DIVINE PROVISION

BIBLICAL FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

c Harvestime International Networ

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Number Introduction Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter $our Chapter $ive Chapter 'i. Chapter 'even Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter E4even Chapter Twe4ve Chapter Thirteen Chapter $ourteen Chapter $i(teen Appendi. One Appendi. Two Appendi. Three Embracing Our Giving God Accessing our !ivine "esources Comprehending Prosperit# $or Purpose %rea&ing The 'pirit O( $ear "emoving A *a+or %arrier /iving 0nder An Open 1eaven E.periencing 'upernatura4 !ebt "etirement C4aiming Tota4 "estoration App4#ing 'criptura4 $inancia4 Princip4es5 Part One App4#ing 'criptura4 $inancia4 Princip4es5 Part Two Incorporating The Teachings O( 7esus Activating Princip4es O( $inancia4 1arvest Imp4ementing 'trategies O( $inancia4 8ar(are "e4easing our $inancia4 Anointing $acing our $inancia4 $uture O4d Testament O((erings 1ow To *a&e A %udget $inancia4 Princip4es Chec&4ist 2 5 12 22 2) ,23 535 -2 61 )5 )6 192 119 113 123 1212)

INTROD!CTION
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8e are 4iving in a time o( tremendous (inancia4 instabi4it#: "ising debt; increasing unemp4o#ment; home4essness; and povert# are ma+or concerns throughout the wor4d: %usinesses are (ai4ing: Nations that were (ormer4# great economic giants are in (inancia4 upheava4: "ich businessmen and stoc&bro&ers are watching wea4th s4ip (rom their grasp: There is much (ear(u4 specu4ation about what 4ies ahead: 1ow high wi44 in(4ation rise< 1ow tough wi44 these economica44# hard times be and how 4ong wi44 the# 4ast< Peop4e are =uestioning; >8i44 I be ab4e to ho4d on to m# +ob< 8i44 I be ab4e to ma&e m# house pa#ment<> As a resu4t; churches and Christian ministries that are supported b# donations are a4so strugg4ing to maintain their outreaches: This boo&; "Divine Provision," wi44 prepare #ou persona44# and #our ministr# corporate4# to (ace what is happening now and what wi44 occur in the (uture in the (inancia4 rea4m: our position in the (ace o( the current and impending crises wi44 not be one o( wea&ness; but it wi44 be a stance o( strength; (aith; and power, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy !"#$ It is important that #ou understand bib4ica4 (inancia4 strategies because God wants to use #ou??#our ta4ents; #our resources; and #our ministr#??to reap an end?time harvest o( sou4s around the wor4d: The on4# wa# #ou can do this is to be (ree (rom (inancia4 prob4ems b# entering into a new dimension o( divine provision: Credit card debt: Threats o( (orec4osure: %an&ruptc#: 'trugg4ing to ma&e ends meet: %are4# surviving (rom pa#chec& to pa#chec&: $or man#; this is a wa# o( 4i(e: 8hat wou4d #ou do i( #ou had un4imited (inancia4 resources< Ta&e a (ew minutes and thin& about this serious4#: Answer it honest4#: 8hat wou4d #ou do< our answer to this =uestion revea4s a 4ot about #our priorities: It a4so ma# ver# we44 determine #our (inancia4 (uture: The divine provision on which this stud# (ocuses is not where one 4ives 4avish4# and se4(ish4# consumes resources b# satis(#ing e.travagant; materia4istic desires: The abundance God wants #ou to e.perience is where #our needs wi44 be met so #ou wi44 be ab4e to sow 4ibera44# into the @ingdom o( God and e.tend the Gospe4 to the nations o( the wor4d: The scriptura4 (inancia4 strategies shared in this boo& wi44 position #ou and #our ministr# to e.perience divine provision: No 4onger wi44 #ou be hindered b# unscriptura4 practices such as incurring unpaid debt; co?signing debts (or others; and dishonest (inancia4 practices: I( #ou are an emp4o#er in ministr# or business; #ou wi44 4earn that #ou cannot de(raud #our wor&ers and e.pect God to b4ess #ou: ou must pa# #our wor&ers and pa# #our debts: ou wi44 4earn that #ou cannot be une=ua44# #o&ed in business or ministr# with someone who is not honest (inancia44#:

This boo& was birthed through persona4 e.perience: 8hen we started the ministr# o( 1arvestime Internationa4 Networ& in 1)6,; we had no donors and no mai4ing 4ist: 8e had no denominationa4 sponsors: 8e 4oo&ed to God to provide the needs o( the ministr#??and we sti44 doA 2

$rom the beginning; we set ministr# po4icies that we wou4d not incur debt; be4ieving that i( God wanted us to go somewhere or do something; 1e wou4d provide: 8e did not 4oo& to rich peop4e to underwrite the ministr#: 8e re(used to co?sign (or the debts o( others and we paid our bi44s: To the best o( our abi4ities; we (o44owed the (inancia4 princip4es given in GodBs 8ord: 8e started the ministr# with what we had5 A used computer and an o4d t#pewriter: 8e didnBt even have room (or an o((ice in our home; so we converted a c4oset into an o((ice: A44 o( the training materia4s we have deve4oped and sent around the wor4d and into prisons are given (ree o( charge: 8e se44 materia4s here in the 0nited 'tates to he4p underwrite the ministr#; but even then i( a person cannot a((ord it; the studies are a4so o((ered (ree o( charge on our web page: /i&e the Apost4e Pau4; we sometimes have wor&ed with our own hands to support the ministr#??(rom (ree?4ance writing to managing mini?storage (aci4ities: 8hatever was necessar#; we did it to accomp4ish our divine mandate: Through app4ication o( these bib4ica4 princip4es; God has b4essed this ministr# abundant4#: 1arvestime Internationa4 Networ& has grown into an internationa4 outreach touching the 4ives o( hundreds o( thousands o( peop4e around the wor4d: In our persona4 (inances; we have (o44owed these same scriptura4 princip4es: 8hat persona4 debt we had has been supernatura44# retired and we donBt incur new debt: 8e pa# our tithes; give o((erings; he4p the poor; we donBt co?sign (or the debts o( others; and we are honest in our (inancia4 a((airs: It is not o(ten in our boo&s that we share persona4 in(ormation 4i&e this; and it is not shared here to e.a4t us or this ministr# in an# wa#: 8e are on4# sharing this so that #ou wi44 &now that the princip4es in this boo& are tried and true: 8e have 4ived out these princip4es in our persona4 4ives and our ministr#: The concepts shared in this stud# are GodBs 8ord and the# tru4# wor&A 8e have embraced the bib4ica4 motto5 %ut see& ye first the &ingdom of God , and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you$ ('atthew (!))# $or man# #ears; nationa4 Christian 4eaders in deve4oping nations 4oo&ed to richer western nations (or support: 8hat an amaCing trans(ormation has occurred as the# have rea4iCed that God is their source??not America or Eng4and or e4sewhere: 'ome o( the 4argest churches in the wor4d have been bui4t in deve4oping countries without a dime o( support (rom other nations: GodBs p4an (or (inancia4 b4essing isnBt +ust restricted to western nations: These princip4es wor& no matter where #ou 4ive because5 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the *ord$ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts$ For as the rain +ometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and ma&eth it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater! ,o shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth! it shall not return unto me void , but it shall a++omplish that whi+h - please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto - sent it$ (-saiah ..!/0 # The scriptura4 princip4es in this stud# wi44 not return voidA The# wi44 wor& because the# 5

