true worship of God are in heaven waiting for us (Heb
12:23).

3. They were men and women just like us, with weak faith and sinful failures at times
(James 5:17).

B. Here is faith described from the creation of the world to the time of the New
Testament (Heb 11:3).

Hebrews 11:3

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the

word of God, so that the things which are seen were not
made of things which are visible.

1. Creation is one of the great example subjects of how faith operates regarding unseen
phenomena.
2. Paul is taking his readers back to the very beginning, not just back to Abraham
(Hebrews 10:38).

3. Do you confidently believe all that the Bible declares, from creation to the existence
of heaven?

C. Abel rejected the peer pressure of his older brother and obeyed God’s word in
worship (Heb 11:4).

Hebrews 11:4

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice

than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was
righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he
being dead still speaks.

1. Cain likely did not change from a peace loving man to such a violent murderer in just
one day, which means that Abel knew Cain was going to be upset with him about a
different offering.

2. Proper worship done in fear of God proves righteousness i.e. singing versus organ or
rock band!

3. Do you allow the pressure of others, especially family, to compromise your faith? Get
strong!

4. The true worship of God, the more excellent way, is found by faith in God, not man’s
approval.

5. It does not matter if everyone worships in some newfangled way. God’s way is the
only way!

D. Enoch pleased God by faith so much that God simply took him straight to
heaven (Heb 11:5-6).

Hebrews 11:5

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see

death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”;
[a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he
pleased God
1. Enoch lived from 1004 to 669 years before the Flood, when the world was very
wicked.

2. But he stood out in his generation, because he had chosen a lifestyle by faith that
pleased God.

3. Are you more concerned about pleasing God, or pleasing a spouse, friends,
coworkers, or self?

4. There is only one way to know you are pleasing God, by obeying God’s precepts in
the Bible.

5. God may not translate you to heaven, like He did Enoch, but He can see you through
death.

E. Noah chose to believe a severe warning and reject popular opinion to save his
family (Heb 11:7).

Hebrews 11:7

By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not

yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to
deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and
became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

1. Noah had never seen anything like a worldwide flood, but that did not slow him down
at all.

2. Do you fear the warnings of Scripture, even if you have not felt or seen the judgment
before?

3. Can you read the warning about ignoring your child and choose God’s wisdom (Prov
29:15)?

Proverbs 29:15

The rod and rebuke give wisdom,

But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

3. We live in the perilous times of the last days, and you should save your
family (II Tim 3:1 – 4:5).
 2 Timothy 3:1

Difficult Times Ahead

 But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days.

4. Does your faith condemn the world and its things to be an heir of heaven
(Gal 6:14; James 4:4)?

Galatians 6:14

 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except

the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been
crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.

F. Abraham was willing to end his peaceful life and follow God to some unknown
place (Heb 11:8).

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a

place which he should after receive for an inheritance,
obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went

1. Abraham went out of Chaldea not knowing where he was going, living a nomad his
entire life.

2. He had to live in tents for the rest of his life … 100 years … by faith in something
coming later.

3. No wonder heaven is called Abraham’s bosom, because he waited 100 years for it
and is there!

4. There are commandments that we must trust by faith and do them without knowing
the end.

5. When a wife fully submits to her husband, she does not know for sure where it will
take her.
G. Sarah trusted God, after a momentary lapse in faith, that He could do the
impossible (Heb 11:11).

Hebrews 11:11

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to

conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she
was past age, because she judged him faithful who had
promised.

1. The examples of momentarily weak faith are comforting to us, as is Elijah (James
5:17).

2. You may have no hope in your marriage, in a child, or in something else. But God is
most able!

3. In spite of a weak faith at times, if you repent and trust Him wholly, He can and will
reward you!

H. Abraham and his family were sojourners in Canaan without receiving the
promises (Heb 11:13).

Hebrews 11:13

These all died in faith, not having received the promises,

but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of
them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

1. They died in faith, still believing God would keep His promises. Are you ready to die
by faith?

2. They saw the promises afar off – by faith – even when they could not see anything
naturally.

3. They were persuaded of the promises; they loved them; and they changed their lives
by them.

4. How long are you willing to wait? Do you get impatient when God does not answer
right away?

5. He will wait a long time to answer some prayers to build our faith. Other answers are
in heaven!
I. Abraham was willing to trust God even in a matter that he thought was against
His will (Heb 11:17).

Hebrews 11:17

 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:

and he that had received the promises offered up his only
begotten son,

1. God had promised Isaac to be Abraham’s promised seed, but Abraham was willing to
kill him.

2. We consider death to be absolutely certain and final, but it is not to the God of
heaven!

3. Can you trust God through death like Abraham trusted God to remedy the death of
Isaac?

4. You might be confident that some choice you made was God’s will. Can you obey a
new call?

J. Moses knew that God’s reward in this life and the next exceeded anything in
Egypt (Heb 11:24-26).

Hebrews 11:24-26

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be

called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather
to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the
passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of
Christ greater riches than the treasures in[e] Egypt; for he
looked to the reward.

1. Moses saw a reward coming much later that far outshone anything Egypt could offer
him?

2. Can you forsake the things of the world and exalt the spiritual things of God and His
people?

3. Moses valued affliction over pleasure and reproach over treasures, for he believed
God’s reward.

4. Faith cannot be bought! If you have true faith in God, then you will lose your life to
find it!
K. Moses defied the King of Egypt and led a helpless band of saints into the
wilderness (Heb 11:27).

Hebrews 11: 27

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the

king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

1. He could see the invisible God with Him, so he was not fearful of Pharaoh’s wrath or
power.

2. Are you willing to face great opposition without worrying about consequences to
please God?

3. It requires you to be like Moses and see Him Who is invisible, for there will not be
human help.

L. Moses kept the first Passover, which was a new and strange act of worship in
total faith (Heb 11:28).

Hebrews 11:28

By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood,

lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

1. This was a new act of worship on God’s words only, and how could lamb blood on
doors work?

2. Are you so strong in diligently seeking God that you will keep His ordinances without
question?

3. Is your faith so committed to the words of God that you will do the strange things it
may require?

M. Israel was willing to trust God’s open door through the very frightening Red
Sea (Heb 11:29).

Hebrews 11:29

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land,

whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were
drowned.
1. Here is another example of weak faith, but they did run down into the Sea and cross
under water.

2. God may open a door for you in an area of your life. Are you willing to go through a
fearful one?

3. You may face a situation you have never seen or heard of before, but faith will begin
walking!

N. Israel believed God’s words to march around Jericho without seeing or

understanding (Heb 11:30).

Hebrews 11:30

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were

encircled for seven days.

1. This is an absurd way to fight a war. The taunts of the enemy would have been
great. There is no natural explanation for how the city would be taken.

2. There will surely be times when you do not know what to do but to pray and trust the
great God.

3. When you pray once, twice, thrice, and nothing happens, do you have faith that He
will answer?

O. Rahab was not discouraged or unbelieving because she had spent her life as a
prostitute (Heb 11:31).

Hebrews 11:31

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who
did not believe, when she had received the spies with
peace.

1. Your past sins do not mean anything, if you repent of them and come to God by faith
in Christ

. 2. You may know that your sins are equal to or worse than reprobates around you.
Believe anyway!
P. Gideon was willing to face numberless Midianites even with a greatly reduced
army (Heb 11:32).

Hebrews 11:32

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to
tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also
of David and Samuel and the prophets

1. In order to build your faith, God may take away from you the things in which you were
trusting.

2. Remember Jacob wrestling with God; his thigh went out of joint first, and things
looked bleak.

Q. Barak took only 10,000 troops from two insignificant tribes to face an
enormous army under Sisera.

R. Samson was bound with ropes, slew 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an
ass, and then got water.

S. Jephthah was a bastard son by a prostitute, but he boldly took a modest army
and defeated an enemy.

T. David showed great faith through many crises from Saul, from the Philistines,
and from his family.

U. Samuel was faithful to God though Eli was not and though the nation
demanded a king instead.

V. Can you crush personal choices and ease, like Daniel, to stand by faith on
God’s word (Dan 1:8)?

Daniel 1:8

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile

himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with
the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the
chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

1. Daniel is here with others, not by name, but by accomplishment, “stopped the mouths
of lions.”
2. The easy way out in marriage is to do the least required, but faith calls on you to obey
the Bible.

3. If you think you will never get ahead professionally being godly, then you need to
read the Bible.

IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR THE LORD?

Genesis 18:14

“Is anything too hard for the LORD?”

Have you thought of something that you want for your life but seem impossible? Do you
want to be financially successful but you think it is difficult to achieve? Let me just ask
you something, is there anything too hard for the Lord?

It was the LORD Himself, asking Abraham about Sarah’s doubting laughter. And it is
also found asked by God to Jeremiah, when comforting him with Israel’s recovery (Jer
32:27).

Our church, as any church of saints, has needs of all sorts – but we trust the living God
Who is most able. The life of faith is defined in Hebrews 11:6, where we must believe
two fundamental things to please God.

The things written before – the Old Testament – were written for our learning to give us
hope (Rom 15:4). 6. This is why we read Bible stories to our children – to build faith in
God’s ability and desire to bless (Ex 10:1-2; 13:11-16; Deut 4:7-10; Joshua 4:1-8,20-24;
Ps 44:1-8; 71:17-18; 78:1-8; 145:4-7; Isaiah 38:19).

I. FINANCIAL PROBLEMS?

A. A widow of Zidon and her only son were planning their last meal (I Kings 17:8-16).

B. A prophet’s widow had a hard financial problem with just a little oil (II Kings 4:1-7).

C. Don’t doubt the LORD’s ability, even in the worst circumstances (II Kings 6:24 –
7:20).

D. God challenges men to try Him for a blessing they cannot receive (Malachi 3:8-12).

E. The LORD is able to see and value your financial situation and faith (Luke 21:1-4).
II. HEALTH PROBLEMS?

A. God rejuvenated Abraham’s reproductive power for many more years (Genesis 25:1-
2).

B. Naaman the Syrian had leprosy, so God used a little captive servant girl (II Kgs 5:1-
14).

C. A woman, whom doctors only made poor and worse, was easily healed (Mark 5:25-
29).

D. A man infirmed for 38 years was healed without the therapy that he sought (John
5:1-9). E. Jesus healed many personally, but the world could not contain them all (John
20:30-31).

III. CAREER PROBLEMS?

A. Jacob was deceived by Laban, who also changed his wages ten times (Genesis
31:1-42).

B. Joseph had setbacks, but God took care of him (Gen 39:1-6,19-23; 40:1-23; 41:37-
45).

C. David faithfully tended his father’s sheep, so God promoted him (Ps 78:70-72).

D. Daniel had setbacks, but God took care of him (Daniel 1:9,17-21; 2:46-49; 6:1-3,28).

IV. MARRIAGE PROBLEMS?

A. Isaac received God’s direct providence in Rebekah at forty (Genesis 24:1-6,58-67).

B. Ruth, a widow of Moab, met a rich man by hap, who married her (Ruth 2:1-3; 4:13-
17).

C. Esther, an orphan captive far from home, met a rich king who loved her (Esther
2:8,17).

D. Abigail, a godly woman who disobeyed her husband, married David (I Sam 25:36-
42).

E. Bathsheba was trouble to David, but God gave him Solomon by her (II Sam 12:24-
25).

V. SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS?

A. Though a rebellious house, Israel gave more than needed for God’s house (Ex 36:3-
7).
B. David found great deliverance from God for his very soul (Psalm 31:21-24; 138:3).

C. The wild man of the Gadarenes was violently possessed by many devils (Mark 5:1-
20).

VI. CHILDREN PROBLEMS?

A. Consider barren wombs: Sarah (Genesis 21:6-8), Rachel (Genesis 30:22-24),

Hannah (I Sam 1:19-20), woman of Shunem (II Kings 4:12-17), and Elizabeth (Luke
1:7,24-25).

B. Consider the life of these great men, who were once children loved by their parents
in faith: Moses (Heb 11:23-28), Samuel (I Sam 1:27-28), and Timothy (II Tim 1:5; 3:15).

C. On his deathbed, God promised David’s family a perpetual kingdom (II Samuel 23:1-
7).

D. The widow of Zarephath of Zidon saw God’s power in Elijah again (I Kings 17:17-24).

VII. WISDOM PROBLEMS?

A. Solomon asked for wisdom to be able to do his great job well (I Kings 3:5-14; Jas
1:5).

B. Jehoshaphat begged God for help, when not knowing what to do (II Chron 20:1-30).

C. Elisha’s servant was dismayed with fear of not knowing what to do (II Kings 6:13-23).

VIII. CIRCUMSTANTIAL PROBLEMS?

A. Two spies were certainly in a pickle, when they were caught at Rahab’s (Joshua 2:1-
7).

B. Joshua was running out of time, so the Lord stopped the sun for him (Joshua 10:6-
14).

C. Saul surrounded David, but God brought a diversion for poor Saul (I Samuel 23:26-
29).

D. Three Hebrew men faced horrible circumstances for fearing the LORD (Dan 3:19-
27).

E. Paul had great confidence in God’s abililty to preserve men in a storm (Acts 27:21-
26).

IX. SIN PROBLEMS?

A. Samson made his final request to the LORD for strength after great sin (Judges
16:28).
B. David sinned greatly, but confessed, and the LORD quickly forgave (II Samuel
12:13).

C. Ahab sinned far more than most, but God had mercy even upon him (I Kings 21:25-
29).

D. Manasseh sinned horribly, was judged severely, and then forgiven (II Chron 33:1-
20).

E. Saul of Tarsus was forgiven from persecution and made an apostle (Gal 1:13-24; I
Tim 1:16).

X. PRAYER PROBLEMS?

A. Did Joshua decide not to pray, because the sun usually moved each day (Joshua
10:12)?

B. Did Elisha tremble about his hard request for twice the spirit of Elijah (II Kings 2:9)?

C. Did Abraham weakly resign himself to God’s plan to destroy Sodom (Gen 18:23-33)?

XI. ENEMY PROBLEMS?

A. Esau swore to kill Jacob, but kissed and made up graciously (Gen 27:41-42; 33:1-
15).

B. Moses, when threatened by hateful enemies, received a powerful answer (Nu 16:28-
35).

C. Ahithophel was a gifted enemy, but the LORD saved David (II Samuel 16:23 –
17:23).

XII. STATISTICAL PROBLEMS?

A. Gideon needed a lesson in faith, so God reduced his army to 300 men (Judges 7:1-
7).

B. Jonathan taught his armor bearer that odds do not matter to the LORD (I Sam 14:6-
15).

C. Asa faced an army of Ethiopians with a numerical superiority of 2-1 (II Chron 14:8-
15).

 Since we can see that nothing is too hard for the LORD, we must learn His
willingness to help (I Peter 5:7).
 If we gladly give good gifts to our children, being innately selfish, how much
better can He (Luk 11:11-13)?
 The LORD takes pleasure in us – believe it (Ps 35:27; 147:11; Pro 11:20; Is
62:4; Zeph 3:17; Mal 3:16-17).
  If we keep our hearts right, He will give what we ask (Ps 145:19; Mat 7:7; 21:22;
Jas 4:2-3; I Jn 3:22; 5:14).
 Obey God, for this is the first rule of His blessings toward us (II Chronicles 16:9;
Psalm 37:4; 84:11; 1:1-6).
 Strip yourself of all self-confidence, and trust the Lord only (II Chron 20:12 cp I
Peter 5:6; Isaiah 66:1-2).
 Expect great things from God and claim them by bold prayer (II Kings 4:3 cp
James 4:2-3; 1:5-7; Heb 4:16). 8. Glorify him; especially after, but even before His
blessings (II Chronicles 20:26-28 cp Psalm 50:14; 37:4).

FINANCIAL FAITH IN GOD

How is your Faith in God for your finances?

Do you trust and believe in Him that He can give you the prosperity that you ever
wanted?

Do you have that tiny mustard seed “Faith” that can open the doors of financial
breakthrough?

Do you believe that God can break the bondage of poverty in your life?

Do you believe that God can help you get out from the bondage of debt?

Do you believe that only God can bless you and make you abundantly successful?

Have Faith in God!

He can break the chains of poverty, debt, unemployment, failed business or career, or
any financial loss you had in your life. Only if you start with a seed of Faith. As you use
it, it grows and reproduces itself. If we don’t use that Faith, it becomes stagnant,
dormant and withers.

Doubt can also be a seed that will grow and reproduce but if not used it becomes
dormant. I don’t know about you but I’d rather have Faith in God even with my finances
rather than doubt on God’s provision and use my energy in worries about my kids’
education, what we are going to eat and wear and many more worries about job, family
or our kid’s future. I want to have peace. That is why I rest my Faith and Trust in God,
for my life, my ministry, my family, my kid’s future and my dreams. Every day I have
peace, no worries, I’m happy, I’m contented and have this inner joy that nothing or
nobody could ever surpass because of Christ in my heart.

Many millionaires and billionaires have strong financial faith but are unbelievers yet they
follow many of God’s financial laws without realizing it.

How much more to us who already know about God and His love?
Let’s have a look on the two women from the Bible who have financial Faith

The first woman is a widow who gave her last coin

Mark 12:42-43 says,

Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites] which
make a quadrans.  So He called His disciples to Himself
and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor
widow has put in more than all those who have given to
the treasury”.

Here is a woman who is in need of receiving charity yet she still has this heart to give.
She has this Faith that God can use her money not considering the amount. She gave
her last money, she gave it all, and she gave with her heart and Faith.

What a mature Faith, financial Faith. Even it is her last penny, she knew and had Faith
in God that whatever she needs it will be provided. She didn’t have any second thought
of using her last penny for her food. I mean, what if we are on her shoes that time? Are
we going to do the same? Maybe some will say, “I have my kids, what will they eat later
if I give all?” Maybe I’ll just give the 10%, anyway that’s what God said right? 10%...
We’ll have more on tithes on the next steps.

It is not the amount of money you give to God or to other people. It is not about the
number of people you have helped. It is about your heart, your attitude and your Faith.
We can help many people and give huge amount of tithes and offerings but not
cheerfully, not with the right motive, and not with the right heart. God sees what man
overlooks. People can see the big gifts we give, the big donations, the envelopes we
wave when we bring our tithes at the church. But God won’t honor it until we have this
humble spirit, humble heart and Faith in God.

Another lesson we can learn from the widow is she gave sacrificially because she has
this FAITH that no matter what happens God is going to her rescue. Her needs will be
provided.

Many people put their hope in their credit cards, bank accounts, businesses, careers,
jobs and their own ability to produce an income. Some put their trust in their president,
teacher and mentor, their boss or to their parents. That is why a lot of people fail. You
want to succeed? Then start putting your Faith to whom it is supposed to be, not your
credit card made by people but to the one who is worthy of your hope and faith and that
is God and God alone. Do not be deceived by other people telling you that credit cards
are your only hope and your security. WRONG, absolutely wrong. That is the spirit of
poverty trying to trick you
The second woman is a widow who cried for help to the prophet Elisha

In 2 Kings 4:1-7

A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets

cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is
dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord.
And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his
slaves.”

2 So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me,
what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your
maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”

3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere,

from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just
a few.

4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door
behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those
vessels, and set aside the full ones.”

5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and
her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured
it out. 6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full,
that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.”

And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the

oil ceased. 7 Then she came and told the man of God.
And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you
and your sons live on the rest.”

We can see from this passage a great FAITH with OBEDIENCE in action.

She followed and obeyed Elisha’s instructions without any questions. She just took her
Financial Faith into a new and higher level.

As a result, a great and an amazing result happened… She started her own business
with what she has in her own house. For all of those years, the opportunity is just in
front of her. She asked for HELP desperately and OBEYED and FOLLOWED the
instructions given to her. That is FAITH in action.
How about you, have you asked for God’s help for your finances? Pray, you may not
know that the opportunity you are trying to catch and run after is just in front of you.

James 2: 26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without

works is dead also.

It is up to you to choose between Faith or Fear and Doubt. I’d rather let my Faith grow
and multiply to be blessed not only on my finances but every aspect of my life, my kids,
my family and my beloved partner in life rather than let Fear and doubt grow and ruin
not just my financial life but my whole life. Sometimes we unconsciously speak death
over our work, our coworkers, our customers, our business, our careers, our dreams, or
to our business partners. Let me tell you this, you are killing your finances. You are
killing your financial faith, and you are feeding negativity, doubt, fear, and anxiety to
your own self, your work, business and careers.

Instead of asking and obeying, we speak death over our finances. We say things like, "I
don’t have any money and will never have," or "We can’t afford it," or "My business isn’t
working” or “I’m broke” or “I’m poor and weak” or “I won’t get rich because I am
uneducated / not capable” “I won’t succeed” “Everything is not going right” and other
negative talks on everything. Let me tell you this, WYSIWYG (What you say is what you
get). I changed “See” with “Say” for us to clearly know the importance of words in our
finances. We will learn more about words on the next steps.

You expect blessing but you keep on feeding yourself with negative words, doubts and
fear. Will God give what you are asking for? With that kind of attitude? I don’t think so.

Remember, what you feed will flourish and what you neglect will die. So choose today
to activate your faith through action just like the widow. God commands us to ASK then
OBEY and have FAITH

Matthew 7:7

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.

John 14:13

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son.
 James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who

doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the
wind.

WHATEVER HAPPENS, WHATEVER YOUR SITUATION, DON’T QUIT

AND HAVE FAITH

Proverbs 24:10

If you faint in the day of adversity,

Your strength is small.

Great men and women do not quit. They are overcomers. They ignore difficulties, resist
tiredness, and fight opposition. They know negative events will come, so they prepare
for them, and they fight through them. Only the weak fail or quit when the going gets
tough.

How great are you? How strong are you? If you are often frustrated, defeated, thinking
about giving up, or actually do give up at times, then you are weak. King Solomon here
encourages you to greater commitment and resolve by telling you that you can succeed.

No man likes adversity, which is affliction, difficulty, hardship, or danger. All men would
choose to avoid it. It is easy for anyone to resent it. But it truly measures your strength
and your faith toward God, for adversity best proves Godly integrity and perseverance.

Without adversity, how would you show faith or strength? You could talk about it, but
talk is cheap. You could believe you were strong, but that is even more deceitful. You
could tell the Lord you would never deny Him, but until the trial is passed your words are
vain. It is adversity that exposes false professions of stony-ground hearers, so take
heed.

It is a lie to think the Christian life is easy without trouble (Job 5:6-7). Ask Job, Moses,
David, or Paul. The advantage for the Christian is God’s promise to help in his difficulty.
Psalm 34:19-20

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

 20 He guards all his bones;

Not one of them is broken.

Proverbs 24:16

For a righteous man may fall seven times

And rise again,

It is also a lie to think that Christians never faint, for great men have similar passions
and do faint at times (Num 11:11-15; I Kgs 19:1-4; Job 3:1-16; Jer 20:14-18; Matt 26:69-
75). Many Psalms were written when David was discouraged (Ps 42:5; 55:4-5; 142:1-3).
Even the apostle Paul could be cast down, though never destroyed from his
commitment and effectiveness (II Cor 4:8-10). You must rule your spirit and reject
feelings of defeat.

God brings adversity to prove your faith, as He did with Job. He will allow trouble to see
how much you rely on Him rather than yourself. He will find out how you value Him
compared to other things in your life. Do you worship Him only for a protective hedge,
as Satan said of Job (Job 1:9-11)? Will you still worship Him when you have lost all?

God also allows adversity to increase your strength through trials, much like boot camp
in the military. Faith is not built by prosperity, but rather by adversity, when you must
have God’s help. Because His purpose is your perfection, you should appreciate difficult
times when they come. In fact, wise men will rejoice in them very much (Ro 5:3-5; Jas
1:2-4).

Your difficulties do not exceed those of others (I Cor 10:13). They may be different in
kind, but God tries all men with equivalent adversity. There should be great comfort just
in realizing this important fact. Others are also being tested and tried. Neither are your
difficulties impossible, for God will faithfully limit your trials to what you can overcome.

God gives grace – inward strength by His Spirit – to endure trouble (II Cor 12:7-10).
Paul learned He could show God’s grace better in adversity, so he rejoiced in difficulties
to glorify God more. God can give you power to rejoice through pain (Col 1:11). “He
giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength” (Is
40:29).

It is said, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” You do this spiritually by
trusting God and taking courage against difficulties or enemies (I Sam 30:6). You must
reject the temptation to be discouraged or to quit, and instead you stand up and conduct
yourself like a man (I Cor 16:13). Jesus said faith as small as a mustard seed is enough
to move mountains in your life (Mat 17:19-21).

Here are ways many lose God’s strength and faith under trials: if you seek your own
deliverance, lose confidence in God, complain instead of praise, lose hope for the
future, fondly remember forsaken pleasures, backslide in holiness, lose your thankful
spirit, treat others with less love and patience, or let ordinary duties become a burden.

It is helpful to remember you have a great stadium of witnesses watching you - the Old
Testament saints and Jesus Christ, which should keep you from fainting in your long
distance race (Heb 12:1-3). Since the days of the apostles, millions of martyrs have
faced and endured adversity like you have never experienced and can hardly even
imagine.

It is helpful to have great friends, strong Christians with strong faith, for two are better
than one, and three are better than two (Eccl 4:9-12). “A friend loveth at all times, and a
brother is born for adversity” (Pr 17:17). A good friend can help you take courage and
go on and keep you from giving up (I Sam 23:16; Heb 3:12-13; 10:23-25).

You may get cast down, but you cannot be destroyed (II Cor 4:8-10), as Paul taught. If
God is for you, who or what can be against you (Rom 8:31)? His plan for your ultimate
success is so sure that all things work together for good (Rom 8:28). The LORD is your
helper, and His sure promises should be the anchor of your soul (Ps 61:2; Heb 6:19).

Faith can defeat adversity, for it sees through and past temporary setbacks to the bright
future ahead, either here or in glory (Ps 27:13-14; II Cor 4:17-18). It keeps you from
fainting by believing sure deliverance is coming. How do you do it? “Wait on the LORD:
be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Brothers and sisters in Christ, your adversity is not the result of Fate or Chance, but the
wise counsel of your Heavenly Father. Not a sparrow falls without His providential
oversight, and even the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matt 10:29-31). His
chastening rod should be seen as proof of everlasting love and fervent desire for your
perfection (Heb 12:5-8).

Do not tire of doing what is right (Gal 6:9; II Thess 3:13). You shall soon reap, if you do
not faint. Jesus Christ endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy and
eternal reward that was before Him (Psalm 16:8-11). Follow His glorious example of
strength.
Are you on a financial crisis?

Is it so hard to have the life of prosperity that you ever wanted?

Have strength, DON’T QUIT. Nothing is hard with God.

Today is the start of your prosperity and your financial abundance, just stay close with
God always so you won’t faint.

 Faith rejects sin and temptation, will only do things God’s way, and fully
believes every promise of Scripture.
 Faith will be tried, because the blessed God (a) wants to see it in action
and (b) make it perfect by adversity.
 Are you committed against personal preferences, opposition, feelings,
tradition, difficulties, the unknown, fear, questions, popular opinion, slothfulness,
and lethargy to be a diligent seeker of the Lord Jesus Christ?
 Are you committed to diligently seeking the Lord and obeying Him, even if
all hell breaks loose in your life?
 A good report and blessings now and in eternity, are laid hold of by
believing and obeying God fully! Do it!
 If you lack faith today, then it should be your chief concern to go to God
asking for more (Luke 17:5).
 If you feel very weak in faith, then pray, “Lord, I believe; help thou my
unbelief.”

Develop your Faith in God to break all the chains of poverty, failure, unemployment, and
debt.
“EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF WE HAVE
FAITH”
 III. OBEY GOD’S COMMANDMENTS

WHAT IS OBEDIENCE?

Vocabulary.com

 Obedience is behavior that's respectful and mindful of rules and laws.

 The trait of being willing to obey
 The act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another
person

Notice the words willing, submissive, respectful and mindful. These words describe
what real obedience is.

Obedience is by hearing and listening then acting upon or doing the rule or law given to
us, but with a willing heart, a submissive spirit, respectful and mindful to the one giving
the law, order or rule.

We may have listened to what our parents / teachers/ pastors told us to do and have
done it but without a willing spirit and a submissive heart then that is not obedience to
God.
 WHAT IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD?

 Obedience is a willingness to cooperate with God and to completely

submit to His will and way.
 Obedience is a commitment. If we really want to obey God then we must
deny ourselves and commit to trust, follow and have Faith in God regardless of
our feelings, our worldly dreams and our persecutions.
 Obedience to God is keeping our eyes on Him and not on people.
Let us obey His rules and keep on seeking Him even in times of needs. If we are
obeying God or seeking Him only in times of our financial crisis or on our troubles
then we will never understand how God will take care of our needs neither rely
on God as our provider.

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN OUR OBEDIENCE

THAT MAKE IT ACCEPTABLE?

According to Thomas Watson there are 6 ingredients for our obedience to be

acceptable to God:

1. Obedience must be free, cheerful, voluntarily and not sacrifice.

1 Samuel 15:22

So Samuel said:

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and

sacrifices,

As in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to heed than the fat of rams.

Though sometimes we serve God with weakness, it may be with willingness. God
sometimes accepts of willingness without the work, but never of the work without
willingness. Hypocrites obey God grudgingly, and against their will; they do good
but not willingly. Cain brought his sacrifice, but not his heart. It is a true rule; what
the heart does not do, is not done. Willingness is the soul of obedience.
Cheerfulness shows that there is love in the duty; and love is to our services
what the sun is to fruit; it mellows and ripens them, and makes them come off
with a better relish. Serve God willingly.

2. Obedience must be devout and fervent. "Fervent in spirit," etc. (Rom.

12:11). Quae ebullit prae ardore. As water that boils over; so the heart must boil
over with hot affections in the service of God. The glorious angels, who, for
burning in fervour and devotion, are called seraphim, are chosen by God to serve
Him in heaven. The snail under the law was unclean, because a dull, slothful
creature. Obedience without fervency, is like a sacrifice without fire. Why should
not our obedience be lively and fervent? God deserves the flower and strength of
our affections. Domitian would not have his statue carved in wood or iron, but
made of gold. Lively affections make golden services. It is fervency that makes
obedience acceptable. Elijah was fervent in spirit, and his prayer opened and
shut heaven; and again he prayed, and fire fell on his enemies (see II Kings
1:10). Elijah's prayer fetched fire from heaven, because, being fervent, it carried
fire up to heaven.

3. Obedience must be extensive, it must reach to all God's commands.

"Then shall I not be ashamed" (or, as it is in the Hebrew, lo Ehosh, blush) "when I
have respect unto all thy commandments." (Ps. 119:6). Quicquid propter Deum fit
aequaliter fit [All God's requirements demand equal effort]. There is a stamp of
divine authority upon all God's commands, and if I obey one precept because
God commands, I must obey all. True obedience runs through all duties of
religion, as the blood through all the veins, or the sun through all the signs of the
zodiac. A good Christian makes gospel piety and moral equity kiss each other.
Herein some discover their hypocrisy: they will obey God in some things which
are more facile and may raise their repute; but other things they leave undone.
"One thing thou lackest," (Mark 10:21). Herod would hear John Baptist, but not
leave his incest. Some will pray, but not give alms; others will give alms, but not
pray. "Ye pay tithe of mint and anise, and have omitted the weightier matters of
the law, judgment, mercy and faith." (Matt. 23:23). The badger has one foot
shorter than the other; so these are shorter in some duties than in others. God
likes not such partial servants, who will do some part of the work he sets them
about, and leave the other undone.

4. Obedience must be sincere. We must aim at the glory of God in it. Finis
specificat actionem; in religion the end is all. The end of our obedience must not
be to stop the mouth of conscience, or to gain applause or preferment; but that
we may grow more like God, and bring more glory to Him. "Do all to the glory of
God." (I Cor. 10:31). That which has spoiled many glorious actions, and made
them lose their reward, is, that men's aims have been wrong. The Pharisees
gave alms, but blew a trumpet that they might have the glory of men (see Matt
6:2). Alms should shine, but not blaze. Jehu did well in destroying the Baal-
worshippers, and God commended him or it; but, because his aims were not
good (for he aimed at settling himself in the kingdom), God looked upon it as no
better than murder. "I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu."
(Hos. 1:4). O let us look to our ends in obedience; it is possible the action may be
right, and not the heart (see II Chron. 25:2). Amaziah did that which was right in
the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart. Two things are chiefly to be
eyed in obedience, the principle and the end. Though a child of God shoots short
in his obedience, he takes a right aim.

5. Obedience must be in and through Christ. "He hath made us accepted

in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6). Not our obedience, but Christ's merits procure
acceptance. In every part of worship we must present Christ to God in the arms
of our faith. Unless we serve God thus, in hope and confidence of Christ's merits,
we rather provoke Him than please Him. As, when king Uzziah would offer
incense without a priest, God was angry with him, and struck him with leprosy
(see II Chron. 26:20); so, when we do not come to God in and through Christ, we
offer up incense to Him without a priest; and what can we expect but severe
rebukes?

6. Obedience must be constant. "Blessed [is] he that doeth righteousness

at all times." (Ps. 106:3). True obedience is not like a high colour in a fit, but it is
a right complexion. It is like the fire on the altar, which was always kept burning
(see Lev. 6:13). Hypocrites' obedience is but for a season; it is like plastering
work, which is soon washed off; but true obedience is constant. Though we meet
with affliction, we must go in our obedience. "The righteous shall hold on his
way." (Job 17:9). We have vowed constancy; we have vowed to renounce the
pomps and vanities of the world, and to fight under Christ's banner to death.
When a servant has entered into covenant with his master, and the indentures
are sealed, he cannot go back, he must serve out his time; so there are
indentures drawn in baptism, and in the Lord's Supper the indentures are
renewed and sealed on our part, that we will be faithful and constant in our
obedience; therefore we must imitate Christ, who became obedient unto death
(see Phil. 2:8). The crown is set upon the head of perseverance. "He that
keepeth my works unto the end, I will give him the morning star." (Rev. 2:26,28).

WHAT ARE THE GREAT ARGUMENTS OR

INCENTIVES TO OBEDIENCE?
 (1) Obedience makes us precious to God, his favourites. "If ye will obey my
voice, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people;" you shall be my
portion, my jewels, the apple of mine eye. (Exod. 19:5). "I will give kingdoms for your
ransom" (Isa. 43:3).

(2) There is nothing lost by obedience. To obey God's will is the way to have our
will. [i] Would we have a blessing in our estates? Let us obey God. "If thou shalt
hearken to the voice of the Lord, to do all His commandments, blessed shalt thou be
in the field: blessed shall be thy basket and thy store." (Deut. 28:1,3,5). To obey is
the best way to thrive in our estates. [ii] Would we have a blessing in our souls? Let
us obey God. "Obey, and I will be your God." (Jer. 7:23). My Spirit shall be your
guide, sanctifier, and comforter. Christ "became the author of eternal salvation unto
all them that obey Him." (Heb. 5:9). While we please God, we please ourselves;
while we give him the duty, he gives us the dowry. We are apt to say, as Amaziah,
"What shall we do for the hundred talents?" (II Chron. 25:9). You lose nothing by
obeying. The obedient son has the inheritance settled on him. Obey, and you shall
have a kingdom. "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke
12:32).

(3) What a sin is disobedience! [i] It is an irrational sin. We are not able to stand it
out in defiance against God. "Are we stronger than He?" Will the sinner go to
measure arms with God? (I Cor. 10:22). He is the Father Almighty, who can
command legions. If we have no strength to resist Him, it is irrational to disobey Him.
It is irrational, as it is against all law and equity. We have our daily subsistence from
Him; in Him we live and move. Is it not just that as we live by Him, we should live to
Him? that as He gives us our allowance, so we should give Him our allegiance?

[ii] It is a destructive sin. "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His
mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that obey not the gospel."
(II Thess. 1:7,8). He who refuses to obey God's will in commanding, shall be sure to
obey His will in punishing. While the sinner thinks to slip the knot of obedience, he
twists the cord of his own damnation, and he perishes without excuse. "The servant
which knew his lord's will, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many
stripes." (Luke 12:47). God will say, "Why did you not obey? You knew how to do
good, but did not; therefore your blood is upon your own head."

WHAT MEANS SHALL WE USE THAT WE MAY OBEY?

(1) Serious consideration. Consider God's commands are not grievous: He
commands nothing unreasonable (see I John 5:3). It is easier to obey the
commands of God than sin. The commands of sin are burdensome; let a man be
under the power of any lust, how he tires himself! What hazards he runs, even to
endangering his health and soul, that he may satisfy his lusts! What tedious journeys
did Antioch is Epiphanes take in persecuting the Jews! "They weary themselves to
commit iniquity;" and are not God's commands more easy to obey? Chrysostom
says virtue is easier than vice; temperance is less burdensome than drunkenness.
Some have gone with less pain to heaven, than others to hell.

God commands nothing but what is beneficial. "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord
require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, and to keep his statutes, which I
command thee this day, for thy good?" (Deut. 10:12,13). To obey God, is not so
much our duty as our privilege; His commands carry meat in the mouth of them. He
bids us repent; and why? That our sins may be blotted out (see Acts 3:19). He
commands us to believe: and why? That we may be saved (see Acts 16:31). There
is love in every command: as if a king should bid one of his subjects dig in a gold
mine, and then take the gold to himself.

(2) Earnest supplication. Implore the help of the Spirit to carry you on in
obedience. God's Spirit makes obedience easy and delightful. If the loadstone draw
the iron, it is not hard for it to move; so if God's Spirit quicken and draw the heart, it
is not hard to obey. When a gale of the Spirit blows, we go full sail in obedience.
Turn His promise into a prayer. "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk
in my statutes." (Ezek. 36:27). The promise encourages us; the Spirit enables us to
obey.
 OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSINGS

Parents, would you ever tell your children to do something that you knew would bring
them catastrophic results?

I believe you won’t. Maybe your kids will get mad at you if you let them do something
they don’t like.

Thank God because my kids obey me even they won’t like what I am commanding them
to do. They feel bad, they frown but I always tell them that it is for their own safety and
for their own good and because I love them so much. We give our kids rules and
instructions to keep them safe, to teach them and to give them values that will help
make them successful adults. The same thing with God, sometimes He instructs us to
do something difficult or to stay away from something or someone because that path
might lead us to distraction and He wants to lead us to bigger and better opportunities
or blessings.

We serve a loving God who loves to give us good gifts. One of those gifts is prosperity.
He wants us to prosper. I don’t believe that He wants to see His children suffer
financially. But in order to receive that blessing, we have to follow the rules that He sets
for us. We have to obey His commandments.

God's commandments are for our good. He knows what is best for us. And He has
given us laws or rules that are in our best interest just like how we give rules to our kids
for their own good.

We all know that prosperity is a fruit of righteousness and as we obey God more He
promises us blessings.

Psalm 128:1-2

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His

ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be
happy, and it shall be well with you.

Financial success isn’t a matter of random chance or luck. God wants you to win
regarding money or financial matters; and for that to happen, you’re going to have to do
things His way and not your way, not your mom or dad’s way nor your husband or wife’s
way, God’s will and way.
 GOD’S COMMANDMENTS FOR FINANCIAL BLESSINGS

1. Love, Obey, Honor, Respect and Fear the Lord your God

The most important command of God with a promise.

Deuteronomy 30:15-16

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death
and evil,

16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God,
to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His
statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and
multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land
which you go to possess.

 "Fear the LORD your God"

There are two meanings of Fear, one is being scared and the other one is a state of
deep reverence. We have to follow God’s commandments not only because we are
afraid of the punishments for disobedience but we follow God’s commandments
because we have this deep reverence and respect to our God, our Father, our Provider
and our friend. We obey Him because of who He is, what He is, what He has done, and
what He’s about to do in our lives.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

 Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

For this is man’s all.

14 For God will bring every work into judgment,

Including every secret thing,

Whether good or evil.

Hebrews 10:26-30

The Just Live by Faith

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the

knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice
for sins,

27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery

indignation which will devour the adversaries.

28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without

mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will

he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God
underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he
was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of
grace?

30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will

repay,”[a] says the Lord.[b] And again, “The Lord will
judge His people.”
  "Walk in all His ways"

Genesis 17:1

The Sign of the Covenant

17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord

appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God;
walk before Me and be blameless.

Ephesians 2:1-2

By Grace Through Faith

2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses

and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of the power
of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience,

1 John 1:5-7

Fellowship with Him and One Another

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and

declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness
at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in

darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have

fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ
His Son cleanses us from all sin.

 "Love Him"

Love God more than ourselves and more than other people. Love comprises all,
respect, honor, obedience, serve, seek, give and more.
 Deuteronomy 6:4-5

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one![a]

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Matthew 22:35-38

35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question,

testing Him, and saying,

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the

law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
mind.’[a]

38 This is the first and great commandment.

1 John 5:3

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His

commandments. And His commandments are not
burdensome.

 "Serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul"

The word serve means “to perform duties, to work, to give services to the
person/people/organizations that tell you what to do. God is our master and we are
called to serve Him with our everything. God doesn’t need our services but we need
HIM, He wants us to serve Him because that is what WE need to do.

Matthew 6:24

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate
the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the
 one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
mammon.

But be careful not to serve God and money because if we do that we choose to serve
sin, and we all know that the wages of that service is death, or we can choose to serve
God, who in return gives us eternal life and blessings abundantly

 "Keep the commandments of the Lord and his statutes"

Deuteronomy 6:20-25

20 “When your son asks you in time to come, saying,

‘What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and
the judgments which the Lord our God has commanded
you?’

21 then you shall say to your son: ‘We were slaves of

Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt
with a mighty hand;

22 and the Lord showed signs and wonders before our

eyes, great and severe, against Egypt, Pharaoh, and all
his household.

23 Then He brought us out from there that He might bring

us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers.

24 And the Lord commanded us to observe all these

statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always,
that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.

25 Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful

to observe all these commandments before the Lord our
God, as He has commanded us.’

John 14:15

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

 2. Children to parents

Respect, honor, obey and love your/our parents as God commanded. But what if they
don’t deserve it? Some were abandoned and some were abused physically even
sexually or verbally. It’s not easy for them or for you to do this when they or you were
deeply hurt but we still have to love them, extend mercy and show kindness, forgive
them as our Father in Heaven has forgiven our transgressions, remember the good
things they’ve done to you don’t tell me there’s none maybe there’s at least one good
thing they did to you. Bringing you out of this world is something we should be thankful
to them already. Pray for them and share the Gospel.

Do not pay evil with evil because from our verses there are warnings from God so be
careful with our emotions. Let go and Let God

Deuteronomy 5:16

16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your

God has commanded you, that your days may be long,
and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord
your God is giving you.

Proverbs 20:20

Whoever curses his father or his mother,

His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.

Proverbs 1:8-9

8 My son, hear the instruction of your father,

And do not forsake the law of your mother;

9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,

And chains about your neck.

3. Parents to children

We as parents have great responsibilities to our children. To give the best and our all for
them. I always thank God for giving me the best blessings, my kids. God gave us our
children because He knows that we deserve to have these kids and I hope that our
children deserve to have us as their parents. And they deserve our Love, when we say
Love, everything is there. Provide, protect, care, look after them, guide, teach, and let
them know about God. We should also be a good model to them even when they get
older.

Ephesians 6:4

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath,

but bring them up in the training and admonition of the
Lord.

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it.

1 Timothy 5:8

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and

especially for those of his household, he has denied the
faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Colossians 3:21

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become

discouraged.

Proverbs 29:17

Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will
give delight to your soul.
 4. People to the government

We as people governed by our authorities have to follow the rules or laws given
by the government. Especially we Christians shouldn’t be the first law breakers
but be a law keeper.

God ordained civil rule, and He raises up the men that fill the offices in every nation, no
matter what you think (Dan 2:20-22; 4:17; Rom 13:1-7). As the Supreme Ruler of the
universe, He protects or punishes rulers.

Below are some of our roles not only as a citizen of our country but as Children of God:

 We should pray for those who govern us( 1 Timothy 2:1-2)

 We should honor and submit to those who govern us. (Mark 12:17,
Romans 13:1-4, 1 Peter 2:13-17

 Every government is put in place by God.

Romans 13:1

Submit to Government

13 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.

For there is no authority except from God, and the
authorities that exist are appointed by God.

 God uses even sinful governments to do his will.

Jeremiah 25:8-9

8 “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Because you

have not heard My words,

9 behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,’
says the Lord, ‘and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon,
My servant, and will bring them against this land, against
its inhabitants, and against these nations all around, and
will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment,
a hissing, and perpetual desolations.

Acts 4:27-28
 27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You
anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles
and the people of Israel, were gathered together

28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose

determined before to be done.

 All governments will eventually end and Jesus will reign over everyone
forever.

Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 5. Government to the people

In Romans 13 Paul teaches the roles and purposes of the Government

 Government is to protect its people (citizens safety and security)

 Government should protect its people judicially. Making sure that the legal
and court systems are procedurally just and fair (Amos 5:15)
 God Instituted Government for the common good of All People (Romans
13:4) even to the:

a. Poor (Exodus 23:6)

b. Foreigners (Exodus 22:21, Deuteronomy 27:19, Zechariah 7:10)
c. The Helpless (Psalms 82:3-4)
d. Unborn children ( Amos 1:13)

 To care for God’s material creation (Genesis 2:15)

6. Church members to their leaders in the church

Responsibilities of Church Members to their Leaders

According to the New Testament, the members of a local church have at least eight
ongoing responsibilities to their shepherds. We find the first two in Paul’s first letter to
the Thessalonian church.

 To appreciate them (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

“know and respect”
 To esteem them (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
“to hold in high regard” and “to consider.” Because of their Holy work
 To listen, submit and obey them (Hebrews 13:17).
Submission and obedience go hand in hand. We have to be willingly and
cheerfully surrender to them because of their holy responsibility to take care of
our souls
 To support them (1 Tim 5:17-18).
Honor or respect your Pastors or leaders and support them. (1 Corinthians 9:14)
They deserve to be supported morally, spiritually and also financially, for them to
feed their family.
 To discipline them (1 Tim 5:19-20).
If a leader is guilty with doctrinal error or done things against the law of God and
the law of our government and there are witnesses to the sin of the leader then
members can correct or discipline their leaders but not with angered heart but
with love.
You don’t want to let that leader continue on sinning because they are
accountable for you and the church members ‘lives. But with love and prayer,
everything will be resolved quietly and smoothly.
 James 3:1

 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers,

knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

 To remember them (Hebrews 13:7) to always think of them through

prayers
 To mimic them (Heb 13:7).
To follow their faith not their weaknesses. Leaders should have the qualifications
that God has given to be a role model.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul was so confident to tell us to imitate him because he was
doing his best to follow the Lord’s will and way with his own life.

As we imitate the lives of our Godly leaders we become imitators of Christ and become
a good and great role model before the eyes of the world (1 Thessalonians 1:2-7)

7. Leaders of the church to their members

Steven J Coles’ The Responsibilities of Church Leaders (Hebrews 13:7, 17-19, 22-25)

Many church leaders these days are only Sunday preachers but not a leader. Some are
good preachers but not good leaders. We have to remember that Jesus is both, a
preacher and a leader.

Godly church leaders are responsible to lead God’s flock by walking personally with
God and by working together to help church members do the same.

THERE ARE FOUR MAIN ASPECTS OF THIS STATEMENT:

I. Godly church leaders are responsible to lead.

Acts 20:17

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the

elders of the church.
 At other times, they are called overseers (1 Tim. 3:1, 2), which refers to their function of
superintending the church.

1 Timothy 3:1-2

Qualifications of Overseers

3 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of

a bishop,[a] he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must
be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-
minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;

(In Titus 1:5, 7 and Acts 20:17, 28 the two terms are used of the same office.)

Titus 1:5-7

Qualified Elders

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in
order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in
every city as I commanded you—

7 For a bishop[a] must be blameless, as a steward of

God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to
wine, not violent, not greedy for money,

They are called pastors (Eph. 4:11), which means shepherds.

Ephesians 4:11

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some

prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and

But the point is, leaders should lead. Leadership is a primarily influence, and the way
that church leaders influence others is by their Godly example and by their teaching of
God’s word (Heb. 13:7).

Here are the qualifications and Godly characters of being a leader 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and
Titus 1:5-9

1 Timothy 3:1-7
 Qualifications of Overseers

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a

bishop,[a] he desires a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one

wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior,
hospitable, able to teach;

3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,[b]

but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;

4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in
submission with all reverence

5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house,
how will he take care of the church of God?);

6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into

the same condemnation as the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those

who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of
the devil.

Leadership requires having a clear biblical picture of what the local church ought to be
and what must the church do and should deal with every problem that arises in the
church.

Often, out of an attempt to please everyone, church leaders dodge difficult problems.
They don’t want to confront an influential church member who is in sin. They don’t want
to teach on doctrines that are not popular, even if they are biblical. They don’t confront
someone who is teaching error, for fear of stirring up conflict and fear of being left
behind by other ministers. They don’t want to get involved in resolving relational
conflicts in the church or in church families. But to dodge such difficult matters is to fail
to lead the church. Church leaders must actively pursue God and His truth, and help
others to do the same.

II. Godly church leaders are responsible to walk personally with God.( 1
Timothy 4:16, Acts 20:28)

A. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS MUST BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN A GOOD

CONSCIENCE BEFORE GOD AND OTHERS
B. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS LIVE WITH A VIEW OF ANSWERING TO GOD
SOMEDAY

C. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS ARE MEN OF FAITH AND PRAYER, WHO

ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO PRAY

D. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS ARE WILLING TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST IF NEED

BE

Thus godly church leaders are responsible to lead, and a main way that they do so is by
walking personally with God.

III. Godly church leaders are responsible to work together.

“Leaders” is plural. The New Testament clearly teaches that leadership in the local
church is to be plural (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5). Plural leadership is a safeguard
against the abuse of authority. Also, the task of shepherding a local church is far too
great for one man, unless the church is very small. There are two implications of this
truth:

A. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS ARE CALLED TO WORK TOGETHER. (1

Timothy 13:23)
But all of these men submitted to one another in the Lord and taught that as
believers, we must do the same (Eph. 5:21).
B. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS PUT A PRIORITY ON GODLY
RELATIONSHIPS.

Thus Godly church leaders are responsible to lead the flock by walking personally with
God and by working together in godly relationships.

IV. Godly church leaders are responsible to help those in the church to walk
personally with God.

FOUR ASPECTS IN HELPING THE CHURCH TO WALK PERSONALLY

WITH GOD

A. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS HELP CHURCH MEMBERS BY KEEPING WATCH

OVER THEIR SOULS
 Galatians 6:1-2

Bear and Share the Burdens

6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who

are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,
considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one
another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

B. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS HELP CHURCH MEMBERS BY FAITHFULLY

TEACHING GOD’S WORD

C. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS HELP CHURCH MEMBERS BY AIMING AT THEIR

JOY AND SPIRITUAL PROFIT

But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your
ministry.

“Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” This
refers first to the leaders’ joy, but it obviously extends to the joy and spiritual profit of all
of the members. Those who are walking in obedience to Christ will know His joy (John
15:10-11). Godly leaders rejoice to see those in the flock walking in the truth (3 John 4).

D. GODLY CHURCH LEADERS HELP CHURCH MEMBERS BY EMPHASIZING

GOD’S GRACE (13:25).

2 Corinthians 2:16

16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death,

and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who
is sufficient for these things?

2 Corinthians 3:5-6

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of

anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is
from God,

6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new

covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit;[a] for the letter
The responsibility of church leadership is impossible, but with God’s strength, all things
are possible! As leaders, we join the author of Hebrews in asking you, “Pray for us.”

8. Employees or workers to their employers or bosses

From one of Ptr. Gregory Brown’s articles, I like how he broadly discussed about the
Christian employee and the Christian employer. Check his website at pgregbrown.com/
to learn more and be blessed on all his articles.

According to him “Each person is called to work. Some work as students, some work as
teachers, some work as mothers, some as businessmen, etc. Everybody works for a
living. The only difference is the pay. Some don’t get paid at all, some get paid a little,
and some get paid a lot. What should the Christian’s work life look like?

Often, people think of work as a bad thing. Some may even think it is a result of the fall
(Gen. 3:17–18). However, work was given before the fall. It was Adam’s responsibility to
till the ground and take care of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15).

Moreover, our God is a worker too! He creates and sustains the world by the power of
his Word (Heb. 1:3). He is not idle! He prays for his saints in order to save them to the
uttermost (Heb. 7:25). We serve a God who neither sleeps nor slumbers (Ps. 121:4). He
is always active in his creation.

“How can we work in such a way that God is glorified?”

It is in the workplace that many of us have the opportunity to spread the salt and light of
Christ to the most people in an intimate way

Matthew 5:13-14

Believers Are Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its
flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for
nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by
men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a

hill cannot be hidden. For this reason, this text is very
important for us.

THE CHRISTIAN EMPLOYEE

 Colossians 3:22-25

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters

according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-
pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and

not to men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward
of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has

done, and there is no partiality. It should be noted that in
this passage Paul is specifically speaking to slaves
serving their masters. In our contemporary context, this
may not directly apply to us. However, we can still learn
many lessons from this that apply directly to the employee
and employer relationship. Before that, let’s talk about the
institution of slavery and Scripture’s teaching on it.

1. Christian Employees Must Obey Their Employers In Everything

Why?

 To Honor God’s Authority.

 To Draw Their Masters To Christ.

How?

 Christian employees practice obedience in everything by working

hard all the time.

Colossians 3:22

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters

according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-
pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

 Christian employees practice obedience in everything by not

delaying.
Delayed obedience is not “obedience in everything.”

 Christian employees practice obedience in everything by not

complaining.

Again Titus 2:9

9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own

masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering
back,

We live in a world where everybody complains in the workplace. They complain about
their bosses, they complain about pay, they complain about their co–workers, they
complain about vacation, etc.

Anybody who has worked in the workplace knows that it is full of complaining, even in
Christian organizations.

Philippians 2:14-15

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,

15 that you may become blameless and harmless,
children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in
the world,

When Christians do this in the workplace, they shine like a star in the dark night. It
marks a Christian in a dark world, and it also demonstrates that they are children of
God. This is how Christian employees should obey in everything.

 Christian employees practice obedience in everything by

developing wisdom and discernment.

Christians must know the Word of God and start to develop wisdom based on Scripture
so they can interpret what commands from leadership would conflict with the Word of
God. Scripture calls us to keep a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:16). In order to practice
“obedience in everything,” it calls for God–given wisdom and discernment.

2. Christian Employees Must Obey Their Employers With Sincerity of Heart

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on
you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord” (Col.
3:22).
 3. Christian Employees Must Obey Their Employers Out Of Reverence For
The Lord

Working with reverence for the Lord means that anything an employee does, whether it
be sweeping, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, etc., should be viewed as holy work offered
to God.

HOW SHOULD CHRISTIAN EMPLOYEES WORK WITH

REVERENCE FOR THE LORD?

 Giving God Worship And Thanksgiving In Everything While At Work.

Reverence is a form of worship and thanksgiving to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in

Christ Jesus for you.

 Submitting Everything To God In Prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

pray without ceasing,

Pray over every meeting. Pray over every counseling session. Pray for his daily
strength, wisdom, and perseverance. Pray that everything would please him. Pray that
God would bring glory to himself through your endeavors.

 Fearing His Discipline.

“Reverence” can be translated “fear” or “fearing” .The non–Christian slave served his
master out of fear, but the Christian slave served his master heartily out of reverence
and fear for God. It was very common for slaves to steal from their masters or run away
from them, but Christian slaves should have had a healthy fear of the discipline of God
that kept them from doing wrong.

4. Christian Employees Must Work For The Lord With All Their Energy

Colossians 3:23

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not

to men,
 Paul says to work “with all your heart.” It can also be translated, “Putting their whole
inner man into the effort” or “do it enthusiastically.”

Christian employees should never be known for being lazy. They should work with all
their heart because they are seeking to please the Lord.

5. Christian Employees Must Work For The Lord With A View Toward God’s
Judgment

Colossians 3:23-25

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and

not to men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward
of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has

done, and there is no partiality. When Paul said that these
slaves were to work for their masters, recognizing that
they would receive an “inheritance from the Lord”

Slaves could not own anything and receive no inheritance throughout their lives.
Therefore, this would have given great hope and motivation to the slaves, especially
those working under a hard master. It was really God they were serving, and He would
one day reward them.

In addition, Paul’s words were a form of accountability since God would also repay sin.
He said, “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no
favoritism.” As Christian employees, we must work with a view toward God’s judgment,
in both reward and discipline.

9. To the Bosses or employers to their employees, servants or workers

Ephesians 6:9

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up

threatening, knowing that your own Master also[b] is in
heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

The Christian Employer

Colossians 4:1
 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair,
knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Every person who serves in the workplace for an extended amount of time will typically
at some point be promoted to a position of authority. Therefore, it is important for us to
learn how to lead in such a way that honors God as a Christian employer.

What was the responsibility of Christian masters to slaves, and what are its implications
to employers and employees?

I. Christian Employers Must Take Care Of Their Employees

Because the slave had no rights in that culture, this often led to the abuse of slaves.
However, Paul calls masters to do what is right and moral. The master was to treat
them righteously and to treat them fairly.

We saw a picture of this when Paul sent Onesimus, a runaway slave, back to his
Christian master, Philemon.

Philemon 15-16

15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose,

that you might receive him forever,

16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a

beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to
you, both in the flesh and in the Lord

Philemon was not only to treat Onesimus as a servant, but as a dear brother in the
Lord. This is how Paul called for masters to treat their servants. He said to treat them
righteously and fairly, even as one would treat a family member.
 HOW SHOULD CHRISTIAN EMPLOYERS TAKE CARE OF THEIR
EMPLOYEES?

a. Employees By Paying Them Fair Wages.

Luke 10:7

7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such

things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages.
Do not go from house to house.

b. By Encouraging And Rewarding Them For Their Labor.

Romans 13:3-4

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do

you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good,
and you will have praise from the same.

4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do

evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for
he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him
who practices evil.

c. Employees By Giving Them Fair Discipline.

For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil,

be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is
God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who
practices evil. Without proper discipline, employers may
actually promote sin and lead their employees down the
wrong path.

d. By Praying For Them and By Modeling Christ

2 Corinthians 2:15

15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those

who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
We should spend so much time with Christ that people can smell Him and see Him
through us. The people we are serving through our leadership should see Christ in how
we respond when they fail, when they succeed, and when they are discouraged. Our
lives should exude an aroma that directs people to God.

II.Christian Employers Must Know Their Heavenly Master

“Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you
also have a Master in heaven” (Col. 4:1).

III.Christian Employers Must Recognize Their Accountability To Their Heavenly Master

Christian employers must know God and faithfully submit to God. But they also must
recognize that they are accountable to him. Employers are simply stewards of God’s
authority and resources. One day they will be judged by God, just as the slaves will be,
on the basis of their stewardship.

Hebrews 13:17

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for

they watch out for your souls, as those who must give
account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for
that would be unprofitable for you.
 GOD HATES COMPROMISE
We live in a world of compromise.

Christians goes to work on Sunday to secure his job.

Christians join the unbeliever’s worldly party to be accepted and be part of the group.

Christians compromise with the world to fit in. They don’t want to be labeled as self-
righteous or holy people. They don’t want to be different from the group or sometimes
want to stand out in a crowd. Why not think of what will God say about us than what
other people will say and think about us?

Leaders and some ministers dress and speak like unbelievers to be able to connect to
them. Remember that the word of God is always relevant and powerful, we don’t have
to compromise to the world to be able to share salvation.

Churches rent televisions for Super Bowl or boxing matches on Sunday. Do we have to
entertain our members this way? Is God not enough? Respect the temple of God.

So, who is your King? What have you exalted higher than God? Which of Gods’ laws
have you rejected in preference for the world’s way? Have you adopted any views of the
world system? Have you compromised God’s laws in any way just to fit in?

HIS WORDS ARE ABSOLUTE AND ALLOW NO

COMPROMISE.

 Whatever He commands must be done. There can be no additions or

subtractions.

Deuteronomy 4:2

 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor
take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the
Lord your God which I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:32

 “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you

shall not add to it nor take away from it.

 Whatever He commands must be done. No one can turn to the left or the
right.
 Deuteronomy 5:32

 “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your

God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the
right hand or to the left.

Joshua 1:7

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may

observe to do according to all the law which Moses My
servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right
hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

 All His rules about all things are right, and every false way should be
hated.
Psalm 119:128

Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things

I consider to be right;

I hate every false way

 Every word of God is pure, and any addition to them will make you a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God is pure;

He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Do not add to His words,

Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

 He will severely judge any man wicked enough to add or subtract from His
Word.

Revelation 22:18-19

A Warning

18 For[a] I testify to everyone who hears the words of the

prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things,
God will add[b] to him the plagues that are written in this
 book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the
book of this prophecy, God shall take away[c] his part
from the Book[d] of Life, from the holy city, and from the
things which are written in this book.

HIS JUDGMENT AGAINST COMPROMISE IS SEVERE

Gen 9:22-27 The posterity of Ham by Canaan were cursed for compromising parental
honor.

Gen 19:30-38 Lot compromised all the way to Sodom’s city council; but he was
tortured in his soul, lost his family and everything, and impregnated his two daughters in
a cave.

Ex 32:26-29 He had the Levites prove loyalty about the golden calf by killing family
members.

Lev 10:1-7 He killed Aaron’s two sons for offering innovative incense, and He would not
allow grief for them. Is not this harsh for ordained men in the worship of God?

Nu 14:1-45 He killed ten spies and the whole nation without remedy for not taking the
land.

Nu 15:30-36 Israel had to stone a man to death just for picking up sticks on the sabbath
day.

Nu 16:1-40 He swallowed Korah, Dathan, Abiram, wives, and little children with the
earth and burned up the 250 princes for presuming on an office and man He had called.

Nu 16:41-50 He killed 14,700 Israelites for grieving for Korah and the 250 princes of
Israel.

Nu 20:6-13 Moses and Aaron missed Canaan for using the rod instead of talking to the
rock. Even though they got the right results, God ignored forty years of faithful service.

Nu 21:4-6 He sent fiery serpents among them to kill many for compromising
thankfulness.

Nu 25:1-9 He demanded the hanging of the rulers and killed twenty-four thousand for a
little lovemaking compromise with the Moabites. Phinehas earned His praise for zeal.

Josh 7:24-26 Israel stoned and burned Achan, his entire family, and all possessions for
stealing.
 I Sam 6:19 Why did 50,300 die just for peeking in the ark? Aw shucks, you must be
kidding.

II Sa 6:1-10 He killed Uzzah in David’s glorious parade for using an ox cart (I Chron
15:13).

II Sa 12:7-14 He killed a baby for David’s sin and punished him horribly with Absalom.

II Sa 24:15 Why did 70,000 die just for numbering Israel? Is an innocent census that
bad?

II Kg 2:23-24 He sent she bears to tear forty-two children for compromising ministerial
respect.

II Kg 6:24-29 He made the famine so bad in Samaria they ate dove’s dung and their
children.

II Kg 17:1-23 The Lord took Israel captive into Assyria for secretly compromising His
statutes.

II Chr 26:19 He smote Uzzah with leprosy in his face for attempting to burn priestly
incense.

Acts 5:1-11 He killed Ananias and Sapphira for giving less than the total they claimed.

I Cor 11:30 He killed, weakened, and sickened many at Corinth for communion
compromise.

Rev 2:23 He promised to kill children with death for a compromising prophetess
Jezebel.

HIS RULES FOR COMPROMISERS ARE HARSH

Neh 13:25 Nehemiah smote, cursed, and pulled the hair of those compromising in
marriage.

Ps 50:21-22 Though He is sometimes silent, He promises to tear compromisers in

pieces.

Ro 16:17-18 Compromises of apostolic doctrine are marked and avoided as belly

worshippers.

Phil 3:18-19 Those who mind earthly things are belly worshippers and the enemies of
Christ.

II Thess 3:6 Paul ordered total separation from any man not following apostolic
tradition.
Tit 3:10-11 Heretics get two chances to repent and convert, or they are to be rejected.

II Jn 1:10-11 He would not allow his beloved lady to entertain or bless any
compromisers.

Rev 2:1-5 He promised to remove the candlestick from Ephesus for losing their first
love.

HE WARNS US AGAINST COMPROMISE

Nu 15:37-41 Israel wore blue ribbons on their garments to remind them against
compromise.

De 28:47-48 God promised to destroy any who would not serve Him with joyful, glad
hearts.

Jos 24:16-20 Joshua rebuked Israel sharply for any idea of serving the Lord with
compromise.

Job 32:1-22 Elihu knew God’s inspiration to be greater than wisdom of old and
esteemed men.

Ps 119:99 In comparison to God’s words, teachers are not to be respected or followed.

Ps 119:100 In comparison to God’s words, the ancients are not to be esteemed or

followed.

Ezek 20:39 The Lord exhorts Israel to idolatry, if they are not going to eliminate
compromise.

Amos 4:4-5 The Lord exhorts Israel to idolatry, if they are not going to eliminate
compromise.

Matt 6:24 Jesus states absolutely it is impossible to compromise between God and
mammon.

I Cor 16:22 He curses any not fully loving the Lord Jesus Christ with judgment at His
coming.

II Co 6:14-18 Only absolute separation from false religion will bring His fatherly
affection.

I Tim 6:3-5 Ministers are warned to withdraw from any man consenting not to God’s
Word.

II Tim 3:5 The perilous times of the last days would be characterized by a form of
godliness without authority, and Timothy was to avoid such compromising teachers.
James 4:4 He condemns any man who chooses to be a friend of the world as His
enemy.

II Pe 2:20-22 He condemned those who compromise with their former ways as dogs
and pigs.

I Jn 2:15-17 Compromise with the world and its things proves the lack of any love for
God.

Rev 3:15-16 Jesus prefers us hot (zealous) or cold (pagans), but not lukewarm
(compromisers).

We live with three choices every day. (1) God (2) World (3) 50-50 on God and the
World.

It is up to us to whether make God our everyday choice or the world and money or
compromise our faith to the world by having 50 or 60% of our choice for the world and
40% for God. Whatever our reason why we compromise with the world (not to lose
friendship, family, friend, career, job, popularity, boyfriend or girlfriend or any other
reasons) will not be acceptable to God.

Make your decision to obey God and His rules 100%. Leave the world and never
compromise to receive the blessing that God has prepared for you.

As we walk with God, we have to always remember that God’s laws are very different
on how the world operates. There are times when we are in a situation to choose and
challenged on how to act on areas like forgiving, lending and not expecting repayment,
giving, praying for our enemies, expressing brotherly love to all, etc.

But the choice and decision is ours. When we choose to live by Jesus’ ways, we are
making Him the King of our lives. We are living a Godly life just as God has commanded
us.

In Deuteronomy 28, we see two different results: (1) living by God’s commands brings
more than enough blessings in our lives and (2) there are serious consequences of
rejecting God and disobeying His laws.

It is important then to walk with God and walk in righteousness to experience peace,
joy, contentment and many more blessings.

God promises that when we obey Him and let Him be the King of our lives, He will
overtake us with blessings
 Deuteronomy 28:2

All these blessings will come on you and accompany you

if you obey the Lord your God

For lawbreakers, some live in shame with a bad reputation, some have to run and hide,
some goes to jail or receive other punishments and some tragically meets their end. But
for law keepers, some are rewarded, some are appreciated or praised and some
becomes a model of good deeds.

Please have a quiet moment and evaluate your life and ask God to show you what
commands of God you are not following or breaking. Ask for forgiveness then start
obeying God.

REWARDS FOR OBEYING GOD

Deuteronomy 11:26-28

26 “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse:

27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the

Lord your God which I command you today;

28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments

of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I
command you today, to go after other gods which you
have not known.

Deuteronomy 28:1-20

Blessings on Obedience

28 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the

voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His
commandments which I command you today, that the
Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the
earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and
overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord
your God:
3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you
be in the country.

4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of

your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase
of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed

shall you be when you go out.

7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you
to be defeated before your face; they shall come out
against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

8 “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your

storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He
will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is
giving you.

9 “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself,

just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the
commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His
ways. 10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you
are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be
afraid of you. 11 And the Lord will grant you plenty of
goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your
livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of
which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The
Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to
give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the
work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but
you shall not borrow. 13 And the Lord will make you the
head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be
beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your
God, which I command you today, and are careful to
observe them. 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of
the words which I command you this day, to the right or
the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
Curses on Disobedience

15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice

of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His
commandments and His statutes which I command you
today, that all these curses will come upon you and
overtake you:

16 “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you

be in the country.

17 “Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

18 “Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce

of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring
of your flocks.

19 “Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed

shall you be when you go out.

20 “The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and

rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are
destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the
wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken
Me.

2 Chronicles 26:5

He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had

understanding in the visions[a] of God; and as long as he
sought the Lord, God made him prosper.

Proverbs 3:1-6

1 My son, do not forget my law,

But let your heart keep my commands;

2  For length of days and long life

And peace they will add to you.

3  Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart,

4 And so find favor and high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct[a] your paths.

Proverbs 16:7

When a man’s ways please the Lord,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

 John 14:15-18

15 “If you love Me, keep[a] My commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you

another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive,

because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know
Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

John 15:7-14

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you

will[a] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;
so you will be My disciples.

Love and Joy Perfected

9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in
My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide
in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s
commandments and abide in His love.

11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may

remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My
commandment, that you love one another as I have loved
you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay
down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if
you do whatever I command you
 Presence of God in us

John 14:15-17

“If you love Me, keep[a] My commandments. 16 And I will

pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that
He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth,
whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees
Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with
you and will be in you.

 Protection against our enemies

2 Chronicles 20:15

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in

Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you:
‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast
army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s

 Power (an authority against the enemy)

Deuteronomy 28:1

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all
his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set
you high above all the nations on earth.

 Provision for our daily needs

2 Peter 1:3

 His divine power has given us everything we need for a

godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by
his own glory and goodness.

 Prosperity, as God empowers us to be wealth creator and

distributors
 Deuteronomy 8:18

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives

you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his
covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is
today.

 Peace in the midst of troubles

John 14:27

 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as

the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid

Check also these verses:

Jeremiah 7:23-24, Isaiah 58:6-14, 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Deuteronomy 30:19-20,

Deuteronomy 12:28, Deuteronomy 7:9-15, Deuteronomy 5:29, Deuteronomy 4:39-40,
Exodus 23:22, enesis 22:18, Exodus 15: 26, John 10:27-29, John 14:23-24
 V. GIVE, GIVE, GIVE

Proverbs 3:10

So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Financial prosperity is simple and sure. It is easy and certain. God and King Solomon
guarantee it. They put their guarantee in writing. What holds you back?
Barns filled with plenty? Presses bursting with new wine? Here are descriptive phrases
of financial blessing and economic prosperity. Are you interested? Grasp this financial
rule.

Only the Bible has the secret financial wisdom here. The best graduate business
schools are too ignorant to know the most important economic and financial factors
affecting men and nations. Remember, their research says they came from monkeys.
Their analysis says that instead of a long-predicted ice age coming it is now to be
global warming.

Jehovah God of the Bible created this world. He gave your life. He gave your ability to
get a job or start a business. He sends sunshine and rain at His own discretion (Matt
5:45). He directs hearts of kings as easily as rivers of waters (Pr 21:1). He alters
circumstances, influences, opportunities, returns, and anything else as easily as you
read this sentence.

The Preacher, who is Solomon, presented God’s certain promise to those who honor
Him with their assets and the first portion of income (Pr 3:9). True honor to God is not
just singing about your love of Jesus; it is giving to Him of your possessions and cash
flow. Proverbs 3:10 teaches the duty of giving; this verse teaches how God rewards
givers.

If this proverb had been written by a poor man, an unsuccessful man, or a religious
leader, you might doubt the truth of the rule. You might think the promise was only to
solicit giving, as televangelists and social organizations do today. But these words
were written by King Solomon, who had experienced them firsthand with his father
King David.

In an agricultural society, the barn was where your assets were stored, and the
presses were where you converted grapes into valuable wine. These two figures of
speech describe a prospering farmer – he has accumulated much, and he has great
cash flow. Here is the good life, from a financial perspective, presented by graphic
picture language.

This law of financial reward is as true as the law of gravity; it is truer than any money
advice you have heard. It is as true as Genesis 1:1 or any other verse of scripture. It is
God’s written promise. Believe it fully, and obey it cheerfully and liberally, today. Honor
God by giving Him His portion – He will bless you financially; He guarantees it. This will
be tackled more on the next step “give your tithes”. When you give to other people
especially to the poor or the needy and your family, you are giving it to God.

Matthew 25:40

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I

say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of
these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Of course, as with all other Bible promises and general laws, God retains the right to
apply different laws in your life at different times, all for His glory and your profit. If you
think you can give to cover other sins in your life, you are tempting God to judge you.
But all other things being equal, the man who gives to God is the man who will prosper.

Still doubting? Your lack of faith is why you do not receive (Heb 11:6; Jas 1:6-7). Bold
giving by faith is an act of worship (Phil 4:18), and God will reward it. An important man
once doubted God, and believers trampled him to death on the way to the bank (II Kgs
7:16-20). And the Lord killed many Israelites who doubted His ability (Ps 78:17-31).

What kind of return can God give? Isaac’s portfolio grew 10,000% in one year (Gen
26:12). Jacob went from nothing to great substance in 20 years (Gen 32:10).
Solomon’s returns were so great that silver in Israel was as common as stones (I Kgs
10:27). It shamed him to drink from silver vessels, so they were all of pure gold (I Kgs
10:21).

Robert G. Letourneau (1888-1969), one of the greatest American inventors, gave 90%
of his income back to God, and he died a rich man. He answered questions about his
giving this way, “I shovel my money to God, and He shovels it right back, but He has a
bigger shovel!” This man tested God with great faith, but God was greater than his
faith. How much faith do you have? Will you walk on financial water at His command?

If you suffer financially, you have sin in your life (Jer 5:25), have not given liberally (II
Cor 9:6), or have not done it cheerfully (II Cor 9:7). The LORD has put holes in your
bags, and your hard work and wages are falling out (Hag 1:2-11). The only exception
to this rule is when God does something else in your life for your greater benefit, but
even then the duty to honor God with your assets by helping other people and your
family and giving the first fruits still stands (Pr 3:9).

A man will say, “But I gave, and nothing happened.” God is not a candy dispenser
waiting for you to give an offering and push the button for your favorite treat. He will
laugh and judge such a profane attitude. He wants a commitment to giving (Gen
28:22). He wants to see your sacrifice, which is much more than a little, token gift (II
Cor 8:1-4).

Another man will say, “I cannot afford to give.” That is the height of folly – you cannot
afford not to give. Will you dig yourself out of a financial hole by cheating the Lord?
Hah! If you wait until giving is no sacrifice, it means nothing to the Lord. The Lord
rewarded the widow woman who gave two mites, for it was all she had (Luke 21:1-4).

These men are unbelievers. They think they are wise to protect their incomes to get
ahead. Hah! Protection and blessings are from God only (Pr 21:31; Ps 4:8). The true
and living God can prepare and furnish a table in the desert, and if you doubt it, you
are in trouble (Ps 78:10-33). If you hold back to help your cash flow, you are going to
poverty; if you give to Him part of what you think you need, He will bless you (Pr 11:24-
25).
The reward of this proverb is obtained by obeying the previous proverb (Pr 3:9). Putting
a few bucks in the offering plate does not honor God; giving what is left over after your
expenses is not first fruits giving; promising to give if God will bless you does not honor
Him; giving of your after-tax income is not firstfruits giving. Examine your heart.

God knows when He attaches a promised reward to a command like He has done here
(Pr 3:9-10). He reminds you that the first commandment with a promised reward is
honoring parents for a long and good life (Eph 6:2-3). But here He has promised
financial gain for honoring Him properly with your giving. Such promises are so sure
that He told Israel to mark their calendars when they started giving to see the great
difference (Hag 2:15-19).

The LORD God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and everything else beside (Ps
50:10-12). He is able to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory (Phil
4:19). If you think giving a few dollars is hard, then think about the sacrifice Jesus
Christ made for sinners. Was He rewarded? He was given great honor, fullness of joy,
and pleasures forevermore at God’s right hand (Phil 2:5-11; Ps 16:9-11; Heb 12:2).

He knows a full measure and how to shake it down, pack it down, and pour it over the
top (Luke 6:38).

Luke 6:38

 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed

down, shaken together, and running over will be put into
your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it
will be measured back to you.”

He sees your balance sheet and income statement. He sees the intent of your heart
and the degree of joy and zeal you have in giving. You cheat Him to your financial peril.

1. The Lord Jesus expects and requires us to give.

Jesus said to His disciples, “when you give” not “if you give” (Matthew 6:2)! Christian
giving is not optional but it is extremely important.

In Mathew 6:1 Jesus warned His disciples not to give for the sake of being admired
by people.

Do Good to Please God

 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds

before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no
reward from your Father in heaven.
Before we give, let us examine our hearts and our motives. We must give with the right
motives and the right attitude. God is interested with your heart not with your actions.

We must give for the glory of God and for the good of His people.

We must give with the desire of God’s approval with our actions and not desiring for the
praises and admiration of people towards us.

Are you giving for God’s praise or man’s?

2. Help People in need

Proverbs 21:13

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

Will also cry himself and not be heard.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Unity and Diversity in One Body

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all
the members of that one body, being many, are one body,
so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—

whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and
have all been made to drink into[a] one Spirit.

James 2:15-16

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily

food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace,
be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things
which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

God wants us to help not only our fellow believers but everyone who are in need

Proverbs 22:9
 He who has a generous eye will be blessed,

Acts 20:35

35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this,

that you must support the weak. And remember the words
of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give
than to receive.’”

3. Be generous with your time and talents

Whether or not you have a lot of money or material possessions, be a generous person
with your time, looking for ways to help your church, other ministries, or people in need.
Follow Christ’s example by showing a passionate concern for others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:5-7

The Humbled and Exalted Christ

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it
robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no
reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming
in the likeness of men.

4. Be generous especially if you are well off

If you are wealthy, be thankful that God gave you that blessing. Remember it is not your
money. Use it to bless others.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Instructions to the Rich

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to

be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living
God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works,

ready to give, willing to share,
 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the
time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

5. Give privately

Give to please God, not to put on a show in front of other people.

If you give money to an individual, it is often best to do it anonymously. But this doesn’t
mean that Jesus forbids us to give in public. For example on some churches when they
give their tithes they have to stand and bring their tithes at the altar like in our church. It
is not our action that matters; it is our heart, If we give in public be careful with your
motive so you will not show off publicly.

Giving in private prevents us from sinning due to Pride and the desire to be praised. It
even makes you humble before the Lord.

There are times when it’s okay to let others know about our giving. For example, it
would be better to open up our giving to our spouse and our children that they may
know and see our generosity and we will be a role model to them.

6. Follow biblical examples

May we be encouraged to follow the examples from the Bible that we may be a giver
and use our resources (money, home, talent or skills, time, car etc) whatever our
financial status today because this is not for us but for the glory of God and to further
His kingdom.

 Mary Magdalene and other women helped support Jesus and the apostles

Luke 8:1-3

Many Women Minister to Jesus

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through

every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad
tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with
Him,

2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits

and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had
come seven demons,

3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and

Susanna, and many others who provided for Him[a] from
their substance.
  Joseph, a wealthy man, provided his own tomb for Jesus

Matthew 27:57-60

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man

from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also
become a disciple of Jesus.

58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of

Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to
him.

59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a

clean linen cloth,

60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of

the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of
the tomb, and departed.

 Nicodemus supplied expensive spices for the burial.

John 19:39

39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night,

also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a
hundred pounds.

 Priscilla and Aquila invited Apollos to their home to tell him about Jesus (

Acts 18:26

So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When

Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and
explained to him the way of God more accurately.

1. Giving should be done in accordance with our means.

 2 Corinthians 8:12

 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according

to what one has, and not according to what he does not
have.

The Lord doesn’t ask us beyond our means. Help or give on what you have not on what
you don’t have. Helping and giving shouldn’t be a burden, you are not asked to go and
borrow money for you to help. Give whatever you have, don’t think that you don’t have
enough money to give but give because it is your desire to help. God is interested in
your heart.

“It is not Quantity but Quality.”

2 Corinthians 8:12

12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted

according to what one has, and not according to what he
does not have.

1 Corinthians 16:2,

Each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may

prosper.

Those who have more money are expected to give more.

But let me remind you this, It is good to have the heart to give but please do not
forget to set aside or save for you and your family. 

2. Give Generously

The desire and means to be generous both comes from God

2 Corinthians 9:6

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap

sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully.
“They who in giving think, not how little they can give, as they would if self-enrichment were
the aim, but of benefits to be conferred, will receive back on the same principle. As they do to
others, so God will act to them.” J.A. Beet

God gives us wealth so we can be generous.

A generous person is someone who is ready to give more of something, as money or

time, than is strictly necessary or expected.

Be careful not to hold on tightly on what you own either money, things, skills or time
because selfishness often cause financial difficulties or crisis.

2 Corinthians 9:11

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be

generous on every occasion, and through us your
generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Proverbs 11:24

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another

withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

2 Corinthians 9:6

Remember this:

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and

whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

3. Give cheerfully, willingly, freely and humbly

Be thankful and enjoy the privilege of giving generously, but do not become proud
about what you are doing. Remember that it is God who gives you the ability and the
resources to share.

1 Chronicles 29:14

But who am I, and who are my people,

That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?

For all things come from You,

And of Your own we have given You.

 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart,

not grudgingly or under compulsion.”

Giving is not optional it is both compulsory and voluntary. God required us to give but
with a willing, humble and cheerful heart.

4. Give wisely and Pray for Wisdom

Jesus told us to give generously but we should be wise enough when and to whom are
we going to give.

Don’t think that you must and you are responsible to donate to every penniless people,
charities, organizations, ministers or churches asking for help. Pray for wisdom, and
then make choices. Once you made a decision don’t feel guilty if you won’t give to any
solicitors because there are so many organizations or people using the name of God to
solicit money and making it a business. Here in the Philippines, we have lots of these
people. They are everywhere, on busses, restaurants, on the road, anywhere.

Ask God for “knowledge and depth of insight” .Try to identify real needs.

Philippians 1:9-10

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more
and more in knowledge and all discernment,

10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that
you may be sincere and without offense till the day of
Christ,

There are times we feel pity on some who are asking for help without any knowledge
that some are pretending to be disabled just to get money.