are GodBs 8ordA ou ma# have strugg4ed with (inancia4 prob4ems (or so 4ong that #ou have given up hope o( an#thing ever changing in the (uture: "emember the stor# o( the cripp4ed man at the poo4 o( %ethesda< 1e had given up a44 hope o( getting we44; but then one da#??in the per(ect timing o( God??he got his brea&through: 7esus stopped b#; he was tota44# hea4ed; too& up his bed; and wa4&edA ou need the same &ind o( mirac4e in #our (inances to e4iminate the hindrances which have cripp4ed #ou (rom rising up to accomp4ish #our divine destin#: This is #our time (or a (inancia4 brea&throughA It is time to ta&e up #our cripp4ed (inances??so to spea&??and begin to wa4& into the mirac4e o( GodBs divine provision In this stud# on bib4ica4 (inancia4 strategies; #ou wi44 4earn about our giving God and the tremendous resources 1e has a4read# given us through Christ 7esus: ou wi44 4earn how to 4ive under an open heaven (inancia44# and how #our debts can be supernatura44# retired: ou wi44 a4so 4earn how to conduct spiritua4 war(are in beha4( o( #our (inances; scriptura4 (inancia4 princip4es; and how to remove barriers to (inancia4 b4essing: I( #ou have 4ost ever#thing; #ou wi44 4earn how a44 can be restored: Through this process; #ou wi44 receive a new (inancia4 anointing that wi44 enab4e #ou to sow and reap abundant4# in GodBs @ingdom: ou wi44 be prepared to (ace #our (inancia4 (uture with (aith instead o( (ear because #ou wi44 have a (irm (oundation bui4t upon GodBs 8ordA The tit4e (or this stud#; Divine Provision; was se4ected to &eep #our (ocus on the basic thesis o( this reve4ation5 That God supernatura44# provides (or be4ievers to meet their needs and enab4e them to accomp4ish 1is purposes: Each chapter tit4e in this stud# o( Divine Provision is phrased as a step to ta&e: 8e have a 4ong spiritua4 +ourne# ahead; so 4etBs get started:

CHAPTER ONE
E"BRACING O!R GIVING GOD
$rom Genesis to "eve4ation; God c4ear4# revea4s that 1e a4wa#s provides (or 1is peop4e and that (inancia4 b4essing is 1is wi44: The prosperit# 1e has p4anned (or #ou to en+o# is 3

abundant provision; both materia44# and spiritua44#; enab4ing #ou to (u4(i44 #our divine destin#: God doesnBt want #ou to view 1im as stern and uncaring: 1e wants #ou to embrace 1im as a 4oving and giving 1eaven4# $ather who wants to b4ess 1is chi4dren in ever# wa#??inc4uding (inancia44#: $rom the time Israe4 became a nation; God e.pressed 1is desire to b4ess 1is peop4e: 1e dec4ared5 1herefore it shall +ome to pass, if ye hear&en to these 2udgments, and &eep, and do them, that the *ord thy God shall &eep unto thee the +ovenant and the mer+y whi+h he sware unto thy fathers! 3nd he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee! he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy +orn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the in+rease of thy &ine, and the flo+&s of thy sheep, in the land whi+h he sware unto thy fathers to give thee$ (Deuteronomy "! 20 )# !oes this sound 4i&e a God who wants 1is peop4e to 4ive in povert#< NoA It is GodDs p4an (or #ou to have su((icienc# in ever# area o( #our 4i(e; and that inc4udes #our (inances: 'u((icienc# doesnBt necessar# mean wea4th??a4though God b4esses some peop4e in this wa#: %ut it does mean that #our persona4 and ministr# needs wi44 be met: Note that in this passage God dec4ares; "$$$if you hear&en to these 2udgments"$ To what +udgments is God re(erring< 1e is ta4&ing about the princip4es revea4ed in 1is 8ord; and this inc4udes 1is p4an (or divine provision??not a scheme (or se4(ish e.travagance; but a p4an (or supernatura4 provision o( #our needs: HO# DO $O! PERCEIVE GOD% 1ow #ou perceive God has a tremendous impact on #our (inances: It wi44 a((ect how #ou view materia4 b4essings; how #ou give to God and others; and how #ou perceive the rich and the poor: As #ou begin this stud# on divine provision; #ou must decide the answer to this =uestion5 1ow do #ou perceive God in terms o( 1is generosit#< The %ib4e revea4s that God is an e.travagant giver: Ever#thing we &now about 1im re(4ects a 4avish; divine generosit#: E.amp4es o( 1is giving surround us in creation; redemption; and in the gi(ts o( our (ami4# and (riends; our persona4 abi4ities; and our wor4d: 7esus said; >-f ye then, being evil, &now how to give good gifts unto your +hildren, how mu+h more shall your Father whi+h is in heaven give good things to them that as& him4" ('atthew "! #$ 7esus reminded peop4e that God was their $ather and??4i&e a44 (athers??1e 4oves to b4ess 1is chi4dren with gi(ts: Then 7esus pointed out that; un4i&e human (athers; God wi44 not promise and then (ai4 to de4iver: GodDs generosit# to 1is chi4dren is (ar greater than that o( #our natura4 parents or even #ourse4( as a parent: The %ib4e describes God in two ma+or areas which i44ustrate 1is amaCing generosit#: It identi(ies 1im as 5reator and as 6edeemer: God is the One 8ho gives both materia4 4i(e and spiritua4 4i(e: These tit4es revea4 the essence o( God; and throughout the %ib4e 1e is worshiped in both o( these ro4es: In "eve4ation 2511; the e4ders sang; >Thou are worthy, 7 *ord, to re+eive glory -

and honour and power! for thou hast +reated all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were +reated$" In "eve4ation 55); the# sang5 $ $ $"Thou are worthy to ta&e the boo&, and to open the seals thereof! for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every &indred, and tongue, and people, and nations $$$" The %ib4e repeated4# ce4ebrates GodDs twin gi(ts o( creation and redemption??1is materia4 and spiritua4 giving5 Giving than&s unto the Father, whi+h hath made us meet to be parta&ers of the inheritan+e of the saints in light! 1ho hath delivered us from the power of dar&ness, and hath translated us into the &ingdom of his dear ,on! -n whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins! 1ho is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every +reature! For by him were all things +reated, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or prin+ipalities, or powers! all things were +reated by him, and for him! 3nd he is before all things, and by him all things +onsist$ 3nd he is the head of the body, the +hur+h! who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminen+e$ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 3nd, having made pea+e through the blood of his +ross, by him to re+on+ile all things unto himself by him, - say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven$ ( 5orinthians ! 20 28# Eerse 13 praises God because "$$$by him all things were +reated" and verse 29 (or $$$" having made pea+e through the blood of his +ross$" These are 1is twin gi(ts o( creation and redemption: THE GIFT OF CREATION The bib4ica4 record starts with a description o( GodDs gi(t o( creation: Genesis 151 opens with time4ess words that introduce us to our God5 >-n the beginning God +reated the heaven and the earth:> Christians ma# disagree over detai4s about creation; but the basic truth is p4ain5 God e.isted be(ore the wor4d and ever#thing came (orth (rom nothing at 1is command: Genesis 152) records GodDs (irst words to humanit# were; >$$$%ehold - have given you$$$> These words revea4 GodDs nature at the outset o( 1is re4ationship with man&ind: 1e is a giver; and creation is one o( 1is greatest gi(ts to us: God b4essed Adam and Eve with a44 that was needed in order (or them to prosper5 ,o God +reated man in his own image, in the image of God +reated he him; male and female +reated he them$ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it! and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth$ 3nd God said, %ehold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, whi+h is upon the fa+e of all the earth, and every tree, in the whi+h is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat$ 3nd to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that +reepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat! and it was so$ (Genesis !2"0)8# 6

The stor# o( NoahDs ar& high4ights the diversit# o( the CreatorDs giving: A massive ocean 4iner; so to spea&; was needed to preserve a samp4e o( a44 the &nown species: 8henever God gives and whatever 1e gives; there is end4ess variet#: 8h# are there so man# species o( birds and insects< 8h# is ever# snow(4a&e and (ingerprint uni=ue< 8h# are there so man# di((erences in the appearances o( individua4s< It is because God is such an e.travagant giverA Psa4ms Chapter 192 provides a guided tour o( GodDs gi(t o( creation %less the *ord, 7 my soul$ 7 *ord my God, thou art very great; thou art +lothed with honour and ma2esty$ 1ho +overest thyself with light as with a garment! who stret+hest out the heavens li&e a +urtain! 1ho layeth the beams of his +hambers in the waters! who ma&eth the +louds his +hariot! who wal&eth upon the wings of the wind! 1ho ma&eth his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire! 1ho laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever$ Thou +overedst it with the deep as with a garment! the waters stood above the mountains$ 3t thy rebu&e they fled; at the voi+e of thy thunder they hasted away$ They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the pla+e whi+h thou hast founded for them$ Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to +over the earth$ 9e sendeth the springs into the valleys, whi+h run among the hills$ They give drin& to every beast of the field! the wild asses :uen+h their thirst$ %y them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, whi+h sing among the bran+hes$ 9e watereth the hills from his +hambers! the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy wor&s$ 9e +auseth the grass to grow for the +attle, and herb for the servi+e of man! that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 3nd wine that ma&eth glad the heart of man, and oil to ma&e his fa+e to shine, and bread whi+h strengtheneth man;s heart$ The trees of the *ord are full of sap; the +edars of *ebanon, whi+h he hath planted; 1here the birds ma&e their nests! as for the stor&, the fir trees are her house$ The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the ro+&s for the +onies$ 9e appointed the moon for seasons! the sun &noweth his going down$ Thou ma&est dar&ness, and it is night! wherein all the beasts of the forest do +reep forth$ The young lions roar after their prey, and see& their meat from God$ The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens$ 'an goeth forth unto his wor& and to his labour until the evening$ 7 *ord, how manifold are thy wor&s< in wisdom hast thou made them all! the earth is full of thy ri+hes$ ,o is this great and wide sea, wherein are things +reeping innumerable, both small and great beasts$ There go the ships! there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein$ These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season$ That thou givest them they gather! thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good$ Thou hidest thy fa+e, they are troubled! thou ta&est away their breath, they die, and return to their dust$ Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are +reated! and thou renewest the fa+e of the earth$ The glory of the *ord shall endure for ever! the *ord shall re2oi+e in his wor&s$ (Psalm 8=! 0))# 8hen peop4e thin& about God as Creator; the# o(ten assume that 1is creative wor& ended in Eden; but GodDs e.travagant giving through creation sti44 continues: Psa4m192 moves between what God did at creation and what 1e still does (or creation: Eerses 2-?2) show that the ongoing e.istence o( a44 creation depends on the CreatorDs e.travagant; continuous giving: Eerse ,9

ma&es it c4ear that GodDs creative giving is ongoing5 >Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are +reated $$$" "ight up to the end o( time as we &now it; God wi44 continue to create??inc4uding the great creative act spo&en o( in "eve4ation 2155 where God dec4ares >$$$ %ehold, - ma&e all things new $$$" THE GIFT OF REDE"PTION O4d Testament sacri(ices and o((erings were vita4 in the 4ives o( the Israe4ites: God used them (or generations to prepare 1is peop4e (or the da# when Christ wou4d o((er 1is 4i(e as the on4# sacri(ice su((icient to c4eanse man&indBs sin: These sacri(ices and o((erings were necessar# because without the shedding o( b4ood there is no remission o( sin: The O4d Testament s#stem was as a reminder o( their need (or a 'avior who wou4d someda# die once and (or a44 (or the sins o( a44 man&ind: Centuries 4ater; God sent 7esus to the wor4d as 1is greatest gi(t to man&ind: 1e gave 1is on4# 'on wi44ing4# as a sacri(icia4 o((ering (or our sins5 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten ,on, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life$ (>ohn )! (# God sent 7esus to earth in the (orm o( human (4esh; to ta&e our sins upon 1imse4(; to shed 1is b4ood; and to restore us to (u44 (e44owship with 1im: 7esus shed 1is b4ood wi44ing4#: No one too& 1is 4i(e (rom 1im; but 1e 4aid it down o( 1is own (ree wi445 9en+e, when 9e (5hrist# entered into the world, 9e said, ,a+rifi+es and offerings ?ou have not desired, but instead ?ou have made ready a body for 'e (to offer#; -n burnt offerings and sin offerings ?ou have ta&en no delight$ Then - said, *o, here - am, +ome to do ?our will, o God; (to fulfill# what is written of 'e in the volume of the %oo&$ (9ebrews 8!.0", T3%# %ecause o( this one per(ect sacri(ice; man was (orever set (ree (rom sin:

1hereas this 7ne (5hrist# after 9e had offered a single ,a+rifi+e for our sins (that shall avail# for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, Then to wait until 9is enemies should be made a stool beneath 9is feet$ For by a single offering 9e has forever +ompletely +leansed and perfe+ted those who are +onse+rated and made holy$ (9ebrews 8! 20 =, T3%# There is no (urther sacri(ice necessar# to redeem man&ind (rom sin: No 4onger is it necessar# (or us to o((er burnt o((erings to God: 8e are ab4e to enter into a re4ationship with 1im through that one per(ect sacri(ice: Through the b4ood o( 7esus; we have been granted (ree access to God whereb# we are ab4e to come (ear4ess4# and bo4d4# into 1is presence to receive a44 we need (rom 1im: 19