Pray before making a commitment to give money. Ask God’s wisdom on when and
who are you going to help.

5. Don’t stop being generous

I know the feeling when you found out that the people you are helping are taking
advantage of your generosity and kindness but these things or these people
shouldn’t make you stingy. Continue helping and giving. Pray for the person or these
people who misused your help, and ask God to help you be wise in the future.
 BLESSINGS TO THE GENEROUS
We are more blessed if we know how to become a blessing to others.

Not because God has to, but because He has graciously promised to. It may not be in
the way we expect; we might not always reap cash for cash. But we will definitely reap.

1. God will bless our children.

Psalm 37:26

He is ever merciful, and lends;

And his descendants are blessed.

The word “descendants” is clear. Our children will be blessed as we continue to pray for
our kids and pray that God will fulfill His promise.Keep on giving with a generous heart.

2. God will protect, deliver, and restore us

Psalm 41:1-3

The Blessing and Suffering of the Godly

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1Blessed is he who considers the poor;

The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

2The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive,

And he will be blessed on the earth;

You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies.

3The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness;

You will sustain him on his sickbed.

3. God will pour His Grace on us for us to help others not just financially but
most of all spiritually and also share our time, talents or any way we could.
2 Corinthians 9:8

8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you,

that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may
have an abundance for every good work.
 4. God will be honored

Proverbs 14:31

He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,

But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

When we honor God, He honors us. God is generous and we are to reflect that
character of God and if we are gracious to those who are less fortunate then we are
showing to the world the character of Christ.

Proverbs 19:17

He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,

And He will pay back what he has given.

The poor won’t usually be able to pay us back, but God will make sure He does.

5. God will never forsake us and we will dwell in the land forever

Psalm 37:25-28

25 I have been young, and now am old;

Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,

Nor his descendants begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lends;

And his descendants are blessed.

27 Depart from evil, and do good;

And dwell forevermore.

28 For the Lord loves justice,

And does not forsake His saints;

They are preserved forever,

But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.

God will never abandon us, God won’t allow us to be forsaken, nor to beg bread and
that means our finances will be provided and our needs will be met.We will dwell in the
land forever, not only financial blessings but our lives will be filled with rewards that
money can never give.

6. Others will water us

Proverbs 11:25

The generous soul will be made rich,

And he who waters will also be watered himself.

As we generously give to others, God will also use other people to help us in times of
needs. And if others will be blessed with our testimony (how we live each day), they will
also bless you with prayers and even financial blessings.

7. You will reap in the same way you give.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

The Cheerful Giver

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap

sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully.

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not

grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Notice the words “God loves” when we say love that means “favor”. When God favors
us, many things happen in our lives that people can’t understand. A lot of favors will
flood our life. And if we continue giving cheerfully we will enjoy every blessing that will
come our way because God and people will give us favors cheerfully.

8. God will increase your capacity for every kind of good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8-9

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you,

that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may
have an abundance for every good work.

9 As it is written:

“He has dispersed abroad,

 He has given to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever.”[a]God will enrich you

to be increasingly generous.

2 Corinthians 9:11

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality,

which causes thanksgiving through us to God. Not only
will we increase in generosity, but our blessing others will
result in them giving thanks and praise to God.

If God can see that we are using His blessings to bless others then He will increase
your blessings that you may help more and become a blessing more and more.

As God increases our blessings it increases our generosity also; as a result, people will
praise God and even come to God for salvation.
 VI.

SAV
E, SAVE, SAVE
“A penny saved is a penny earned”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
 BIBLICAL ETHICS OF SAVING MONEY
Saving is not a suggestion neither an option. It is a commandment (Pr 6:8; 30:25) not to
be neglected and ignored. The ants do it by the instinct God put in them. Good men do
it by the conviction of the truth God revealed to them. But most men, especially today,
do not save. They are devoid of financial wisdom.

Saving money is smart! Saving money is right! Ants do it by the wisdom God gave
them. Do you? You are doomed to eventual financial pain and trouble, if you do not
save a portion of all income. If you spend all you make, or spend more than you make,
as most people today, you will soon be in financial difficulty, pain, shame, stress, and
trouble.

 The ANTS are not like people who are strong, yet they prepare their food
in the summer;
 Ants are very weak creatures: you can crush many with a foot; but they
are wiser than men.
 Ants work very hard when the going is good, and they prudently save
much for hard times.
 Ants do not need anyone to tell them to get up and get going - they have
initiative (Prov6:6-11).
 If you get down in the dirt and watch them, they do not sleep in, doze,
daydream, or relax.
 They make hay while the sun shines, which is man’s proverb about
exploiting opportunity.
 It is this diligence that makes men great and rich (Prov10:4; 12:24; 13:4;
19:15; 20:13; 22:29).

Saving must be a priority; it is not an option for leftover money, for such never
happens. Paying bills is paying others, saving is paying yourself. Until you save, you
worked for free.

If you do not save at least 10% of income, you are playing games. 10% is possible for
all. Do not touch savings! If ants took vacations and ate their food, they would die in the
winter.

Why are you poor today? Is it ignorance at not being taught? Or slothfulness at not
doing it? When it is 5:00 tomorrow morning, remind yourself of the ant and leap up to
be successful!

Spiritually, God is providing instruction; are you diligently acquiring and storing
knowledge?
Saving improves standards of living for individuals and nations. Fools spend all income
to fulfill their lusts today. They will even spend beyond their income by credit to buy
things they cannot afford. But this results in paying interest on debt rather than receiving
interest or dividends for savings, and it denies the nation capital for legitimate
expansion.

Ants stay underground during the whole winter season, and they consume the food they
stored up during the prosperity of summer and harvest. Without any rulers, guides, or
overseers, ants know to be conscious of the future and to prepare for it (Pr 6:7). Saving
is not something you should be forced to do; you should want to do it for its great
benefits.

This little creature has great wisdom, and God expects you to learn from it (Pr 6:6-8;
30:25). The first lesson is hard work, which sluggards can learn by watching the
constant activity of ants. They do not talk about sports at the water fountain! The second
lesson is being a self-starter; they do not need drill sergeants to get them going or
remind them of other projects to work on. And the third lesson; they save for the future.

If a man is a diligent self-starter, the ant’s first two lessons, he will make considerable
income during his lifetime, even if he is uneducated and/or underemployed. But how
much he makes is not the best measure; it is rather what he keeps. For what you keep
shows better character, protects against the future, and allows investment opportunities.

Fools live paycheck to paycheck. Wise men save some of all income, at least ten
percent, and put it aside, to be used only for a dire emergency or investment. They
consider the future, not just spending whatever comes to hand (Pr 21:20). They cut
expenses as much as they need to in order to save some income. They fear the cost of
high living (Pr 21:17).

The younger you are and the better your income, the more you should save. Youth is
not for playing; it is for working and saving, for difficult days are coming. You can play
later. If business or income is booming, you should save much more than ten percent,
for leaner times are ahead and so are investment opportunities to leverage your
savings.

You can lose your assets, business income, or job, no matter how secure you might
think you are. This sinful world is always changing, and Solomon warned elsewhere that
assets and income can and will decline (Pr 23:5; 27:23-24). One purpose for savings is
to be prudent and provide for this future possibility to protect yourself (Pr 22:3; 27:12).

Wise men also know that saving provides the capital to buy income-producing assets
that can leverage your ability and effort to get ahead farther and faster. Consider the
benefit of owning an ox for a manual farmer (Pr 14:4), but he will never have an ox
without disciplined savings to purchase one. Then he can save faster to buy another
one!
This view sometimes calls saving your seed corn. As farmers know well, they must have
seed to plant the next year; just the same as you need savings for your next difficulty or
opportunity. If you consume all your income, you have nothing to help you the next year,
so you get poorer each year, though you may not be able to feel it or see it immediately.

On this book you will see all the rules to follow and they are guaranteed to work, for God
inspired them, and Solomon confirmed them. The ant does four of them, so you can be
better than ants!

While saving for your financial future, you must also layup treasures in heaven for your
spiritual future (I Tim 6:17-19). Jesus taught this wisdom by the unjust steward (Luke
16:1-9). God is righteous, so He will perfectly remember investments of godliness (Heb
6:10; Matt 25:31-46). Are you making your calling and election sure (II Pet 1:10-11)?

We must always remember that God owns everything, and we are but stewards of what
He has entrusted to us. Thus we must honor God by saving consistently.

Some would ask, shall we save or depend and ask on God’s daily providence? Just as
He has promised in His words.

John 14:14

14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Some say “If I save it is an indication of lack of Faith”. Saving does not represent a lack
of faith, but it does reflect the heart of a faithful steward.

The scriptures are clear that we must and should save to responsibly fulfill our financial
obligations to the government, to those who work for us, to the church and our families.

Earlier we had the ants as an example and they are the most famous stewards of all
time!

To become better stewards of God’s money, one is through SAVING. God wants us to
save to be able to have all the resources we need to take care of our families and other
people.

Saving can sometimes be a sin. Why? People sometimes take advantage of their own
families and other people and when asked for help they lie and pretend they don’t have
anything. They don’t pay their basic necessities even they have a job and capable to
pay for those, but because they want to save for their own selfish desires they let other
people do it for them. My heart breaks with some taking advantage of the goodness of
other people even their own family or close friend .When the time comes that the people
who helped them also need help, they distance themselves and pretend that they have
nothing knowing that these selfish people have used the money and goodness of other
people, but because of their greediness and selfish ambitions and wants they become
stingy.
I’m sure God is not pleased with that. We sin because of our motives and actions
towards saving.

In considering how much to give and how much to save, we must remember to
distinguish between what we really need to fulfill our responsibilities and what we would
like. God promises to provide for our needs but does not promise to give us our selfish
desires (Mt. 6:33; Jam. 4:3; cf I Tim. 6:8).

James 4:3

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss,

that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Let me just share two examples of saving and the lessons we can get from them.

 We all know the story of the Israelites in Exodus 16 they have been
wandering the dessert going to their final destination which is the Promised Land.
They have been complaining and complaining knowing that they’re already free
from slavery in Egypt. But God still provided their needs by sending manna every
morning. In Exodus 16:19 And Moses said, “Let no one leave any of it till
morning.” But the Israelites didn’t follow, some of them left part of it until morning,
and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.

The same is true with our lives, and especially our money.

God will always provide for your needs and that is 100% sure because that is God’s
promise. It may not happen in the way we expect, but He will always be faithful.

Sometimes greediness, fear, and stubbornness from God’s instructions destroy us

from the real purpose of saving that God wants us to do. God has a specific purpose
for our money why He wants us to save and when we try to use it outside His will,
we are faced with the consequences of our disobedience.

Reject the spirit of greediness or fear that would tell you to hoard more money or
resources to be able to succeed, to attain your goals in life but taking advantage of
other people especially your own family, hiding your money when somebody needs
help because of your selfish desires. Brothers and sisters in Christ don’t sacrifice
giving in order to save – you receive blessings and joy from giving!

Be diligent to save according to the Scripture and trust that God sees your every
need.

 When I was a kid, I really love the story of Joseph. How God made him
the prince of Egypt knowing he’s an Israelite.

In Genesis 41, Joseph was able to interpret the Pharaoh’s dream “7 years of plenty
and 7 years of famine coming in Egypt.”
What I love about this is when the Pharaoh puts him in charge of the entire country.
Joseph immediately worked, storing grain and resources during the 7 years of
plenty. He followed God’s instructions and worked diligently. He saved for the future
not only for Egypt but for his family and the surrounding countries.

What a wonderful example of faithful stewardship and preparedness. We may not

know what’s coming in 7 years, 7 days or 7 weeks, but we can always be faithful to
prepare for the unexpected to come.

As we save, others will also be blessed as you share your own blessings just like
Joseph, what he saved didn’t only serve him and Egypt but also other countries and
his family.

Even in the times of famine, God still wants us to give generously and be used for
His purposes. God may use your savings to help others who weren’t prepared – be
thankful and ready to share! Be generous!

When God asks us to save, or give, it’s not because He needs it or because He
can’t provide for us. It’s because it’s good for us.

From the first example we had, The Israelites have been wandering in the desert for
40 years but they didn’t see how God loved them and provided their needs.

Deuteronomy 29:5

And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your

clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have
not worn out on your feet.

Imagine 40 years, and their clothes and sandals not worn out! Wow that was great.
Sometimes we complain and complain like the Israelites but missed to see the
wonderful things God is doing for us. Sometimes we feel bad that we are in poverty
for so long, or can’t get your kids to school due to lack of money or other things that
deprived you in doing things because of money. Ask yourself first, “Did I save?” “Did
I become a good steward of the money that God gave me?” “Did I work diligently?”

When we understand stewardship, we understand our identity. It is more than

something we do; we are stewards now and for eternity.

Establish a savings plan and work hard to sustain it. Seek to understand the Bible
and Pray that God will help you as you save for your life and finances.

If you haven’t been a good steward of God’s money before then PRAY and ASK
God’s forgiveness and start saving at the same time be generous. Keep your
priorities straight and let God help you and guide you on handling His money to
become a good and great steward of God’s blessings.
 SAVING AND BUDGETING FOR A RAINY DAY

Saving money isn’t just following a set of instructions made by other people but it is a
mindset and a way of life and done consistently.

Try saving a dollar ($1) a day, then in a week you’ll have $7 then in a month $28. It is
better to start with this if you haven’t tried to save yet then do it consistently until it
becomes part of your daily life then the $1 dollar grows. Maybe you’ll be saving now $5-
$10 a day. Just imagine how much you can save if we do it daily. Don’t be deceived
with the “Get Rich Quick” schemes. It may work for others, but mostly it doesn’t work
and some ended broke because of these schemes because they took a risk.

Work, Save and Pray. 100 % sure, No Risk and 100% effective

1 Corinthians 16:2.

2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay
something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there
be no collections when I come

Live within or below our means to save for future needs.

Some have a job or a business but they end up in poverty, become broke and can’t
meet the bills. Why? It is all about spending and not saving. If we don’t restrain our
spending so we have enough money to do what we need to do, that’s poverty. So
planning means some kind of budgeting and it allows us to know if we can afford
something or not.

As we begin to live within or below our means, there is a very good possibility that we
will be able to save up money for future needs.

Proverbs 21:5 tells us,

The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,

But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Proverbs 21:20 tells us

There is desirable treasure,

And oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man squanders it.

As Christians we sometimes have situations that we have not anticipated and we have
to ask God’s help, it’s normal. Even if we are good stewards we sometimes face
emergency situations, but the regular expenses like taxes, bills, insurance, daily food,
kids schooling, house rent etc are met because you have saved.

If you have a car and you are a wise steward then you will set aside some portion of
your earnings in anticipation of repairs, registration, insurance and others. Same with
your appliances that may give out save for the replacement or repair.
 John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may

have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be
of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

If you’re a Christian then you know that just as Christ has overcome, we also can be
victorious in everything even in our finances. Those who don’t believe in God’s power,
they view on the economic conditions of this world and sometimes believe that
prosperity is difficult to achieve but for believers we can live in financial peace as we
practice good financial stewardship to achieve our goals through saving.

Remember that financial prosperity in God’s eyes is different in the world’s eyes. It
doesn’t mean always that you’ll be rich in money but it does mean that your needs will
be provided for and you’ll have an abundant peace, contentment and everlasting joy.

The time to start is now. Don’t wait any longer to put your financial plan into action. Not
tomorrow, not next time when you have bigger earnings, but NOW!
 VII. INVEST

Investing is one of the steps for financial freedom. This is not only for the wealthy.
There are people who are experts on this field but I will just share in the simplest
way I could so we could understand what, how, where and when to Invest.

Businesses require investment.

The wise woman of Proverbs

Proverbs 31:16

16 She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

Every farmer knows that you have to have fields to farm. And you have to have
tractors and buy fertilizer. Every businessman invests. My dad has an auto shop and
before starting his business he has to buy or invest on his equipment to run the
shop. He can’t repair cars without any tool, he has to buy. That’s what this woman
did.

But first and foremost we should realize that God wants us to invest in things that
are not contrary to what the Bible teaches us and how we should live and serve Him.
 When you are deciding on an investment, ask yourself if it is something God Himself
would approve of.

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO INVEST OUR MONEY

IN?

The very first investment God wants us to make is in our eternity. He wants us first to
invest in an eternal, saving, personal relationship with Himself and with His Son Jesus
Christ.

Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness,

Than vast revenues without justice.

WHAT IS INVESTING?

Investing means putting some money someplace where it can grow for retirement.
It’s not that everyone can or must do this at every point in their life. But the earlier we
start, the more the investment grows. We should plan for a time later in life when we
won’t be able to earn what we did earlier in life.

Wise investing leads to the opportunity to leave an inheritance

Proverbs 13:22

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s

children,

But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous

This man wasn’t just thinking about himself. He was thinking about the future. And if
he saved and invested well, there was something to help his children when he’s
gone.
 A GODLY MAN INVESTS FOR HIS FAMILY
Godly families improve generation by generation. Good men save for grandchildren.
God blesses the noble investment by taking from the wicked and adding it to their
inheritance. Wisdom includes estate planning for your family to improve financially. A
loving patriarch intends for future generations of his family to have greater economic
power.

Good men are farsighted wherein they see and prepare for the future, especially for
their families. They are great family planners. They rejoice in grandchildren, and they
prepare every possible advantage. God rewards their goodness by keeping their
estates for their posterity. The generations of the just are blessed.

Psalm 103:17

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to

everlasting

On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

But He takes riches from the wicked and gives them to the righteous.

The Bible promises longevity to the righteous and shortened days to sinners (Pr 3:1-2;
4:10; 9:11; 10:27; Ps 34:11-13; 91:16; Eph 6:2-3). It also promises the safe transfer of
wealth from one generation to another for them (Pr 28:8; Eccl 2:26; Job 27:16-17).

Job 27:16-17

16 Though he heaps up silver like dust,

And piles up clothing like clay—

17 He may pile it up, but the just will wear it,

And the innocent will divide the silver.

These are wonderful promises that no life insurance salesman can even approach with
his offers.

Israel, the people of God, visited Egypt, the cat-worshipping pagans of the Nile. When
they left, they took the nation’s wealth of many generations (Ex 3:21-22; 12:36). Saul
was envious of righteous David and persecuted him, but God gave Saul’s throne to
David (II Sam 12:7-8). And it is David’s throne that endures forever (Is 9:6-7).
Men have a huge family role. Most life problems can be traced to a negligent father. He
first must be morally and spiritually good. Then he must save and give an inheritance to
his children until to the grandchildren. He counts grandchildren as his crown.

Proverbs 17:6

Children’s children are the crown of old men,

And the glory of children is their father.

Only good men are strong enough to retain income and assets for an inheritance.

Foolish and sinful men are too lazy, selfish, or wasteful to accumulate an estate for the
family. A good man is a hard worker at a real profession or trade, a consistent and
disciplined saver, a frugal and wise spender, a prudent and pessimistic investor, and a
generous giver. He easily denies himself to have money left over for future generations.

God has ordered parents to build an estate for their children (Pr 19:14; II Cor 12:14).

2 Corinthians 12:14

Love for the Church

Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I

will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but
you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents,
but the parents for the children.

It is not an option or merely a suggestion – it is His commandment – it is a rule of

wisdom. While children must be ready to support parents in case of an emergency in
old age, this is not God’s ordinary plan for the two generations (I Tim 5:4,8).

1 Timothy 5:4,8

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them

first learn to show piety at home and to repay their
parents; for this is good and[a] acceptable before God.

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and

especially for those of his household, he has denied the
faith and is worse than an unbeliever

The parents should have lived diligently and wisely enough to provide an inheritance
for the next two generations.
This profane world mocks God and His ordinances. Their selfish habits and lusts for
pleasures and immediate gratification consume most or all of their income, or even
more, as some men die as net debtors in this evil generation.

An inheritance for your children and grandchildren is one more reason you must save
some of your income and invest. Saving money is not an option or suggestion; it is your
Christian duty (Pr 6:6-8; 30:25),because leaving an inheritance is your Christian duty.
You cannot excuse yourself by reading the Bible and praying every day. Anyone can
save simply by putting money aside and living on whatever is left.

What if you have little wealth to leave your grandchildren? If you have lived and worked
nobly according to God’s word, He chose your situation for wise purposes. He wants
you to give them even greater gifts. The greatest inheritance a man can leave his family
is fear of the Lord, the Christian scriptures, and wisdom (Ps 34:11; 119:111; Eccl 7:11).

Ecclesiastes 7:11

 Wisdom is good with an inheritance,

And profitable to those who see the sun.

Psalm 34:11

Come, you children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Good men see three or more generations needing these precious things (Ps 78:1-8;
Joel 1:1-3).

Psalm 78:1-8

God’s Kindness to Rebellious Israel

Give ear, O my people, to my law;

Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth in a parable;

I will utter dark sayings of old,

3 Which we have heard and known,

And our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children,

 Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,

And His strength and His wonderful works that He has

done.

5 For He established a testimony in Jacob,

And appointed a law in Israel,

Which He commanded our fathers,

That they should make them known to their children;

6 That the generation to come might know them,

The children who would be born,

That they may arise and declare them to their children,

7 That they may set their hope in God,

And not forget the works of God,

But keep His commandments;

8 And may not be like their fathers,

A stubborn and rebellious generation,

A generation that did not set its heart aright,

And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Brother or Sister, what are you doing for your family? Is your life of such integrity that
blessings are accruing to your descendants, both spiritually and financially? Is your
family growing in greatness generation by generation? Or are you a fool, neglecting to
give your children the advantages you were charged to give them (Deut 6:4-9; II Cor
12:14; Eph 6:4)? Let every father remember daily why he is still alive (Is 38:19).

Isaiah 38:19

The living, the living man, he shall praise You,

As I do this day;

The father shall make known Your truth to the children.

Christian, your financial position in life is of modest importance or significance. Focus
your attention and affection upward. Your Father in heaven has an inheritance reserved
for you in the next world that exceeds the wealth of the universe (I Cor 3:21-23; I Pet
1:3-5; II Pet 3:10-14).

1 Peter 1:3-5

A Heavenly Inheritance

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that

does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for

salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

What investment did He make for your future? The death of His only Son! What portion
did He assign to you? An equal portion with that Son (Ro 8:14-19)!
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN WE ARE PLANNING TO INVEST INTO
SOMETHING:
Proverbs 28:20

A faithful man will abound with blessings,

But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

 Be faithful. Live the way God wants us to live, but also doing things the
way God teaches us to do --which includes handling our money in His way.
 Do not make haste to be rich. We should not take excessive risk in
order to get rich quickly, and that we will not give in to greed.

Be patient and let our money grow little by little, over time.

Many people rush to invest in an area they know nothing of, not even a bit of idea.
Only relying on what others have done and doing.

Proverbs 28:20 says that we will not go unpunished if we are in a hurry to get rich.
The verse didn’t say that God will punish us. The punishment will be the result of our
risky, unplanned, not prayed for, and our love to get rich quick. Some may lose their
money, broke, bankrupt, destroys their future, and destroys the family and ending up
in debt.

The verse did not tell us that being rich or to be rich is wrong, evil, a sin or will bring
us to punishment. If we invest in God’s way, and will make us rich, that is not a sin
but it is a blessing from God.

Proverbs 13:11

Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,

But he who gathers by labor will increase.

 Invest honestly, and little by little. Being honest is very, very, very
important. It is not wrong to invest but when our motives and actions go wrong
that’s the time we sinned against God’s will and way. Start small and don’t stress
yourself investing millions. Pray for God’s wisdom before you start your
investment.
There are self-made millionaires, the unbelievers, handled their wealth or money or
businesses with honesty and integrity. I have known some believers; some are pastors
who have businesses but didn’t financially succeed because they are not practicing
honesty and sometimes fail to pay the right wage for their employees and took
advantage of other people. They call themselves ambassadors of God but they are not
living the way God wants them to.

As Christians we have to be honest, fair and have integrity in all of our financial
dealings.

 Look into your skills or even your current job or career. Before you
invest you have to know what you love and what you are good at. If you are good
in music and you love music then think and pray on how you will invest into
something in line with your skill which is music, not in painting or sports or baking
because some people you know got rich. I’m telling you, your chances of
success is too low not even 50%.
 Obtain Biblical Counsel and Meditate on God’s Words . Seek the
counsel of the Lord. Spend quality time with him in prayer and ask God to reveal
His counsel to you through the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel, plans go awry,

But in the multitude of counselors they are established..

“Connect with the Lord” (John 15) on a regular basis and follow His wisdom and His
direction, now you have fulfilled your stewardship responsibility and leave the results
(the return on your investments) to God.

 TRUST God, not in any particular investment or money manager.

Proverbs 3:25-26

25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,

Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

26 For the Lord will be your confidence,

 And will keep your foot from being caught.

 God instructs us not to worry (Luke 12:22-31)

 and not to be fearful

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

 Trust Him and be content with His provision.

1 Timothy 6:6-8

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain

we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be

content.

 Jesus warns us against greed

Luke 12:15

15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of

covetousness,[a] for one’s life does not consist in the
abundance of the things he possesses.”

If you struggle with greed, pray and ask God to change your heart

Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,

 Like the rivers of water;

He turns it wherever He wishes.

 Before making any major decision, seek the advice of Godly

investment counsellors/advisers. An appropriate definition for such a person
would be as follows:
 a spiritually mature Christian who understands and applies God’s
investment principles (Psalm 111:10)
 has a close personal relationship with God (John 15),
 has the necessary practical investment knowledge (Proverbs 24:3, 4)
 Habitually puts the interests of clients first (Philippians 2:3, 4).

 One of your investment counsellors should be your spouse (Genesis

2:24), even if he or she has limited investment knowledge. God, through his Holy
Spirit, can give his peace or lack of peace to an objective spouse who is not
emotionally excited about or biased against a particular investment.

James 1:5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who
gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be
given to him.

Proverbs 14:15

15 The simple believes every word,

But the prudent considers well his steps.

Proceed only after God has given you His peace and His wisdom in respect of that
particular investment decision.

 God discourages the use of debt. The use of debt increases the risk
and the volatility of your investments
Proverbs 22:7

The rich rules over the poor,

And the borrower is servant to the lender.

  Invest to God’s work. Giving to God’s work is an investment with eternal
rewards for both you and the beneficiaries of the gift. In regard to the giver, Jesus
said:

Matthew 16:27

27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father
with His angels, and then He will reward each according
to his works.

Aren’t you happy when someone accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and will
be in Heaven because of the money you gave to your church or any Christian
organization? Amen.

Zacchaeus became a believer; he gave 50 percent of his assets in demonstration of his

thankfulness for salvation in Christ

Luke 19:8

8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look,

Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have
taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore
fourfold.”

God instructs us to give Him “the first fruits

Proverbs 3:9

Honor the Lord with your possessions,

And with the first fruits of all your increase;

When we make giving to God’s work a priority, God has promised that He will bless us
financially and will entrust you with even more than money.

2 Corinthians 9:6

The Cheerful Giver

 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap

sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap
bountifully.

Not to spend it for ourselves and have more wealth but to use it to God’s purpose and
His work.
 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and

bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have
sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality,

which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

It is important to save and invest to provide for future family needs, always make
investing in God’s work a priority, as it will produce eternal benefits!

You can learn more about how Keith Rawlinson recommend investing, and what to
invest in, in his article Getting started in investing and have more information about
saving, investing, getting out of debt and building up wealth at Eclecticsite

BEFORE NVESTING INTO SOMETHING, PREPARE

Proverbs 24:27

Prepare your outside work,

Make it fit for yourself in the field;

And afterward build your house.

Get a life before a wife. Establish your profession before buying a house. Get a real job
before buying a truck. Necessities come before comforts. Income production comes
before spending. Secure your source of income before committing to expensive
projects. Prepare before building, lest you are ridiculed for unfinished projects.

Luke 14:28-30

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit

down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to
finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is
not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to
finish’?
What a wonderful advice! Thank you, great God. Here is very practical instruction –
become good at your trade or business before committing to a house. Even businesses
could benefit by such wisdom – they should plow earnings back into the company
before declaring dividends or building a fancy home office. The Preacher Solomon was
wise.

In the agrarian society of Israel, most men worked outside in the fields, either growing
produce or tending flocks and herds. Cain and Abel represented the two main industries
of such a society – one tilled the ground, and one kept sheep (Gen 4:2). But each man
had to choose one of these endeavors and become very good at it in order to support a
family.

The wise man tells his son there is a right order to a man’s life. He must identify his
professional calling and establish himself in it before investing in the ornament and
luxury of a house, which consumes, rather than produces, income. Many create
hardship for their families, and some never recover, by getting these two stages of life
out of order.

Most people are too impatient to follow Solomon’s rule. They want the goodies now;
they want to show off a house before they have earned it; they want to drive a nice car
before they even have any financial assets. They will not save and wait; they lack the
self-discipline and humility to keep things in proper order; they want to show off now.

Young men cannot see that restraint now allows more time with luxuries in the future
than impulse spending can provide. They miss it due to shortsightedness, caused by
their lusts. In reality, the impulsive spender will likely end up working for the planner,
who will retire to enjoy his house and toys many years before the debtor retires in
poverty.

A young man does not deserve comfort, luxury, or entertainment until he has his career
producing, his financial house in order, and all other obligations taken care of. But the
temperance and wisdom this requires is so rare that only a few young men follow it.
Most overspend and under-earn and wonder why they never catch up to their
disciplined peers.

Easy credit and debt-subsidizing tax policies encourage these foolish choices. Credit
cards, installment debt, and easy mortgages seduce them into purchasing expensive
consumer goods and houses before they are ready professionally or financially. And the
deduction of loan interest for tax purposes further promotes these dangerous choices.

A young man’s goals, in order, should be to identify his life’s work, become proficient at
it, and raise some capital before he worries about the luxuries and assets of fathers (Pr
19:14). With his income secure, he can think about a wife and house, but not until then.
Income production should be far more important to him than income consumption.
A young man committed to invest is not ashamed to drive a used car and live with his
parents. He wants to focus on his work and accumulate capital as fast as possible. He
knows professional competence and capital are more important than pleasures or
comfort. Nice cars or houses waste capital. He plans to have a house, a fine house,
later.

A house is a costly luxury, as fathers know. It is a foolish burden for a young man, until
he is established in his profession. An apartment, used cars, a modest wardrobe, and
limited entertainment will do fine. A house produces only expenses. An ox, or any
income-producing asset, is a better choice than a house, unless it is a duplex (Pr 14:4).
There’s nothing wrong in having a house, you can have it only when you have
established your career, business or resources to pay bills and make the house.

Hasty men get these major decisions out of order and risk financial ruin (Pr 21:5; 28:20-
22).

Proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,

But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

A wise father will not give his daughter to a man who has these priorities confused. His
daughter will suffer needless deprivation and financial stress, as do many marriages,
where the father did not properly protect his daughter by applying this wisdom.

Jacob worked seven years for Rachel (Gen 29:18-20). By then he had accumulated the
basis for an estate and proven himself to his father-in-law. The dowry served this testing
purpose for other men (Ex 22:16-17). Spendthrifts found it hard to marry good girls.
Only young men with a successful trade and capital could marry Israel’s better
daughters.

Let us all beware. Patient diligence is God’s plan for financial success (Pr 12:11; 27:23-
27; 28:19).

Proverbs 27:23-27

23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,

And attend to your herds;

24 For riches are not forever,

Nor does a crown endure to all generations.

25 When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows

itself,
 And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,

26 The lambs will provide your clothing,

And the goats the price of a field;

27 You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food,

For the food of your household,

And the nourishment of your maidservants.

Prepare your heart to resist a covetous and greedy nation’s mantra of “buy now, pay
later.” The debt monster always comes back to bite. Let your dream be to own your own
business (or profession), rather than your own house.

Jesus Christ kept the priorities first. He first prepared His work, performed it perfectly,
and finished it. Then He began to build His house – the church (Matt 16:18).

Matthew 16:18

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall
not prevail against it.

And He began preparing a permanent place for His bride (John 14:2-3).

John 14:2-3

2 In My Father’s house are many mansions;[a] if it were

not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you.[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am,
there you may be also.

Without the earlier sacrifice of His life, the church and heaven would be impossible and
meaningless.
 HOW SHOULD WE INVEST OUR MONEY?

Investing doesn’t always talk about the stock market, bitcoin and others. You can invest
and learn about the stock market if it is your line of expertise, if you really want to learn,
if it is God’s will then why not?

My dad is a mechanic, he is very good on making stuff then he was able to save money
to have his own auto shop then he invested into welding machines and other tools he
would be using for his business which he used to raise up his children, us, and send us
all to school. Same as to all of us, what is your line of interest? Do you want to run a
business that you know you are capable with? Whatever it is that you want to invest
your money with, be sure to consider the things we have learned earlier. Before
planning and doing your first step, Pray, ask God, ask other people (family, spouse
especially Christians who are experts in investing or people who know more about
money handling) and when you have that peace in your heart and found the answer if it
is yes, you can proceed or if no, then there’s something better than what you are
planning. FATHER KNOWS BEST
 BIBLE VERSES ON INVESTING
We can find many verses on the Bible that can give us wisdom about how to deal with
our money even in the area of investing.

Please remember that these verses are just our guide, not to encourage you to put your
trust and hope to your investment or your money. Let’s put our hope in God not with our
wealth and riches but it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t plan ahead for the future, save,
invest and diversify. Let’s take a look at some of the Biblical principles for investing
given by Peter Anderson.

GET A GOOD COUNSEL

Proverbs 15:22

Without counsel, plans go awry,

But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

Proverbs 19:2

Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,

And he sins who hastens with his feet.

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Proverbs 28:26

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But whoever walks wisely will be delivered

Proverbs 24:6

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,

And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

 PLAN AHEAD

Proverbs 13:16

Every prudent man acts with knowledge,

But a fool lays open his folly.

Luke 14:28-30

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not

sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough
to finish it—

29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to

finish, all who see it begin to mock him,

30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to

finish’?

Proverbs 6:6-8

The Folly of Indolence

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise,

7 Which, having no captain,

Overseer or ruler,

8 Provides her supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest.

 Proverbs 16:9

A man’s heart plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 27:23

Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,

And attend to your herds;

Proverbs 14:29

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,

But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

Proverbs 24:27

Prepare your outside work,

Make it fit for yourself in the field;

And afterward build your house.

SAVE & INVEST

Proverbs 21:20

There is desirable treasure,

And oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man squanders it.

Proverbs 21:5

The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,

But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

 Genesis 41:34-36

34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over

the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of
Egypt in the seven plentiful years.

35 And let them gather all the food of those good years
that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of
Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

36 Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the
seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt,
that the land may not perish during the famine.”

1 Corinthians 16:2

2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay
something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there
be no collections when I come.

Proverbs 27:12

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself;

The simple pass on and are punished.

Proverbs 30:24-25

24 There are four things which are little on the earth,

But they are exceedingly wise:

25 The ants are a people not strong,

Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

Check also Matthew 25:14-30

 DIVERSIFYING

James 4:13-15

Do Not Boast About Tomorrow

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we

will[a] go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy
and sell, and make a profit”;

14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.

For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a
little time and then vanishes away.

15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall

live and do this or that.”

Ecclesiastes 11:2

Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,

For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

 ETHICAL INVESTING

Ecclesiastes 12:13

 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

Proverbs 28:20

A faithful man will abound with blessings,

But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:8

Better is a little with righteousness,

Than vast revenues without justice

Leviticus 19:13

 ‘You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The
wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all
night until morning.

Psalm 112:5

A good man deals graciously and lends;

He will guide his affairs with discretion.

Proverbs 22:16

He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,

And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Luke 16:10

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much;

and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in
much
Only a fool doesn't plan ahead.

Save, invest and multiply your holdings. Invest into something that doesn’t hurt others
and in lined to God’s words.

Always rely on God not on money.

Plan ahead because fools don’t plan ahead. We invest to provide for our family and for
our future but please don’t allow money to become your priority. Do not neglect your
relationship with God because without Him everything will likely fail.
 VIII.

DEVELOP A SPENDING PLAN (BUDGET)

Budgeting is a helpful and wise way to manage your money. There are biblical
principles that can help you develop and use a Christian family budget.

I know that we are all familiar with the word “budget” and I believe that we know that
budgeting is a wise and smart way to keep track of our money. But sadly to say, we
don’t use a written budget as part of our personal and family finances. Whatever the
reason why you don’t want to budget, I want to tell you that a budget or a spending plan
will help you organize, set goals and decide in advance how your money will work for
the good of your family and others. Budgeting can help you save for the future both
known and unknown.

Many people overspend during the Christmas season or any special occasions like
birthday parties, reunion and others. We don’t even have the budget for the parties but
because we don’t want other people to say negative things about us or don’t want to
disappoint them or want to be praised, we end up to debt.

Spending is a habit, we have to be careful with the way we handle our money because
our spending can either financially make or break us.
 HERE ARE SOME IDEAS TO HELP CHANGE
SPENDING HABITS.

1. Develop realistic goals

Goals for money will help us make smart spending choices. Start on what is important
then design and develop a goal, a realistic one, a goal that is for the good of your family.
For example (1) You want to live a life without worries then your goal will be, to pay all
your debts (2) You want your children to gain education then you have to save. (3) You
don’t want to lack money for your needs, and then stop buying unnecessary things, later
your wants, prioritize what is necessary.

This is not complicated as you think. The power is in you to choose what is important for
you and your family. Set your financial goal, a written goal would be better.

Plan on how much to save and how much to separate for your family’s daily needs and
if you have kids studying, you have to add it on your financial goal too. We have long
range and short range plans.

 Short-range plans or operational plans are our day to day occurrences or

functioning (food, bills, gas etc)
 Long-range plans or strategic plans. Not every Christian is wealthy, but
everyone has a responsibility to plan well, to have sound objectives and to
operate according to God's principles, according to His will and way not ours.
Long range planning is about your future, your kids’ future, your family’s future
and how are you going to get to that goal. Whether you want your kids’ education
to be secured until tertiary, a building for a business or a building for a ministry,
this needs a planning process. Pray and tell God about these plans then wait on
God’s answer on what could be your first move for your plans or goals. If God
says go then go ahead and if God says No then don’t insist, God has something
better for you. If God says wait then it is not yet the right time to act on that goal,
maybe He wants you to prioritize on something else first. That is why it is better
to develop your relationship with God so you won’t end up on a wrong plan,
wrong act on the right goal, wrong priorities or wrong people.

As you plan, let God be part on your planning process.

2. Establish self-discipline

Put all spending under God's control and recognize that you are the manager (steward)
of God's resources.
Before you spend, ask yourself first these questions:

 Do I need this at the moment?

 What is the purpose why am I buying this item?

What are my reasons why I am spending? To feel good? (Because of an emotional

influence, anxiety, depression or worst is an addiction) To belong and be accepted? To
exert effort to overcome current situation or circumstances? To show off? Ask yourself
your purpose of buying the item/s before spending.

 Is there a cheaper alternative for the item?

 Is it cheaper on the other shop or store?
 Instead of buying, can I borrow same item from someone who has it? If a
family member has it like books or other things and you are stretching your
budget, then it won’t hurt to ask.
 Will my purchase today affect my budget? You have to stay with your
budget to fulfill your developed plan.
 Will God be pleased with my purchase? Will God approve it when you
want a luxurious car when all you needed is a cheaper car for your job and you
don’t even have a budget for it?

Avoid spending pitfalls when shopping by having a purpose, a time-limit and a list
you've made before shopping; then stick to it. Limit the number of trips to the store or
mall and never shop when hungry or depressed.

Under God's direction, control your money instead of allowing money to control you.

Then, once spending has been brought under control, you can determine how much
needs to be spent each month in every area of an implemented budget (spending plan).

Sometimes self-discipline is hard for people who are already hooked on shopping
especially with online shopping. Pray, nothing is impossible with God if you have Faith
and if you are willing to change. Even God want you to have self-discipline but you
yourself aren’t exerting any effort to discipline yourself and avoid the temptations then
you will always be a spendthrift.

3. Develop an attitude of look-now-maybe-I’ll buy-later.

Be cautious about your spending .Keep a record of spending and purchases so you
know the prices and you can compare where or which shop is cheaper.

If you feel the need to buy something that's not budgeted, put it on a want-to-buy list.
Then find two additional prices for the same item, to be sure it's a good buy. There’s
nothing wrong for wanting something if you have the money. Yes the money but that
money is the leftover money after saving, paying your bills, taxes and most of all your
tithes, after putting away some money for your daily and weekly needs. But if I were
you, if it is still not needed you’d better add it to your savings. I only have 4 shoes, my 2
shoes are now three years old and they were on sale when we bought the shoes “buy
one take one”, very cheap but thank God still looks new and usable, the other one is a
second hand shoe that I bought from my sis for $2, old but still durable, the new one
was given by my little sis, she bought it for $1. When we go to the malls I am not
tempted to buy new shoes because I don’t need it now and I’m contented with my 4
shoes, others have 2 and others don’t have. Instead of using the money for a new one,
save it or give it to people who need it more than you.

4. Always remember that you are just a steward of God’s money and so
use it wisely

Before spending, recognize and always have the attitude that God has entrusted His
money to you and He owns it, you are just the manager. With this heart we will be able
to spend it wisely.