GodDs greatest gi(t is 1is on4# 'on??especia44# the death o( 1is 'on: Titus 2512 describes 7esus as One >1ho gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all ini:uity, and purify unto himself a pe+uliar people, @ealous of good wor&s$" $irst Timoth# 253 sa#s that 7esus >gave himself as a ransom for all$" $irst Corinthians 3529 speci(ies that we were >bought with a pri+e" Co4ossians 151,?12 sa#s that God >hath delivered us from the power of dar&ness, and hath translated us into the &ingdom of his dear ,on! -n whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins $$$" Ephesians 15-?6 uses simi4ar words to underscore GodDs e.treme generosit#5 >-n whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, a++ording to the ri+hes of his gra+e; 1herein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and pruden+e $$$"$ There are man# other verses in the New Testament which describe the $atherDs gi(t o( 1is 'on: It is because o( ChristDs death and our redemption (rom sin that we can stand +usti(ied be(ore a righteous and ho4# God: $irst Corinthians 3511 states >ye are 2ustified in the name of the *ord >esus, and by the ,pirit of our God$" "omans 65,, spea&s o( the present??>-t is God that 2ustifieth"00and "omans 551) 4oo&s to the (uture??>by the obedien+e of one shall many be made righteous$" 7usti(ication means that the divine verdict o( >gui4t#; but pardoned> has been dec4ared over our 4ives rather than >gui4t# and condemned>: "omans 5519 states that >$$$when we were enemies, we were re+on+iled to God by the death of his ,on$" In 2 Corinthians 5516 we are to4d that >all things are of God, who hath re+on+iled us to himself by >esus 5hrist, and hath given to us the ministry of re+on+iliation"$ 8e &now (rom ever#da# e.perience that gi(ts are a vita4 part o( mending bro&en re4ationships: $rom a bou=uet o( (4owers a(ter a domestic argument to reparations a(ter a war; giving brings hea4ing and restores re4ationships: 7esus Christ gave 1is 4i(e as an indescribab4e gi(t to reconci4e us to our Creator: I( #ou have not e.perienced this wonder(u4 gi(t o( redemption; then stop right now; as& God to (orgive #our sins through the b4ood o( 7esus; and accept 7esus Christ as #our 'avior: It is important that #ou do this i( #ou have not a4read# done so; not on4# because it is re=uired to reconci4e #ou to God; but a4so because the reve4ation o( bib4ica4 (inancia4 princip4es is a spiritua4 one: It can on4# be received with a born?again; spiritua4 mind: EVER$ GOOD GIFT CO"ES FRO" GOD God 4oved us so much that 1e gave 1is on4# 'on; so shou4d it not stand to reason that ever# good gi(t in our 4ives come (rom 1im< 9e that spared not his own ,on, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things4 (6omans /!)2# Ever# good gi(t #ou have comes (rom God5

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Avery good gift and every perfe+t gift is from above, and +ometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning$ (>ames ! "# our (ami4#; #our (riends; #our hea4th; #our ministr#; #our ta4ents; #our (inancia4 resources??ever# positive thing in #our 4i(e is a gi(t (rom our giving God: The boo& o( "eve4ation records additiona4 gi(ts that our giving God wi44 give to be4ievers in the (uture5 9e that hath an ear, let him hear what the ,pirit saith unto the +hur+hes; To him that over+ometh will - give to eat of the tree of life, whi+h is in the midst of the paradise of God: (6evelation 2!"# you Fear none of those things whi+h thou shalt suffer! behold, the devil shall +ast some of into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days! be thou faithful unto death, and - will give thee a +rown of life$ (6evelation 2! 8# 9e that hath an ear, let him hear what the ,pirit saith unto the +hur+hes; To him that over+ometh will - give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, whi+h no man &noweth saving he that re+eiveth it$ (6evelation 2! "# 3nd he that over+ometh, and &eepeth my wor&s unto the end, to him will - give power over the nations! (6evelation 2!2(# 3nd - will give him the morning star$ (6evelation 2!2/# 3nd he said unto me, -t is done$ - am 3lpha and 7mega, the beginning and the end$ - will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely$ (6evelation 2 !(# 3nd, behold, - +ome :ui+&ly; and my reward is with me, to give every man a++ording as his wor& shall be$ (6evelation 22! 2# Ephesians 252?19 re(4ects the immensit# o( GodDs giving nature5 %ut God, who is ri+h in mer+y, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Aven when we were dead in sins, hath :ui+&ened us together with 5hrist, (by gra+e ye are saved;# 3nd hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly pla+es in 5hrist >esus! That in the ages to +ome he might shew the eB+eeding ri+hes of his gra+e in his &indness toward us through 5hrist >esus$ For by gra+e are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves! it is the gift of God! Cot of wor&s, lest any man should boast$ For we are his wor&manship, +reated in 5hrist >esus unto good wor&s, whi+h God hath before ordained that we should wal& in them$ THE BASIS FOR O!R GIVING

12

$rom Genesis to "eve4ation; our God is depicted as a giving God: %ecause God gave 1is best to us through creation; redemption; and ever# good gi(t we have received; we must be wi44ing to give our best to 1im: As God has (ree4# given us a44 things through Christ; we must be wi44ing to present our bodies as a "living sa+rifi+e, holy, a++eptable unto God" (6omans 2! #$ 8e must not withho4d an#thing (rom God; but must give ourse4ves to 1im tota44#??spirit; sou4; and bod#: 8hen #ou give #ourse4( one hundred percent to God; then #ou wi44 not withho4d an#thing (rom 1im??#our time; ta4ents; or #our (inances: As #ou wi44 4earn in this stud#; be4ievers are to give God the ver# best that the# have as an act o( worship: It is GodBs wi44 that there be p4ent# to provide (or the need# and (or the wor& o( e.tending the @ingdom o( God: It is 1is wi44 that we have the necessar# (inances to accomp4ish the mandate 1e has given o( evange4iCing the wor4d: 8e are 4iving in GodBs end?time spiritua4 harvest and we are under a divine commission to ta&e the Gospe4 to the nations o( the earth be(ore 7esus returns: 7esus said; "3nd this gospel of the &ingdom shall be prea+hed in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end +ome" ('atthew 2=! =#$ To be ab4e to accomp4ish this tas&; however; we must have a brea&through in our (inances: It costs mone# to trave4 and spread the Gospe4: It is e.pensive to produce %ib4es and training materia4s: It re=uires (unding to bui4d churches and e.tend missions: Christian radio; te4evision; and internet ministries a44 re=uire (inances: 'atan has hindered the wor& o( God (or too 4ong: 1e has sown 4ies and robbed man# be4ievers (rom the b4essing o( giving to God and receiving 1is (inancia4 b4essings in return: As a resu4t; the (4ow o( (inances into their 4ives and into the wor& o( God through them has been hindered: As be4ievers; we have un4imited riches reserved (or us to abundant4# meet ever# need in our 4ives and ministries: The prob4em is; man# be4ievers do not &now what these resources are or how to access them: That is the sub+ect o( the ne.t chapter:

CHAPTER T#O
ACCESSING $O!R DIVINE RESO!RCES
!o #ou consider #ourse4( to be a need# person< In some wa#s; it is good to be need#: 8e are not ta4&ing about needs that 4ead to dependenc# on others or deprivation; rather about being need# be(ore God: It was said o( the church at /aodicea5 %e+ause thou sayest, - am ri+h, and in+reased with goods, and have need of nothing; and &nowest not that thou art wret+hed, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and na&ed! +ounsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be ri+h; and white 1,