God owns everything, then that means including your money. How did you get that
money? From your business or your job. Who gave you your business or your job?
Maybe from a friend or family, but God touched the hearts of those people to help you
have what you have today. It is not your own wisdom or ability but that is a gift from
God. Every time you are tempted to spend into something you don’t need remember
God through prayer and ask Him for wisdom on how to handle His money wisely so you
will become a great steward of God’s blessings.

5. Write your spending plan, because a written plan:

 Helps you see how much money you make monthly and how much money
you spent monthly.
 Helps you measure progress better and keep the plan and your money on
track.
 Helps you analyze and adjust the budget

A family budget shows:

 Where the family is financially

 How much the family is currently spending,
 How much the family can spend according to current income
 How much the family can save
 How much the family can give or share

WHAT SHOULD WE WRITE ON OUR SPENDING

PLANS?
Download a budget worksheet on the internet, there’s a lot of them.

I have here a simple worksheet sample from the consumer.gov. Please download and
use it every day. It will be a lot of help for you and your family. CLICK HERE/ BUDGET
WORKSHEET

For a budget to work, couples have to be honest to each other. If the husband has his
paycheck, the wife should know and both will plan together on how to use and how
much to save. If the wife is a plain housewife like me and sometimes given by friends or
family with cash, the husband should also know about it.

It's important to understand that very few, if any; families with financial difficulties have a
written budget plan. As you plan, God will be with you guiding your steps to reach that
financial goal.

Proverbs 16:9

A man’s heart plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps

6. Identify your Income and Expenses

I believe you know how much you earn every month then start tracking your expenses.
Every scent that you spend should be listed. In that way you would see if you are
spending more than what you earn. This is the time where you will learn what you are
currently doing with your money – then you can make adjustments and choices on your
spending to put your plan into action.

If your income is not on monthly basis, list your earning and total it then divide it to 12
then that would be your monthly income. You can have a monthly and yearly written
financial plan.

STEP 1 : List your income sources (husband, wife, children if they are working and
living with you and contributing on your finances)

Earnings

Benefits (SSS, retirement, veteran)

Commissions, Tips

Public Assistance

Bank Withdrawals, interests

Child support, Spousal Maintenance

Investment Income, investment interests

And other sources of your income

STEP 2: List your Expenses.

Tithes, offering and love gifts. The purpose of adding this on your expenses is
for you to see how much you are giving to God and to other people because
sometimes we spend more money on our pleasures than with God and His
ministers. It should always be your number one priority, to set aside first for
God before you start budgeting.

Housing: mortgage or rent payments, property taxes, or saving for future

house

Food: groceries, eating out, school and office lunches, snacks

Utilities: electricity, gas, oil, water, cable, Internet

Household Operations and Maintenance: repairs, cleaning supplies, paper

supplies, equipment, pets and supplies

Transportation: gas, car repairs, maintenance, parking, bus, taxi fares, jeepney
fares (Philippines)

Medical Care: doctor, dentist, clinic, hospital, medicine, glasses

Credit Payments: car payments, installment loans, credit cards

Insurance: health, life, property, auto, disability, long-term care

Clothing and Personal Care: clothing purchases, laundry, dry cleaning, hair
care, cosmetics, toiletries

Education and Recreation: books, magazines, newspapers, lessons, tuition,

hobbies, club dues, sports, entertainment, vacations –

Miscellaneous: child care, contributions, personal allowances, child support

Savings: funds set aside for seasonal and occasional expenses, short-term
and long-term goals (college fund, retirement, emergency funds etc).

This is just a guide; we may have different income sources and expenses but the idea is
to list all where your money is going and your estimated expenses for next month so
that your budgeting will work and you will know where to adjust.

STEP 3: Review and Compare. Add and total your monthly income and your monthly
expenses. If you have more expenses than your income then there is a big problem.
Possibility is ending in credit or debt. Here comes discipline and self-control, you may
have forgotten or disregarded them.
STEP 4: Managing your spending plan. This is where you and your family will balance
your income and expenses and revising your spending plan.

You might consider increasing your income, cutting off expenses and I’m sorry to say
this but you might have to sell some of your assets or take from your savings to meet
the budget and pay your debts if you have. Debt is highly discouraged just to meet the
“budget or the spending plan”.

7. Minimize Expenses

Learn to use income as wisely as possible for other goals.

It is not usually the high cost of living, but the cost of high living that ruins men.

Live sacrificially: learn that financial success which means discipline and giving up
desires.

a. Impulsive, foolish, and wasteful spending makes you brother to the sloth

b. Men that love pleasure and the good things of life too much will be poor

Proverbs 21:17

He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

PRACTICES TO HELP YOU MINIMIZE YOUR EXPENSES

 Learn how to be a smart shopper.

 Don't be baited by advertisers who seduce you for their goods and
services.
 Even if it is "on sale" don't buy if not needed
 Shop less; purchase only what you need; don't shop daily. With your
spending plan, you can prepare for a weekly list so you can buy weekly for your
needs.
 Destroy credit cards, if you are not disciplined. Make no provision for the
flesh.
 Vacations are only justified for those who are getting their finances in
shape.
 Learn to save current, phone bills, internet fees by not staying too long on
them. If you are using the phone and the internet for business purposes then it is
 excused. But if used for pleasure, you might want to stop and find ways how to
be more productive to meet your ends or your needs now and for the future.
 Take care of your health, your body. So you won't end up paying
medicines and hospital bills. Some people end up taking all their savings or
borrowing money to pay their medications. "Prevention is better than cure". Let
us start taking care of our body because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. This is
not just for our budgeting but for us and our family.

8. Separate needs and wants and Prioritize your needs

Ask yourself: Do I want this or do I need it? Can I live without it? Set clear priorities
for yourself and the decisions will become easier to make. How you make your
choice between your want and need will determine if you reach your goals or not.

Decide which expenses are the most important and the first to be paid. Food,
shelter, utilities, clothing and transportation are the basic necessities that should be
at the top of the priority list. Within a Christian budget, one must not forget to give
God first.

9. Budget together as a family. For married couples plan and budget with
your spouse. It is a great example for your kids. You are teaching your kids how
to budget for their future.

10. Learn to say “No”. Advertisements like: “Buy now—pay later!” “Easy
credit terms!” “No interest, no payments until December….” “Sign and drive!” “Fly
now-pay later” “50% off until….” If it’s not part of the budget then don’t purchase
it. This avoids debt.

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rules over the poor,

And the borrower is servant to the lender.

The deeper in debt we become, the greater the problems for our budget and family
finances. Debts brings us stress but if you are a disciplined steward of God’s money,
you won’t be baited with all the tactics of business organizations using media, social
media and other tactics to bait people to buy their products.

11. Increase your education. Seek Wise Counsel

Proverbs 4:5-7

5Get wisdom! Get understanding!

 Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;

Love her, and she will keep you.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing;

Therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.

In this world we live in, wisdom and understanding require education for a work to be
successful but that doesn’t mean that we all have to go to school for us to learn to
budget. If you have the time and money, why not? There are advanced seminars or
learnings about money matters. But for hands on moms like me with toddlers to take
care of and a house to take care of, well I have google where I can read so many
articles that could be a good help and pray for God’s help to practice what we are
learning.

Proverbs 27:23-27

23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,

And attend to your herds;

24 For riches are not forever,

Nor does a crown endure to all generations.

25 When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows

itself,

And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,

26 The lambs will provide your clothing,

And the goats the price of a field;

27 You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food,

For the food of your household,

And the nourishment of your maidservants.

Proverbs 15:22
 Without counsel, plans go awry,

But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

12. Put your plan into Action and Stick with it

It is easy to start planning and budgeting but as days or weeks goes on many fail to
continue. Ask for God’s help so that He will be your aid to stick and follow to your
budget, to what is planned and continuously do it so that you won’t end up on
“debt”.

WHO NEEDS A SPENDING PLAN?

Some families thought that they can’t budget because they have low income, not
enough to meet the family’s needs. That is a false idea; people with low income must
learn to develop a non-indulgent and non-impulsive living. Learn to live within or below
your means, not above your means.

It’s frustrating to live in a budget when you have a low income and you have a family to
feed and kids will go to school. But that’s what makes budget more important for those
with low income.

Whatever our income level might be, a well-developed spending plan will help us
determine:

 What kind of home you can afford,

 The kind of car you can drive,
 How much insurance you should have, even
 What kind of clothes you buy.
 How much we are saving
 How much we are giving to God
 How much we are sharing to others

Budgets help also businesses know where they are, what they need to accomplish and
what they can change to improve their financial standing. A budget is required not only
for companies or businesses but also for families or you personally.

Our financial goal should be to live within our means. So, we must:

 Spend not more than what we make on a monthly basis,

 Live on a cash basis,
 Not use credit or borrowed money to provide for normal living expenses.
 Never forget the owner of your money, “GOD”
Controlling spending also means knowing how to discern the difference between needs,
wants and desires, Larry Burkett defined the differences this way:

Needs are the basic necessities of life: food, clothing, employment, and housing.

Wants require that you make choices about the quality of goods: designer label clothing
versus discount clothes; steak versus hamburger; a new car versus a used car.

Desires represent goods we may dream about having, but they are choices that aren’t
essential to our survival, safety or well-being.

There's nothing wrong with dreaming and desiring nice stuff. But not to the extent that
we will borrow money to satisfy our wants and desires or even use credit cards.

Incomes are not stable and that’s where we should be ready even in retirement. That is
why we have to plan and budget.

We must commit to stick with our plan.

In fact, some find it difficult to make ends meet because they did not plan. They thought
that the income is the problem, it’s not. It is how we spend our money and our
relationship with God, our Father.

Are you in a financial struggle? Ask God’s help. God will help you but you have to help
yourself also.

Assess yourself, your money weaknesses and try changing your spending habit and
start planning and budgeting.

I believe that God doesn’t want us to spend all the money He entrusted us to the things
that aren’t needed at the moment. Know your priorities. If you are tempted to buy
unnecessary things that aren’t part of the plan then Pray, leave that item and stick with
the spending plan and say to yourself “In, Jesus name I won’t give in to the old me who
keeps buying things that are not needed at the moment. I’m a great steward of God’s
money. I won’t disappoint you God” in Jesus name AMEN!
 CONTROL YOUR SPENDING
Every day we see and hear advertisements through TV, Radios, internet and social
media everywhere. With their strategies to entice consumers to indulge themselves with
their products they are selling. Some fell to their tactics, as if the product will satisfy their
needs. Let’s be honest, I myself have been through this too. I bought products that will
make me look pretty because that’s what the commercial said but I didn’t get the result I
wanted and what they are showing on TV.I got disappointed then there’s another brand
claiming the same so I’ll try it again then try another then another. We spend a lot of
money until we see the result we wanted; this is useless and a waste of time and God’s
money. Beauty is useless if your inward self is stingy and ugly.

There are two types of spending disorders that I would like to share. Impulsive
Spending Disorder and the Compulsive Spending Disorder

IMPULSIVE SPENDING (Wikipedia)

“An impulse purchase or impulse buying is an unplanned decision to buy a product or

service, made just before a purchase

.[1] One who tends to make such purchases is referred to as an impulse purchaser or
impulse buyer. Research findings suggest that emotions and feelings play a decisive
role in purchasing, triggered by seeing the product or upon exposure to a well-crafted
promotional message.

Marketers and retailers tend to exploit these impulses which are tied to the basic want
for instant gratification. For example, a shopper in a supermarket might not specifically
be shopping for confectionery. However, candy, gum, mints and chocolate are
prominently displayed at the checkout aisles to trigger impulse buyers - and / or their
children - to buy what they might not have otherwise considered

.[2] Alternatively, impulse buying can occur when a potential consumer spots something
related to a product that stirs a particular passion in them, such as seeing a certain
country's flag on the cover of a certain DVD. Sale items are displayed in much the same
fashion.

Impulse buying can also extend to more expensive items such as automobiles and
home appliances. Automobiles in particular are as much an emotional purchase as a
rational one. This in turn leads auto dealers all over the world to market their products in
a rapid-fire, almost carnival-like manner designed to appeal to emotion over reason.

Impulse buying disrupts the normal decision making models in consumers' brains. The
logical sequence of the consumers' actions is replaced with an irrational moment of self-
gratification. Impulse items appeal to the emotional side of consumers. Some items
bought on impulse are not considered functional or necessary in the consumers' lives.
Preventing impulse buying involves techniques such as setting budgets before shopping
and taking time out before the purchase is made.”

The best way to control spending is self-discipline. Some ways is to leave the item,
don’t bring your credit cards when you go and shop, buy what is necessary, price an
item from three different stores or shop, have a list before shopping, talk to your spouse
and your children and budget as a family before buying but most of all Pray and ask
God’s help so you won’t be easily tempted to impulsively spend on things that are
unnecessary.

Discipline is the key to controlling impulse buying.

2 Peter 2:19

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are

slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome,
by him also he is brought into bondage.

COMPULSIVE SPENDING (Wikipedia)

“They call this as Compulsive buying disorder (CBD), or oniomania (from Greek ὤνιος
ṓnios "for sale" and μανία manía "insanity"

[1]), is characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying behavior that causes
adverse consequences.

According to Kellett and Bolton,compulsive buying "is experienced as an irresistible–

uncontrollable urge, resulting in excessive, expensive and time-consuming retail activity
[that is] typically prompted by negative affectivity" and results in "gross social, personal
and/or financial difficulties".

2] Most people with CBD meet the criteria for a personality disorder. Compulsive
shopping may be considered an impulse control disorder, an obsessive-compulsive
disorder, a bipolar disorder,

[3] or even a clinical addiction, depending on the clinical source.”

Wow, it is even called an addiction. Evaluate yourself if you are this person then you
need a big help from God and other people.

When people do not feel confident in themselves and have very low self-esteem, they
may look to factors outside themselves as sources of value.

CAUSES OF COMPULSIVE BUYING

Materialism, image seeking, low self-esteem, perfectionism, credit cards on hand.

Some uses shopping because of disappointment, hatred, anger, depression, emotional

distress due to chaos from a relationship or family, feeling ashamed, guilty or Feeling of
powerlessness and helplessness to overcome the compulsion to spend.

CONSEQUENCES OF CBD (WIKIPEDIA)

The consequences of oniomania, which may persist long after a spree, can be
devastating, with marriages, long-term relationships, and jobs all feeling the strain.
Further problems can include ruined credit history, theft or defalcation of money,
defaulted loans, general financial trouble and in some cases bankruptcy or extreme
debt, as well as anxiety and a sense of life spiraling out of control. The resulting stress
can lead to physical health problems and ruined relationships, or even suicide.

HOW TO STOP COMPULSIVE SPENDING

Research done by Michel Lejoyeux and Aviv Weinstein suggests that the best possible
treatment for CB is through cognitive behavioral therapy. They suggest that a patient
first be "evaluated for psychiatric comorbidity, especially with depression, so that
appropriate pharmacological treatment can be instituted."

A therapy is needed especially for those who became addicts on shopping or spending
according to some researchers but for me personally, I believe in the power of Jesus
Christ and the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is “SELF-CONTROL” Pray and ask God’s
help. Nothing is impossible with God.

Let the Holy Spirit help you and establish self-discipline and self-control over your
impulsive/compulsive spending or else savings will most likely continue to decline and
debt will continue to increase.

Ask God’s healing on what is causing you to keep on spending maybe an emotional
distress, wanting to be part of the group, image seeking or whatever it is let God heal
you and ask for His forgiveness for not being a good steward of the money you have.

Colossians 3

Not Carnality but Christ

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand
of God.

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the

earth.

3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will
appear with Him in glory.

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the

earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry.

6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming

upon the sons of disobedience,

7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in

them.

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your
mouth.

9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old
man with his deeds,

10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in

knowledge according to the image of Him who created
him,

11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor

uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but
Christ is all and in all.

Character of the New Man

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put
on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness,
longsuffering;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if

anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ
forgave you, so you also must do.

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the

bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which

also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the

name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him.

The Christian Home

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the

Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward

them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well

pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they

become discouraged.

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters

according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men-
pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And
whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to
men,
 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward
of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has

done, and there is no partiality.

Impulsive and compulsive spending are unhealthy spending. It is okay to spend if you
have the budget and if it is on the budget plan. But what happens these days are we
spend more than we earn that is why nothing is left to save and sometimes we end up
on debt. Wise people carefully manage their resources so they can successfully see to
it that their family needs are met, purchases are established with budgeting not with
compulsive and impulsive spending or credit cards, they discipline themselves to stay
within their budget and stick to their budgeting plans, they buy only what is needed and
save for future needs.

Unwise spending may provide some immediate satisfaction, but never helps you
achieve financial goals.

We are the ones sabotaging our own prosperity with our “I want it Now Syndrome” This
will only lead us to more spending, development of pride and greed, more worries,
insecurity, more stress, and deepening debts.

Psalm 20: 4

May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,And

fulfill all your purpose

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one

to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in
which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which
God gives him; for it is his heritage.

19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and
wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his
heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life,

because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

Check these websites to help you understand and learn more about budgeting
 Budgeting
Annual Budget
Developing a Spending Plan

I have something for every woman reader. This is about to be published by 2018, my
book about Great Women of God but I want to add it here because it is about budgeting
and planning. Pastor Jonathan Crosby has an article about ideal woman and I really
love all his articles because they are all straightforward and really blesses my life. He is
also a very humble minister of God who doesn’t want any credit for his work because for
him, he is a servant of God made to serve and minister. I really am so happy and
blessed on all his works. Check his website letGodbetrue

A GREAT WOMAN OF GOD

Proverbs 31:21

She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

The virtuous woman is diligent, foresightful, and classy. She looks and thinks ahead, so
that future needs never catch her by surprise. She is ready for winter or any other
situation that requires special preparation. Not only does she prepare in advance, but
she also has a sharp eye for quality and appearance. Her family is well prepared for the
cold weather, but they will also look good in the fine clothing she obtains for them.

The ideal woman fears the Lord above all else, which lays the foundation for her perfect
character and conduct.

Proverbs 31:10-12, 30

The Virtuous Wife

10 Who can find a virtuous[b] wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

 12 She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Diligence is the main practical virtue of the wonderful woman in this extensive
description. Verse after verse describes her energy, initiative, labor, and productivity,
both in the home and in her business enterprises. She is not distracted or diverted by
amusement, recreation, sleep, or vacations. She is a worker.

But hard work poorly directed is wasted effort. Wisdom is valuable for directing energy
and strength in productive projects. A tree is cut down most efficiently with a sharp axe,
rather than more effort applied with a dull one (Eccl 10:10).

Ecclesiastes 10:10

If the ax is dull,

And one does not sharpen the edge,

Then he must use more strength;

But wisdom brings success.

A virtuous woman has a mind as well as a back. She thinks as well as works. She
looks ahead and sees the needs that are coming, so she can prepare for them in
advance and be ready when they arrive.

For those living in parts of the world with seasons, one of the duties of a great woman is
to have clothing prepared for the cold weather of winter. With growing children, this
requires obtaining whole new sets of sweaters, coats, boots, and other protective
clothing for each child. Since most budgets cannot afford all the expense at once, a
wise woman plans ahead and begins securing the clothing items long before the first
snow falls.

A foolish or lazy woman lives day to day. She barely makes it through each day. The
future overwhelms and intimidates her – she hardly has the commitment and energy to
survive today. She is preoccupied with taking a nap, getting out of fixing supper, or
planning a vacation. Future needs that require budgeting and prudent shopping can
wait, she says. She does not see the coming evil, and she does not hide from it (Pr
22:3; 27:12).
 Proverbs 22:3

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,

But the simple pass on and are punished.

On Proverbs 31:21 how does scarlet protect? Can a bright red color warm the body?
This proverb – a short pithy saying with hidden wisdom – describes a great woman’s
concern for quality and class, not just functionality. Rags were not dyed scarlet! Her
family has warm clothing ready, but it is also attractive and stylish. She is diligent,
foresightful, concerned about quality, and conscious of beauty. She overlooks nothing.
She knows appearance, image, and reputation have a limited value, so she includes
them in her planning and buying.

To every woman of God, what will your family soon need? Does the house need
painting? The gutters cleaned? The garden planted? The nursery furnished? The
freezer filled? The daughters educated about marriage? Clothes prepared for your
husband’s business trip? Long-term care planned for your parents? A preventive
physical for them or you? Money set aside for an insurance bill? A wise woman will
have such things taken care of with style.

Prioritize your needs, make a spending plan/budget, make a list and ask for God’s help
for discipline and self-control and surrender to God your money weaknesses, ask for
His forgiveness then do something to help yourself to get rid of these bad money
“spending-habit”
 VIII. AVOID INDULGENCE AND ATTACHMENTS

Proverbs 25: 28

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit

Is like a city broken down, without walls

Self-indulgence is a form of lack of self-control or undisciplined living. It could be the

way you spend your money, it could be on food, your emotions, alcohol, vices, the way
you manage your time or others. But always keep this in mind, anything that’s left out of
control can and will weaken your life especially your spiritual life. You may say that “O
that’s nothing to worry, that’s just a small problem” Let me tell you this; small things can
have enormous impact in your life and as these weaknesses control your lives it will
affect everything even the way you live for God.

Galatians 6:7-8

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a

man sows, that he will also reap.
 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap
corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit
reap everlasting life.

Let’s all be honest, we are self-indulgers ourselves at times. We are feeding the
passions of our flesh rather than making our spiritual lives grow.

1 Peter 2:11

Living Before the World

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain

from fleshly lusts which war against the soul

Find your strength in Jesus.

Let us saturate our hearts and minds daily on His living words and with the power of
God we will move away from the weaknesses that entangles us to indulge of many
things that affects our financial and spiritual lives.

Nothing is impossible with God. Lay aside the weight of self-indulgence and let God
take over.
 WHAT IS YOUR HONEY?

Proverbs 25:16

Have you found honey?

Eat only as much as you need,

Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

Moderation in all things. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Extreme use of
anything is abuse. God and Solomon want you to maximize the use of things in life by
not overusing any of them. This is an important rule of wisdom and success for your life.

God created honey as a sweet gift for taste, and it is good for your body. Yet too much
can overwhelm your senses and make you sick. When you find something pleasant,
use it prudently for its intended purpose, lest it be a snare to your soul, or you end up
hating it.

Every man’s honey is different. What is sweet to your taste but tempts you to
overindulge in it? What is your honey? It is your duty to identify those pleasures that
captivate you the most and be temperate with them.

1 Corinthians 9:25

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in

all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but
we for an imperishable crown.

What is your honey? Eat only a little.

Honey is good and pleasant (Pr 16:24; 24:13).

Proverbs 24:13

My son, eat honey because it is good,

And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Honey is not forbidden; it is God’s gift. Be thankful for it. But too much is not.

Proverbs 25:27

It is not good to eat much honey;

So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.

How can something so good make you vomit? By proving that excess is bad! Excess,
which is too much, shows good things have limited uses. Use them until sufficient, to
their intended purpose, and not beyond.

God richly gives His children all things to enjoy (I Tim 6:17), but all those things must be
used in moderation (Phil 4:5). He is not watching from a distance to see how we treat
His gifts, as many imagine. The Lord is at hand. He made man upright and gave him
gifts, but he has sought out many inventions.

Ecclesiastes 7:29

Truly, this only I have found:

That God made man upright,

But they have sought out many schemes.”

And one such invention is excess!

This generation loves excess. They are proud to be X-treme! Christians should avoid
any immoderation. God’s gifts of food and drink have been abused to destroy souls.
Gluttony and drunkenness overcharge men’s stomachs and hearts.

Luke 21:34

The Importance of Watching

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed

down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life,
and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

Young men gorge until they vomit; drunkards do the same and sleep in it.

The wisdom here is mainly moral and spiritual, yet it also contains nutritional advice.
Honey and other simple or refined carbohydrates are a principal cause of obesity and
other maladies affecting health. When prosperity supplies an endless variety and
amount of sugars and carbohydrates, an excessive society can gorge to a diabetic
epidemic!
Consider other pleasant gifts of God to grasp the lesson. God gave bread to make
hearts strong,

Psalm 104:15

And wine that makes glad the heart of man,

Oil to make his face shine,

And bread which strengthens man’s heart.

But overeating bread, cereal, pasta, cookies, cake, chips, crackers, pizza, and other
grain products destroys the heart. God gave wine to make hearts glad,

Psalm 104:15

And wine that makes glad the heart of man,

Oil to make his face shine,

And bread which strengthens man’s heart.

But drunkenness is a sin of excess that can cause horrible heartache.

Ephesians 5:18

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but

be filled with the Spirit,

Solomon commended eating and drinking for strength, rather than pleasure. There is
pleasure in eating, but it cannot dominate. And he commended nations with policies and
examples of temperance (Eccl 10:16-17).

Ecclesiastes 10:16-17

16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,

And your princes feast in the morning!

17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of

nobles,

And your princes feast at the proper time—

For strength and not for drunkenness!

The eat-all-you-can buffets may be a nice blessing for variety, but they are a curse for
the man given to appetite. You should eat to satisfy hunger and promote health. Can
you believe, “Enough is as good as a feast”? Too much of meat may lead to excess
protein (weight gain, yeast overgrowth, cancer), high cholesterol level (heart disease
risk) etc, too much fruit (increase sugar level because of fructose or fruit sugar) and
others. Everything should always be in moderation even if we say that the food is
healthy like fruits and vegetables. Just like high-starch vegetables like corn, potatoes,
and peas. These veggies act more like pasta and rice on your insulin response and
blood glucose levels. Stephanie Smith has an article entitled Portion Distortion: The
Perils Of Overeating, Even Healthy Food check it out.

What about marriage? It is a great gift from God for companionship and love, but you
should live without it consuming your life (I Cor 7:28-35; Ps 73:25-26).

Psalm 73:25-26

25 Whom have I in heaven but You?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

26 My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion

forever.

What about hobbies and entertainment? They can be pleasant diversions, but too much
emphasis and they bring poverty and waste precious time (Pr 21:17; Eph 5:16).

Proverbs 21:17

He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

What about bodily exercise? It has a little profit, but extremes will cost your soul by
leaving more important matters undone (I Tim 4:8).

1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is

profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now
is and of that which is to come.

What about righteousness and wisdom? Can you have too much of these things? Yes,
indeed, when misapplied! The Preacher warned against excesses of either, like the
Pharisees of Jesus’ day (Eccl 7:16).
 Ecclesiastes 7:16

Do not be overly righteous,

Nor be overly wise:

Why should you destroy yourself?

Consider sex. It is one of life’s sweet pleasures – tasted and enjoyed in marriage only,
and then only within godly constraints. If it is emphasized out of place, its desires will
consume the single person, and it will distort a marriage into selfish practices. The
wonderfully pleasant expression of love can easily become a painful ritual of bitterness.

The proverb may also be applied to friends (Pr 25:17).

Proverbs 25:17

Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,

Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

Too much of even friends is too much! This means that too much time given for friends
or friendship may affect everything. If you are obsessive in relationships, you will lose
friends, because they cannot bear or keep up with your excess. The good gift of
friendship pressed to excess will turn to hatred, and then you have ruined another
precious blessing by your overindulgence.

Excessive indulgence in any pleasure dulls the appetite and enjoyment of that thing, so
that you need greater and greater amounts to give you the original pleasure. The more
fine food you eat, the less you enjoy that special dinner out. The more you travel for
business, the less you enjoy the getaway with your wife. It is a simple lesson of
experience that too much of anything steals much of its pleasure (Pr 27:7).

Proverbs 27:7

A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb,

But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Viewing women other than your wife, which is a sin, will reduce pleasure from your wife.
It will not enhance her or your appreciation of her. Once you start this sin, you will need
greater stimulation to get the same pleasure you once easily had with her. Having
dulled your senses and enjoyment, you must then dip deeper into the sewer of excess
and drink longer to find the original sinful pleasure. Sin lies, as it takes you down to hell.

Christian reader, what is your honey? In moderation it is good, but in excess it is sinful?
Is it eating, family, drinking, working, marriage, hobbies, exercise, sex, or something
else? What is it? You will have the greatest temptations to be intemperate with those
things that are sweet and pleasant to you. What is your honey? You must identify these
weights or sins, so you can lay them aside to successfully run your race.

Hebrews 12:1-4

The Race of Faith

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so

great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking
unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God.

The Discipline of God

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from

sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and
discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to
bloodshed, striving against sin.

Once you identify your honey in life, how much pleasure should you seek in using it?
Until you are sick? Oh no, you have gone way too far. Godly temperance and
moderation avoid excess, so you must stay safely back from the sinful line. In fact,
sincere persons will consider metaphorically cutting their throats, cutting off hands, or
plucking out eyes in order to avoid even the temptation to excess (Pr 23:2; Matt 18:8-9).

Proverbs 23:2

And put a knife to your throat

If you are a man given to appetite.

Matthew 18:8-9

“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it
from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or
maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be
cast into the everlasting fire.
 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast
it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one
eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

There is honey for the Christian that has no limit, and it is free, and you may delight in
its fatness!

Is 55:1-5

An Invitation to Abundant Life

1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.

Hear, and your soul shall live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—

The sure mercies of David.

4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,

A leader and commander for the people.

5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,

And nations who do not know you shall run to you,

 Because of the Lord your God,

And the Holy One of Israel;

For He has glorified you.”

It is the wonderful facts of the gospel. Lady wisdom also offers bread, wine, and a
furnished table (Pr 9:1-5), and there you will not be sick or disappointed by eating as
much as you can. Fill yourself today with both the gospel and wisdom.

Proverbs 9:1-5

The Way of Wisdom

Wisdom has built her house,

She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2 She has slaughtered her meat,

She has mixed her wine,

She has also furnished her table.

3 She has sent out her maidens,

She cries out from the highest places of the city,

4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

5 “Come, eat of my bread

And drink of the wine I have mixed.

You should also seek to be filled with all the fullness of God, in which there is great
blessing (Eph 3:14-19).

Ephesians 3:14-19

Appreciation of the Mystery

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ,
 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is
named,

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His

glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in
the inner man,

17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that

you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is

the width and length and depth and height—

19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;

that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

You can also in good conscience desire the best gifts in the church and serve better
than any of them (I Cor 12:31)!

1 Corinthians 12:31

 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a
more excellent way.

Choose good honey. Then use it moderately.

We have to be careful not to fall on Satan’s bait by over indulging ourselves on things
that will lead us astray, away from God and destroys our spiritual lives and our finances.
 RECOGNIZE THE DANGER OF SELF INDULGENCE

Self-indulgence is spiritually dangerous because it’s a form of idolatry.

It’s something we turn to instead of God for happiness and peace. It dulls our spiritual
tastes and curbs our spiritual appetites (Proverbs 27:7).

If we don’t take it seriously, we will be like King Solomon who turned his heart away
from the God who gave him wisdom and riches just because of his wives and
concubines.

1 Kings 11:1-3

Solomon’s Heart Turns from the Lord

1 But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well

as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites,
Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites

2 from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the

children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor
they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after
their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and

three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his
heart.

At the moment of indulging, it doesn’t feel like an enemy. It feels like a reward that
makes us happy, a relief from the satisfaction craving you had. But after that indulging
you are defeated and it affects your life with Christ.

Everything is affected even your financial status because of these passions that we feed
our flesh.

LEARN TO LOVE EVERYTHING AND BE ATTACHED

TO NOTHING

We get so attached to everything we have and everything we do. We get attached to

our ideas, our work, our way of doing things, to places, to things and the many people
present in our lives, not knowing that all of our attachments will only bring us anguish,
sorrow, and suffering if we won’t get the result we wanted and started losing them.

Love and appreciate everything and everyone without being too attached to them. “How
could this be? I love my family and friends” you might ask. I too loved my family and
kids so much. What I mean is, do not let your love or relationship with your family or
other people affect your relationship with God and also your finances. Some people end
up in debt because of their love to someone. I hope you can get what I mean here. We
are just going back to the other step we had which is “budget” at the same time let not
your heart and emotions control your money on how you spend.

Some wants to have many friends, to be loved, to be accepted, to have beautiful things
(the more expensive the better), to be appreciated and to be praised, to gain power and
popularity. Because of these they do everything to get there and sometimes even evil
ways just to get what they wanted. And if they are already there, they want more
because there is the pleasure already. This is a very dangerous approach to life.
Remember that nothing lasts forever, we may enjoy the things we are indulged to at the
moment but when we lose them we will be heartbroken and devastated. Sadly, many
people who aren’t strong enough to deal with their failures, end up into great and deep
debt, anxiety disorder and some end up losing their minds and even commit suicide. But
on lost that I want to emphasize here is when you keep on indulging yourself to worldly
pleasures, you lose your soul, you lose your relationship with Christ and even lose the
precious time that you should have given to your family, to the ones close to you, to
God and His ministry.

From the book Exousia by James Casso he said that if we view the things, places,
people, and ideas in this life as part of God that will move us toward His eventual goal
for us, then we see them in a different light. These things doesn’t belong to us, they
were put in our lives to improve us and move us closer to God’s purpose for us.

Appreciate what you have and what you have accomplished. Appreciate the things
given to you either comforting or harmful because it was given to you to accomplish
further growth in life. Thank God for all the blessings you have, your career or job, your
business, your family and friends, your ministry, everything and everyone. Be thankful
for each person brought in and out of your life; love them all because they are here to
bring out a harvest of life eternal and blessings whether they are loving or hateful,
whether they brought us joy or pain. But don’t let your love for these things and people
affect your financial life and especially your spiritual life.

An unhappy person tries to indulge more on things to satisfy himself, his wants, his
desires and his pleasures. This won’t give us any good, only a temporary pleasure but
leads you to debt, stress, anguish, broken relationship, affects your ministry and your
relationship with Christ.

As children of God we know that we should grow spiritually. But we are distracted
because we are too attached and enslaved with so many things that reveals their power
over us and prevents us to grow in prayer and to have a personal transformation that
God wants to happen in our lives. As we learn to be more attached with our Father in
Heaven, we will be able to break the spirit of indulgence that affects our lives even with
our financial status. You will be surprised how God will work in your finances as you
indulge yourself more to God and His words.

“LOVE EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE AND ATTACH TO

NOTHING OR NO ONE EXCEPT GOD.”
“DETACH YOURSELF FROM EVERYTHING AND ATTACH
YOURSELF MORE TO GOD.”
 IX. PAY YOUR DEBT
The Bible, especially Proverbs, is full of practical wisdom for business,
career, or money management. It praises diligence, savings, honesty,
investment, planning, disciplined spending, etc. It condemns slothfulness
and waste, and it warns against excessive debt, risk, sleep, and
spending. It teaches respect and service to those in authority; it gives
secrets of the power of charity and generosity; it details how to both buy
and sell fairly.

Choose wisdom by rejecting the world’s ideas and trusting Solomon’s

inspired advices in Proverbs. Success will come. Ignore foolish and vain
claims for business opportunities (network marketing), investment deals
(Ponzi schemes), debt pyramiding, luxurious living, cornering markets,
extorting sellers, or selfishly defending yourself.

The debts you know well are rent payments, shared expenses, wages for
services, returning borrowed items, repairing damaged property,
refunding overpayments, replacing stolen things, returning unused
deposits, and so forth. The duty to pay these debts on a timely basis
comes from God’s laws and the civil rules of men

Romans 13:7-8

7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes

are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear,
honor to whom honor.

Love Your Neighbor

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he

who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Consider how God demanded prompt pay for laborers.

Leviticus 19:13

‘You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The
wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all
night until morning.
 Deuteronomy 24:14-15

14 “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and

needy, whether one of your brethren or one of the aliens
who is in your land within your gates.

15 Each day you shall give him his wages, and not let the
sun go down on it, for he is poor and has set his heart on
it; lest he cry out against you to the Lord, and it be sin to
you.

DEBT IS SLAVERY NOT STEWARDSHIP

What does the Bible say about debt? It says that debt is slavery and obligation.

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rules over the poor,

 And the borrower is servant to the lender.

The term, servant is really, slave. Debt is bondage. The Bible doesn’t say that it’s
always wrong to borrow; it just tells us that debt is bondage. How much bondage do we
want – because debt is an obligation to repay?

Many of us thought we are good stewards of God’s money but in debt.

Some wants to give God the full ownership of their finances but still in debt because
they can’t wait for God’s work and way and they do it on their way.

There are so many causes of debt:

1. Self-indulgence- satisfying your flesh and others (Vices,

habits, gambling etc)
2. Materialism – “I want syndrome”
3. No savings
4. No Spending plan / Budget
5. Shopaholic – “Shop till you drop”
6. Narcissistic Personality- these people will do everything
because of their excessive self-importance; they are preoccupied
with fantasies of power, success, beauty, intelligence, love.
Seeking constant admiration, praise and approval. This is
dangerous because they do everything even they are not financially
capable of doing things to meet what they wanted.
7. Envy
8. Greed- I want more
9. Relying on your credit cards
10. Living outside your means
11. Did not fully entrust your finances to God

Some say that there are other causes of debts that are unexpected like:

1. Pregnancy
2. Illness or medication
3. Failed Business
4. Single parenthood
5. Reduction of income
6. Education
7. Loss of employment
8. Underemployment
9. Divorce

These unexpected causes that other people are talking about won’t lead you into debt if
you have saved for the rainy days, have self-discipline in spending and have fully
entrusted everything to God. If we have that Faith to our father in Heaven to meet our
needs as He promised us in His words then we will be at peace to wait for God to work
without borrowing money from other people or at the bank.

You might be telling me now “It is easy for you to say that because you are not in my
shoes right now, you don’t know my situation” The truth is I have been into situations
where we have no money at all but we prayed to God for His blessing and we didn’t
thought of going to other people and borrow money. One day my husband is just
walking around the town because he’s saving the gas of the car knowing we really have
nothing that day. What was amazing was he saw $4 on the road and nobody was there,
it was for him. He’s so happy so he went on walking then he tried to go inside a
restaurant to offer his software a “Point of Sale software/POS” by the way he’s a
programmer then God gave him a job to do, the restaurant said Yes. That job’s income
let us live for one month (December). Glory to God.

I have been pregnant and had to deliver my first child into a private hospital due to an
emergency because my baby’s water bag or “amniotic sac” burst. After the delivery my
child has to be treated because she had fever due to exposure of the liquid for hours
and I also collapsed after the delivery. We don’t have the money to pay for the private
hospital but because of Faith we entrusted to God everything even my health and our
baby. You know what, after a few days at the hospital my husband was able to have
money from his boss (pharmacy) even he didn’t finish the POS. We went out from the
hospital healthy and no debt. Wow, God is really good.

I could give more examples about our situations on how God worked in our financial life
miraculously but that would be covered on my next book about “DEBT”.

God is a loving Father. He doesn’t want His children to suffer financially and end up in
debt. He meets all our needs. The culprit is us. Our actions, our motives, our spending
habits, our lack of Faith to God in terms of our finances, our wants, our laziness and
many more that causes us to be in debt. It is not God letting you experience this; it is
just the result of our wrong actions or dealings towards money.

Think financially or professionally. Are you debt-free? Praise God. Are you in debt? Do
you have the highest credit rating? Why?

Self-examination is painful! But it is better for you to make the assessment than
someone else! What will you do today to be pure and right financially or professionally?
And while you are at it – consider your spiritual life, are you spiritually healthy? If you
are then you won’t end up in debt right now. An obedient child of God follows His
Father’s rules and commands especially on money matters.

IS IT A SIN TO BORROW?

If we read the Bible, God discourages debt and warns about the dangers of debt
(Proverbs 22:7).
It is not a sin to borrow but it is a sin not to repay what you owe (Psalms 37:1). But let
me just share to you some insights about our misconceptions on debt.

 It is wise to borrow to accomplish things faster and

successfully- I can’t find any from the scripture that encourages us
to borrow money for us to accomplish our God-given goals either
for our family, our future and most of all for the ministry. An
obedient child of God will be blessed and He won’t borrow anything
from anyone because God will bestow His blessings to His children
and become the lender not the borrower.
 Help others by guaranteeing their debt- this is what they call
surety (cosigning) a commitment to guarantee another’s debt. This
is highly discouraged by King Solomon in Proverbs 11:15
 God will pay my debts- Some Christians who are in deep
debt believes that God will pay their debts. They cling on the
promise in Philippians 4:19 that God will supply our needs and
because they need money to pay their debts they use Philippians
4:19 as the answer to their problem. God promised to supply our
needs but not to pay your debts, it needs your action. You have to
ask God’s help but not let God do the job. Check the Steps to get
out of debt below.
 Debt is an exercise of Faith- Some say that they borrow
money because they have Faith in God that He will help them
repay the debt. O my, this is foolishness. God doesn’t need a
lender to provide our needs. We are denying God the opportunity to
provide. We are not faithful to God, we are weak. Our Faith is on
the person or the bank that will lend us the money. If we are in
need exercise your Faith by fully trusting God’s provision. Wait for
God to work and have pace that God is going to make a way to
meet that need without borrowing, that is Faith.

EFFECTS OF UNPAID DEBT

1. Interests go higher and you will be more buried to debt if you
don’t pay it at once
2. You have no peace. Always nervous every time the phone
rings or someone knocks at your door
3. Destroys relationship. When you didn’t pay the money
borrowed from a relative or a friend, conflicts arises and sometimes
led to lawsuits. It is also Biblical that when you borrow money you
became a slave of the lender.
 4. Affects your marriage and sometimes end to Divorce. Some
couples hide debt on credit cards, but some day it all comes out
and the trust in the marriage is seriously damaged.
5. Bankrupt/ Broke. Businessmen overextend on debt and
then the business goes bankrupt.
6. Not a good model. As a Christian, especially if you are in the
ministry we are carrying the light of Jesus Christ. How can we be a
great example of Christ-like life if we are buried to debt? How can
we minister if we always borrow? We trust other people’s money or
the bank to give us a loan and didn’t fully entrust our finances to
God.