raiment, that thou mayest be +lothed, and that the shame of thy na&edness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see$ (6evelation )! "0 /# %ecause the# (ai4ed to perceive their true needs; the /aodiceans became 4u&ewarm and se4(?su((icient: Perhaps because o( their materia4 wea4th the# thought the# had no needs; but spiritua44# the# sure didA Phi4ippians 251) dec4ares; >%ut my God shall supply all your need a++ording to his ri+hes in glory by 5hrist >esus$" God supp4ies according to need: Ta&e awa# the need; and there is no supp4#: The right &ind o( need attracts supernatura4 resources; the divine provision about which we are stud#ing: This is wh# #ou need a de(inite spiritua4 purpose: The bigger #our spiritua4 purpose??#our dreams; goa4s; and ob+ectives??the bigger the supp4# God has reserved (or #ou: The more resources #ou need to accomp4ish 1is purposes; the bigger #our supp4#: A need4ess 4i(e is an unproductive 4i(e: A great spiritua4 4eader named Oswa4d Chambers dec4ared; "-f we are ever free from the sense of need, it is not be+ause the 9oly ,pirit has satisfied us, but be+ause we have been satisfied with as mu+h as we have$ 3 sense of need$$$ &eeps our life rightly related to >esus 5hrist$" God &nows #our need be(ore #ou as&5 3nd it shall +ome to pass, that before they +all, - will answer; and while they are yet spea&ing, - will hear$ (-saiah (!2=# God wants to provide (or #ou abundant4#: The %ib4e dec4ares that 1e is "$$$able to do eB+eeding abundantly above all that we as& or thin&, a++ording to the power that wor&eth in us" (Aphesians )!28#$ 8e donBt rea4iCe a44 that God has prepared (or us; but we can discover this through 1is 'pirit??which is one o( the reasons (or this stud#5 %ut as it is written, Aye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things whi+h God hath prepared for them that love him$ %ut God hath revealed them unto us by his ,pirit! for the ,pirit sear+heth all things, yea, the deep things of God$ ( 5orinthians 2!D0 8# Again; it must be emphasiCed that the purpose o( divine provision is not to amass wea4th and materia4 things: The purpose is to empower #ou to (u4(i44 #our divine destin#: 8e must a4so emphasiCe again that this reve4ation can on4# be understood b# a spiritua4 mind: This is not a manua4 on budgeting or a business guide to managing #our (inances: This is a spiritua4 reve4ation based upon the 8ord o( God: This is wh# #ou must be a true be4iever in 7esus Christ in order to receive and app4# this reve4ation: God is the supernatura4 provision (or #our spiritua4 vision: 1e seeds #our need5 3nd God is able to ma&e all gra+e abound toward you; that ye, always having all suffi+ien+y in all things, may abound to every good wor&! 3s it is written, 9e hath 12

dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor! his righteousness remaineth for ever$ Cow he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and in+rease the fruits of your righteousness;# %eing enri+hed in every thing to all bountifulness, whi+h +auseth through us than&sgiving to God$ (2 5orinthians D!/0 # 8hether #ou have a 4imited income or a substantia4 one; God wants to bring #ou into a position o( spiritua4 dependenc# upon 1im: God has p4anned divine provision (or #ou; #our (ami4#; and the ministr# 1e has given #ou: An important step to e.periencing this su((icienc# is recogniCing what has been provided (or #ou as a spiritua4 heir: $O! ARE AN HEIR OF ABRAHA" The stor# o( Abraham begins with his departure (rom 0r o( the Cha4deans in ancient southern %ab#4onia: Abram??as he was then ca44ed??and his (ami4# moved north a4ong the trade routes o( the ancient wor4d and sett4ed in the prosperous trade center o( 1aran; severa4 hundred mi4es to the northwest: At age -5; Abraham received a ca44 (rom God to go to an un&nown 4and that the /ord wou4d show him5 Cow the *ord had said unto 3bram, Get thee out of thy +ountry, and from thy &indred, and from thy father;s house, unto a land that - will shew thee! 3nd - will ma&e of thee a great nation, and - will bless thee, and ma&e thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing! 3nd - will bless them that bless thee, and +urse him that +urseth thee! and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed$ (Genesis 2! 0)#

15

God promised Abraham that his descendants wou4d become a great nation FGenesis 1251? ,G: The promise must have seemed unbe4ievab4e to Abraham because his wi(e; 'arah; was e4der4# and chi4d4ess FGenesis 115,9?,1H 1-515G; but Abraham be4ieved God and??at 1is 8ord?? began a 4ong +ourne# into the un&nown: Abraham trave4ed south a4ong the trade routes (rom 1aran; through 'hechem and %ethe4; to the 4and o( Canaan: This was a popu4ated area; inhabited b# the war?4i&e Canaanites; so AbrahamBs be4ie( that God wou4d u4timate4# give this 4and to him and his descendants was a tremendous act o( (aith5 %y faith 3braham, when he was +alled to go out into a pla+e whi+h he should after re+eive for an inheritan+e, obeyed; and he went out, not &nowing whither he went$ %y faith he so2ourned in the land of promise, as in a strange +ountry, dwelling in taberna+les with -saa+ and >a+ob, the heirs with him of the same promise! For he loo&ed for a +ity whi+h hath foundations, whose builder and ma&er is God$ (9ebrews !/0 8G As part o( Abraham=s ca44 and in response to his obedience; God made speci(ic promises to him: This agreement between God and Abraham has been ca44ed the >Abrahamic covenant:> The %ib4e records severa4 occasions when God appeared to Abraham to ma&e; con(irm; and amend the promises o( this covenant: The provisions o( these agreements; which u4timate4# wou4d resu4t in b4essing a44 the (ami4ies o( the earth; were not on4# e.tended to Abraham; but to his seed a(ter him??Isaac; 7acob; and the nation o( Israe4 The tremendous b4essings o( Abraham e.tend even (urther than the nation o( Israe4; however: The Apost4e Pau4 dec4ared5 The ,pirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the +hildren of God! 3nd if +hildren, then heirs; heirs of God, and 2oint0heirs with 5hrist; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together: (6omans /! (0 "G "omans 2513 dec4ares that Abraham was the Afather of us all:@ As a chi4d o( God; as Abraham=s spiritua4 seed; and as a +oint heir with 7esus Christ; these covenant promises are a4so #our spiritua4 inheritance: The Apost4e Pau4 dec4ared; A3nd if ye be 5hrist;s, then are ye 3braham;s seed, and heirs a++ording to the promise@ (Galatians );2D$#: This means that as a true be4iever; #ou are Abraham=s spiritua4 seed and the promises that God made to Abraham e.tend down through the centuries to #ou toda#5 That is, They whi+h are the +hildren of the flesh, these are not the +hildren of God! but the +hildren of the promise are +ounted for the seed$ (6omans D!/G

13

To stud# the promises o( the Abrahamic covenant in detai4; consu4t >The 5ovenant 7f 3braham" on the 1arvestime Internationa4 Networ& webpage: The (o44owing 4ist summariCes the tremendous wea4th that is #ours through this power(u4 covenant: Each promise made to Abraham is 4isted; (o44owed b# a spiritua4 app4ication in itali+ print: Genesis &'(&)*+,5 1 I wi44 show thee a 4and and give it to thee F1;-G: God will reveal your spiritual destiny$ 2: I wi44 ma&e o( thee a great nation F2G: God will ma&e your spiritual des+endants great$ ,: I wi44 b4ess thee F2G: God will bless you$ 2: I wi44 ma&e th# name great F2G: 9e will ma&e your name greatBof good reputation$ 5: Thou sha4t be a b4essing F2G: 9e will ma&e you a blessing$ 3: I wi44 b4ess them that b4ess thee F,G: 9e will bless those that bless you$ -: I wi44 curse them that curse thee F,G: 9e will +urse those who +urse you$ 6: In thee sha44 a44 (ami4ies o( the earth be b4essed F,G: The families (nations# of the earth will be blessed through you$ Genesis &*(&-)&,( ): A44 the 4and which thou seest; to thee wi44 I give it (orever F15G: 3ll God reveals to you is yours$ 19: I wi44 a4so give the 4and to th# seed (orever F15G: These blessings will eBtend to your spiritual seed$ 11: I wi44 ma&e th# seed as the dust o( the earth F13G: ?our spiritual seed will be as the dust of the earth$ 12: 8a4& through the 4and; (or I wi44 give it unto thee F1-G: 1herever God leads you, that spiritual territory is yours$ Genesis &-(&)'&( 1,: I am th# shie4d F1G: God is your shield: 12: I am th# e.ceeding4# great reward F1G: God is your eB+eeding great reward$ 15: 1e that sha44 come (orth out o( thine own 4oins sha44 be thine heir F2G: ?ou will bring forth spiritual heirs$ 13: Abraham wou4d be4ieve the /ord and it wou4d be counted to him (or righteousness F3G: ?ou believe the *ord and it is +ounted to you for righteousness$ 1-: Th# seed sha44 be as the stars o( heaven F5G: ?our spiritual seed shall be as the stars of heaven$ 16: I am the /ord who brought thee out o( 0r o( the Cha4dees to give thee this 4and to inherit 1-

1): 29: 21: 22: 2,: 22: 25: 23:

it F-G: God brought you out of the past to bring you into your spiritual inheritan+e$ Th# seed sha44 be in bondage Fs4aver# in Eg#ptG (or 299 #ears F1,G: God brought you out of the bondage of slavery to sin$ That nation whom the# sha44 serve FEg#ptG wi44 I +udge F12G: God will 2udge those who enslaved you$ A(terward; I wi44 bring them out Fo( Eg#ptG with great substance F12G: ?ou will be brought out of every bondage with great spiritual and material substan+e$ Thou sha4t go to th# (athers in peace F15G: ?ou will 2oin your Godly an+estors in eternity$ Thou sha4t be buried in a good o4d age F15G: ?ou will live to a++omplish your destiny$ In the (ourth generation; th# seed sha44 come here again F13G: ?our seed will be preserved and return to their spiritual roots$ 0nto th# seed have I given this 4and F16G: ?our seed will inherit their rightful possessions$ I wi44 set the "iver o( Eg#pt and the great Euphrates "iver as the boundaries o( the promised 4and F16G: God has established your spiritual boundaries, and nothing +an +hange them$

Genesis &,(&)''( 2-: I wi44 ma&e m# covenant between me and thee FAbrahamG F2G: This is a supernatural +ovenant established between God and you$ 26: I wi44 mu4tip4# thee e.ceeding4# F2G: God will multiply you eB+eedingly$ 2): *# covenant is with thee F2G God=s +ovenant is with you$ ,9: Thou sha4t be a (ather o( man# nations F2G: ?ou will be the spiritual parent of nations$ ,1: Th# name sha44 be ca44ed Abraham rather than Abram F5G: God will +hange your spiritual identity to refle+t 9is purposes$ ,2: I wi44 ma&e thee e.ceeding4# (ruit(u4 F3G: ?ou will be eB+eedingly fruitful in every area of life$ ,,: I wi44 ma&e nations o( thee F3G: ?ou will multiply spiritually and affe+t the destiny of entire nations$ ,2: @ings sha44 come out o( thee F3G: ?ou will raise up spiritually great men and women$ ,5: The covenant is ever4asting F-G: This +ovenant is everlasting$ ,3: I wi44 be a God unto thee F-G: God will be God to you$ ,-: I wi44 be a God unto th# seed a(ter thee F-G: 9e will be God to your spiritual and natural seed$ ,6: I wi44 give a44 the 4and o( Canaan to #ou and to #our seed as an ever4asting possession F6G: 16

,): 29: 21: 22: 2,: 22: 25: 23: 2-: 26: 2): 59: 51: 52: 5,:

God will give you your rightful inheritan+e as an everlasting possession$ And I wi44 be th# seedBs God F6G: 9e will be your seed=s God$ Circumcision sea4ed the covenant F)?12G: This +ovenant has been sealed by the blood of >esus 5hrist: 'araiBs name sha44 be changed to 'arah F15G: *i&e ,arah, your spiritual identity will be +hanged and you will be+ome fruitful$ I wi44 b4ess 'arah F13G: God will bless you$ I wi44 give thee a son o( 'arah F13G: 9e will raise up spiritual sons and daughters to you$ 'arah wi44 be a mother o( nations F13G: ?ou will be the spiritual mentor of nations$ @ings o( peop4e sha44 be o( 'arah F13G: ?ou will bring forth strong spiritual leaders$ 'arahBs son sha44 be named Isaac F1)G: ?our +hildren will be birthed by the ,pirit (li&e -saa+#, not of the flesh (li&e -shmael#$ I wi44 estab4ish m# covenant with Isaac (or an ever4asting covenant F1)G: This +ovenant is established with you forever$ I wi44 estab4ish m# covenant with IsaacBs seed a(ter him (or an ever4asting covenant F1)G: This +ovenant is established with your seed forever$ I wi44 ma&e Ishmae4 (ruit(u4 F29G: God will ma&e all related to you spiritually fruitful$ I wi44 mu4tip4# Ishmae4 e.ceeding4# F29G: God will multiply all related to you spiritually$ Twe4ve princes sha44 Ishmae4 beget F29G: ?ou will bring forth spiritual heirs$ I wi44 ma&e Ishmae4 a great nation F29G: ?our seed will be a great spiritual nation$ *# covenant wi44 I estab4ish with Isaac; but I have b4essed Ishmae4 a4so F29?21G: God will bless all of your efforts (-shmael#, but 9is divine +ovenant +omes supernaturally through 9is ,pirit (-saa+#$

Genesis ''(&.)&/ 5 52: The covenant is guaranteed b# God=s oath F13G: God has guaranteed these blessings are yours with 9is own oath$ 55: In b4essing I wi44 b4ess thee F1-G: God will bless you as you bless others$ 53: In mu4tip4#ing; I wi44 mu4tip4# th# seed as the stars o( the heaven and as the sand which is upon the sea shore F1-G: God will multiply your spiritual seed as the stars and sand$ 5-: Th# seed sha44 possess the gate o( his enemies F1-G: ?our spiritual seed will possess the gates of the enemy: 56: In th# seed sha44 a44 (ami4ies o( the earth be b4essed F16G: ?our spiritual seed will bless all families (the nations# of the earth$ 1)

$rom this composite 4ist; #ou can see what tremendous resources are #ours through the Abrahamic covenant: Can #ou be4ieve there are even more divine provisions avai4ab4e to #ou as a +oin?heir with 7esus Christ< $O! ARE A 0OINT)HEIR #ITH 0ES!S CHRIST In addition to being an heir o( the promises o( Abraham; #ou are a4so a +oint?heir with Christ: As the pre?e.istent 'on o( God; 7esus was coe=ua4 with God: A44 that the $ather possessed be4onged to 1im; #et 1e chose to become poor5 For ye &now the gra+e of our *ord >esus 5hrist, that, though he was ri+h, yet for your sa&es he be+ame poor, that ye through his poverty might be ri+h$ (2 5orinthians /!D# The word >poor> in this verse is trans4ated (rom the Gree& word >pto+heuo" which means >to be destitute:> 7esus wi44ing4# gave up 1is vast wea4th so that #ou might be made rich: 7esus did not come to earth with the wea4th o( a &ing: 1e tota44# stripped 1imse4( o( a44 that 1e had and came in the (orm o( a servant5 $$$ 5hrist >esus $$$ 1ho, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be e:ual with God! %ut made himself of no reputation, and too& upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the li&eness of men! (Philippians 2!.0"# 7esus e.perienced the pain; su((ering; and povert# o( this wor4d5 For verily he too& not on him the nature of angels; but he too& on him the seed of 3braham$ 1herefore in all things it behooved him to be made li&e unto his brethren, that he might be a mer+iful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to ma&e re+on+iliation for the sins of the people$ (9ebrews 2! (0 "# !uring 1is 4i(e on earth; 7esus was poor according to the wor4dBs standards: 1e was born in a humb4e stab4e: 1is bed was a 4ow4# manger: 1e owned no houses or 4ands: 7esus to4d the scribe who wanted to (o44ow 1im, "The foBes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the ,on of man hath not where to lay his head" ('atthew /!28#$ !uring 1is ministr#; 7esus 4ived with (riends and ate at their tab4es: 8hen 1e died; 1is bod# was p4aced in a borrowed tomb: A4though 7esus was considered poor; a44 the resources o( heaven were at 1is disposa4: 1e had none o( the wor4dBs wea4th; #et 1e possessed an abundance o( a44 that 1e needed: 1e did not re4# on the wor4dBs 4imited resources; but 1e trusted in 1is $atherBs supernatura4 provision: Acts 195,6 indicates that 7esus went about doing good and the word (or >good> in this verse means to be generous and 4ibera4: God provided a44 7esus needed to accomp4ish 1is divine mission and to do good in this wor4d: 8hen there was a mu4titude o( 5;999 men p4us women and chi4dren who were hungr#; 29