If you are in debt right now it is not yet the end of everything. There is hope, but it all
starts with our spiritual decisions to realign our finances with God’s principles. We have
to start making significant changes in our mindset and financial management. It starts
with deciding to put God back in the place where He has belonged all the time.

Here are some steps we can do to get rid of the slavery of Debt in our lives

STEPS TO GET OUT OF DEBT

1. Make a decision now to stop borrowing money and ACT. Not

just decide but also act on it.
2. Let God take control of your finances
3. List all your debts, balances, interest rates
4. Set a goal. How much you can pay in a month and how long
you can pay all your debts.
5. Start paying from the highest to the lowest
6. Trade or sell your items. I’m sorry but you have to make
sacrifices. Sell your items that you are not using now for you to pay
your debts. Sell almost everything if you really want to get out of the
slavery of debt.
7. Work, Work, Work
8. Extra money goes to your debt. Gifts, bonuses, inheritance
and other money you didn’t work for and was given to you freely will
have to go to your debt
9. Make a budget
10. Credit counselling. If you can’t still get out of debt using the
other steps then get a professional credit counselor that can help
you review your debt situation and identify repayment options and
money management techniques that you may not have thought of
on your own.
 ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS.

1. Do I want to be a steward and acknowledge God’s full control?

2. Will I confess my mismanagement and pray for God’s help?

3. Will I seek Godly advice? Will I consult with my spouse and other Christians that can
help me?

4. Will I make the lifestyle change and other habits needed to be changed?

5. Will I stop worrying and fully trust God on my finances?

If we humble ourselves and commit ourselves to stewardship and getting wisdom from
God’s words, God goes to work. There is hope. Our motivation in becoming debt free is
important.

Why do you want to become financially free? This is a “no-brainer” question. Who wants
to be in the bondage of debt anyway? Who doesn’t want to be released from tension,
stress, worries and anxiety of debt? When you borrow, you become a servant of the
lender. Is that the life that you want? God made us to be head not the tail, to be the
lender not the borrower.

For us to know Christ more and to be able to intimately develop a relationship with Him,
we have to learn more about God. The same as through with our finances, if we want to
be financially free and debt free we have to learn God’s biblical principles of finances
and practice them. We have to Trust God and willing to submit to His will and direction.

We can say that we trust God, but there’s a great difference between saying and doing.
Often we trust and Pray to God if there’s no more resort, God is the last resort. God
expects us to trust Him daily, in all things. We have money or don’t, we still have to trust
Him

Get out of debt. Break the habits that keep you in debt .Save so you don’t have to
borrow. Stop borrowing more, start living on less, don’t spend more than what you earn
and begin paying back what you owe.

Proverbs 15:16

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great

treasure with trouble.
 X. ACCEPT GOD’S PROVISION AND HAVE
CONTENTMENT

Proverbs 30:15

The leech has two daughters—

Give and Give!

There are three things that are never satisfied,

Four never say, “Enough!”:

Leeches, or blood-suckers, can teach you wisdom. Leeches are never content or
satisfied. They always want more. No matter what is given, it is never enough. Leeches
will gladly suck the lifeblood out of a host. How content and satisfied are you? Or are
you a leech?

Proverbs can be dark sayings.

Proverbs 1:5-6

5A wise man will hear and increase learning,

 And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,

The words of the wise and their riddles.

They are often not plain (Jn 16:25,29).

John 16:25, 29

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World

25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative

language; but the time is coming when I will no longer
speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you
plainly about the Father.

29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking

plainly, and using no figure of speech!

They are to make you think, to enjoy interpreting them correctly, and to remember the
lesson. The inspired prophet Agur used a creative metaphor to teach an important
lesson. God created leeches, or blood-suckers, and He can perfectly apply their most
unique trait to your life.

Why is it common to call discontent or greedy people leeches, or blood-suckers?

Because that is what God called them in the Bible! Agur wrote these words at least
3,000 years ago, and the Bible has carried this lesson to most languages and nations.
Lady Wisdom’s offer of wisdom is very available to men (Pr 1:20-21; 8:1-5; 9:1-6). Will
you learn it?

Proverbs 1:20-21

The Call of Wisdom

20 Wisdom calls aloud outside;

She raises her voice in the open squares.

21 She cries out in the chief concourses,[a]

At the openings of the gates in the city

She speaks her words:

You know the lesson of Proverbs 30:15 by its words and context. Its words introduce
four things in life that are never satisfied or content, four things that always want more.
Its context lists the four things – the grave, a barren womb, dry ground, and fire. You
easily know the lesson is about things that are never content, satisfied, pacified, or
satiated.

What is a horseleach? It is a blood-sucking leech. It is an aquatic sucking worm larger

than common leeches, and it fastens on the tongues and nostrils of horses when they
drink stagnant water from marshes or pools in the Middle East. Some of them can store
blood of their victims up to five times their body mass. When fully loaded, they fall off.

God and Agur are not teaching veterinary science here, so you know they are
introducing never-satisfied, always-wanting-more, and never-content persons and
things. Agur is starting one of his lists of four things, which occupy much of this chapter
(Pr 30:11-31) Please read it and let the Holy Spirt help you understand everything. The
bloodsucker is a great introduction, for men still use it to describe insatiable people.This
obscure proverb teaches a powerful rule for life. Here is fabulous wisdom from God. If
you learn this lesson, you can be happy and thankful from today forward, you can avoid
the world’s advertising traps, you can keep yourself from many sins, you can rise above
the world’s rich and famous, and you can be satisfied with life day and night.

Contentment is a choice and a command (I Tim 6:6; Heb 13:5).

1 Timothy 6:6

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

Hebrews 13:5

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content

with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I
will never leave you nor forsake you.”

It is a choice to trust God that you have what He wants you to have and to be thankful.
He commands it because He wants you to be happy with His plan for you. No one can
take contentment from you, once you choose it; and it has nothing to do with
circumstances, because it is a chosen mindset.

Hear Paul’s instruction to Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Tim
6:6). Do you want great gain in your life? You can achieve it right now, this very minute.
Choose to be content with your height, your parents, your job, your spouse, your looks,
your nation of birth, your children, what’s in your refrigerator, your car, and so forth.

Contentment is learned behavior. It is a mindset that you choose, and then you work at
it to make it a habit. Paul learned to consider himself full, even when hungry (Phil 4:11-
13). Instead of wishing you had a different house, make the house you have the most
happy and pleasant home you can. Instead of desiring a different spouse, love the one
you have.

Covetousness is the opposite of contentment. It desires what you do not have so much
that it upsets your heart and mind and/or leads to considering sin to get those things.
The sins of greed and lust will never let you be happy, because they make you think
about things you do not have so you hate the things you do have that could make you
happy.

Your sin nature from Adam covets and lusts for everything you do not have so that you
lose enjoying what you do have. Young children rip into one wrapped gift after another
hardly grasping what they received, only asking, “What’s next?” Advertising and mass
marketing is designed to enflame those lusts, and peer pressure in school only adds to
it.

Your flesh has many lustful daughters with insatiable greed, which you must put to
death (Job 15:16; Eph 4:17-19; Col 3:5-7).

Ephesians 4:17-19

The New Man

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you

should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in
the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding
darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of
the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of
their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given
themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness
with greediness.

Riches will not satisfy the man who desires them, until it has destroyed him (Eccl 5:10; I
Tim 6:7-10)

Ecclesiastes 5:10

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver;

Nor he who loves abundance, with increase.

This also is vanity

Women will not satisfy the man who craves them, until they destroy him (Judges 16:16-
17; I Kings 11:1-11; Eccl 7:26-28). Hate all complaining in yourself and others, and learn
contentment with thanksgiving.

Ecclesiastes 7:26-28

26 And I find more bitter than death

The woman whose heart is snares and nets,

Whose hands are fetters.

He who pleases God shall escape from her,

But the sinner shall be trapped by her.

27 Here is what I have found,” says the Preacher,

“Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason,

28 Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find:

One man among a thousand I have found,

But a woman among all these I have not found.

The only insatiable appetite you should have is for God’s glory and spiritual blessings
(Gen 32:26; Mat 5:6; Rom 9:1-3; 10:1; I Cor 12:31).

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for

righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

If God Himself is your desire and portion in life, He will cure your lustful cravings and
bring contentment and satisfaction like nothing else in the whole world (Ps 73:25-26; Pr
3:13-18; Phil 3:8; Heb 11:24-26).

Philippians 3:8

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as
rubbish, that I may gain Christ
 CONTENTMENT IN GOD’S PROVISION

Philippians 4:12-13

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.

Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We have to learn to be content with our present circumstances or situation even when
times are less or nothing at all. Paul is talking about contentment not in food and
clothing but contentment with God as his sole provider in every season. As Paul said we
can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We can rely on God to supply our
needs, our physical strength to work for our families and our spiritual strength to live the
Great Commission that is charged to us by God.

Philippians 4:19

 And my God shall supply all your need according to His

riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Note the first two words: "God will ...." and “God will meet all” It doesn't say, "He might
meet your needs," it says, "He will meet your needs." And when He says He will, He
really will. God didn’t say "I'll meet some of your needs." It says all. But God never said
“I’ll meet all your greed” or “I’ll meet all your wants”. He will meet our needs and that’s
100% sure but our wants depends on God’s favor and provision if it is for your own
good and can help in God’s ministry then He might grant it.

As a mom, when my kids ask for something and they ask politely, I give it to them
because I love them. But not all is given because I don’t want to spoil them. The same
with God. He loves us so much; He provides everything we need but not all we want
because He doesn’t want to spoil you and me.

But why do we face financial crisis? Did God fail and lied to us that He will provide for
us? Did He exaggerate His promises?

Absolutely and definitely not. God never lies, never fails and never exaggerate His
promises. The problem is us; it is how we view our current situation. We describe our
situation as “in financial crisis” but actually we’re not. God promised to be there for us,
to protect, guide and provide. He promised to provide our needs and I believe that He is
doing it every day. Sometimes we can’t see God’s blessings when we are materially
consumed. We are just not contented with our current life, we wanted more, we
compare our life before with today, and we compare ourselves with others. Don’t blame
God; blame yourself if you think you are in financial crisis. Have you ever been a good
steward? Did you save? His words are true but we have to remember that there is a
condition and requirement when God makes a promise. God will do His part but we
have to do our part also. The Bible gives us many aspects of financial health and help,
including principles of saving, spending, giving, working, investing, and stewardship.

He won't give us everything we want, but he will give us what we need. Our wants will
be granted if we are ready to handle the blessings wisely that God is about to pour.

CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN

A righteous man is a godly man; a satisfied soul is a contented man. Godliness with
contentment is great gain (I Tim 6:6). Believe it! True success is a choice you can make
from reading this proverb. Choose now to rise above this dysfunctional, unhappy world.

God provides for righteous men, and He punishes wicked men. What the world pursues
with all their might, God supplies to the righteous by His might (Matt 6:33).

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

and all these things shall be added to you.

The assumed lesson here is God’s providential care for godly men (Pr 10:24,29;
11:6,8,19,21,31; etc.).

Proverbs 10:24

The fear of the wicked will come upon him,

And the desire of the righteous will be granted.

A righteous man eats sufficient for his needs, of whatever is before him, and finds it a
feast. The wicked gorge on excess, wishing the fare was different, and cannot be
satisfied. The one is contented and fulfilled; the other is discontented and frustrated.

One curse of man’s sinful existence is discontentment and worry. Solomon noted that
the world’s rich are often kept from enjoying their abundance (Eccl 5:12-17; 6:1-2). But
God is able to reverse all that in the heart and mind of the righteous (Pr 10:22; Eccl
5:18-20).

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
 18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one
to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in
which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which
God gives him; for it is his heritage. 19 As for every man
to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him
power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his
labor—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell
unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him
busy with the joy of his heart.

God blesses the righteous in their souls, where the wicked are always troubled (Is
57:20-21). Prosperity alone cannot bring contentment, for silver will not satisfy the man
loving silver (Eccl 5:10). Contentment is a state of mind known only by the righteous (Pr
16:8; Phil 4:11), and adding it to godliness is great gain for every man (I Tim 6:6-8).
Believe it!

Philippians 4:11

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in

whatever state I am, to be content:

1 Timothy 6:6-8

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain

we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be

content.

Consider the righteous, who eats sufficient for his needs. He eats and drinks with
moderation and for strength (Eccl 10:17).

Ecclesiastes 10:17

Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of

nobles,

And your princes feast at the proper time—

For strength and not for drunkenness!

He is not tempted to drunkenness, gluttony, and their consequences
 Proverbs 23:21

For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,

And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

He even eats and drinks for God’s glory.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,

do all to the glory of God.

He eats whatever is before him, for he has chosen to be content with whatever God
provides (Phil 4:12). He chooses to be content with such things he has, for the Lord is
his everlasting portion (Ps 73:25-26; Heb 13:5-6). A full heart is better than a full belly.

Philippians 4:12

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.

Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Hebrews 13:5-6

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content

with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I
will never leave you nor forsake you.”

6 So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

He finds a modest amount of anything a feast, for he has righteousness, peace, and
love as the staples at his table (Pr 15:16-17; Ps 37:16).

Proverbs 15:16-17

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,

 Than great treasure with trouble.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs[a] where love is,

Than a fatted calf with hatred.

Psalm 37:16

A little that a righteous man has

Is better than the riches of many wicked.

Because his heart is merry in the Lord, he has a continual feast no matter what is on his
table (Pr 15:15; Eccl 5:18-20).

Proverbs 15:15

All the days of the afflicted are evil,

But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

Consider the wicked, who often gorges on abundance (Luke 16:19).He chooses excess
over moderation and pays the consequences (Pr 21:17; 23:29-35). But he cannot rest,
even in prosperity, for he has the evil disease of worrying about it (Eccl 5:12-17; 6:1-2).

He always wishes the fare or setting was different, for his heart is covetous and greedy
of what others have, and this situation vexes his soul (Eccl 6:9). Ahab, though king of
Israel, could not enjoy anything in his palace without Naboth’s vineyard (I Kgs 21:1-4).

The wicked find trouble at the finest table, for there is often strife of some sort (Pr 15:17;
17:1). No matter where he looks, no matter what he does, all is vanity and vexation of
spirit (Eccl 2:17; 4:4; 6:9). He is like the troubled sea; he cannot rest (Is 57:20-21).

A terrible thing God can do is fill your belly with this world’s best but send leanness into
your soul, as He did to Israel with quail (Ps 106:15). Make sure that He knows you are
content with your food but covetous for more of Him (Matt 5:6; Luke 10:38-42).

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for

righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

Luke 10:38-42

Mary and Martha Worship and Serve

 38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a
certain village; and a certain woman named Martha
welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister
called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[a] feet and heard His
word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving,
and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care
that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell
her to help me.”

41 And Jesus[b] answered and said to her, “Martha,

Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that
good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

God guarantees the righteous will be fed (Ps 34:10; 37:3,25), and no matter how
meager their provision, they have hearts filled with true and lasting joy. The wicked lose
every hope at death and will crave a drop of water throughout eternity (Pr 11:7; Luke
16:24). Repent of your sins today, believe on Jesus Christ, and learn contentment in
Him.

Psalm 34:10

The young lions lack and suffer hunger;

But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good
thing.

Psalm 37:3

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

 SECRETS TO CONTENTMENT

1. Rest in God’s Providence

Romans 8:28

 And we know that all things work together for good to

those who love God, to those who are the called
according to His purpose.

2. Be Thankful of every little thing you have

1 Thessalonians 5:18

 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in

Christ Jesus for you.

3. Be thankful of very people you have in your life

4. Live within your means. Live a standard way of living
5. Establish a habit of giving
6. Develop a thankful attitude
7. Live above life’s circumstances

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for

My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most
gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,

in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.

8. Accept that we cannot do everything that needs to be done

but God can
9. Reject a fearful spirit and stand up against Fear “What if
Syndrome”
10. Seek God’s will and way
11. Be satisfied with little
 1 Timothy 6:6

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

12. Stop comparing yourself to others

13. Stop the habit of satisfying your discontentment (when you
are not satisfied with your old clothes, you buy a new one even if it
is not in your budget plan)
14. Trust God's promise

Contentment is an attitude of the heart. Once the attitude has been modified and all has
been transferred to God, contentment will be evident.

Contentment is not something we could get from someone but something we must learn
and put into practice.

If you are a Christian and is not contented with your life and not happy with Christ then
there’s a problem with you. I don’t know if I can or others can help you with your
situation but all I can say is pray and ask God’s forgiveness and ask for His help.

The real secret to contentment is Christ. As we submit and surrender everything to God
everything follows.

Contentment Is Not Found On The

Fulfillment Of The Desire.
Contentment Is Found In The Surrendering
Of Desire To Christ.
 XI. STOP PESSIMISTIC ATTITUDE
All of us want to be blessed financially but not all will take the proper and biblical way for
that success or blessing. We have tackled some of those from the previous steps.
Some will play the victim person or the very poor person so he or she can get the
sympathy of others that they might help her or him or will say that she/he’s pitiful and so
on…..

But let me tell you this, Words are very powerful. If you always tell to other people and
to yourself, “I am nothing or nobody, I am worthless, I have no money, I am poor, I am
sickly, I am dumb, My prayers won’t be answered, I am weak, etc. Whatever your
reason and purpose for spreading these words to other people or even to yourself, it
might be for them to pity you, for you to get attention or just having a pessimistic attitude
because of low self-esteem. Then you will get what you say you are. Why? Let’s look at
the verses that could help us understand why you are not being blessed because of
your words

WORDS CAN CONTROL YOUR LIFE

The Bible teaches that words, especially ones you say, are important.

PROVERBS 18:20-21

20 A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his

mouth, and from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and

those who love it will eat its fruit.

ISAIAH 59:21
 21 "As for Me," says the Lord, "this is My covenant with
them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I
have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth,
nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the
mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the Lord,
"from this time and forevermore."

WHAT YOU SAY IS WHAT YOU GET

MARK 11:23

23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this

mountain, `Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and
does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things
he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.

Jesus said that you will have whatever you say -- dependent on believing and not
doubting. Think of that. What you say determines what you get in life. It did for the
children of Israel. And the Bible says the things which happened to them are lessons for
us.

NUMBERS 14:28

28 "Say to them, `As I live,' says the Lord, `just as you

have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you:

PROVERBS 6:2

2 you are snared by the words of your own mouth; you are
taken by the words of your mouth.

 Words can either get you in trouble or deliver you. And can
control your destiny.

Revelation 12:11

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and

by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their
lives to the death.

Romans 10:10
 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 6:17

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the

Spirit, which is the word of God;

FAITH MUST SPEAK

 MATTHEW 17:20

20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for

assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard
seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to
there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for
you.

LUKE 17:6

6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed,

you can say to this mulberry tree, `Be pulled up by the
roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

Faith must be released through words. All we receive from God must be received by
faith (Romans 5:2; Galatians 3:14; Hebrews 6:12; Matthew 9:29). So, you will only
receive God's blessing in line with the words you speak.

Romans 5:2

2 through whom also we have access by faith into this

grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory
of God.

Galatians 3:14

14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the

Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the
promise of the Spirit through faith.

Hebrews 6:12

that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who

through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Matthew 9:29

Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your

faith let it be to you.”

WORDS WILL JUDGE YOU

 MATTHEW 12:36-37

36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may
speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your

words you will be condemned."

ROMANS 10:9-10

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and
believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the
dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and

with the mouth confession is made to salvation.

WORDS BRING SUCCESS

JOSHUA 1:8

8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,
but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may
observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then
you will make your way prosperous, and then you will
have good success.

1 PETER 3:10

10 For "He who would love life and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking
guile;

Speaking and thinking in line with God's Word will cause you to prosper and succeed.

MATTHEW 10:32
 32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I
will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

PHILIPPIANS 2:11

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ

is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Never confess defeat. Confessing Jesus as Lord of every situation brings glory to God.

CONTROL YOUR WORDS

1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If

anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which
God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the
dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 4:29

 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what

is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace
to the hearers.

JAMES 4:11

11 Do not speak evil of one another . . . .

TITUS 3:2

2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle,

showing all humility to all men

You are responsible for what you say. If you cannot say something good, the Bible is
clear: keep quiet. Shut your mouth up
 WORDS ARE SPIRITUAL WEAPONS

REVELATION 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by

the word of their testimony, and they did not love their
lives to the death.

What Jesus did for you is enough. He defeated the devil for you. However, you must
enforce that defeat by speaking and standing in agreement with God. Only then will you
see Jesus' victory manifest in your life.

EPHESIANS 6:17

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the

Spirit, which is the word of God;

You must take it. Your spiritual weapon is speaking the Word of God. You must take the
Word and speak it -- just like Jesus did.
 XII. STOP THINKING OF YOUR ENTITLEMENT AND
WORK
Entitlement, what is it?

It is the word that I hate to hear from other people especially Christians. People always
complain that they deserve to be treated well because they are from a wealthy or
respected family, some says they deserve to be served and what I hate the most is a
child telling everyone that they deserve to get all they want for their education, clothing
and everything even the parents are not capable of giving all. The education of course
is a responsibility of the parents if they are able but what if they can’t afford it like other
people? I saw some kids (poor kids and some are disabled) who help their family to
earn for their education then walk for 2 hours or more to reach the school. After school,
they’ll walk again more than two hours crossing rivers and climbing mountains with
ravines to be worried at, and when they reached their houses if they have their own
house because some just lay down the streets, they will still help their parents and they
never complain. They are happy doing everything. Isn’t that amazing?

The entitlement message is eating away at our personal life, church life and our
relationship with the Lord. Its message is so pervasive that we will never escape it; at
best we can only manage it. “You’ve earned it.” “You deserve it.” “You have every right
to have it.” These statements are at the heart of the entitlement message and our
culture.

Let me share with you two articles of Pastor Greg Simas (Senior Leader of
Convergence House of Prayer in SF Bay Area) about entitlement.

THE DANGER OF ENTITLEMENT AND HOW ITS MESSAGE IS

IMPACTING YOUR PERSONAL LIFE, CHURCH LIFE AND WALK WITH
GOD
We are bombarded by business, advertising and government with the “entitlement”
message. This message is engrained in our culture and absorbed into virtually every
fabric of society. Though you might not know what entitlement is, it is safe to say that its
message is eating away at your personal life, church life and your relationship with the
Lord.

I’m not interested in discussing broad business and governmental entitlements. I am

focusing on what I see as a growing entitlement attitude that is pervasive throughout
much of the church. This is my humble opinion for whatever it’s worth. And I want to let
you all know that I write as one who is hugely impacted by the entitlement message but
trying to loosen its grip on my life.
 THE BUSINESS OF ENTITLEMENT

When advertisers say we are “entitled” to something it means that we have a “right to”
or “deserve” it. For instance, “you owe it to yourself” to take that cruise or you “deserve”,
that new gadget or car.

You’ve earned it. You deserve it. You owe it to yourself to have it. These statements are
at the heart of the entitlement message.

Entitlement is on our billboards, fed to us through visual media such as television,

movies and all forms of the internet. It comes across our radio stations and packaged
on the products we purchase. Honestly, there is no getting around it. We are confronted
daily with its message.

Do you remember this old jingle from McDonalds?

“You deserve a break today, so get up and get away to McDonalds”

Do you see the entitlement message here?

“You deserve a break today” – Don’t we all deserve some kind of a break? The answer
would be YES! This is what McDonalds is saying you are entitled to.

In essence, McDonalds is connecting entitlement to its product. If you agree with their
entitlement message then you will hopefully agree with the other half of the
statement…”get up, get away, to McDonalds.”

We cannot escape the message, its everywhere.

THE IMPACT OF ENTITLEMENT ON THE CHURCH

Unfortunately this entitlement mindset is firmly planted in the minds of so many in our
churches and worse yet, seeded into our relationship with God.

Time does not permit me to write how so many Pastors and ministry leaders feel the
pressure to keep up with the entitlement demands of many in the church. Many Pastors
and leaders are suffering burnout and leaving the ministry in record numbers. The
entitlement demands are simply too great.

THE DANGER OF ENTITLEMENT

Entitlement creates an inward, self-focused, self-centered person. The sheer nature of

the message is the importance, rights and benefits YOU deserve. We become the focus
and the means to the end. God is reduced to someone who helps me get what I believe
I am entitled to. This is an alarming reality.

This weird “spiritual” entitlement leads us to believe God owes us something that He is
in some way entitled to give us what we want. We have a right to material abundance,
comfort, zero-problems, the nice house and all the other things our entitlement culture
tells us we deserve.

Within the church culture, entitlement can be expressed with these sayings, “I deserve
to be a part of this ministry”, “I have a right to this platform”, “I am entitled to this
position”. Some believe they are entitled based on tenure, money and/or ministry
experience. Regardless, living the Christian life with feelings of what is owed to us, what
we deserve and what we have a right to put us in harm’s way.

WHY MANY WALK AWAY FROM THE LORD

Many people leave the faith because “God didn’t work”. For many, the reason God
didn’t work is because God was never made Lord of their lives. He was a means to get
what they feel they were entitled to. When this didn’t happen it was a simple decision to
move on to the next thing.

In many ways we as leaders have contributed to this by telling people that God will meet
all their needs and give them all that they want or desire if they give their lives to Jesus.
Again, this is not a clear gospel.

Though I believe God gives us gifts and wants to meet our needs, the heart of the
salvation message is the fact that we stand guilty before a holy God. Our sin has
separated us from our heavenly Father.

Provision has been made on the cross by Jesus to save us from our sin and remove our
guilt. He will rescue us, redeem us and save us if we simply invite Him to be Lord of our
lives.

We deserve to be eternally separated from God but now we enjoy knowing God our
Creator, Father and friend based on the finished work of Jesus. There is much to be
grateful for.

GOD OWES US NOTHING

So with regard to God and entitlement, let me be frank.

God owes us nothing. God is not entitled, obligated or in any way relegated to give us
anything. He is God. He gives because He wants to not because He has to.

He is the center of all things and we are not. All things exist for His good pleasure.
The Good News is that even though God owes us nothing, out of His great love He will
give us what we need and even things we desire. Yet He is never entitled to give us a
thing. It’s from unconditional love by grace that He gives.

The problem with entitlement is that it creates an attitude that puts a selfish demand on
God’s generosity and creates conditions in the relationship that are unhealthy and I
would dare say, deadly.

THE DARK SIDE OF ENTITLEMENT

If we believe that God owes us something then the measure of our thankfulness is now
based on God’s performance and the entitlements we expect from Him. When we sense
we have a right to something we distance ourselves from grace and ultimately God.

To the extent that we fall into an entitlement trap we become more deserving in our own
eyes and God’s grace gets less and less amazing in our estimation.

Before we know it, gratitude and thanksgiving are slowly replaced with bitterness, pride
and envy.

Romans 1: 21

 Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify

Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their
thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. The
verse above should get our attention in light of our
discussion. When we become ungrateful and cease to
give honor to the Lord our thinking becomes futile and are
hearts grow dark.

Now the opposite is true. The more we honor and give thanks to God the mind becomes
fruitful and our hearts become filled with light.
 5 WAYS TO LOOSEN THE GRIP OF ENTITLEMENT ON OUR LIVES
ENTITLEMENT IN THE CHURCH

What’s even more alarming is entitlements infestation into the church. It comes in the
form of perceived rights and things we feel we deserve. Mix entitlement with
consumerism and we have demands that many Pastors and leaders cannot keep up
with.

In addition, there are those who believe God is in some way entitled to them. They truly
believe God should meet all their needs AND wants. Instead of being grateful for His
grace they are embittered by His lack. Grace is replaced with rights. Gratefulness is
replaced with cynicism.

Five Ways to Loosen Entitlements Grip On Our Lives

As Christians, how can we minimize the traffic entitlement brings? How can we stay free
from its message?

1. Give Thanks –Giving thanks to God in all things is the antidote to entitlement.
Thanksgiving is the barometer of the heart. When thanksgiving is strong, entitlement is
weak. Entitlement cannot stick to a grateful heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in

Christ Jesus for you.

2. Remember Grace – Remember what God saved you from and recall often how His
love, grace and mercy reached you when you could’ve cared less.

When we remember how utterly blind we were, how completely lost we were, how
hopeless we were, how sin sentenced us to life forever without God and when we had
zero desire to pursue Him, He died for us. When we remember these things praise fills
our mouths for all the Lord has done and entitlements soon become distant thoughts.

Titus 3:3-7

3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient,

deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in
malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior
toward man appeared,

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but

according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing
of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus

Christ our Savior,

7 that having been justified by His grace we should

become heirs according to the hope of eternal life

3. Think Eternally – Live with eternity in mind. This life is but a flicker compared to what
lies ahead. Try setting your mind in heavenly places

1 Corinthians 2: 9

But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love
Him.”

 What we receive in the next life blows away anything we can imagine right now. Live
through the lens of eternity.

Hebrews 11:25-26

25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of

God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than

the treasures in[a] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

4. Cutback Media – The voices of entitlement travel through media. Folks are cutting
back on television, web surfing, movies and other forms of media to help them clear the
clutter in their minds. It’s much easier to detach ourselves from the entitlement message
when we control the ear and eye gates.
5. Pray honestly and earnestly– This should be obvious but I think I need to state it
here. We all deal with entitlement at some level or another. I ask the Lord to help me
remain thankful, remember grace and think eternally. I would urge you to do the same.

If we work on just two or three of these stated above I believe entitlement will
substantially weaken its grip on our lives.

Bring Your Requests to God.

Entitlement does not mean that we cannot ask things from God. The Bible clearly says
to ask, seek and knock. Bring your requests to God. Believe Him for provision, healing,
deliverance, even that promotion. But always remember, He never “owes it” to you. He
gives because He loves.

CONFRONT YOUR ENTITLEMENT

Helping people in need is part of our duties as Christians. But do not spoil a person or
you might get in trouble. Some may take advantage of that help.

If you have this entitlement issue. You have to stop it now because the truth is;
everyone around you isn’t pleased on how you are acting.

Stop asking for help if you are able to do it, if you are capable, if you are not sick,
disabled (but some disabled people do things on their own which I admire the most), if
you are an adult (but some kids do things on their own) and most of all if you are a real
child of God.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you

this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

Galatians 6:5

5 For each one shall bear his own load.

The Bible is clear, we have to work and not always think of our entitlement as a citizen,
a child of your parents, an employee with benefits and so on. It’s good to have those
entitlements but that won’t be our focus, let us all work and give all to God our finances.

Don’t look on other people on how they could help you.

Just work and give your best and God will do the rest.
 XIII. GIVE YOUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS

WHY IS TITHING IMPORTANT?

Honoring God with the first fruits of your income

The tithe is 10% of your income, and it should be given to God faithfully. Tithing honors
the Scriptural principles of generously providing for religious leaders, giving to those in
need, and laying up treasures in heaven.

Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to give the first part of our resources to God
as an expression of honor and gratitude. “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with
the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy
presses shall burst out with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9–10).

UNDERSTAND THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR TITHING

Tithing is mentioned throughout the Old Testament, particularly when God

commissioned the Israeli tribe of Levi to serve by caring for the tabernacle and providing
spiritual leadership for the nation of Israel. Since the tribe of Levi was given these two
unique responsibilities, God did not assign to them a portion of land (as He had
assigned portions of land to the other tribes of Israel), but He instructed the rest of the
Israelites to bring tithes of their increase to provide for the priests and Levites. (See
Numbers 18.)

In the New Testament, Jesus affirmed the practice of tithing (see Matthew 23:23), and
the Apostle Paul encouraged Christians to give to those in need and to those who were
ministering in the Gospel (see II Corinthians 9:6–15). When you tithe today, you enable
those whom God has called to serve as pastors, missionaries, and ministry personnel to
faithfully build up the Church and expand the kingdom of God.

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

Tithing is one way to worship God—to honor Him as your provider and remind yourself
that all of your resources belong to Him and are provided through His grace. As you
give away that first 10% of your income, you set your course to honor God in the way
you handle the rest of your finances.
 WHEN TO GIVE

Consider your pay schedule, and establish a pattern of giving when your resources
increase. This habit allows you to regularly remind yourself of God’s faithfulness and to
express gratitude to Him by giving to meet the needs of others.

WHERE TO GIVE

Typically, the tithe should be given to the local church where you worship. These gifts
support your pastor and ministry staff members who are actively serving you, and they
help maintain the work of the church in your community. As God prospers you and
directs you, additional gifts can be given to other ministries that are advancing the
Gospel.

WHAT TO GIVE

The tithe is 10% of your gross income. In addition to giving 10% of your monetary
income, consider giving God the firstfruits of other resources as well, such as your time
(giving Him the first part of your day in a quiet time and taking one day in seven to focus
on worship and rest) and energies (investing your gifts and abilities in your church and
community).

HOW TO GIVE

Your motives for giving are important to God. “Every man according as he purposeth in
his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
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” (II Corinthians 9:7–8). Give
with the expectation that God will faithfully supply whatever you need so that you can
abound in good works!

GROW IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD

The practice of tithing provides a regular reminder of your dependence on God. In good
times, tithing helps you remember that God is the source of all blessings, and it allows
you to demonstrate your gratitude for His care. In hard times, tithing motivates you to
remember God’s faithfulness, and it enables you to demonstrate trust in God to provide
for all of your needs.

In Deuteronomy 14:22–23, God instructed the Israelites: “Thou shalt truly tithe all the
increase of thy seed . . . . of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of
thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.”
Whatever your current situation, tithing is a key to learning to live in the fear of God.

STORE UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN

As Christians, we are challenged to set our hearts on what truly matters, not on the
frivolous things of the earth. (See Colossians 3:1–2.) Jesus challenged His disciples,
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not beak through nor
steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).

Giving a tithe and giving beyond the tithe are ways that you can honor God and reach
out to meet the needs of others. “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” (Malachi 3:10).

Original source: https://iblp.org/questions/why-tithing-important ©Institute in Basic Life

Principles. Used with permission.
 GIVING GOD’S WAY

1. WHO SHOULD GIVE? ALL BELIEVERS, BUT NOT

UNBELIEVERS, SHOULD GIVE TO THE LORD.

Giving is a privilege and responsibility for those who have received from God the gift of
eternal life. But it is wrong for churches or other Christian ministries to appeal to
unbelievers for funds. Third john 7 mentions Christian workers who “went out for the
sake of the name, accepting nothing from the gentiles.” Unbelievers cannot offer good
works to God. It is wrong to give an unbeliever any basis for thinking that he can gain
merit before God by giving or any other good deed.

Unbelievers frequently gripe that the church is always after their money. They are right
in one sense: God is after their money, because their hearts are bound up with their
treasure, and God wants their hearts to be devoted to him. The fact that they resent
giving shows the condition of their hearts. But we need to make it clear that if a person
has not given his heart to God in response to God’s giving his son on the cross to pay
the penalty for his sins (2 cor. 8:5), then we do not want him to give to the lord’s work.
Giving should be a thank offering to God, and a person outside of Christ cannot properly
give such an offering (heb. 13:16).

Giving is for believers, and it should be done by all believers. Poor Christians as well as
rich should give to the lord (2 cor. 8:2; luke 21:1-4). That is one reason it is wrong to be
in debt, because you aren’t free to give generously when you owe creditors. But even if
you can’t give much, you aren’t exempt from giving. Those who are supported in
Christian ministry are not exempt either. In fact, they should set the example (acts
20:35).

2. Why should I give? I should give because God has first given to me and I want to
please him.

In giving, motivation is crucial. There are many

A. WRONG MOTIVES FOR GIVING:

(1) PRIDE. If you give to be honored by men for your great generosity, you are giving
for the wrong reason. Giving is to be done in secret before God (Matt. 6:1-4). Naming
buildings or putting up plaques in honor of donors violates this principle.
(2) GUILT. We should not give because we feel guilty about having so much. If we’re
not being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, then we should repent and
give from the right motivation.

(3) GREED. Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you,” is wrongly used to motivate
people to give so that they will get. Jesus is not promising that if you give, God will give
you more in return. He is stating the principle that if you are a generous person, others
will be generous toward you. But you may give and be impoverished because you gave.

(4) PRESSURE. Responding to high-pressure tactics of Christian fund-raisers is

another wrong motive. We are not to give “under compulsion”

2 Corinthians 9:7

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not

grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

(5) GIMMICKS . This is related both to greed and pressure. All sorts of gimmicks are
used to get people to give: “For your donation, I’ll send you my latest book.” “We’ll send
you a special prayer cloth, prayer card or CD, blessed by brother so-and-so.” These are
all worldly gimmicks, opposed to biblical giving.

(6) POWER. Money is power. Some people threaten to take their large gifts
elsewhere if you don’t do what they want. That may be how politics operates, but that
isn’t how God’s church operates. It’s wrong to show preference to the wealthy

James 2:1-9

Beware of Personal Favoritism

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus

Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with

gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in
a poor man in filthy clothes,

3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine

clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,”
 and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here
at my footstool,”

4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and

become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the

poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the
kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich
oppress you and drag you into the courts?

7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you

are called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the

Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”[a]
you do well;

9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are

convicted by the law as transgressors.

It’s sin to use your money to try to buy spiritual influence

Acts 8:18-24

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the

apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them
money,

19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on

whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you,

because you thought that the gift of God could be
purchased with money!

21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for

your heart is not right in the sight of God.
 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray
God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven
you.

23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and

bound by iniquity.”

24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for

me, that none of the things which you have spoken may
come upon me.”

B. RIGHT MOTIVES FOR GIVING:

(1) GIVE BECAUSE GOD HAS GIVEN TO US .

It is the prime motive in grace giving. God has given us everything.

James 1: 17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is
no variation or shadow of turning.

He gave His Son to provide for our salvation. He has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

Redemption in Christ

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in
the heavenly places in Christ,

He “richly supplies us with all things to enjoy”

1 Timothy 6:17

Instructions to the Rich

 17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to
be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living
God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

As God has abundantly blessed us we should also give generously.

(2) GIVE BECAUSE WE WANT TO PLEASE GOD.

As we please God with our tithes and offerings we should have these
spiritual goals why we give

*I want God to be glorified. God is glorified when we give from the right motives and in
the right way. God’s glory is the overarching goal of the Christian life.

2 Corinthians 9:13

while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God

for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of
Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men

*I want my heart to be right before God. Your heart follows your treasure. If I want my
heart concerned with the things of God, then I must invest in His work.

Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

*I want God to be my master. Generous giving loosens your grasp on money.

Matthew 6:24

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate
the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the
one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
mammon.

*I want my life to be used by God . God could have chosen to work apart from us, but
He did not. He could have used angels or loudspeakers from heaven to spread the
gospel, but He chose to use us. And it takes money to further God’s work. If you don’t
give, God will use someone else and you’ll miss the blessing of being used of God.

2 Corinthians 9:10
 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread
for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and
increase the fruits of your righteousness

*I want to lay up treasures in heaven. Investments on earth are insecure and transitory.
Investments in heaven are secure and eternal. There is no more sound investment than
that of reaching people with the good news of Christ. God credits money which we give
to further His kingdom as fruit to our account, and He will reward us for it someday
(Matt. 6:4; 19-20; 1 Tim. 6:19).

Matthew 6:4

that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your

Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Matthew 6:19-20

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where

moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and
steal;

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where

neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not
break in and steal.

1 Timothy 6:19

 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time

to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life

*I want my faith to grow . God will provide money for you to give if you will trust Him for
it. If you are willing to be a channel for God’s resources, He will give you money to give.
But if you bottle it up and keep it for your own comforts, the flow will dry up. Ask God to
give you money to give. Then make sure you give it!

2 Corinthians 9:8-11

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you,

that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may
have an abundance for every good work.

9 As it is written:
 “He has dispersed abroad,

He has given to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and

bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have
sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality,

which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

*I want to be a compassionate person (1 John 3:17; James 2:15-16).

1 John 3: 17

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother
in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the
love of God abide in him?

James 2:15-16

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily

food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace,
be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things
which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

In a day like ours, when we’re hit with so many needs from all over the world, it’s easy
to close up your heart and not give at all. I know we can’t respond to every poor person
around the world, but we need to do all we can to show compassion in the name of
Christ.

Matthew 25:31-46

The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the
holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His
glory.

32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He

will separate them one from another, as a shepherd
divides his sheep from the goats.
 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the
goats on the left.

34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand,

‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty

and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me
in;

36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you
visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord,

when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and
give You drink?

38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or

naked and clothe You?

39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come

to You?’

40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I

say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of
these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand,

‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire
prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was

thirsty and you gave Me no drink;

43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and
you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not
visit Me.’

44 “Then they also will answer Him,[b] saying, ‘Lord, when

did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or
sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to
you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of
these, you did not do it to Me.’

46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment,

but the righteous into eternal life.”

*I want to be a worshiper of God. Giving is a sacrifice that pleases God (Phil. 4:18; Heb.
13:16).

Philippians 4: 18

Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received

from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-
smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to
God.

Hebrews 13:16

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such

sacrifices God is well pleased.

King David knew the connection between giving and worship.

2 Samuel 24: 24

Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it
from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the
Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David
bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of
silver.

3. HOW SHOULD WE GIVE?

We should give in accordance with biblical principles.

 SEVERAL BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GIVING:

A. WE SHOULD GIVE IN A PRE-PLANNED, SYSTEMATIC WAY.

1 Corinthians 16: 2

 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay
something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there
be no collections when I come.

2 Corinthians 9: 7

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not

grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

“As he may prosper” implies that whenever I receive income, I should give. “The first
day of the week” implies regular giving as an act of worship. “Just as he has purposed”
implies advance planning, not giving on impulse. In response to God’s grace, each
household ought to sit down and determine a fixed amount they believe God wants
them to give, and then follow through systematically. You should not wait until the
offering plate is coming down the aisle and then think, “Oh no! I haven’t given for a
while. I’d better drop something in.”

How do you arrive at the percentage? Pray about it and start with something above ten
percent. Then trust God by increasing the percentage each year, especially if you get a
raise. Warning: You’ll be tempted to spend the extra on yourself! Give it as the first
fruits, off the top, and trust God to meet your other needs.

B. WE SHOULD GIVE IN SECRET TO THE LORD, NOT IN PUBLIC

BEFORE MEN.

As I already mentioned, giving because of pride, power, or human recognition are

wrong. Jesus says that we are to give in secret, but with the awareness that God is
watching. Every time you give, do it before the Lord.

Matthew 6:1-4

Do Good to Please God

 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds
before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no
reward from your Father in heaven.

2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not

sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory
from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left

hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your

Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly

C. WE SHOULD GIVE SACRIFICIALLY AT TIMES.

The norm is, “as God has prospered.” But at times God wants us to give more than we
think we can afford

2 Corinthians 8:2-3 ( “beyond their ability”)

2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their

joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their
liberality.

3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes,

and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,

Perhaps you systematically give 10% of your income. An opportunity to give comes
along and the Lord says, “I want you to dip into your savings and give $2,000.” Or some
extra money comes your way, and the Lord says, “Instead of 10%, I want you to give it
all.”

I read of a church of 400 members in Thailand where every member tithes. In their
case, tithing is sacrificial giving, because the members all make only the U.S. equivalent
of 20 cents a week, plus their rice! But because they give sacrificially, they support their
own pastor, they have sent two missionary families to other hard-to-reach areas, and
they generously help other poor. One other fact: each member of this church has
leprosy!
Thus all believers are to give from biblical motives in line with biblical principles.

Original source: Pastor Steve Cole(Giving God’s Way) ©

Flagstaff Christian Fellowship. U s e d w i t h p e r m i s s i o n .
 XIV. ATTITUDE CHECK

Nobody is perfect but God wants to help us on our weaknesses (bad attitudes) that are
hindering our blessings.

GET RID OF THESE IN YOUR LIFE

1. Love of money. “Mammon”. Be careful because if you love

money more than God that is idolatry.

Love of money exists when a man denies his faith or breaks a

known commandment because of monetary gain.

2. Covetousness is a strong desire for what belongs to another.

We compare our looks, our bodies, our incomes, our families, our
spouses, our homes, and our careers with others. The quickest way
to have a bad day is to compare yourself to others. It is the quickest
way to feel depressed, inadequate, a failure, poor, ugly, lacking of
many things, not blessed, and a nobody. When we keep on
comparing, there is the desire that we want to have what they have.
We sin even when we are just thinking it, more if we covet through
action.

3. Greed .A strong desire for more wealth or being possessed

with our possessions. Greed is a lack of contentment. “I WANT
MORE syndrome”. Some Christians are still enslaved with
greediness, why? they are not contented of what they have, jealous
of what others have, materialistic, feeding their emptiness with
wealth, pursuing riches more than pursuing God, pursuing higher
position in the society for power and glory and many other reasons
that you can think of. The constant drive for more will keep us in a
constant unthankful and unsatisfied state because we never attain
what we think will make us happy. Surrender your greediness to
God that He may bless you more and give you peace, happiness
and contentment in life that you can never find or have with the
riches of this world.

4. Breaking of settled customs, even if not in writing. He is not

a godly man who excuses himself because a contract was not in
writing, if the performance was understood. Neither do noble men
quote the Constitution or other dusty relics as the basis for their
actions; men of principle fulfill the accepted expectations of society
in the discharge of their transactions, regardless of any obsolete
provision or idea that could excuse them. They know that de facto
standards can be more binding than de jure ones.

5. Pride. Proud people trust in their own plans, knowledge,

efforts, careers, business, job, social status, achievements, wealth,
performance and more. They will not trust in God. We should have
a sedate or a clear mind that aligns ourselves with the words of
God. If we are not careful, pride can sneak up on us, and we can
find ourselves operating in it without even being aware of it. It can
manifest itself either as conceit and arrogance, or as timidity and
shyness. Some say they are shy that’s why they do what they do or
don’t do things that should be done, it is not shyness but it is more
on Pride. Proud people disregard the Word of God, choosing to
exalt themselves instead of Him. Pride causes us to be self-
centered, trusting ourselves instead of God. Pride blocks the
blessing.
As ministers of Christ, we have to be careful not to let Pride control
us. We stand for God and not for ourselves. We lead songs for
God not to show off that we are good singers with good voice and
good in musical instruments, we preach God’s word not to let
people know that we are knowledgeable or wise or good public
speakers. It is always about God not about us. May we daily ask
God’s help that we may not fall into sin because of Pride. When
people appreciates your voice, your talent, your physical
appearance, your preaching and everything about you, never
forget to tell them, “TO GOD BE THE GLORY”. God deserves all
the praise and appreciation because we are just instruments of
God, don’t claim anything and give it back to God. When God uses
us, He helps us accomplish whatever He wants us to do, then He
blesses us. Be humble like the other saints of God and like Jesus.
To detect PRIDE, we must study the Word and allow the Word to
warn us when we fall prey to pride. Pray and seek God’s
meekness.

6. Foolish and unnecessary squabbles with neighbors that

should have been avoided by maintaining better communication. It
is better to be defrauded than fight, especially when the cause can
be traced to your neglect or slothfulness.

7. Stinginess towards God, men of God, family, friends and the

needy. A stingy person is one who is unwilling to spend or give
even if he or she has the resources. Or he / she spends or gives
but with an unwilling heart or attitude. A stingy person is a Miser an
 unsatisfied person who hoards more wealth for himself but spend
very little.

8. Altering covenants or commitments, whether oral or written,

in which a party would suffer loss. You must fulfill contractual
details and provide things honest in the sight of all men. If you gave
your word, you should match or exceed others’ expectations.

9. Stealing from God and man. When you steal you bring a
curse on your finances.

How can you steal from God? When you don’t give your tithes. (Malachi 3:8-12)

We all know what is stealing, having or taking something or someone that is not yours.
Every evil act has its consequences especially your finances.

Proverbs 20:17

Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

10. Fraud is cheating or deceitfully taking into your possession

what was not given to you. It is cleverly manipulating documents,
weighing scales or a person to gain money without being
discovered. Men may miss or ignore your scam; God will not. You
think you have a treasure, but it is an illusion, like thinking a leaf in
a tornado will land in your pocket.

Wisdom includes honesty in business and finances. Lying to get

ahead is vanity – it will not work – it is foolish and useless. Any
advantage or riches gained will be lost, and God will judge the
thief. To choose this approach is to desire death and destruction
(Pr 8:36).You may have money now but you will surely reap what
you sow.

Proverbs 21:6

Getting treasures by a lying tongue

Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

The Bible is filled with sober warnings against deceit or fraud of
any kind to pad your pockets. Consider the number of them and be
perfectly honest in all business dealings (Pr 10:2; 11:26; 13:11;
20:14,21; 28:8; Lev 19:13,35-36; Deut 24:14-15; 25:13-16; Job
24:10-11; Ezek 45:10-12; Hos 12:7; Amos 8:4-6; Mic 6:10-11; Mal
3:5; Jas 5:1-7).

11. Aiding and abetting. Colluding with customers to cheat their

companies or bosses. Receipting the wrong amount for purchases
made in order to keep a customer or make extra money is evil.
Helping to over-invoice a product or contract to make something
extra is evil in the site of God. Never join somebody to commit a
crime. You want to help a person gain something but in an illegal
way? That’s corruption. Some government employees with corrupt
leaders have to follow orders even if it is evil, the decision is yours.
You can’t make excuses to God because He warned us already.
You will share in the punishment at the end of the day.
If you trust God, you will do what is right and leave to God the
consequence of the action. People will get angry at you, your
leaders or the ones ordering you to do something, but you have
peace in your heart that you didn’t disobey our Father and you will
be rewarded for that.

12. Acquisitiveness. The habit of acquiring and gathering wealth

and possessions greedily with unwillingness to spend, or share to
people even to your family but most especially to God. These are
the selfish, greedy and covetous people. Be careful not to be an
acquisitive person and if you are then it’s time to let God change
you to be financially blessed.

13. Taking the name of Christ. Let your conduct in all economic
transactions and dealings with others be completely honest and
openly fair (Matt 5:16; I Thess 4:11-12; I Tim 6:1; Titus 2:9-10; I Pet
2:12; 3:16-17). It would be better to suffer loss, than to compromise
the property rights of others or offend the great King (I Cor 6:6-8).
And never use the name of Christ in your financial dealings just to
get the trust of other people.

14. Lack of accountability. We are accountable to God everyday

on what we say, and what we do. If you are a minister you are
accountable to God for your flocks, whatever you say about God
and the Bible, how you live and how you lead. Many leaders or
ministers of God forget or don’t do their obligations for their church
members wherein they should be taking care of their flocks but they
become Sunday preachers only and they make God as their
sideline. When you accepted your position either as a Pastor,
leader, or on any social or political positon or even at your house,
you have taken an obligation and accepted a responsibility that you
should be accountable of. It includes the responsibility for money or
other entrusted property and should disclose the results in a
transparent manner.

Lack of accountability is inability to do your obligation or

responsibility. In the working world we live today there are people
who don’t give satisfactory report on financial transactions, refuse
to return a change or extra money given to execute a project or
make some purchases.

Falsifying account records to cover up an expenditure made by

you or another is evil. Not being honest when someone mistakenly
gives your change on a purchase and it is more than what is
supposed to be. Being a Christian we are accountable with our
actions even on money so don’t think twice give it back. Not
paying your taxes, bills and employees are also lack of
accountability as a citizen, an employer, an employee and as a
Christian.

15. Living in luxury and self-indulgence (James 5:5) some

people forget God when they already have everything and indulged
or so attached on the earthly or material things. Don’t forget that
everything comes from God. Either material or people, they come in
our lives as instruments for God’s service and glory not for us to
waste it. You may wake up tomorrow eating with the pigs just like
the prodigal son.

You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you

have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.

16. Unforgiving Spirit. Set someone free from an obligation if

they can’t pay you back with their debt. Especially if they are not
able and are poor. Just have it in your heart as your help to the
person in need and trust God that He will bless you with this act.
17. Taking advantage of other people- Proverbs 20:4

Those who do not work their own business with their own hands
must starve (II Thes 3:10).
18. TOO MUCH SLEEP: slothfulness, or lack of ambition and
initiative, is a sure road to penury.Poverty and want will overtake
the man who enjoys a little sleep too often (Prov 6:9-11).
It is the love of sleep and rest that will surely bring poverty (Pr
20:13; 21:15; 24:30-34).Drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags:
avoid drunkenness and gluttony (Pr 23:20-21).
19. TOO MUCH PLEASURE: the love and pursuit of pleasure
will make a man poor (Prov 21:17).Associating with drunkards and
gluttons will bring drowsiness and poverty (Pro 23:20-21).
Drinking and eating should be done for strength, not for excessive
pleasure (Ec 10:16-17).
20. TOO MUCH HASTE: the lack of patience in finances is an
evil bringing poverty (Pr 28:22).
21. Stubbornness: the reluctance to work hard at boring jobs
brings poverty (Prov 28:19).Stubbornness to acknowledge the
instruction of others will make a man poor (Pr 13:18).
Listen to what the word of God has to say regardless of your great
wisdom (Prov 26:16).
22. TOO MUCH SPENDING: spending all or most of one's
labour causes poverty (Prov 21:20).
23. TOO MUCH HOARDING: not giving enough when you could
tends to poverty (Prov 11:24).
24. TOO MUCH FEAR: intimidation by obstacles and adversity
will keep men secure in poverty.The fear of failure is actually a
proof of slothfulness (Proverbs 26:13; Matt 25:26-28).
Fear resulting in inactivity is grounds for starvation when you are in
need (Prov 20:4).
EXAMINE YOUR ATTITUDE ABOUT MONEY

Budgeting, borrowing and debt, saving, tithing and other financial topics are important,
but our attitude about money is more important. Our attitude towards other people
regarding money is something we have to be aware of all the time. Once our way of
thinking about money lines up with God’s, it’s much easier to tackle the practical
matters.

ACKNOWLEDGE GOD’S OWNERSHIP

The most important principle to keep firmly in mind is to understand whose money we
are spending. It’s not yours. If you are married, it’s not your mate’s. It is God’s.

God’s ownership of everything is a foreign concept to most of us. We like to think of our
money and our possessions. Yet the Bible makes it clear that God owns everything. All
things were created by Him and for Him. Everything belongs to Him. Everything, that
includes your money.

Colossians 1:16

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and
that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or principalities or powers. All things were
created through Him and for Him.

Deuteronomy 10:14

Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the

Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it.

Psalm 50:10

For every beast of the forest is Mine,And the cattle on a

thousand hills.

Psalm 50:12

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you;For the world is

Mine, and all its fullness.

Haggai 2:8

 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of
hosts
Acknowledge God’s ownership out loud in our everyday lives. When you are working,
studying or whatever you are doing, always be thankful and appreciate your life that you
can do anything and everything because of God. Be thankful of everything you have
even it is old or new, expensive or cheap, big or small because God let you have these
things to use and you don’t own them. He is just entrusting it to us, so be a good
steward.

Luke 16:10

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much;

and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in
much

FORGIVE AND FORGET

God expects us to forgive others who wrong us because He forgives us. What if the
person purposely hurt me? What if the person is part of my family? What if because of
what they did to me ruined my life, my integrity, my honor, lost my job/friend or another
person? Well, uhm let me think about it for a minute; I don’t know if I can do that. It isn’t
easy. Maybe you will say these words if you’ll hear or read about forgiveness.

I struggled with this bad attitude before but when I matured in Christ I learned a lot. I
learned to forgive and let go because it’s taking a lot of my energy, not been able to do
my work well, got headaches, relationship with the family is affected and my ministry is
affected. How will God bless you in all aspects of your life especially on your ministry
when you are disobeying His words?

Matthew 6: 15

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will

your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:21-22

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often

shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to
seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven

times, but up to seventy times seven.
Forgiveness is obedience to God.

Romans 12:20-21

Therefore“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with

good.

Matthew 5:44

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who

curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for
those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

We can forgive but sometimes it’s hard to forget the offense done to us and erase the
memories of the past. But Paul tells us

Philippians 3:13

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;

but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind and reaching forward to those things which are
ahead,

Hebrews 12:1

 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of

God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause
trouble, and by this many become defiled; Don’t allow
bitterness, anger, and hate to rob you of God’s reward (2

Free yourself today from anger, hate, and unforgiveness. Align your mind with the mind
of Christ. You might ask me, “How does unforgiveness affects my finances?” It won’t
literally affect your money but it affects you, your work, and your relationship with other
people and with God.
How can you work peacefully, joyfully and skillfully if you have grudge in your heart?

Forgive others as God has forgiven us. Reconcile with them, accept their failures or
weaknesses (you also have your own weaknesses), forgive the debt and view the
people who hurt you as your tool for growth.

Forgive yourself from your past sins. Either on how you handled and dealt with money
or how you mishandled your life before.

Free yourself from the heavy load of guilt, bitterness and anger. The poison of
unforgiving spirit separates us from God and other people that affect our spiritual,
emotional and physical health.

After you forgave and released that blessing to others, our negative feelings will
disappear and will be replaced with love, humility, pity, and concern for others. It will be
easier for us to understand and accept others and pray for them.

MAINTAIN GODLY PRIORITIES: make sure you seek God's righteousness first (Matt
6:33).

 Doing this will bring loss (Mark 10:29) and gain (Mark 10:30)
in very different respects.
 God never promised success to your plans for your life, but
to His plans (Matthew 10:39).
 Learn the lesson of emphasizing your treasures in heaven
(Matt 6:19-20; I Tim 6:17-19).
 Do not be foolish and believe that you can serve both God
and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

STUDY TO BE QUIET: order your life to minimize the amount of anxiety (I Thess 4:11-
12).

 It is a characteristic of the natural man to be disquieted in

vain pursuits (Psalm 39:6).
 Jesus said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light
(Matthew 11:28-30; 6:25-34).
 Paul commands us to make sacrifices when possible to
reduce carefulness (I Cor 7:32).
 How can we pray for political quietness (I Timothy 2:2), when
we create financial noise?
 Solomon taught that little with quietness is superior to much
with travail (Eccl 4:6).
 God gives His beloved sleep: we are not called to work
ourselves to death (Ps 127:1-2).

HATE RICHES: guard against an inordinate love or obsession with money and riches.
1. The love of money is the root of all evil which has destroyed many men
(I Tim 6:6-10).
 Riches can choke the word of God and keep you from God's
kingdom (Lk 8:14; 18:24).
 The desire for riches is a great source of temptation (Num
22:7; Josh 7:21; Mt 26:15).

2. Though wealth itself is not wrong, do not set your heart on it (Ps 62:10; I Tim
6:10,17).

 What Luke simply calls riches (Luke 18:24), Mark calls

trusting riches (Mark 10:23-24).
 Trusting in riches is a vain confidence, since such shall
surely fall (Proverbs 11:28).
 The rich men condemned by scripture looks at his riches as
his safety (Prov 18:11).
 We must seek to be innocent of covetousness and be
content (Luke 12:15; Heb 13:5).
 God has had rich saints who wisely managed their wealth -
Job, Abraham, David, etc.

3. The pursuit of financial riches is the vainest of all human endeavors in the natural
realm.

 Increase will not satisfy, since expenses will always increase

to absorb it (Ec 5:10-11).
 Fear of loss is a sickness that brings hurt, sorrow, and wrath
(Ec 5:12-17; Ps 39:6).
 Inability to spend what one has acquired is vanity and an evil
disease (Eccl 6:1-2).
 Do not labor to be rich, since riches have a tendency to fly
away quickly (Pr 23:4-5).
 We brought nothing into this world, and we shall take nothing
out (Ps 39:6; 49:15-20).
 Riches will not save from God's judgment (Job 36:18-19; Ps
49:6-9; 52:5-7; Pr 11:4).
 Fear riches as the only consolation God shall give you (Luke
6:24; 16:25; Acts 14:17).
 How profitable is investment to gain the world, but which
costs your soul (Mt 16:26)?
 A wise man will pray for God to deliver him from too much
success (Prov 30:7-9).

4. God's gifts are superior to money, and they cannot be bought for money (Acts 8:18-
20).
  Remember the true riches lie in things not seen, not in things
seen (II Cor 4:18).
 Jesus taught that we ought to labor for everlasting life
instead of vanity (John 6:27).
 Be as Moses, who esteemed Christ's reproaches greater
than Egypt's riches (Heb 11:26
 David described his gladness in the Lord as exceeding
economic prosperity (Psalm 4:7).
 We should glory in knowing and understanding God, not in
our riches (Jer 9
 Is God's word more important to you than riches (Psalm
119:14,162; 19:10; Job 23:12)?
 If a righteous man has a little in a godly home, he has more
than all riches (Ps 37:16).
 Let us remember the inheritance of Christ's riches in glory
(Eph 1:18; 3:8; Rom 9:23).

SPEND MORE TIME WITH GOD THAN YOUR JOB AND BUSINESS

You spend more time in your profession or business than anything else you do. And you
do it to get ahead financially. Are you on a professional fast track? Is your business
booming? Do you make the daily choices that please God, help clients, encourage
employees, and build profits? Who or what is more important to you, your career,
business, job or God? The decision is yours where you put your time and attention
more. Just choose between curse on your finances or Blessings that comes from God.

START LIVING IN VICTORY AND ABUNDANCE BY LETTING GO OF ALL THESE

NEGATIVE TRAITS. IT MIGHT NOT BE THAT EASY BUT WITH THE HELP OF GOD
AND WITH WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE, YOU WILL BE VICTORIOUS.
XV. PAY YOUR TAXES/BILLS & THOSE WHO WORK FOR
YOU

CHRISTIANS ARE COMMANDED TO PAY TAXES.

As children of God, we should obey our Father’s commandments. Pay your taxes and
bills.

BIBLE CHRISTIAN
1 Peter 2:13-17

Submission to Government

13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man

for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,

14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for

the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those
who do good.

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may
put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as
bondservants of God.

17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.

Honor the king.

True Christians fear God, love the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe the Bible as the only
rule for life. They submit cheerfully to government and pay all taxes for the Lord's sake.
They know obeying civil authorities is the will of God. They never use their gospel liberty
to cheat government or give the gospel a bad name. They pray for their rulers and trust
their King, the Lord Jesus Christ. They use every benefit or privilege the government
offers, knowing God sent it for them. They despise patriots and their reprobate games.

CHRISTIAN PATRIOT
So-called Christian patriots walk in the flesh and promote sedition in Christ's name!
Conspiracies interest them more than Jesus Christ. They despise government, speak
evil of dignities, and are arrogantly self-willed. The New Testament has no patriots, and
not even angels rail on the worst human rulers. These frauds mind earthly things and
are Christ's enemies. They disgrace Christianity. They have no Bible for their actions.
They are ignorant beasts that do not know what they talk about and will drown in their
folly.

(Rom. 13:6-7; cf Mt. 22:15-22; 17:24-27; Mk. 12:13-17; Lk. 20:20-26; Tit. 3:1).

Romans 13:6-7

6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are
God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes

are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear,
honor to whom honor.

Matthew 22:15-22 The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might

entangle Him in His talk.

16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the

Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true,
and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about
anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.

17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay

taxes to Caesar, or not?”

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why

do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax
money.”

So they brought Him a denarius.

20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is

this?”

21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the

things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are
God’s.”
 22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and
left Him and went their way.

Titus 3:1 Graces of the Heirs of Grace

3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to

obey, to be ready for every good work,

I have an article from Let God Be True by Pastor Jonathan Crosby, pastor of The
Church of Greenville, SC and it elaborated well about paying taxes even if our
government is corrupt and cruel.

TAXES ARE A NECESSARY AND LEGITIMATE PART

OF GOVERNMENT

A. The blessed God of heaven warned His people about the universal
need and tendency of governments to tax their citizens (Deut 17:16-17;
I Sam 8:11-20).
B. Due to their obligation to be continually about the business of
ruling, governments must rely on revenue from their subjects (Rom
13:6-7). There is actually little difference between governments raising
revenue to be about their business of ruling and the Levites, priests,
and New Testament ministers raising revenue to be about their
business of religion (I Cor 9:3-14; I Tim 5:17-18).
C. Neither John the Baptist nor Jesus Christ rebuked the tax collectors
of their day for their profession: they had a legitimate job, even though
they collected taxes for a foreign, pagan, tyrannical, and persecuting
government; but they were not to abuse their power as tax collectors
for any personal gain (Luke 3:12-13; 5:27; 19:1-9). The Lord Jesus
Christ understood and taught that part of the circulating currency
obviously belonged to Caesar (Matt 22:15-22).

TAXES ARE A PERSONAL AND PAINFUL RESULT OF

GOVERNMENT

A. The taking of money by force for persons or programs either

distant or disagreeable is a difficult aspect of submission to civil
authority, but one you must accept (I Sam 8:18; I Kgs 12:1-4).
B. The love of money is the root of all evil, which causes many to
chafe and complain and conspire against taxes and the taxing
authority out of sheer covetousness and greed (I Tim 6:6-10). This is
the reason you seldom (actually never) see so-called patriots using
lawful means to bring about change. They do not have a matter of law
or principle at stake; they have their all-important toys at stake.
C. Men are hateful rebels by nature (Titus 3:3), and they do not like to
be told what to do, especially when it involves their money! But we are
to submit out of conscience toward God (I Peter 2:19).

TAXES ARE THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS

A. Paul taught the saints in Rome to submit to their pagan

government and pay the taxes (Rom 13:1-7).
1. If you have not met a patriot-anarchist, you likely cannot
believe some apply this text to pastors!
2. This passage plainly teaches that God ordained civil
authority and Christians must submit to it.
a. God’s sovereign rule over the nations leaves
only those in power that He wants in power!
b. The “powers that be” at that time was the Roman
Empire, the de facto government of the known world, regardless
of what a national constitution might have said to the contrary,
regardless of what nationalistic patriots might have thought of
their iron-shod conquerors.
c. God had prophesied of this great empire
centuries before (Dan 2:36-45; 7:16-22; 11:36-45).
d. To resist a government is to resist the ordinance
of God, for God ordained it and installed it.
e. Paul’s doctrine here was identical to that of
Jesus taught a few years earlier (Matt 22:15-22).
3. “Tribute” is an unlawful tax imposed by a conqueror on a
conquered nation, and the word of God clearly teaches Christians
to pay such taxes, for Paul wrote it twice for emphasis (Rom 13:6-
7).
4. “Custom” is toll or duty paid on commodities, which will
surely cut your business profitability; but Christians were to pay
those as well, without using their liberty to circumvent the tax.
5. For any other form of taxation, Bible Christians in Rome
were ordered to pay all their “dues.”
a. Whatever tax a government levies – all their
dues, from federal to local to excise to import to sales to probate
 to property to income, a Christian must pay it to obey the God of
heaven.
b. What is due to a government has no relation to
what you think they deserve or need.
c. What is due to a government has no relation at
all to your interpretation of any law.
d. What is due is what they expect, whether they
have justified it sufficiently to you or not.
6. Keep in mind that this pointed instruction was for God’s
chosen people under pagan Rome.
a. The Jews had some decent constitutional rights
– based on the Old Testament Scriptures!
b. As Christians, they had even greater rights: they
were free citizens of the kingdom of heaven!
c. The Romans did not use the money in any godly
way. Check out Roman history. In fact, tribute to Caesar from
Judea probably paid for Pilate to crucify the Lord Jesus Christ!
d. And Paul wrote these instructions after the
Christians knew that Rome had crucified Christ!
e. Why should Christians pay taxes to a pagan
government? Because they were the de facto government of the
world by the ordaining power of the sovereign God of heaven!
7. There are two principal reasons for this submission of “free”
Christians to a pagan ruling power.
a. For conscience sake of obeying God, Who
ordained civil power and installed the Romans.
b. For wrath’s sake of saving yourself, for the
Roman government had the sword to punish.
c. But notice carefully the singular “this cause” of
Romans 13:6. Pay taxes to please God!
B. Peter taught that true Christians obey every ordinance of man,
including tax laws (I Peter 2:13-17).
1. The reason Christians obey all civil ordinances is for the
Lord’s sake, not for any political sake.
2. Though strangers and pilgrims on earth, they want to shut
enemies’ mouths (I Peter 2:11-12,15).
3. Obeying a pagan government and paying taxes is well doing
and the will of God by this passage.
4. They know they have no right to use their freedom in Christ
to be malicious to civil authorities.
5. They submit as the servants of God without exercising their
divine freedom as the sons of God.
6. The fear of God and honoring the king go together. God
commands it, and He ordained the king.
7. There is no way around these very plain verses, but
rebellious “patriots” will defy Jesus the Lord.
C. Paul told Titus to teach Christians to be subject to government and
obey its demands (Titus 3:1).
1. This doctrine of Christ is part of the process of renewing our
minds to please God (Rom 12:1-2).
2. Subjection and obedience to civil government, offices high
and low, is a good Christian work.
3. It is impossible to be a Christian and not pay taxes in
subjection and obedience to government.
4. Faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ are ordered by this
passage to preach paying of taxes.
D. Joseph and Mary paid tribute – an unlawful tax of a usurping
conqueror – to Rome (Luke 2:4-5).
1. Joseph was David’s son. He did not owe Rome money! He
had rights! The law was on his side!
2. Joseph was a Jew! From the tribe of Judah! He was a free
citizen of Zion, God’s land and people.
3. Taking Mary when she was due to deliver was a clear
violation of human rights! But they went!
4. The Holy Spirit tells us Joseph was a just man: godly men
pay unlawful tribute (Matthew 1:19).
E. If someone objects that this is a minor Bible issue, they are very
wrong on two important counts.
1. There is much written against civil rebellion in the Bible,
which only the willfully blind miss; and some of the strongest
language in the New Testament is reserved for anti-government
rebels.
2. Even if civil rebellion were the least commandment, faithful
saints do and teach it (Matt 5:19).
3. It is an order from the apostle to the Gentiles that bishops
teach saints to pay taxes (Titus 3:1).

JESUS CHRIST REQUIRED TAXES TO CAESAR

A. The Lord Jesus Christ settled the tax issue once and for all 2000
years ago, when He confirmed the legitimacy of de facto governments
and the sovereignty of the monetary authority (Matt 22:15-22).
B. Consider the two parties that came together to trap Jesus Christ in
a political and tax controversy.
1. Accusations of sedition have long been a tool against God’s
saints (Luke 23:2; Acts 17:7).
 2. Bible Christians never give their enemies anything to work
with (Acts 25:8; I Peter 2:11-17).
3. Consider the flattering lies about our Lord’s noble character
to get Him to freely speak His mind.
4. The Herodians were most likely a group loyal to Herod that
supported tribute to Caesar, by whom Herod had his appointment
as tetrarch of Galilee, including some “royal” prerogatives.
5. The Pharisees were the most conservative Jewish sect and
despised paying tribute to a foreign conqueror, though most had
not gone as far as the Zealots in taking up arms against Rome.
6. If Jesus said taxes were not due Caesar, the Herodians
would be on Him for civil disobedience.
7. If Jesus said taxes were due Caesar, the Pharisees, being
zealous nationalists, would slander Him and turn the people against
Him as being a Roman sympathizer and enemy of God’s promises.
C. They questioned Jesus as to the legality or lawfulness of Caesar’s
taxing of the Jews in Israel.
1. The Pharisees and Herodians were waiting for Him to appeal
to the Jewish Old Testament or the de facto rights of conquerors,
respectively. The opposing party would then condemn Him.
2. There were plenty of references in the Old Testament to give
the Jews legal rights and divine courage against Rome and Caesar
and Herod (Gen 13:14-17; 15:18; 17:8; Deut 17:15; etc.).
3. There were plenty of references in the Old Testament
supporting de facto governments, for Israel had been subjugated
under God’s chastening rod many times before (Jer 27:1-17; 29:4-
7).
4. If men have ever had a “lawful” argument against taxes, then
it was right here with the Jews, who could appeal to the Old
Testament and despise the pagan tyranny of the Roman power.
5. If you add “freedom” for disciples of the King of kings, which
Christians have as the sons of God, you double the legality of not
paying taxes to the persecuting power of Caesar’s Rome!
6. Legal quibbling over such things is rebellion, sedition,
treason, and variance, for citizens have no more right to question
government than children do parents and wives husbands (Prov
24:21-22).
7. The Jews were fiercely rebellious, as there was a faction
called Zealots that wanted to restore their constitutional
 government and throw off Rome by force; they were perfectly
comparable to the patriot-anarchists of today (Luke 23:18-19; Acts
1:13; 5:36-37; 18:2; 24:5).
8. Jesus had the perfect opportunity right here to (a) take a
stand, (b) be a patriot, (c) put his country before his comfort and
security, (d) support “principle,” and (e) oppose tyranny. But He did
not!
D. The Lord Jesus Christ asked to see their money, establishing at
least two points of political doctrine.
1. He avoided all the worthless wrangling and questions about
the legality of this or that, which is merely the caviling of children
not wanting to take a nap when their nanny tells them to.
2. He recognized and confirmed a universal principle of
jurisdiction among the earth’s nations.
3. The general use of a particular money by any people
indicates (1) voluntary submission to that monetary authority, (2)
acknowledgement of the sovereignty of that government, and/or (3)
the reception of benefits from that monetary and governing
authority.
4. When considering the importance of circulating money and
its political implications, remember the seriousness of counterfeiting
as a crime, the degree of rule and dominion evidenced by tribute,
and the images and inscriptions of the conquering rulers on the
coinage
5. The control of a people is best done by economic power,
and it provides the greatest benefits.
6. The measure of a ruler’s power is his taxing authority, as
Rehoboam discovered (I Kgs 12:18)!
7. The common use of Caesar’s money was clear evidence the
Jews of Israel had been conquered.
8. Jesus did not answer their foolish question designed to trap
Him. He asked for their money, and then He asked whose image
and inscription was on the money (though He already knew!).
9. His two questions and application prove (a) the legitimacy of
de facto governments in the site of God and (b) the sovereignty of a
monetary and governing authority by the circulating money.
E. Jesus Christ summarized the Christian position by granting Caesar
the “de facto” right to taxes.
 1. Every citizen of every nation, no matter how unintelligent or
poorly informed, understands this principle by instinct and nature;
but it is far above patriot-anarchists (Prov 24:7; 26:12).
2. “De facto” is a Latin phrase meaning, “in fact, in reality, in
actual existence, force, or possession, as a matter of fact. Very
frequently opposed to de jure
3. “De jure” is a Latin phrase meaning, “of right, by right,
according to law. Nearly always opposed to de facto
4. It did not matter Caesar was a foreign, pagan, oppressive,
tyrannical, occupying, and persecuting power, for it was obvious by
the circulating money that he had de facto rights to taxation!
5. Our glorious Savior totally avoided their childish games
about legality and cut to the chase!
6. Of course, believers know that a de facto government is
God’s choice at any point in time, and any foolish or unlearned
questions or wrangling about “legality” is mere drivel and twaddle!
7. Jesus Christ gave Caesar his de facto rights as conqueror
and God his de facto and de jure rights as God, which are
determined by His eternal power and Godhead in the creation and
the Bible!
8. Paul taught the very same lesson of de facto sovereignty
when he wrote the powers that “be” (the pagan, Christ-hating
Romans) were ordained of God and
F. His opponents went away marveling, for He had easily shamed
them in their ungodly ignorance.

JESUS CHRIST PAID AN UNLAWFUL TAX TO AVOID

OFFENCE

A. The Lord paid a tax that He was not bound to pay to avoid offence
to the Jews (Matthew 17:24-27).
B. The tribute tax here was the annual poll tax on every Israelite to
support the operations of the tabernacle or temple (Exodus 30:11-16;
38:26).
C. Jesus reasoned with Peter about the principles of equity and
history that exempted Him from paying.
1. Kings of the earth have never taxed their own children or
households for their maintenance.
2. Kings of the earth charge custom and tribute of strangers –
those outside their family and houses.
3. Therefore, the children of the king authorizing the tax are
free from it by practice and tradition.
4. The temple tax here was authorized by His Father in
heaven, so our Lord was exempt from it.
5. The whole discussion was a further lesson to Peter that
Jesus was the Son of God (John 6:67-69).
D. The Lord Jesus Christ, ever the perfect example of righteousness,
paid a tax He did not owe!
1. He clearly shows His exemption from the tax by stating to
Peter, “Notwithstanding …”
2. The Lord Jesus sacrificed “principle” to avoid offence: we
should follow the holy example.
3. The Lord Jesus did not stand up for His “rights” to avoid
offence; we should follow His example.
4. The Lord Jesus paid a tax that was not “lawful” for him to
pay; we should follow His example.
5. Paul, also an example, was made all things to all men to
save some (I Cor 9:19-23; 10:31-33).
6. We are to abstain from all appearance of evil and any
dishonesty (I Thess 5:22; II Cor 8:21).
7. Peter very clearly taught the importance of our reputations
before the world, and he taught it in a context of obeying the civil
authority, which certainly means taxes (I Pet 2:11-17; 3:14-17).
8. Though examined thoroughly before both Herod and Pilate,
Jesus was not guilty of tax rebellion or sedition against Caesar,
though those charges were falsely laid against Him (Luke 23:1-15).
9. Christians cannot use their liberty maliciously, as Jesus did
not use His (I Peter 2:16; Jude 1:4).
10. Patriot-anarchists do not even have a “principle” like Jesus
had to claim; and they are extremely offensive, for even unbelieving
pagans know that every citizen owes taxes to its government.
 11. It is a slanderous lie when they claim to be Christians while
despising authority and not paying.

OTHER BIBLE ARGUMENTS FOR PAYING TAXES

A. Rebellion against civil authority is severely condemned in the Bible

(II Peter 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10).
1. Peter and Jude blasted patriot-anarchists as ignorant,
reprobate, rabid dogs that need to be shot!
2. Even the angels do not bring railing accusations against the
devil or the worst rulers on earth!
3. How in the world do these patriot-anarchists despise
dominion and speak evil of dignities!
4. Here is the harshest language of the New Testament for
false teachers opposing government.
5. Sedition is a work of the flesh and sin against the God that
ordained authority (Gal 5:19-21).
6. There are ways to address our monetary and taxing
problems without rebellion and sedition, if a carnal Christian were
so inclined to waste his time in such a foolish and vain project.
7. Christians pray for their pagan leaders; they do not pray
against them (Jer 29:4-7; I Tim 2:1-2).
B. Solomon blasted those that want political change and those that
meddle with them (Prov 24:21-22)!
1. Of course, this is another of the texts that patriot-anarchists
have not discovered in their reading.
2. Fearing God and the king go together, as Bible Christians
know, for God ordained the king.
3. Bible Christians are prohibited by the word of God from even
associating with “patriot” types.
4. God will severely judge both the “patriot” types and those
that associate with them. Amen!
C. The Bible evidence is that God’s saints do not get involved in such
rebellions as not paying taxes.
1. When Daniel was scrutinized by his enemies, they could find
nothing to accuse him (Dan 6:1-5).
2. Joseph, a just man, took Mary to Bethlehem to be taxed by a
foreign, pagan king (Luke 2:1-5).
3. John the Baptist only required honesty of the tax collectors
that came to him (Luke 3:12-13).
4. Jesus chose a tax collector to be a disciple and accepted
Zacchaeus as one (Luke 5:27; 19:1-9).
5. Paul was examined most carefully, but they could raise no
facts of sedition (Acts 24:10-13).
6. A true Christian that reads the Bible knows that his conflict is
spiritual, not political (Eph 6:12).
7. The New Testament does not hint of Christians being
patriots, political heroes, or reformers.
8. Christians are without offence before the world, which
precludes anti-government activities.
9. Claiming Christ means nothing; only Christian living counts
(John 8:30-44; Titus 1:16).
D. Suffering wrongly, or paying unlawful taxes to an oppressor, is an
opportunity to show faith in God!
1. The issue of right or wrong with those in authority matters
little, but submission matters much.
2. Peter plainly taught that only submission to froward masters
is worth praise (I Peter 2:18-22).
3. It is by bearing wrong treatment out of conscience toward
God that we show our faith in God!
E. The time involved in political controversies is not a wise use of
time (Gal 4:18; Eph 5:16; Heb 13:9).
1. Satan is constantly at work to divert and distract us from
godly and wise priorities for our lives.
2. “Political prophets,” false teachers emphasizing conspiracies
and anti-government rhetoric, have destroyed many good men and
families by distracting them from the real battle (Eph 6:12).
3. The “perilous times” of the last days are not even related to
politics or the IRS (II Tim 3:1 – 4:4).
F. Prudence dictates that wise men will foresee danger and hide
themselves from it (Prov 22:3; 27:12).
1. If you do not pay taxes, you will go to jail, because the
government has the sword (Rom 13:4-5).
2. It is hilarious to see tax rebels go to jail in the name of
“freedom,” which they obviously missed!
3. Refusing to file an income tax return or being seditious in
talk or activities is patently idiotic.
4. If the time ever comes for defying a government to obey
God, covert methods work much better.
G. Patriot-anarchists expect their wives and children to obey them
without question or comment!
1. It is amazing to hear them pontificate about wives submitting
while defying civil government!
2. What goes around comes around, so they better expect
rebellion and sedition in their own homes.
3. An axiom of Jesus Christ is simple: whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap (Gal 6:7).
4. This author has not witnessed a functional Christian home
among many tax rebel “patriots.”

THE BOTTOM LINE

A. Christians pay all taxes required by the government and reject the
company of those who do not!
1. Tax rebellion, either in word or action, is clearly an
excludable offence of the New Testament.
2. Christians are not ashamed or reluctant to take any benefit
that Caesar or the IRS (US), BIR (Philippines) offers them.
3. They agree with the IRS/BIR that using tax loopholes is legal
tax avoidance, not criminal tax evasion.
4. Despising government or speaking evil of dignitaries proves
a base, ignorant, reprobate spirit.
 B. Christians only disobey civil government when it clearly crosses
one of two very serious lines.
1. An innocent life is at stake. Consider dozens of examples
like the midwives and Rahab.
2. A clear command of God is at stake. Consider the great
example of the apostles (Acts 5:29).
3. There are many examples you can review in the written
outline, “The Ordinance of Authority.”
C. Learning about government deception, fraud, or conspiracies is
not necessarily a sin, but …
1. It is generally a total waste of time, which we are to be
redeeming for godliness and wisdom.
2. It is a very dangerous communication that can corrupt good
Christian manners (I Cor 15:33).
3. It has never been shown to be accompanied by spiritual
mindedness and fruits of godliness.
4. Meddling with those given to change will bring God’s swift
destruction (Proverbs 24:21-22).
D. Involvement in the political process is not sinful, though it will
create its own set of temptations.
1. A Christian may hold a political office i.e. Joseph, Naaman,
Daniel, Zacchaeus, Cornelius, etc.
2. However, in all of these matters, time and our duties before
God should take precedence.