7esus did not send them awa# without meeting their need: 1e drew (rom 1is $atherBs reservoir o( riches: 1e said to Phi4ip; ";1here are we to buy bread, that these may eat4; 3nd this 9e was saying to test him; for 9e 9imself &new what 9e was intending to do$ Philip answered 9im, ;Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not suffi+ient for them, for everyone to re+eive a little$; 7ne of 9is dis+iples, 3ndrew, ,imon Peter;s$ brother, said to 9im, ;There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people4;" (>ohn (!.0D, C3,#$ Instead o( sending the peop4e awa# hungr#; 7esus too& the resources that 1e had and mu4tip4ied them: 1e too& (ive 4oaves o( bread and two sma44 (ish; b4essed the (ood; divided it; and gave it to 1is discip4es to (eed the peop4e: Not on4# did the# have enough (or ever#one to eat and be satis(ied; but there was an abundance o( twe4ve (u44 bas&ets 4e(t overA This is the same t#pe o( divine provision God intends (or #ou to e.perience toda#??enough (or the need with some 4e(t overA On another occasion; when it was time to pa# the annua4 temp4e ta. re=uired o( ever# 7ew; 7esus did not 4oo& to manBs resources but 1e depended upon GodBs divine provision: 1e to4d Peter to go down to the sea; throw in a (ish hoo&; ta&e the (irst (ish he caught: open its mouth; and he wou4d (ind su((icient mone# to pa# their ta.es F*atthew 1-52-G: Peter had (ished (or #ears and never (ound mone# in a (ishBs mouthA %ut neverthe4ess; Peter obe#ed; the /ordBs 8ord was (u4(i44ed; and their need was met: These e.amp4es i44ustrate that a4though 7esus was poor according to the wor4dBs standards; 1e had at 1is disposa4 a44 that 1e needed or wou4d ever need to accomp4ish 1is mission to the wor4d: 8hatever was needed; 7esus received (rom the $ather and as 1is +oint?heir; so can #ouA 7esus became the one supreme sacri(ice through which a44 men can be reconci4ed and restored into (e44owship with the $ather: Through 1is b4ood; we have entered into a New Covenant b# which we have been made +oint?heirs with 7esus o( the @ingdom o( God5 The ,pirit 9imself (thus# testifies together with our own spirit, (assuring us# that we are +hildren of God$ 3nd if we are (9is# +hildren, then we are (9is# heirs also! heirs of God and fellow heirs with 5hrist0sharing 9is inheritan+e with 9im $$$ (6omans 6513?1-; T3%# As +oint?heirs with 7esus Christ; we are not 4imited b# the wea4th o( this wor4d: 8e have direct access to the $ather and a44 that 1e has be4ongs to us: 8e do not need to re4# upon our own 4imited resources in accomp4ishing our divine mandate to spread the gospe4 to the wor4d because we have un4imited access to the resources o( heaven: 8hat is #our inheritance in Christ< It is a44 #ou need to meet #our persona4 needs and a44 that #ou need to e.tend GodBs @ingdom: The %ib4e dec4ares, "%ut my God shall supply all your need a++ording to his ri+hes in glory by 5hrist >esus" (Philippians =! D#: A44 means e.act4# that5 A44: Ever#thing #ou need5 Not #our >name it and c4aim> it idea o( con(essing mansions; e.pensive cars; and +ewe4s??but #our needs: That is #our inheritance through 7esus Christ: our resources in Christ are not +ust (inancia4 b4essings: A44 the treasures o( wisdom and &now4edge are in Christ FCo4ossians 252?,G: ou are enriched in 1im in a44 things F1 Corinthians 21

155?3G: The %ib4e dec4ares, "3lready you have all you want< 3lready you have be+ome ri+h<" $$$ ( 5orinthians =!/, C-E#$ The tremendous power 7esus has given #ou is something that cannot be purchased with mone#5 3nd when ,imon saw that through laying on of the apostles; hands the 9oly Ghost was given, he offered them money, ,aying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever - lay hands, he may re+eive the 9oly Ghost$ %ut Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, be+ause thou hast thought that the gift of God may be pur+hased with money$ Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter! for thy heart is not right in the sight of God$ (3+ts /! /02=# Through #our covenant re4ationship with God which Christ made possib4e; there is tota4 provision (or ever# need in #our 4i(eIsa4vation; protection; hea4th; peace; de4iverance; power; securit#; and (inances: In addition; God has given #ou spiritua4 gi(ts; ta4ents; and abi4ities to accomp4ish #our divine destin# Indeed; #ou are ver# richA %e(ore 7esus returned to 1eaven 1e to4d 1is (o44owers5 Eerily, verily, - say unto you, 9e that believeth on me, the wor&s that - do shall he do also; and greater wor&s than these shall he do; be+ause - go unto my Father$ 3nd whatsoever ye shall as& in my name, that will - do, that the Father may be glorified in the ,on$ -f ye shall as& any thing in my name, - will do it$ (>ohn =! 20 =# ou need divine provision to accomp4ish these greater wor&s and that is wh# God wants to b4ess #ou (inancia44#: Through #our covenant re4ationship with 1im; there is divine provision; supernatura4 abundance; no 4ac&: One o( the greatest gi(ts 7esus gave be4ievers when 1e returned to 1eaven was the gi(t o( the 1o4# 'pirit5 3nd - will pray the Father, and he shall give you another 5omforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Aven the ,pirit of truth; whom the world +annot re+eive, be+ause it seeth him not, neither &noweth him! but ye &now him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you$ - will not leave you +omfortless! - will +ome to you$ %ut the 5omforter, whi+h is the 9oly Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall tea+h you all things, and bring all things to your remembran+e, whatsoever - have said unto you$ (>ohn =! (0 2/,2(# This amaCing gi(t o( the 1o4# 'pirit is detai4ed in the 1arvestime Internationa4 Networ& stud# entit4ed "The 'inistry 7f The 9oly ,pirit$" The man# resources avai4ab4e to #ou through this gi(t are (ar be#ond the scope o( this chapter; so i( #ou are un(ami4iar with the ministr# o( the 1o4# 'pirit; be sure to stud# (urther on this sub+ect: Among man# things; the 1o4# 'pirit is #our teacher and counse4or??a tremendous resource (or hand4ing #our (inances as we44 as ever# area o( #our 4i(e and ministr#: The &e# to accessing #our un4imited resources in Christ is simp4# to as&5 >-f you as& anything in my name, - will do it<" The %ib4e indicates God is ab4e "$$$to do eB+eeding 22

abundantly above all that we as& or thin&, a++ording to the power that wor&eth in us" (Aphesians )!28#$ God is ab4e5 ?To do::: ?To do e.ceeding4#::: ?To do e.ceeding4# abundant4#::: ?To do e.ceeding4#; abundant4# above a44 that we as&::: ?To do e.ceeding4# abundant4# above a44 that we thin&: :::And the power to do e.ceeding4#; abundant4#; above a44 #ou as& or thin& is a4read# within #ou5 >3++ording to the power that wor&s in you<" As #ou c4ose this chapter; ma&e this con(ession right now5 "- am no longer bound by my limited resour+es$ - am wal&ing in +ovenant relationship with God as an heir of 3braham and a 2oint0her with >esus 5hrist$ >esus had a++ess to all the resour+es of heaven and as 9is 2oint0heir, - have unlimited a++ess to all that 9e has<"