CHRISTIANS ARE TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES

Pay those who work for you, a fair wage (Jer. 22:13; Mal 3:5; Jam. 5:1-6; cf Job 31:38-
39; Mt. 20:1-15; Col. 4:1).

Jeremiah 22:13

“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness

And his chambers by injustice,

Who uses his neighbor’s service without wages

 And gives him nothing for his work,

Colossians 4:1

Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair,

knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

James 5:1-6

Rich Oppressors Will Be Judged

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that
are coming upon you!

2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-

eaten.

3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion

will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like
fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.

4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your

fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries
of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of
Sabaoth.

5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you

have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.

6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he

does not resist you.

In ancient times, workers often worked on a daily basis, earning just enough each day
to provide for the needs of their family for one day. As a result, those who hired workers
were prohibited from holding back wages overnight, which would effectively make the
workers family go hungry (Lv. 19:3; Dt. 24:14-15). Thus, workers should not only be
paid fairly but also in a timely manner.

Deuteronomy 24:14-15

14 “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and

needy, whether one of your brethren or one of the aliens
who is in your land within your gates.
 15 Each day you shall give him his wages, and not let the
sun go down on it, for he is poor and has set his heart on
it; lest he cry out against you to the Lord, and it be sin to
you.

If we are true Christians we have to be honest, considerate to our employees especially

if it is an emergency for their family or they are sick; maybe it is not a big deal if we can
give them money as part of our help and doesn’t have to deduct it to their salary, give
their salary on time, give what is due to them and if they are industrious and honest why
not give them a bonus as a reward. Our God gives us blessings as part of our rewards if
we are obedient to His commandments, why not do it also to your workers.

I’ve heard someone say “If it is not for my company they won’t eat. They won’t have a
job. They owe it all to my company!”

Uhm we have a problem with this kind of attitude especially if the one talking is a
Christian. If it’s not for the employees or workers the company won’t run and the owner
won’t have money in return. Employers should always be thankful to their workers and
most especially to God. The company isn’t yours, it is Gods’. He just gave it to you to
take care of it and use it for His glory not yours. Use it to help other people especially
the poor, your workers and to help ministers in spreading the Gospel.

PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME

Proverbs 3:28

28 Do not say to your neighbor,

“Go, and come back,

And tomorrow I will give it,”

When you have it with you.

A delay can turn charity into cruelty! If you can help a needy person today, do not wait.
Help him today. Do not offer or promise to help in the future. Real love will help now!

The same as through with our bills. Pay on time. If you have the resources to pay what
you owe, do it now. Do not wait for the overdue, this is not wise. This practice won’t help
you increase financially but rather decrease because instead of saving that money, you
will be paying for the overdue or the interest due to late payment. A delay can turn debt
into theft!
Do not tell me that you don’t have money to pay your bills. You have if you saved,
developed your budget, you avoided over spending, you gave your tithes, you shared to
other people, you invested in God’s work, you had Faith ,trusted God and obeyed His
commandments. Please there should not be any excuses here because you are just
fooling God and yourself.

If you owe a person or business, and you can pay, then withholding payment is theft, for
you are keeping what is rightfully theirs. Clear the debt!

The previous proverb condemns refusing to pay. It reads, “Withhold not good from them
to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it” (Pr 3:27). This proverb
before you condemns delaying to pay. Godly men will pay bills or debt and on time.

God’s rules for success include cash flow and timely payment of bills and debts. There
are good reasons for paying today rather than later. You may never live to see
tomorrow (Pr 27:1). You may lose the means you now have (Pr 23:5). You cause the
poor to live another day in grief (Jas 2:15-16; 5:1-5). A little when needed is better than
more later!

This Godly rule of wisdom taught by King Solomon applies to bills, debts, dues, wages,
taxes, charity, family support, giving, and any similar obligations. If you owe anyone or
could help anyone, and you have the money to do so, you should certainly give it today.

Why would anyone say, “Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give”? Is it a selfish
desire to hold things another day? Is it selfish hope the need will end? Is it selfish hope
someone else will give? Is it profane hope compassion will wane? All four are shameful!

When God wrote the laws for the nation of Israel, day laborers had to be paid their
wages every day, and the poor had to have security deposits returned to them every
night (Lev 19:13; Deut 24:12-15). The God of heaven cares about details. Beware of
holding back!

The due date on a bill or loan payment is when it is due. Can you grasp that? The grace
period is the days a creditor will let you steal before seeking to put you in jail. You do
not have a Christian right to the grace period. Pay your bills before the due date. Be
noble.

A good rule is to pay bills and obligations when they are incurred, or when they arrive in
the mail or at your door. This creates financial freedom, and you are always ahead for
the unexpected emergency. Living from check to check, from bill to bill, is painful and
imprudent folly.

When you employ anyone for wages, whether to cut your grass, repair your car, or
watch your children, pay them that day! God will be honored, your reputation enhanced,
and the receiving persons thrilled. Doing such minor financial things God’s way is win-
win-win.
God cares for the poor. He expects you to also care, when they have a real need, and
you can help. He gave you the financial means to help them, so freely share. Talk is
cheap and does no good (Jas 2:15-16; I Jn 3:17-18). Performance is what counts (II Cor
8:11).

Giving to the poor is lending to God (Pr 19:17); it proves eternal life (I Jn 3:11-24); and it
ought to be done as soon as a need is detected. Jesus Christ expects the rich to be
ready and willing to give money away, and He rewards them for it (I Tim 6:17-19; Heb
6:10).

When a neighbor is in need, get it for him as soon as possible. You can produce joy by
a fast response. It has been said, “He gives twice who gives speedily.” The trait of great
men is not only mercy, but the love of mercy (Mic 6:8). Show such love by quick help.

Paul gave a rule like this proverb when he wrote, “Owe no man any thing, but to love
one another” (Rom 13:8). You must pay all charity or debt that is due, but then you will
still be in debt to love your neighbor, which is the second greatest commandment of
God.

The crucified thief cried, “Lord, remember me” (Luke 23:42). Jesus, keeping the rule of
this proverb in matters far greater than money, did not defer until the next day, when it
would have been too late. He said, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Lu
23:43).
 XVI. WORK DILIGENTLY, HONESTLY, WISELY AND
PATIENTLY
Work is a blessing from God, our jobs, careers, business and our ministries.

To be financially successful we have to work diligently because some are also working
but not giving their best. They work two hours then the rest of the day will be for
pleasure or self-satisfaction. Diligent worker is very persistent, industrious in his work to
accomplish something.

Work honestly. Even your master is not around; our Heavenly Father can see you
clearly if you are working the way God wants you to work. Be honest and don’t cheat on
your time, labor and even to your workmates.

Work smart or wisely. Diligence only will not bring you to promotion but with wisdom.
God gave us skills and gifts, develop it and seek wisdom, understanding and knowledge
from God.

Work Patiently. Haste for riches by vanity indicates laziness and no faith; give labor and
time a chance.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT WORK?"

God said “Ask and you shall receive…” that is a promise but please don’t just sit around
and pray without any action. It’s not like God is going to drop a huge amount of money
on your lap while on the couch watching TV, busy on Facebook or video games. Neither
you are going to be financially successful while carelessly living and mishandling money
then you pray to God to “clean up” your financial mess or mistakes.

If you want to be financially abundant you have to diligently and faithfully work for it.

A lot of people want today what it took their parents years to get. They’re just not patient
or diligent enough to put in the same kind of effort with the time that their parents did.
Some end up making poor investments or financial decisions, trying to get rich quick, or
go into debt to get things they can’t afford.

God calls us to live with excellence and integrity. That means that we give a good day’s
work for a good day’s pay, and that we try as best we can to live within our means.

Work is good for us. It gives us a sense of purpose and accomplishment, and is a form
of service to others. If we’re obedient and work with integrity, God will bless our work.

Deuteronomy 28:8
 8 “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your
storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He
will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is
giving you.

The Bible tells us to work hard.

Proverbs 14:23

In all labor there is profit,

But idle chatter[a] leads only to poverty.

Being lazy destroys our testimony as children of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your

own business, and to work with your own hands, as we
commanded you,

12 that you may walk properly toward those who are

outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Work is a blessing. It enables us to provide for ourselves, our families, our relatives and
serve God. When we work diligently, we are good stewards. We also are a positive
example of Christianity to those around us.

There should be a balance between work, family and ministry. God gave us 6 days and
don’t rob the 7th day of God. If you are a minister don’t make your ministry to God as
your sideline and focusing on your work.

I salute the full time ministers. 7 days working for the Lord. God will bless them more for
their Faith. I also salute those bi-vocational ministers who are like the apostle Paul
ministering at the same time working for the family. Work is not a sin, it will be if you are
focused on your work and neglect your ministry for the Lord. God will not be pleased if
you are a minister and you work for your family for 6 days and only a Sunday Pastor or
preacher and not for a whole Sunday but just for a few hours. I’ve seen and known
pastors who are like that and as a member you won’t grow and be discouraged if your
leader is focused on material things rather than for the growth of his flocks and nurturing
his Faith and his members.
Work is as much an integral part of our lives as everything else we do. Work belongs to
our calling/ministry/mission. Working hard is in the bible but there should always be a
balance.

Deuteronomy 5:12-15

12 ‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord

your God commanded you.

13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

14 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your

God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor
your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female
servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your
cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that
your male servant and your female servant may rest as
well as you.

15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of

Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there
by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore
the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath
day.

6 days for work and the Sabbath is for God. This is not just for the Egyptians before but
God is also talking to you and me. But don’t forget your devotions, bible studies and
your other responsibilities for God within the 6 days.

Ecclesiastes 4: 6

Better a handful with quietness

Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for
the wind.

As I have said, we are made to work hard and it is on God’s words

Proverbs 6:6-11 The Folly of Indolence

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise,

 7 Which, having no captain,

Overseer or ruler,

8 Provides her supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest.

9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard?

When will you rise from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to sleep—

11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,

And your need like an armed man.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you

this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you
in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are
busybodies.

12 Now those who are such we command and exhort

through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness
and eat their own bread.

While working hard we should be careful with our motives. Sometimes leads us to long
hours of work that even puts our health into risk only to fulfill our motives, our desires,
our needs, our fears. Where now is FAITH? As we have discussed from the earlier
topics about Faith and entrusting everything to God especially our finances, you won’t
end up into long hours of working if you have practiced the 1st to the 15 th steps for
financial freedom.

We have to take care of our bodies. What will you gain if you put your health into risk to
earn a lot of money? Okay let’s say you had that money, a big amount because of the
long hours but sooner or later you will use it for hospitalization because your work is
affecting your health. Useless. You even sacrificed your time for your family and your
time for God.
 1 Corinthians 6:19

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the

Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and
you are not your own?

Balance….

Let’s take a look of some of the Enemies of our work that sometimes we don’t notice:

 Peer pressure .As the apostle Paul said, be renewed and

don’t be conformed to this world. We can’t hide the fact that in our
workplace we have unbeliever peers or workmates that sometimes
encourages us to work long because they are doing it for their
family and you want to do it also for your family. This is good but as
I always say, there should always be a balance between your work,
family and God. If you have entrusted everything to God, instead of
working more than the hours required for your work, go home have
rest, spend time with your family and especially spend time with
God. I am not saying that it is a sin to work hard or work in long
hours, what I mean is you have to balance everything and don’t put
your health into risk. Working long and sleeping for only 3, 4, 5
hours? Well it is not good for your health brother/sister. Take care
of your body because it’s not yours it is Gods’

Romans 12:1-2

Living Sacrifices to God

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may
prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God.

 Fear – We have so many fears in life. Terrorists are

everywhere and evil men anywhere. For parents with kids going to
school, there are so many things that bother them. Fear for terror
attacks on schools like what had been happening to different
countries, fear of bad influences that would corrupt your child’s
mind and attitude and so much more.
 I have had some fears and thoughts like what if I will be blessed by
God financially and evil men will rob me or hurt me? But King David
boldly said that there is nothing to fear because God will always be
around to help us and no man can take our soul away from God unless
you let it happen.

Hebrews 13:6

So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

Psalm 27:1

An Exuberant Declaration of Faith

A Psalm of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

 Crisis (Temporary or permanent? ) We all face financial

crisis. It is only how we deal with it. How we take it and how our
Faith acts on it.

But the most important is to look on the root why we are facing financial crisis. We can’t
point our fingers and blame others. Blame yourself not God. Let me share what Ptr.
Rick Warren told ABC’s Jake Tapper when asked about financial crisis.

Ptr. WARREN: “But regardless of all the problems that we see out there, I think they all
have at their root a spiritual cause. And we have overspent… We have not been a
responsible — we’ve bought things we didn’t need with money we didn’t have to
impress people we didn’t even like. And now we’re paying the piper. And you cannot
ignore the principles of finance that are in God’s word, and they are in the Book of
Proverbs. It’s quite clear; they’re principles of business, principles of economics that are
actually in the Bible.
And when you ignore these things, then we’re going to get deeper and deeper into debt,
and then we can’t blame God for that… The biggest problem for all of our economic
problems is our inability to delay gratification. I want it and I want it now, and I’m going
to buy it even if I can’t afford it. And not only have people done that, the government’s
done it…”

This is absolutely true. It is us to blame. Review the other steps and it will help you see
where you have failed.

 Sense of responsibility -This is usually good!

God is pleased if we as parents and children are doing our financial responsibilities but
it displeases Him if we are again too much focused on our work because of the reason
that we want to provide for our family but cutting out our time for our family and God.

Let us be careful not to fall to the enemy’s bait. Either Pride develops or overworking
that leads us away from God. Fn rtui95690x

 Desire for personal success

Mark 8:34-36

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His

disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come
after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow Me.

35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will
save it.

36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world,

and loses his own soul?

Who doesn’t want to succeed? Who doesn’t want to fulfill his/her dreams? Not me. I too
have dreams, so many actually. I too want to succeed. I also want to have a successful
career so that my kids will be proud of me and I can’t see anything wrong with these
dreams. But God knows our hearts and motives. Why do you want to succeed? To brag
that you are financially stable and able? Dreams are not the problem it is our heart, our
motives and our purpose.

Personal success is okay if it will be used to glorify God and be used to help God in
ministry but sometimes lead to Pride and other negative traits if we are not careful about
it. Our primary desire should be is to follow God, be useful in His ministry, use our work
to glorify God and if we are blessed to succeed in our jobs/work or careers, use it to
help your family, other people, ministers and for the enlargement and enhancement of
God’s kingdom.

 Financial pressure

Matthew 6:31-33

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’

or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your
heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His

righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

WORRY… People have so many worries in life especially with money. Because of
these worries some are forced to take long hours of work to fulfill their financial
pressure. If we have a mature Faith there will be no worries around because we have
entrusted everything to God. If we are going to follow and seek God first, all our needs
will be met and all things will follow.

 Greed

1 Timothy 6:9

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a

snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which
drown men in destruction and perdition.

Some rich people wanted to have more knowing that they have a lot already. Why?
Greed….Some Christians has also this problem. They said they are followers of God
but they are more concerned with their secular work than with God’s work. Why? Greed

We have to be very careful because sometimes we become greedy unconsciously.

 Escape from other responsibilities

I have known some people within their 20’s who wanted to work more and earn more
because they don’t want to stay at home to help their parents with their household
chores or other work or take care their parents or a member of family who is sick
because they won’t earn any penny. And with their earnings they only keep it to
themselves. It is okay to work and earn but you have to share especially if you are living
with your family. Eating without contributing, with the basic needs like soap, toothpaste
etc is there for them to use without sharing a single penny from what they earned. It
pains my heart knowing people like theses especially if they are Christians. Taking
advantage of their families. God bless their parents and siblings. Here in the Philippines
even you are in your 20s or 30s you can still live with your parents no rules in letting us
out to have our own lives but I hope we have that training like other countries. But I’m
still happy that I’m with my parents and my siblings.

It is okay to work but if your purpose is to escape other responsibilities (to your family
and the church) because you just want to earn for yourself then I think you have a big
attitude problem to deal with.

 Enjoyment!

You work and use the money to enjoy yourself. It is a sin because you are not a good
steward. God gave you your work for a purpose so don’t squander the money that God
has given you.

You may say that you earned it; you worked hard for it so you have all the right to use it
for yourself. Yes that’s absolutely true. But if you use it just for enjoyment that leads you
to sin and debt then there’s a problem with it. You use it for personal pleasure while a
member of your family is in need, sick, disabled who needs your financial aid, and your
church or minister needs some help and you closed your eyes and ears for these needs
then God will absolutely be hurt with your actions.

1 Corinthians 10: 31

 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,

do all to the glory of God.

HOW DOES GOD WANTS US TO WORK (CHRISTIAN WORK ETHICS)

 Let us all work hard taking the ants as an example but be
careful not to sacrifice your time with your family, your ministry and
other responsibilities.
 Work Diligently- Condemn Laziness, as the Bible says a lazy
man won’t eat. Don’t just sit around and wait for help.
 Work honestly even when your master is not around
 Love your work because it is God’s blessing and whatever
you do, do it for the glory of God.
*Work is done not only to benefit the worker, but others also
(Exodus 23:10-11; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Ephesians 4:28).
*Work is a gift from God and, for His people, will be blessed
(Psalm 104:1-35; 127:1-5; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, 5:18-20;
Proverbs 14:23).
*God equips His people for their work (Exodus 31:2-11).
 Be cautious with our motives, purposes and wants so that
the enemies of work won’t pull us away from the main purpose of
God why He gave you your work (job/career)
 Work with joy and depend on God. Bring happiness to your
workplace as you enjoy doing your work without any worry because
you are depending on God’s help. Without God we can’t move,
breathe and work. Pray always for God to guide and help you. Seek
wisdom from God.
 Let God consecrate us. Be a good example/model. Let God
sanctify us so that we will be the light in our workplace. Jobs should
be acknowledged as ministries, and workplaces should be
considered as mission fields. Be the salt and light in your
workplace, your mission is to spread the word of God even in your
working area.
 Work with integrity. Be honest, trustworthy, be on time and
give a full day’s work “Thou shall not steal” not giving your whole
effort on your job and waiting for the time to pass so you can have
more money but cheating on the time and work not worth for the
pay.
 Work skillfully. Get good at what you do. Learn how to do
your job better. Take advantage of training opportunities. God has
given you the gift of skills. Treasure that gift, be thankful to God
always and be a good steward of those skills. Develop it and let it
grow.
 Do not take advantage of other people just to fulfill our
financial purposes
 Live and work but our main purpose is to minister so don’t
focus on your material needs. As we obey, follow and minister for
God all things will follow.
 Consecrate or dedicate our work to God as part of our
worship every bit as much as anything else we do.

CONSECRATING OUR WORK AS WORSHIP

Proverbs 16:2-3

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,

But the Lord weighs the spirits.

3 Commit your works to the Lord,

And your thoughts will be established.

 Colossians 3:22-24

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters

according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-
pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and

not to men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward
of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ

 Work with gratitude. Always give thanks to God for your life,
health and work and most especially Jesus. Be a thankful person at
work. Don’t be among the complainers, grumblers, criticizers or
gossipers. Let your thankfulness to God overflow in a humble spirit
of gratitude to others. Be known as the hope-filled, humble, thankful
one at work
 LOVE. If you love God show your love and respect to your
workmates and your employers and if you are a boss then show
love and respect to your employees. Serve others. Be the one who
volunteers first. Be known as the one who cares not just about the
light-hearted weekend tales, but the burdens of heavy and painful
Monday mornings. Love your workmates, and point them to God.
 Work Purposely- we have various God-given goals to meet.
We work with a purpose, to have money for your needs, your
family, for others and for God's Kingdom
 Work Sufficiently- work to fulfil our financial obligations
 Work passionately- work with great commitment,
enthusiasm and zeal.
 Work conventionally-conform appearance to fit in and have
a great image. Comply with rules because we represent the
company we work in especially God.
 Work sacrificially-Christians know great workers may face
difficulty, loss, or pain. Others may murmur and whine, you should
endure whatever working conditions exist. Though others argue,
rebel, or slander, Christians submit to their masters
 Work conscientiously- Christians have a conscience
toward God that affects job attitude and conduct .Christians work as
to the Lord, but they do it for the benefit of their manager or
company.
  Work modestly-work any job in any industry or do anything
needed. A Christian will cheerfully do anything asked of him by an
employer, no matter how menial. If you do any job real well by
applying God’s wisdom, it may turn out to be very rewarding like
David, Ruth, Joseph and the other saints.
 Work boldly- do not be intimidated by circumstances to
procrastinate. Do not make excuses because there will always be
obstacles in pursuits in this world, but the tough get going. Get your
self-confidence from God. Do not be fearful to go back to school,
make a career change, or take a promotion, etc., etc.
 Work patiently- Haste to be rich has many painful
consequences – choose rather to be patient .In all labor there is
profit, though it may take a while; but talk is cheap and vain. Be
persistent in your work because in the end your labor is not in vain
for you will reap success. We are in it for the long run; and we
know that hard work one day at a time works.
 Work frugally-preserve some of their income by limiting
expenses.It is not the high cost of living that destroys men, but
rather the cost of high living that does. A simple, effective budget
is easy: pay God his portion; save your portion; live on the rest.
Don't waste the result of your labor
 Work respectfully- Christians fear, honor, and obey their
masters well in all things. The reason your boss is your boss is
because the God of heaven chose him to be your boss. A
Christian does not curse his owners, boss, or supervisor, even in
his heart. A Christian obeys his boss, pleases him well in all
things, and does not talk back. A Christian will not participate in
any uprising on a job by joining together with other rebels.
 Work fearfully- Christians work fearing God, for all
wrongdoing will be judged. Work with the realization that good,
loving brothers cannot subsidize sloth or folly.
 Work faithfully- do everything a boss desires of the ideal
employee. It is hard to find good help, especially in this generation,
so make it easy for your manager. David gave a wonderful
example of faithfulness even under King Saul. A faithful or
unfaithful employee makes a great difference to bosses.
 Work prudently-always watch and evaluate to avoid
business trouble. A prime sign of prudence is a man’s
watchfulness to see trouble and avoid it Position or prosperity is
very temporal without thought and wise adjustment. Since many
employment or financial decisions are outside scripture, seek
counsel. A Christian will not take on unnecessary risk or
employment gambles
 Work responsibly-we know that a job is a privilege and
others depend on it. Jobs are not for fun, to fill up time, or for
praise or promotions, but to provide serious needs.
A wise young man thinks of parents, relatives, the poor, the
church, the kingdom, etc. It is a denial of Christianity and worse
than a pagan heretic to not support family.
 Work obediently-do not oppose or resent full subjection to
your bosses. The commandment of God is to obey them with fear
and trembling. Do not modify obedience based on the character or
conduct of the boss. We should respond immediately and
positively and respectfully to any task asked of us.
 Work spiritually-know that obeying God provides the greatest
leverage. Delight in God and obey Him, trusting His blessing.
God’s blessing makes all the difference in the world
 Work peacefully- get along with all men, high or low, in any
situation.
 Work kindly- Be good and gentle masters in light of your
Master. Defer anger and pass over transgressions
 Work ethically-follow the Bible’s ethical principles for gray
areas. Employment is a large part of a Christian’s life, so there are
often dilemmas and questions. Christians often face employment
situations requiring wise prudence to determine godliness. There
principles of materiality, intent, specificity, acceptance, suffering,
offence, temptation, prudence, mercy and many other work
principles that we can read from the Bible.
 Work exceptionally-aim for excellence, not just average or
above average. If a work ethic glorifies God, adorns the gospel,
and defends the truth, you must be excellent.
 Work evangelistically-work so as to glorify God and magnify
Christianity. The Bible clearly emphasizes a good work ethic for
promoting the gospel (I Cor 10:31-33; I Thess 4:11-12) God’s
faithful saints are living epistles by good works
 Work expectantly- see by faith the great paydays coming in
the future. Rather than self-confidence or confidence in men, there
is confidence in God. While happily taking a paycheck in the flesh,
We remember God first and our inheritance.
 Work wisely-use intelligence and wisdom to leverage their
efforts. Discern anything that is vain and reject it, for we know only
labor work.
 Work skeptically-be prudent, as in pessimism, skepticism,
and proving. Do not believe everything you hear – rather want a
certain evidence and proof. Testimonials are worthless, proof is
what we need.
 Work contentedly-Be content within God’s financial and job
limitations. True success is godliness and contentment with what
God has already given. Contentment is learned through Christ’s
strength and right values
 THE BLESSINGS OF A DILIGENT WORKER.
Work to honor God

Ephesians 6:6-7

6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as

bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the
heart

7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to

men,

1. Will Reap Riches. The diligent worker prospers; only fools

idle away their time.

Proverbs 10:4

He who has a slack hand becomes poor,

But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

2. The Diligent have Authority. Work hard and become a

leader; be lazy and become a slave.

Proverbs 12: 24

The hand of the diligent will rule,

But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

3. The diligent obtain favor.

Proverbs 11: 27

He who earnestly seeks good finds favor,

But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

God wants to reward you for being diligent! However, we can’t just claim God’s
promises and break His principles. If we do the Word of God, it will work for us! Those
who are diligent in seeking God, and who are diligent in all their affairs will be rewarded.

THIS SHOULD BE OUR AMBITION:

1 THESSALONIANS 4:11-12

11 THAT YOU ALSO ASPIRE TO LEAD A QUIET LIFE, TO MIND YOUR OWN
BUSINESS, AND TO WORK WITH YOUR OWN HANDS, AS WE COMMANDED YOU,

12 THAT YOU MAY WALK PROPERLY TOWARD THOSE WHO ARE OUTSIDE, AND
THAT YOU MAY LACK NOTHING.

HARD WORK MEMORY VERSES

Proverbs 22: 29

Do you see a man who excels in his work?

He will stand before kings;

He will not stand before unknown men.

Colossians 3:23

 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and

not to men,

Proverbs 13: 4

The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;

But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

Thessalonians 3:10-12

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you

this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you
in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are
busybodies.

12 Now those who are such we command and exhort

through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness
and eat their own bread.

Philippians 2:14-15

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing,

15 that you may become blameless and harmless,

children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in
the world,

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your works to the Lord,

And your thoughts will be established.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your

own business, and to work with your own hands, as we
commanded you,

12 that you may walk properly toward those who are

outside, and that you may lack nothing.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;

for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in
the grave where you are going.
 Ephesians 6: 7

with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to

men,

Titus 2:7-8

7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good

works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence,
incorruptibility,

8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who

is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to
say of you

Galatians 6: 9

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due
season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Proverbs 6:6-8

The Folly of Indolence

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise,

7 Which, having no captain,

Overseer or ruler,

8 Provides her supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 6:10-12
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to sleep—

11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,

And your need like an armed man.

The Wicked Man

12 A worthless person, a wicked man,

Walks with a perverse mouth

Psalm 128:2

When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

Proverbs 12: 11

He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,

But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding

Ecclesiastes 2:24

Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and

drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor.
This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.

Proverbs 16:11

Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s;

All the weights in the bag are His work.

 Deuteronomy 28:8

8 “The Lord will command the blessing on you in your

storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He
will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is
giving you.
 XVII. SEEK GOD
Seeking the Lord means seeking His presence.” Literally, we are to seek His “face”
fervently and diligently.

To seek means “find what is missing.” The Hebrew word for seek, baqash, has a very
strong meaning. Losing something or someone precious will make you search and
search until found. Your entire heart would be engaged. How would you spend your
time? Where would your energy, your mind and heart be concentrated? Now parallel
this with seeking God. To seek God involves the whole you. Your energy, your mind,
your heart and all your desires and wants should be aligned to God’s will especially with
money.

Why do we have to seek? Does God hide Himself from us? If yes, then why?

Sometimes we have very strong feelings that the Lord has withdrawn His favorable
Presence from us. We are delighted and spoiled by His Presence, and His absence
makes our hearts groan with longing. If once we understand the glorious jealousy of our
holy God, we will understand His demand for our love. True spiritually minded saints will
not be content with anything else or anything less than His full Presence. The highest
use of a life is to seek the face of God and walk with Him as friend with friend (Exodus
33:11).

Maybe you have these questions in mind like me before. God has so many promises in
the Bible that He will never leave us nor forsake us. How does God contradict His own
commitments or covenants to us if He is going to withdraw Himself from us?

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content

with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I
will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Jeremiah 32:40

And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I

will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My
fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid

of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes
with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
God has His covenant on these verses not to walk away from us. But there are other
verses from the Bible that kind of confusing to other people and for them it contradicts
God’s promises.

Psalm 69:17

And do not hide Your face from Your servant,

For I am in trouble;

Hear me speedily.

From the verses on the Old Testament it is clear that God withdraws His face from King
David in psalms and to the Israelites. But this doesn’t mean that He left them. There are
times when we can’t feel His presence.

Some say that these promises and covenants of God are from the Old Testament and
these are God’s covenant for the Israelites and not for us today. I agree that there are
few promises that were made to the nation of Israel that we Christians cannot claim.
Often people “claim” a promise when life is hard or they’re afraid. They might even claim
a promise for someone else. If we do this we are treating God’s words as an instant
solution of our circumstances.

According to barnabasipper “a promise isn’t a thing that we can claim it’s an expression
of something greater. A promise tells a little bit about His character and who God is and
what He will do for us. It is anchored in His holiness, goodness, power, and sovereignty.
It is based on His omnipotence and omniscience. And it will come to pass in a way only
God knows and ordains.

When we claim a promise we are attempting to take control of it. We come to it with a
presupposed notion of how it should play out. But when we realize that a promise is not
a thing for us to have or use, only then do we realize it is bigger and better than we
imagined”

It may not come to pass as we imagined, but it will come to pass according to His own
will and way.

2 Corinthians 1:18-20

18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and
No.
 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached
among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was
not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.

20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in

Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

We can say AMEN to these promises and according to the word of God that all the
promises God has made are "Yes" for the Christian!

Galatians 3:14

14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the

Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the
promise of the Spirit through faith.

Sons and Heirs

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ

Jesus.

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have

put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave

nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all
one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed,

and heirs according to the promise.

The word Amen means: "so be it or let it be that way in my life." When we see the
promises that are made in the Word of God, we need to agree with them, receiving
them by faith. God promised to protect, financially bless, and physically heal Old
Testament saints and He did not just promise but He fulfilled those promises to them.
He'll do the same for us.

We will dig deeper about God’s promises on my next book. Can we claim God’s
promises? Are the promises in the Old Testament applies to us today? Can I pick up a
promise from the Bible when I am in need or in trouble? These are just a few from the
many confusions and debates about God’s promises that we will be learning on the next
e-book.
God is omnipresent which means He is always with us.

Matthew 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things that I have

commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age.” Amen.[

There are times we feel that God’s presence is not with us, the Bible tells us to “seek
the Lord and seek His presence continually”. Below are the negative and positive
reasons why we can’t feel God’s presence.

Negative:

1. Because of unconfessed sins, guilt, repeated sins

2. Neglecting God (devotions, prayer time, Sabbath, even our ministries)

We sacrifice our time with God while becoming too focused on material things.

3. Many attitudes that aren’t completely changed (wrong motives especially on money
matters), negative traits that aren’t fully surrendered to Christ.

4. Immaturity

Spiritual Immaturity. To be mature is to put our time and heart on God’s words and
applying them in our daily lives.

“God calls us to enjoy continual consciousness of his supreme greatness and beauty
and worth.”

Positive

1. To try our faith.

2. To test our love.

3. To test the strength of our principles.

4. To test our confidence in God, whether we will trust Him even when we cannot trace
Him.

5. That we may seek Him more

6. To deepen our relationship with Him

 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SEEK GOD?
A. To have an intimate and personal relationship with Him

As children of God we have that Father-child relationship already and we have to

develop that intimate relationship by spending more time with Him in every situation of
our lives through prayer, reading and applying God’s words, worship and more.

B. To always desire more of Him

David said in

Psalm 63:1

I shall seek you earnestly; my soul thirsts for You; my

flesh yearns for You....”

We desire many things in our lives either people or material. Kill those
worldly desires and walk with God like King David who walked with God
for years but he thirsted more of God. Desire to seek God more, desire to
experience life more with God, seek God diligently, thirst more of God that
we may dwell in God’s presence.

C. Pursue God alone to fill the emptiness in your life.

Some fill their emptiness or lack with other things or people rather than God. Some fill
their lives with family or friends and some satisfy themselves with possessions or
successful careers.

Human relationships, possessions and our successful careers are blessings from God
and they are not meant to satisfy our soul. When we pursue to seek God more to fill the
vacuum (gap, lack, emptiness, absence) in our lives then we will find satisfaction,
wholeness, success, fullness and completeness with God and God alone.

RESULT OF SEEKING GOD

1. Inner satisfaction
2. Inner joy
3. Inner stability and strength in crisis
4. Inner perspective and balance
5. Inner peace and joy
 THE DELIGHT IN SEEKING GOD

It is a fact of loving relationships that reunions after separation are sweet.

 Though we may say He has forgotten, we forget His great love

(Isaiah 49:13-16).
 Our glorious Prince and Husband is of very short anger, He will
return (Ps 30:5).
 Job felt the great pity and tender of mercy of God in the end
(James 5:10-11).
 Sweet fellowship with full joy is offered to His saints in the light (I
John 1:1-9).
 He encourages us with wonderful words of prophecy of the church
(Is 54:10-16).
 And He encouraged Israel with reunion after their unhappy divorce
(Jer 3:6-14).

III. THE DUTY

Though we feel discouraged by His absence, He waits for us to seek Him.

 He has commanded us to seek His face (Psalm 27:8; 105:4; Isaiah

45:19; 55:6-7),
Though such a command would not be necessary unless we may be
separated.
 When He withdraws Himself, we should respond like the apostles
(John 6:66-69).
 If we humble ourselves to draw nigh to Him, He will draw nigh to
us (Jas 4:7-10).
 The Lord brings affliction in our lives for sin to cause us to seek
Him (Hos 5:15).
 His thoughts toward us are good; if we truly seek Him, we will find
(Je 29:11-13).
 His offer of fellowship is neither impossible nor difficult, but we
open (Rev 3:20).
 HOW TO SEEK GOD
1. Have a Passion, Desire and Love for God and keep it alive.

Passion is born from honor and love for God, being thankful of what He
has done and what He is about to do for us, being in awe of God’s
greatness and goodness.

Passion is the foundation to draw closer to God with the desire to seek
and know God more.

Love God first then next your spouse, children, job and other people. Christianity is not
just a matter of the head and mouth but of the heart. Always remember the great Love
of God and His faithfulness over the years in spite of our failures and mistakes. Have
the longing and affection that you should always want to cling to God and never part. If
we love God we are committed, loyal and faithful to stick with God even in hard times. It
is a choice to seek God even in bad times, not only on good times. That is passion or
devotion and it should only belong to our God.

2. Spend regular time alone with God.

Seek God by spending a lot of time with Him with delight. By reading His words,
spending time in prayer as we bring to Him our needs, other’s needs, our plans and
desires. Seek God through praise and worship as a way of expressing our love for Him.
The best time for me to have my devotion is early in the morning while my kids and
husband is still asleep. It is quiet and I could have a long time to talk to God and tell Him
everything, cry to Him, and sing for Him. What a great feeling before starting your day,
you have time to be with God.

3. Fasting

Fasting demonstrates dependence on God. We recognize that we need

God more than food and water, more than the very basic human needs
required for. Jesus reminds us: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He
who remains in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can
do nothing" (John 15:5).
We all know that we are nothing and we can’t do anything without God.
We live for God.
As you seek God's face, engage in times of fasting. Allow this experience
to draw you closer to God as we tell Him our dreams, plans and needs but
most of all recognize that you need God more in your life more than
anything or anyone.

4. Remembering and Meditating upon God

When we want to seek God’s face we keep on thinking about Him. But
because of the busyness of this world, our mind is focused on our work,
kids, problems, desires and everything that takes away our time and mind
from God.
Moses' desire was to please God and find favor with Him. He actively
thought about what it meant to honor God and serve Him well. Psalm
19:14 says, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be
acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."
What do you meditate on the most? The worries and problems of this
world or God’s promises found in His words? What is your everyday
focus? Money? Success? Power? Problems? Financial crisis? Or you are
thinking about how to live as a true, noble, upright, genuine, loving,
admirable, obedient, wise and praiseworthy child of God? Instead of
wasting your time on worries and other things, give your time to God and
meditate on His words. Meditate means to get into the words of God not
merely reading. When we meditate we think deeply or focus our mind for a
period of time, in silence to feel the presence of God, thinking only about
Him and with the help of the Holy Spirit we may understand more about
God and through His words God talks to us. Don’t deprive yourself from
the enjoyment of the presence of God.
5. Attending God’s assemblies

Attend church activities with maximum preparation. You do these things

not only because you have to but because you love God. With joy,
reverence and excitement for God will lead you to His presence.

6. Integrate God into every area of your life.

Every area of your life, be it your business, family, education, career, relationships and
even your finances let God be part in everything. God isn’t just like a band aid, when
you need to patch your wound, when you have a problem, when you are in trouble,
when you are sick and when you are financially down that’s the only time you call on to
God and make Him part in what you do. This is not how to seek God. Every day and
every second let God have an integral part in everything we do.

More about seeking God and living for Christ in Chapter 4.

How is your relationship with God?

You might say “I am actively serving Him”, “I am a full time minister” “I am always going
to church and all church activities” Well, that is great but we can be full time ministers or
never missed a Sunday service but lose sight of seeking God.

Try asking yourself this question:

“Did my schedule reflect that seeking God was my number one priority?”

The Holy Spirit is telling us through King David, “Seeking God is essential, it is very
important!” If it’s not important for you, then I am inviting you today to make it a priority
to seek God, to enjoy His presence and His blessings. King David is the man after
God’s own heart, who found favor in God’s eyes because He always seek God.

You may have done all the steps but you are not seeking God constantly or everyday
then it is useless. Seek God, Seek His Wisdom; Seek His presence and Seek Him
always so that our desire for financial breakthrough will come to pass, in Jesus name.
AMEN.

With all of the steps I have given, I want us to apply them in our daily lives especially
this last and most important step. We have to seek God always because by seeking
Him He will reveal things to us. He will give us wisdom and let us understand everything
and that includes our financial freedom.

Seek God not because of money or financial success. Seek Him because we love Him
and we need Him in our lives. By seeking Him we will know more about God’s
character, His purpose and plans for us.

May we learn to find rest and constant assurance of His presence and His commitment
to us.

Seek God’s purpose for your life. Seek His presence everyday so that in any decision
you make and as you reach your goal for financial freedom, God will guide you and help
you.

 
 CHAPTER 3: WHY DO YOU LIVE?

Psalm 27:4

“One thing have I desired of the LORD , that will I seek

after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD,

and to enquire in his temple.”

Romans 14:8

“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether

we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore,
or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Philippians 1:20-21

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that

in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all

boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be

magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by

death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

 Man has a very powerful instinct and desire to live, yet he

rarely identifies proper things to live for.
 David and Paul knew what they lived for, as in the verses
above, which made them special men.
 The desire merely to live is quite animalistic, when there is a
much higher calling for men to use life.
 Living for Christ is (a) to know Him more perfectly and (b) to
please Him more perfectly; by the first we are closer in fellowship
and by the second we honor and serve Him and His kingdom
better.
 I fear the level of carnal Christianity has blinded and
hardened us to miss the emphasis.
Matthew 24:12
  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many
will grow cold.

 It is very wrong – mental contentment with doctrine,

assemblies a form, and 6 and ½ days for self.
 We must be Christ-centric, where Jesus Christ is always and
only the center of all we think, say and do.
 Whether exercise or medicine, why prolong life unless there
will be devotion to godliness?
1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is

profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now
is and of that which is to come.

 Let us use Psalm 27:4 and David as a springboard for

considering the scriptural purpose for life.
 The Psalm (61) and sermon (Rom 11:1-6) today set the
stage for living a life of praise and service.
Romans 11:1-6
Israel’s Rejection Not Total

11 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly
not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of
the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people
whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the
Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against
Israel, saying, 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and
torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek
my life”? 4 But what does the divine response say to him?
“I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who
have not bowed the knee to Baal.”5 Even so then, at this
present time there is a remnant according to the election
of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works;
otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it
is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

 David and Paul loved God and were loved by God like very
few other believers we can read about.
 Draw near to God and live for Christ. On the next chapter we
will learn more on how to live for Christ.
 ONE THING

 A godly man is single minded with one primary

passion/purpose for living each day.
 God will not accept a double minded passion or purpose
(Matt 6:24; James 1:8; 4:8).
James 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse

your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you
double-minded.

 Are you known for one thing – serving Jesus Christ is your
overriding ambition – so that your time, money, effort, speech,
excitement, and legacy is His kingdom only!
 No wonder David prayed for God to unite His heart to fear
God’s name.
Psalm 86:11

Teach me Your way, O Lord;

I will walk in Your truth;

Unite my heart to fear Your name.

 As you have been told often, to befriend this world is to be

God’s enemy.
James 4:4

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that

friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever
therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself
an enemy of God.

 If you truly understand this, you will always seek God’s

kingdom first.
Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

and all these things shall be added to you.
 Are you distracted in word or deed, which others see, and
thought, which God sees?
 HAVE I DESIRED

 Godly men have desires – passionate ambitions and

cravings – but they are on Christ.
 Can you relate to the longings of David for the house of the
Lord (Psalm 42, 43, 84)?
 Where is your heart? Wherever your treasure is, there is
your heart.

Matthew 6:19-24
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where

moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and
steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves
do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.

The Lamp of the Body

22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye

is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your
eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If
therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is
that darkness!

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate
the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the
one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
mammon.

 Affections should only be of God and Christ (Mark 12:30).

Set them there (Col 3:2).
Mark 12:30
 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength.’This is the first commandment.

Colossians 3:2

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

 If you mind earthly things, you are a belly worshipping

enemy of Jesus.

Philippians 3:18-19

18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now
tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is
their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set
their mind on earthly things.

 How often do you pray for God to use you more and more
for His praise and service?
 What do you think about, pray for, prepare for, prioritize your
life around, and so on?

OF THE LORD

 The prayers of most men are so selfish they are nearly

blasphemy and get no answer.
 If your prayers are directed toward Him and His church, your
life will surely be so.
 The prayer with such a priority toward God will get all
blessings liberally – Solomon!
 You depend on God for life and breath, but you also need
Him for any spiritual sight.
 He is the Vine, and you are a branch; without Him you can
do nothing.
John 15:4-5
 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear
fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you,
unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in

Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can
do nothing.

 Recall the prayer request for asking, seeking, and knocking

(Lu 11:9-13; Ep 3:14-19).
Luke 11:9-13
Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek,

and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks
finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son
asks for bread[a] from any father among you, will he give
him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a
serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will
he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know
how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who
ask Him!”

THAT WILL I SEEK AFTER

 A godly man prays, and then he does everything he can in

his power to seek God.
 David prayed to know the scripture (Ps 119:18); Timothy
studied to that end (II Ti 2:15).
Psalm 119:18

Open my eyes, that I may see

Wondrous things from Your law.

2 Timothy 2:15
 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker
who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth.

 The sincerity of your prayers is in direct proportion to your

efforts applied to that end.
 David fervently prayed and diligently worked for His house
(Ps 122:6-9; I Chr 29:2).
1 Chronicles 29:2

2 Now for the house of my God I have prepared with all

my might: gold for things to be made of gold, silver for
things of silver, bronze for things of bronze, iron for things
of iron, wood for things of wood, onyx stones, stones to
be set, glistening stones of various colors, all kinds of
precious stones, and marble slabs in abundance.

 David fought zealously for God’s kingdom and then retired to

build Him a house!
 It is never vain to seek the Lord (II Chron 15:2; Isaiah 45:19;
Jer 29:13; John 6:37).
2 Chronicles 15:2

And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me,
Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you
while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found
by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

 Truly seeking the Lord requires sacrifice like running a race

(Phil 3:13-14; Heb 12:1).
Hebrews 12:1

The Race of Faith

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so

great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us,

THAT I MAY DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD

 This is the godly goal of God’s true people – the house of the
Lord – His church.
 David had tabernacles at Gibeon and Jerusalem; Solomon
built a temple in Jerusalem.
 The local church is God’s house and temple (I Tim 3:15; I
Cor 3:16-17; II Cor 6:16).
1 Timothy 3:15

but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you

ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is
the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the
truth.

 The local church is the habitation of God through the Spirit

(Ep 2:20-22; I Cor 12:13).

1 Corinthians 12:13

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—

whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and
have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

 David wanted to dwell – never leave – for one day there was
better than anywhere.
 We speak spiritually more than locationally, but the spiritual
includes the locational.
 In a week’s 168 hours, what do you do to build up God’s
house (Eph 4:1-3,16; 6:18)?

Ephesians 4:1-3

Walk in Unity

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk

worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all
lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with
one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace.

ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE

 Why do you live? Here is the answer to the question. David’s
days were for Christ!
 Is the church of God your permanent choice to seek out God
and His people always?
 What else is there in life? Really now, help the rest of us
understand your distractions!
 As baptized believers, our lives and passions are hid with
Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-4
Not Carnality but Christ

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand
of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on
the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with
Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then
you also will appear with Him in glory.

 Other things are distractions or enemies of God and Christ,

so do you despise them?
 David would not lose interest or zeal – no other thought
attracted his life ambition.
 It is said, “Only one life, it will soon be past, only what’s done
for Christ will last.”

TO BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD

 Reason #1 for God’s house being your ambition: to behold

the beauty of the Lord.
 God meets with His people in His church, where you hear
and see Him by faith.
 If you cannot see God, it is because you are carnal or dead.
We see Him by faith.
 Moses and Job saw God … but they only heard Him and of
Him … and we as well.
 A holy, reverent, solemn setting is the key; the correct
doctrine of Jesus Christ is also the key.
 Are you a Mary, a Martha, or worse (Luke 10:38-42)? Martha
at least served Jesus!
Luke 10:38-42
Mary and Martha Worship and Serve
 38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a
certain village; and a certain woman named Martha
welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister
called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His
word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving,
and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care
that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell
her to help me.”

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha,

you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But
one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part,
which will not be taken away from her.”

AND TO ENQUIRE IN HIS TEMPLE.

 Are you a lover and seeker of God’s truth, after loving and
seeking the God of truth?
 When you love and fear someone, you want to know their
will to please them well.
 When you know God seeks true worshippers, then you want
to know true worship.
 The church is the pillar and ground of the truth; we should
reject all else (I Tim 3:15).
 The elect remnant church has the testimony of Jesus and
God’s commands.
Revelation 12:17

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he

went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep
the commandments of God and have the testimony of
Jesus Christ

 Truth is not on the Internet; truth is in the church of Jesus,

His teachers, and His words.

What is your one thing? Or three things? Or five things? Where does God’s house fall
among them?
Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ.” I ask, “For to you to live is what?” Live for Jesus
Christ.

Can you say that He is your portion forever and superior to any in earth or heaven?

Psalm 73:25-26

25 Whom have I in heaven but You?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

26 My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion

forever.

CHAPTER 4: HOW DO YOU LIVE? LIVE FOR

CHRIST
Philippians 1:21

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

We see Bible characters like Mary Magdalene, Paul, Mary, Peter, John, and others who
loved Jesus Christ greatly. Eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ (John 17:3; I
John 5:20), as the apostles emphasized (I Cor 2:2; II Cor 5:14-15; Eph 1:15-23; 3:14-
21; 4:13; Phil 1:20-21; 3:8-11; Col 2:2-3,6-12; 3:1-4; II Pet 3:18; I John 1:1-4).

1 John 5:20

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has
given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is
true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus
Christ.

This is the true God and eternal life.

Why do you think He created and saved us? To practice Bible economics? To condemn
baby sprinklers?
We define living for Christ as (a) living to know Him more perfectly and (2) living to
please Him more perfectly. By the first we become closer in fellowship and by the
second we serve Him and represent Him better before the world. You will be bored with
this chapter if (a) you are a child of hell or (b) you are a child of God living carnally in
sin. I fear the level of carnal Christianity has so blinded and hardened us to miss the
importance of God’s words (Matt 24:12). Some Christians are just mentally contented
with doctrines, attend assemblies without the heart of doing it for God and give ½ day a
week for God. As long as I go to church on Sunday, I have done what God hath
commanded me to give the Sabbath for Him. Wow! And they call themselves Christians.

True love for Jesus Christ and service to Him is the test of spiritual Christianity (I Cor
12:3; John 16:14; I Jn 4:2-3).

We want Christ-centric lives, where Jesus Christ is always and only the center of all we
do in thought, word, and deed. Why were the disciples first called “Christians” at Antioch
(Acts 11:26)? Because Christ was the Center of their lives.

1. SEEK JESUS CHRIST.

A. Consider Greeks coming to worship who were not content with apostles (John 12:20-
22).

B. Consider Mary who would not let life’s details distract her attention (Luke 10:38-42).

C. Consider Paul’s sacrificial and insatiable desire to know Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:8-10

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as
rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not
having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but
that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness
which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and
the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His
sufferings, being conformed to His death,

D. We do not need a religion as much as we need a relationship. What do you seek

today?

E. More than doctrine for theology or Proverbs for wisdom, we must desire the Son of
God.

F. Is He your portion forever above all persons and things on earth (Psalm 16:5; 73:25-
26)?
 Psalm 16:5

O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You maintain my lot.

G. What is He to you? Is He offensive and boring or precious indeed (I Pet 2:4-8; Ps

43:4)?

Psalm 43:4

Then I will go to the altar of God,

To God my exceeding joy;

And on the harp I will praise You,

O God, my God.

H. The Gadarene begged to be with Jesus contrary to all his neighbors (Luke 8:37-39).

Luke 8:37-39

37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of

the Gadarenes[a] asked Him to depart from them, for they
were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and
returned.

38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed

begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent
him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell
what great things God has done for you.” And he went his
way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great
things Jesus had done for him.

I. Are the crucifixion passages some of your very favorites in the Bible? If no, why not?

J. Could you . . . would you . . . anoint the feet of Jesus with costly ointment (Luk 7:37-
38)?

K. From the inside out, we must sacrifice all desires and cultivate the desire to know
Him.

L. It is easy to be a “Christian” and be ignorant in living as a real child of God. Are you
spiritually minded?
M. Jesus stands at the door and knocks seeking fellowship with any man (Revelation
3:20).

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My

voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine
with him, and he with Me.

N. He asks us to seek Him and promises His Presence (Psalm 27:8; Jeremiah 29:13).

Jeremiah 29:13

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for
Me with all your heart.

O. Whatever you do in word or deed must be done in the name of Jesus Christ (Col
3:17,24).

Colossians 3:17, 24

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the

name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him.

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward
of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.

P. How do we measure the love of anything? Time, speech, passion, money, loyalty,
etc.

Q. We sing, “I gave My Life for thee, what hast thou done for me?” Are they mere
words?

2. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

A. Rather than praying mainly for things (no matter how noble), pray to know Jesus
Christ.

B. When was the last time you prayed for the Holy Ghost to fill and teach you?

Luke 11:13

 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will your heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
C. Read the emphasis on prayer Paul gave after our spiritual armor against the world,
the enemy and the darkness

Ephesians 6:18

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the

Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints—

D. David, Daniel, and the apostles prayed thrice daily (Ps 55:17; Dan 6:10; Ac 2:15; 3:1;
10:9).

Psalm 55:17

Evening and morning and at noon

I will pray, and cry aloud,

And He shall hear my voice.

E. Praying before meals is good but does not count. It has no spiritual pursuit of Christ.

F. If Jesus prayed intimately and personally to God, how much more do we need this
grace?

G. When did you last pant and groan after God without a dire emergency?

Psalm 42:1-11

1As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?[b]

3 My tears have been my food day and night,

While they continually say to me,

“Where is your God?”

4 When I remember these things,

I pour out my soul within me.

For I used to go with the multitude;

I went with them to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and praise,

With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him

For the help of His countenance.[c]

6 O my God,[d] my soul is cast down within me;

Therefore I will remember You from the land of the

Jordan,

And from the heights of Hermon,

From the Hill Mizar.

7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;

All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the

daytime,

And in the night His song shall be with me—

A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my Rock,

“Why have You forgotten me?

Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the

enemy?”

10 As with a breaking of my bones,

My enemies reproach me,

 While they say to me all day long,

“Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;

For I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.

H. Prayer is the most intimate and personal fellowship with God and Christ. Do you love
it?

3. CONFESS YOUR SINS

A. You cannot find Him, know Him, or please Him with existing sin (Ps 66:18; Is 59:1-
2).

Psalm 66:18

If I regard iniquity in my heart,

The Lord will not hear.

B. But He will graciously forgive proper confession (I John 1:9; Job 33:27-28; Prov
28:13).

Proverbs 28:13

He who covers his sins will not prosper,

But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have

mercy.

C. We do not allow any displeasure or offence to stand when we truly love someone.

D. This must be a part of effectual prayer, and we must satisfy this before moving
further.

E. Do you daily confess your sins? Do you do it specifically? Or do you do it in general?

F. It was your sins that nailed Him to the cross. Do you grieve over your sins
accordingly?
G. Since He died for your sins, we should join brother Peter in dying from our sins.

1 Peter 2:24

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree,
that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness
—by whose stripes you were healed.

4. READ THE SCRIPTURE

A. He has exalted His Word highly for us to exalt highly also (Ps 138:2; Nehemiah 8:1-
12).

Psalm 138:2

I will worship toward Your holy temple,

And praise Your name

For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;

For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

B. Job valued it more important than necessary food. How about you (Job 23:12; Luk
4:4)?

Job 23:12

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth

More than my necessary food.

C. David describes great delight in the Word of God (Ps 19:10; 119:72,103; 127; Jer
15:16).

Psalm 19:10

More to be desired are they than gold,

Yea, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

D. Jesus memorized Scripture, and we should for the same purpose (Lu 4:4,8,12; Ps
119:11).
 Luke 4:4

But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall

not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

E. Pray before you read to bless and thank God for His Word and to seek His
enlightenment.

F. What do you seek in the Scriptures? We should chiefly seek Christ (Jn 5:39; Lu
24:37).

John 5:39

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have
eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

G. Forget reading it just to complete a chart, finish a religious chore, or confirm a

doctrine.

H. Since you have it so available, do you crave it, read it, and enjoy it as you should.

I. We sing, “Beyond the sacred page, I seek Thee, Lord.” Do you understand and mean
it?

J. Love letters are preserved, prized, and reread with great pleasure. What about the
Bible?

K. Do you love the gospel record of His life, His words, His miracles, His works, His
death?

L. Do you always open your Bible more than your cellphone, your facebook, your
Instagram, your twitter or your emails? More than google or youtube? More than the
time you spend in searching and watching your favorite celebrities, singers, teams
(sports), TV programs etc.

5. MEDITATION

A. Meditation is sober and thoughtful thinking about God and His perfections.

Psalm 143:5

I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all Your works;

I muse on the work of Your hands.

B. Are you too busy or too carnal to think and mediate upon God in bed (Ps 4:4; 63:5-
6)?

Psalm 63:5-6

5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches.

C. He wants us to acquaint ourselves with Him, and He will send goodness.

Job 22:21

“Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;

Thereby good will come to you.

D. When you love something, it is almost impossible to get that thing out of your mind.

6. SELF-EXAMINATION

A. We ask for His help to draw closer to Him by sober self-examination.

Psalm 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting.

B. Since He died for our sins, He cannot approve us remembering Him in sin.

1 Corinthians 11:28

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the
bread and drink of the cup.

C. Haggai told Israel to “consider their ways” and measure their judgement.

Haggai 1:5-11
 5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider
your ways!

6 “You have sown much, and bring in little;

You eat, but do not have enough;

You drink, but you are not filled with drink;

You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;

And he who earns wages,

Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 8 Go

up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple,
that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the
Lord. 9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little;
and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says
the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins,
while every one of you runs to his own house.
10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew,
and the earth withholds its fruit. 11 For I called for a
drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and
the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings
forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your
hands.”

D. Check some of Let God Be True articles that may help you broaden your
understanding about Christian life. Action Speaks Louder Than Words , Examine
Yourselves , Are You in Christ?

7. SING FROM YOUR HEART

A. Sing from the inside with joy in your heart and worship in your thoughts.

1 Corinthians 14:15

What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and
I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the
spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
B. Jesus sang, so you are being like Him when you sing to God (Matthew 26:30; Heb
2:12).

Hebrews 2:12

saying:

“I will declare Your name to My brethren;

In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You

C. A life filled with the Holy Spirit will automatically want to sing praise to God.

Ephesians 5:18

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but

be filled with the Spirit,

D. If you are happy with spiritual joy, then you should sing psalms or other Christian
songs.

E. The music of your choice should be music glorifying Jesus Christ, as it will be in
heaven.

F. David, a man after God’s own heart, invented instruments and wrote poetry for Him.

8. EXALT ASSEMBLIES

A. God is seen in the sanctuary by the means He has chosen (Psalm 63:2; 73:16-28).

Psalm 63:2

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

B. And Jesus Christ is there in a glorious appearance for fellowship (Revelation 1:9-20).

C. There are three things in the church of Jesus Christ that testify of Him.

1 John 5:6-9

The Certainty of God’s Witness

6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ;

not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the
Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For
 there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father,
the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the
Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as
one.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is

greater; for this is the witness of God which He has
testified of His Son.

D. Do you greatly delight in beholding His beauty in our assemblies (Psalm 27:4; 26:8)?

Psalm 26:8

Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house,

And the place where Your glory dwells.

E. Do you love to hear His praise sung by other blood-bought saints (Eph 5:18; Col
3:16)?

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord.

F. Do you prepare as reverent saints seeking to worship Christ (Gen 35:1-5; Ex 19:9-
15)?

Exodus 19:9-15

9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in

the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak
with you, and believe you forever.”

So Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.

10 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and

consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash
their clothes. 11 And let them be ready for the third day.
For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount
 Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 You shall set
bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to
yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch
its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be
put to death. 13 Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall
surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or
beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long,
they shall come near the mountain.”

14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people

and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes.
15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day;
do not come near your wives.”

G. The church is the temple and house and body of Jesus Christ (I Tim 3:15; Ep 1:23;
2:22).

Ephesians 1:23

which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

9. PERFECT YOUR MARRIAGE

A. Jesus commands it with the wholesome words of His doctrine.

Colossians 3:18-19

The Christian Home

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the

Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward

them

B. The relationship of marriage in many ways shadows Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:22-33

Marriage—Christ and the Church

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is
head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let
the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved

the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might
sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the
word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious
church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but
that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So
husbands ought to love their own wives as their own
bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one
ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it,
just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members
of His body,[a] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this
reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be
joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”[b]
32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ
and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in
particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife
see that she respects her husband.

C. A godly marriage is only in the Lord (I Cor 7:39) and involves a brother and sister
(9:5).

1 Corinthians 7:39

39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives;

but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to
whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

D. It will hinder your spiritual life and fellowship with Christ without it (I Cor 7:5; I Pe 3:7).

1 Corinthians 7:5

5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a

time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
and come together again so that Satan does not tempt
you because of your lack of self-control.

E. Our marriages must not hinder knowing Christ (I Pet 3:7) or showing Christ (I Pet
2:12).
 Peter 2:12

having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that

when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by
your good works which they observe, glorify God in the
day of visitation.

F. Is marriage to you the joint companionship of seeking Jesus Christ with another
person?

G. The most intimate marriage is found in the love of Jesus Christ.

H. Frequent prayer will build more intimacy and pleasure and peace.

I. We must strive to keep marriage subordinate to our love of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:29-33

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from

now on even those who have wives should be as though
they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not
weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice,
those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and
those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form
of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried

cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the
Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of
the world—how he may please his wife.

10. TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN

A. What greater gift do you have to give your children than the knowledge of Jesus
Christ?

B. It is His commandment for Himself, so we should be happy to do it for Him.

Ephesians 6:4

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath,

but bring them up in the training and admonition of the
Lord.
C. Our children are not our own, so we should be faithful in training them.

Psalm 127:3

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

D. We love the story of Hannah, but how close are you to her example (I Samuel 1:19-
28)?

E. Do you have a Christ-centered family? Or do you have a “form of godliness” family?

F. Hypocrites and carnal Christians will have hypocrites and carnal Christians, but for
grace.

G. Child training creates adults following that training. It is a promise. Train love of
Christ.

11. LOVE THE BRETHREN

A. Sacrificial acts of service done to others are truly done to Him.

Matthew 25:40,45

40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I

say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of
these My brethren, you did it to Me.’45 Then He will
answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch
as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did
not do it to Me.’

B. We assure our hearts before Him and show love to Him by loving others.

1 John 3:14-19

14 We know that we have passed from death to life,

because we love the brethren. He who does not love his
brother[a] abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother
is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal
life abiding in him.

The Outworking of Love

16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for
us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the
 brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and
sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him,
how does the love of God abide in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue,

but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know[b] that
we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before
Him.

C. We show our unity and affinity with Jesus Christ by our love of one another.

John 13:35

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another

D. An ultimate way of serving Him is to love one another as He defines it.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love
does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no
evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.

E. We should not offer our worship to Him with any outstanding problems.

Matthew 5:23-24

23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there

remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.
First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and
offer your gift.

12. MORTIFY THE FLESH (Please check the other verses on your Bible)

A. We are to mortify – or put to death – those wicked lusts of our flesh.

Colossians 3:5-11
 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the
earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things
the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of
disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked
when you lived in them.

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your
mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off
the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image
of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek
nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian,
Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

B. Our true unity in spirit with Christ strongly denies bodily sins (I Corinthians 6:12-20).

C. Since Christ has died for our sins, we are now dead with Him practically (Rom 6:1-
11).

D. Do you esteem Christ’s crucifixion? Then be crucified with Him (Gal 2:20; 5:24; 6:14).

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with
its passions and desires.

E. Do you love Christ enough to give an eye or a hand for His righteousness?

Matthew 5:29-30

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast
it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your
members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into
hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off
and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that
one of your members perish, than for your whole body to
be cast into hell.

F. We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ and not even make fleshly provision.

Romans 13:14
 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision
for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

G. We must choose and learn to hate the world and ungodly lusts and pride.

1 John 2:15-17

Do Not Love the World

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If

anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in
him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the
Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing
away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God
abides forever.

13. KEEP CHRIST’S COMMANDMENTS

A. Your whole duty in light of Christ’s soon judgment is fear and obedience.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

For this is man’s all.

14 For God will bring every work into judgment,

Including every secret thing,

Whether good or evil.

B. If you repent of sin and keep His commandments, He will say, “Here I am”.

Isaiah 58:9

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

“If you take away the yoke from your midst,

The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

C. He promises to manifest Himself and dwell with us, if we will obey Him.

John 14:21-24

21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is

he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by
My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that

You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me,

he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and
We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He
who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the
word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent
Me.

D. If we keep His commandments, we act like Him and prove our love of Him.

1 John 2:3-6

The Test of Knowing Him

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His

commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does
not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not
in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of
God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in
Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also
to walk just as He walked.

E. If we love Him, keeping His commandments will be our pleasure and joy.

John 14:15

Jesus Promises Another Helper

 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

F. We should want to display our love of Him by good works before the world.

Matthew 5:16
 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

14. SET AFFECTION ABOVE

A. Love is a choice. It is not an accident, a force, a feeling, a fate, or other external

thing.

B. The motive for love has already been given in infinite and incomprehensible
measure.

C. We are commanded to set our affection in heaven where Christ sits.

Colossians 3:1-4

Not Carnality but Christ

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand
of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on
the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with
Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then
you also will appear with Him in glory.

D. We set our affection above by trashing the things of earth without a thought.

Philippians 3:8

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish,
that I may gain Christ

E. Where are your treasures? We are to live for Christ by investing in heaven.

Matthew 6:19-21

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where

moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and
steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves
 do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.

15. BE CONTENTED

A. If we were like Paul in trashing all things of this life, we would only be content in
Christ.

B. If Jesus Christ is your Portion, and then you should greatly desire nothing else.

Hebrews 13:5

 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content

with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I
will never leave you nor forsake you.”

C. Godliness with contentment is great gain of our Lord’s wholesome words.

1 Timothy 6:3-6

Error and Greed

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to

wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with
disputes and arguments over words, from which come
envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings
of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who
suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such
withdraw yourself.

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

D. Boredom, discontentment, and covetousness are signs of a saint ignoring their

Savior.

16. BEAR SPIRITUAL FRUIT

A. Since the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, we should bear the Spirit’s fruit.

Galatians 4:6

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit
of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
B. How important is it to you to be known for the various aspects of the fruit of the
Spirit?

C. Walking as Jesus Christ would walk is to bear the fruit of the Spirit.
 Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

D. If we do not bear such fruit, we show little appreciation for His death.

2 Peter 1:5-8

Fruitful Growth in the Faith

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to
your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-
control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance
godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to
brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours
and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

E. We please God by serving Jesus Christ with such fruit in His kingdom.

Romans 14:16-18

16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For
he who serves Christ in these things[a] is acceptable to
God and approved by men.

17. DELIGHT IN THE LORD

A. To know Christ is to be like Him and delight in God and His perfections (Ps 37:4;
40:8).

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

B. We should taste and see that the Lord is good, which requires conscience effort.

Psalm 34:8
 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him

C. Since Jesus Christ delights in certain things, we should delight in them also

Jeremiah 9:23-24

23 Thus says the Lord:

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

Let not the mighty man glory in his might,

Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

24 But let him who glories glory in this,

That he understands and knows Me,

That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment,

and righteousness in the earth.

For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

18. VALUE INVISIBLE THINGS

A. As Moses before us, we should value the reproach of the invisible Christ.

Hebrews 11:24-27

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be

called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather
to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the
passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of
Christ greater riches than the treasures in[a] Egypt; for he
looked to the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the

king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible

B. We should esteem the weight of eternal glory we cannot see very highly.
 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is

working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are
seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things
which are seen are temporary, but the things which are
not seen are eternal.

C. Do you have the sense of Jesus Christ to rejoice with joy unspeakable?

1 Peter 1:8

whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do

not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory,

19. REJECT TWO MASTERS

A. It is impossible for you to serve and love Christ and the world both (Matt 6:24; Jas
4:4).

B. Jesus taught for us to live successfully with a single eye to God.

Matthew 6:22-23

The Lamp of the Body

22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye

is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your
eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If
therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is
that darkness!

C. If we seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, then He will give the rest (Matt
6:33).

20. BE A STRANGER HERE

A. We are strangers and pilgrims in the earth as Abraham’s family before us.

Hebrews 11:13

The Heavenly Hope

 These all died in faith, not having received the promises,
but having seen them afar off were assured of them,
embraced them and confessed that they were strangers
and pilgrims on the earth.

B. Our conversation is in heaven, while we wait for Jesus Christ to come for us.

Philippians 3:20

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also

eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

C. Do you consciously consider yourself waiting for His return (I Thes 1:9-10; Tit 2:12-
14)?

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

9 For they themselves declare concerning us what

manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to
God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to
wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the
dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

21. SERVE AND GIVE

A. Jesus gave His Life serving others and calls us to do the same (Matt 20:25-28;
10:40-42).

Matthew 20:25-28

25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know

that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those
who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall
not be so among you; but whoever desires to become
great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And
whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your
slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for
many.”

B. Paul was a servant of the Corinthians by choice under Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:5
 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the
Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

C. Giving is a way to emulate the Lord Jesus Christ and His great giving.

2 Corinthians 8:7-9

7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in

knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see
that you abound in this grace also.

Christ Our Pattern

8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the

sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you
know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He
was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you
through His poverty might become rich

D. If Peter loved Jesus more than the others, He could show it by service.

John 21:15-17

Jesus Restores Peter

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to

Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more
than these?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of

Jonah, do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the

third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter
was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do
you love Me?”
 And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know
that I love You.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

E. New saints converted by the Holy Ghost are filled with giving (Acts 2:44-46; 4:34-37).

Acts 2:44-46

44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things
in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and
divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and

breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food
with gladness and simplicity of heart,

22. SHARING WITH OTHERS

A. When a girl receives her ring, her greatest joy is to show it off to others. What about
you?

B. When a boy gets a new car, his greatest joy is to show it off to others. What about
you?

C. If we are living for Jesus Christ, we will want to talk about Him.

Mark 1:44-45

44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone;

but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for
your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as
a testimony to them.”

45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely,

and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer
openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places;
and they came to Him from every direction

D. See what Andrew (John 1:40-41) and Philip (John 1:43-46) did about knowing Jesus.

E. What did the woman of Samaria do after meeting Jesus at Jacob’s well?

John 4:28-29
 28 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into
the city, and said to the men, 29 “Come, see a Man who
told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

23. PRIORITIZE HIM

A. Paul warns us to not let our earthly obligations distract us excessively.

1 Corinthians 7:29-35

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from

now on even those who have wives should be as though
they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not
weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice,
those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and
those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form
of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried

cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the
Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of
the world—how he may please his wife. 34 There is[a] a
difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried
woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may
be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married
cares about the things of the world—how she may please
her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that
I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that
you may serve the Lord without distraction.

B. Going back to our first point, we must make the great choice to seek Christ above all
else.

C. Scripture is filled with priorities by the words “better” and “rather” (Prov 15:17; 22:1).

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

24. EXPECT AND ACCEPT PERSECUTION

A. Jesus brought a sword rather than peace. Can you endure it for Him.

Matthew 10:32-39

Confess Christ Before Men

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I

will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also
deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Christ Brings Division

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did

not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come
to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her
mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own
household.’[a] 37 He who loves father or mother more
than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or
daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he
who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not
worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he
who loses his life for My sake will find it.

B. He has promised all who live godly lives in Him will be persecuted. If we will be
persecuted because of Christ, nothing to worry because God is with us. But if we are
persecuted because of our wrong doings then that is the consequence of our actions
that has to be accepted also.

2 Timothy 3:12

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will
suffer persecution.

C. He will test our love and faith by asking us to exchange valuable relationships for
Him.

25. REJECT FEAR AND WORRY

A. If you are living for Christ, then there is nothing to worry about (Phil 4:6-7; I Pet 5:7).

Philippians 4:6-7
 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.

B. No perverting of justice or judgment in a nation should worry you (Eccl 5:8; I Tim
6:15).

Ecclesiastes 5:8

The Vanity of Gain and Honor

8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent
perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do
not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over
high official, and higher officials are over them.

C. With the Lord Jesus Christ at your side, what enemy will you fear?

Hebrews 13:5-6

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content

with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I
will never leave you nor forsake you.”[a] 6 So we may
boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

D. Jesus Christ is the Lord Jehovah, and perfect peace awaits those trusting Him.

Isaiah 26:3-4

3 You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

4 Trust in the Lord forever,

 For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength

E. Any fear of man or circumstances indicates a lack of confidence in Jesus.

Matthew 8:23-27

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus

23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed

Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea,
so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was
asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke
Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of

little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the
sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men
marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds
and the sea obey Him?”

Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ.” I ask you, “For to you to live is what?” I exhort
you to live for Jesus Christ. This outline was created to give you a few simple reminders
as to the steps to seek Jesus Christ more in your life. There is no higher aspiration or
greater goal for your life than to walk more closely with Jesus Christ (Matt 8:23-27). Can
you say with David that He is your portion forever and superior to any in earth or
heaven?

Psalm 73:25-26

25 Whom have I in heaven but You?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

26 My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion

forever.

Adapted from Pastor Crosby’s “Live For Christ”

 CHAPTER 5: GOD WANTS YOU TO LIVE A FULL
AND ABUNDANT LIFE

Our Lord promises to give every obedient Christian an overflowing, joyous life
regardless of his financial position. Jesus told His followers

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that
they may have it more abundantly.

This generous assurance includes financial freedom.

I have adapted an article from Christianity Today by Ed Stetzer as he elaborated about

what it means to have an abundant life in his article “What Does it Mean to Have an
Abundant Life? Some Thoughts on Prosperity”
When Christians talk about abundant life in Christ, they share some common beliefs
and have points where their ideas diverge! But Scripture is clear that our new life is a
reality. 2 Corinthians 5:17 talks about this life when it says,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.

Old things have passed away and new things have come.”

And Jesus calls that life "abundant" in John 10:10.

So what does this new life look like? Ask 10 Christians to define abundant life and you
will get 14 answers. And perhaps they are all right in some way, but, if we are being true
with Scriptures, the new life given to us in Christ must mean more than merely
materially blessings.

ABOUNDING PERSPECTIVES

People often talk about God doing “exceeding abundantly, beyond all we can ask or
think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Throughout Scripture we see God blessing people, and promising blessing to people.
The books of Joshua and Psalms speak to the fact that we can be prosperous. Several
of the Proverbs reveal ways we can become prosperous.

Is God trying to tell us that abundant life is the result of having been made new? Is
prosperity the sign of abundant life? Because many in the Bible and throughout history
have had lives of struggle, suffering and pain, yet seemed to experience abundant life.

ABUNDANCE IS NOT WHAT SOME THINK

The powerful passage of Hebrews 11 highlights people of great faith and blessing, but
also tells us that many believers were tortured, mocked, scourged, imprisoned, stoned,
sawn in two, destitute, mistreated and homeless. The writer says the world was not
worthy of these saints. They were approved through their faith, but they did not receive
what was promised. Does that sound like abundant life? Is that prosperity? And yet, we
find that these struggling people spoke of a deep-seeded joy.

Paul himself, who penned the oft-quoted “exceedingly abundant” phrase, did a fair
amount of writing of joy and peace in the middle of his own difficult circumstances. He
used terminology like, “My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in
glory.” Paul found his life sufficiency in Christ. But what are these “riches in glory” to
which he refers?
We know there are some things that can only come from God, not Walmart. God gives
peace that passes all understanding. Jesus and Paul promise there will be trouble in the
life of a believer. Some of this trouble comes to everyone.

The rain falls on the just and the unjust.

Matthew 5:45

 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He

makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and
sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Actually, some believers deal with some problems because of our relationship with
Christ. Their new life in Christ costs them physical and material abundance; yet, Jesus
says we have abundant life!

Always, we are promised a deep abiding peace. This peace is beyond what we can
work up on our own by breathing deeply and counting to ten. And have you noticed that
peace during these times is the most outrageous blessing ever?

ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITY & RESPONSIBILITY

One way of viewing abundant life is to see when people have been changed by the
power of Christ; they live different lives, which affect all aspects of their experience. In
missiology, we call that "redemption and lift."

This isn’t just true individually, but can also be on a cultural level.

So, spiritual change, accompanied by better decisions, does often lead to better
circumstances financially. (Sometimes it gets you arrested and martyred, so don't miss
the point here.)

However, this is what the book of Proverbs touches on many times. Good decisions,
often undertaken because of spiritual decisions, leads to greater prosperity.

Here are a few examples:

Proverbs 6:6-8
 Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become
wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its
provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.

Proverbs 12:24

The diligent hand will rule, but laziness will lead to forced
labor.

(Proverbs 3:9-10)

"Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first
produce of your entire harvest; then your barns will be
completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new
wine."

Proverbs 13:4

The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is

fully satisfied.

So, that's not the prosperity gospel, but greater prosperity can come from a gospel-
centered life and worldview. It's not because of our "seed faith," but because we see our
faith lived out in a new kind of life.

While everything in our financial lives may not be increasing in measurable ways, the
gospel is truly prosperous.

In other words, don’t get hung up on money when you see the word “prosperous.”

James 1:17

tells us every good and perfect gift comes from the

Father of lights
 WHAT ABOUT FINANCIAL MIRACLES?

I don’t think we need to be afraid of the fact there are times when people are blessed
materially in Scripture, sometimes even is response to their acts of faith. The question
is, “Is this norm, a common occurrence, or is it the exception?”

Maybe we should ask why God blesses some with more material things than He does
others. Is He rewarding faithfulness with more opportunity? Is God trying to show
faithfulness in some people through the fact they don’t have as many resources as
others?

We want to be thankful for what God has given us and we want to recognize that God
blesses others. We also shouldn’t be mad at people who are blessed materially. We all
must remember that we’re blessed—as Abraham was—to be a blessing.

When we live this way, we will become conduits of the blessing of God. Some
Christians seem to think God has made them containers, complete with a lid. Container
stores resources, but a conduit delivers them. We should continually be pouring out into
others what God is pouring out into us.

THE KEY

Acknowledging that people prosper when they are changed by the gospel because they
become better at their jobs is obvious. That's a form of Christian prosperity.

Believing that God can and does bless financially for His own purposes makes sense—
and we should respond as those who are blessed by being a blessing.

The key is understand that we will not automatically receive materials blessing and to
acknowledge that we can be remarkable blessed, and live an abundant life, in the midst
of difficult circumstances. Poverty and persecution cannot overcome the prosperity that
God provides for us in Christ.

ABUNDANT LIFE

Abundant life is not about what we have. It’s not about what we get. It’s not about what
we claim. Ultimately, abundant life is about what we receive as a gift from the Lord and
to live knowing we are stewards of the blessings of God.
Although the scriptures teach that it is not wrong to have material possessions, they
also give a very clear warning of the dangers of wealth.

The primary danger of wealth is that it often gives one a false sense of security in the
material goods of this world. This sense of security leads one to forget the true God and
run after the god of wealth

Sometimes people forget the provider of their wealth which is God when they already
have a lot, have a great life, their prayers were answered regarding material things and
became busy in making more money.

It’s not a sin to be rich (though it might be missing the point if we die rich). Furthermore,
stewardship is not measure by what we have received, but by what we have given.

At the end of the day, perhaps that is how we know we have an abundant life—when we
have shared our life with others. When we have enough of the blessings of God (mercy,
peace, love, grace, wisdom, etc.) we have our basic needs for us to live, for us to share
our life, our skills or talents and share whatever we have either big or small to others
then we are abundantly blessed indeed. As you share whatever blessing you have
today, God will bless you more in JESUS NAME.

May the good Lord Bless you and keep you. May He fulfill all His promises for you. May
you have all the desires of your heart today especially your financial breakthrough and I
believe that God is already working for you, your kids, your ministry, your family, your
dreams and your future, you just have to patiently wait and walk with Him always.

GOD LOVES YOU AND HE CARES FOR YOU

God cares about you; He loves you and thinking about you all the time. He wants you to
have the best of everything. He wants you to have a close relationship with Hm as your
Father.

If you don’t have that relationship with God and you may have not yet received the gift
of Christ which is salvation, I would like to ask you to pray and let God take control of
your life to fully enjoy the blessings of God and have that immeasurable peace, joy,
contentment and love. Surrender to God all your plans and desires for you and your
family. Ask God’s forgiveness and confess all your sins heartily and let God be the
driver of your life from now on.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only

begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life.
 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us

our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Please say this prayer

Dear Lord,

I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I know that I
have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I have lived my life for
myself only, my pleasures and for this world. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn
away from my past sinful life toward you. I ask you Father to forgive me.

I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, to save me. You did what I could
not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; I give it to
you. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart and be
my Lord and Savior from this day forward. Fill the emptiness in me with your Holy Spirit
and make me whole. Father, help me to live every day for you and in a way that pleases
you.

I love you Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you. In Jesus name I
pray Amen.
 (Psalm 51, King David)

“Have mercy on me, O God,

according to Your unfailing love;

according to Your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

Against You, You only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in Your sight,

so that You are proved right when You speak

and justified when You judge.

Surely I have been a sinner from birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me…

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me and I will be whiter than snow…

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from Your presence

or take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.

Then will I teach transgressors Your ways,

 and sinners will turn back to You.

Congratulations, Welcome to the family of God. You have just taken your first step of life
everlasting, life with full of Hope, joy, contentment and happiness with Christ.

Check this website to know more on how to live as a Christian and what are the next
steps you should do as a new believer, after receiving Christ as your personal Lord and
Savior. FIRST STEPS FOR NEW CHRISTIANS
 POINTS
Chapter 1

Chapter 2. let God be true.com (Life of Faith)

Dani Johnson (take your financial faith to a new level

1. Trust (Let God be true, Got questions.org, Don

stewart)
ii. 3.obedience=A Classic Study by Thomas Watson (c. 1620-1686)
Give=let god be true (proverbs 3:10)
The Christian worker (https://bible.org/seriespage/15-
christian-worker-colossians-322-41) Ptr Greg Brown

Chaptr 3 https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/the-purpose-and-role-of-
government/

https://sojo.net/articles/caring-poor-governments-biblical-role

church member to leaders https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-58-responsibilities-

church-leaders-hebrews-137-17-19-22-25

http://counselingoneanother.com/2011/10/13/8-responsibilities-of-church-members-to-
their-leaders/

5Saving- proverbs 30:25, proverbs 6:8, 4 things small and wise

(letgodbetrue)

6invest (prov3:22)peter Anderson (bible money matters).com

8indulgence(Prov 25:16)letgodbetrue

9debt Proverbs 24:4(letgodbetrue) Proverbs 3:27

10Proverbs 30:15 (letgodbetrue) Proverbs 27:7,

Proverbs 13:25

11
 12

13

14

15proverbs 3:28

16

17seek ye my face (letgodbetrue)

INDEX
Financial Freedom

God Money Me

Pamela Carmichael

Focus on the Family

Got Questions

Investing

Christian and taxes

Investing verses

books

Sid Litke

What God Wants Us to Do"The Christian and the Ethics of Saving"

James Derksen

Controlling Impulsive and Compulsive Spending

Dangers of entitlement

Greg Simas

Words Control Your Life

J. LEE GRADY “Toxic attitudes”

Negative Attitudes by Nairaland

michael fackerel

Luminita D. Saviuc

Joyce Meyer

Vincent grote (Chillin' with Your Daddy God: A Daily Dose of God's Love)

J.Swanson

Ptr. Brian Kluth

Bible Money Quotes

revelation

Rick Warren

Dennis Lindsay

Sid Litke

Jack Wellman

Bill Bright

http://www.thevigilantwarrior.com/trusting-god/

Christian Sermons

Hampton Keathley, III

Compelling Truth

Jason Cabler

John Piper

Bible Knowledge

Jason Cabler Does God Want You To Be Rich? The Wealth and Christianity Debate

Dwayne S. Walker

Mark Altrogge

Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III

Tim Parker
Peter Anderson

Compulsive spending (Wikipedia)

Impulsive spending (Wikipedia)

Paula White