CHAPTER THREE
CO"PREHENDING PROSPERIT$ FOR P!RPOSE
2,

Our stud# o( bib4ica4 (inancia4 guide4ines is (or purpose; not privi4ege: 8e are not advocating a >name it c4aim> it menta4it#; where one see&s materia4 b4essings and c4aims them >b# (aith:> 8e are see&ing divine provision in order to (ree us (inancia44# to e.tend the Gospe4 to the nations o( the wor4d and accomp4ish our God?given purpose: As we have 4earned; the divine provision we see& is not to provide 4u.ur#; but to meet our basic needs so that we can be (reed (inancia44# to be part o( GodBs end?time; harvest?time c#c4e: The word >4u.ur#> comes (rom a /atin word that means >e.cessive>: It re(ers to having an abundance o( mone#; time; and com(ort which one uses se4(ish4#: It is necessar# to understand; however; that in western nations some things are necessar# that peop4e in other nations might view as 4u.uries: $or e.amp4e; in /os Ange4es; Ca4i(ornia; a car is considered necessar# (or a pastor to (u4(i44 his duties: The cit# is huge and in order to visit his congregation; the man# rest homes; hospita4s; etc:; he needs transportation: In a sma44 vi44age in India where one can wa4& ever#where; a car might be viewed as a 4u.ur#: *ore (inances might be needed in America to bui4d a church than what is needed to construct a bui4ding in a rura4 vi44age in India: This means #ou cannot +udge the standards o( 4iving in another nation as wrong or right: A personBs need and standard o( 4iving ma# var# (rom nation to nation: It is a matter o( heart motive: 8h# do #ou have what #ou have< 8h# are #ou see&ing to obtain what #ou thin& #ou need< Is it to (urther the e.tension o( the Gospe4 or to (u4(i44 #our own se4(ish desires< PROSPERIT$ IS NOT A SIN It is not a sin to be rich: Prosperit# is not a dirt# word: Prosperit# means >to succeed or e.perience success>: The Apost4e 7ohn dec4ared; "%eloved, - wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" () >ohn 2#$ There are man# scriptura4 e.amp4es o( GodBs peop4e who were wea4th#: Chec& out the (o44owing re(erences5 ?Abraham Genesis 1,52 ?Isaac Genesis 2351, ?7acob Genesis ,952, ?7oseph Genesis ,)52H 21529?22 ?*oses and Israe4 Genesis 125,5?,3 ?!avid 1 Chronic4es 2)526 ?'o4omon 2 Chronic4es 1512H 1 @ings 1952, ?7ehoshaphat 2 Chronic4es 1-55 ?1eCe&iah5 2 Chronic4es ,252?7ob 7ob 15, ?!anie4 !anie4 2526H 3526 ?7oseph o( Arimathea *atthew 2-55?Corne4ius Acts 1951?2 ?/#dia Acts 13512 22

?%e4ievers in the ear4# church Acts 25,2?,5 8ea4th itse4( is not wrong: It is the 4ove o( mone# that is wrong and what #ou do with the wea4th #ou are given that is important: ou mone# represents #our time; ta4ents; abi4ities; and hard wor&: It is not evi4 in itse4(; and it can either be a b4essing or curse in #our 4i(e: I( #ou use it wise4# and are 4ibera4 in giving to God and the need#; then #ou wi44 be b4essed: I( #ou 4ove #our mone# so much that #ou hoard it (or se4(ish reasons and re(use to give to God and others; then it becomes a curse: In recent #ears; there has been much teaching about (inances that was se4(?centered and resu4ted in man# be4ievers being more concerned about getting their own se4(ish desires met than about doing the wor& o( God: *an# spend more time wor&ing to bui4d their ban& accounts; en+o#ing the p4easures o( this wor4d; and ac=uiring materia4 possessions than the# do in e.tending the @ingdom o( God: Instead o( setting their a((ections on things above FCo4ossians ,52G and 4a#ing up treasures in heaven F*atthew 3529G; man# be4ievers are bus# accumu4ating the wea4th o( this wor4d (or their own se4(ish purposes: The# are not satis(ied with having their needs met nor are the# content with what the# have; but the# are constant4# see&ing additiona4 wea4th and materia4 possessions: 7esus warned 1is discip4es5 $$$ Guard yourselves and &eep free from all +ovetousness ? the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more; for a man;s life does not +onsist and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundan+e, or that whi+h is over and above his needs$ (*u&e 2! ., T3%# *an# be4ievers have put con(idence in their ban& accounts; pa#chec&s; and (inancia4 investments instead o( depending upon God: As we previous4# 4earned in the 4etter to the church o( /aodicea; 7esus warned those trusting in wor4d4# riches5 $$$ be+ause you are lu&ewarm, and neither +old nor hot, - will spew you out of 'y mouth< For you say, - am ri+h, - have prospered and grown wealthy, and - am in need of nothing; and do not reali@e and understand that you are wret+hed, pitiable, poor, blind and na&ed$ (6evelation )! (0 "; T3%# %ecause o( so much errant teaching concerning (inances; man# be4ievers have 4ost sight o( GodBs purpose (or prospering 1is peop4e: God does not prosper us so that we can consume it upon the 4usts o( our (4esh and heap up treasures here on earth: No wa#A %e4ievers who are doing this wi44 someda# have to give account be(ore GodA God is a God o( purpose and 1e has a speci(ic purpose in pouring out (inancia4 b4essings upon us: That divine purpose is the e.tension o( 1is @ingdomA GOD BLESSED ISRAEL AB!NDANTL$ 8hen God entered into a covenant with Israe4 to prosper them above the nations o( the 25

earth; 1e had a divine purpose: 1e wanted the wor4d to see 1is supernatura4 b4essing upon 1is peop4e and recogniCe that their God was the one true and 4iving God: God promised to b4ess Israe4 "$$$high above all nations of the earth" (Deuteronomy 2/! #$ 1e to4d them; "3nd the *ord shall ma&e thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath $$$ " (Deuteronomy 2/! )#$ God promised to abundant4# prosper the wor& o( their hands5 The *ord will grant you abundant prosperity0in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livesto+& and the +rops of your ground0in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you$ The *ord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the wor& of your hands$ ?ou will lend to many nations but will borrow from none$ (Deuteronomy 2/! 0 2; C-E# 3nd the *ord your God will ma&e you abundantly prosperous in every wor& of your hand, in the fruit of your body, of your +attle, of your land, for good; for the *ord will again delight in prospering you, as 9e too& delight in your fathers$$$(Deuteronomy )8!D, T3%# As 4ong as the chi4dren o( Israe4 wa4&ed in obedience to GodBs 8ord; God poured out supernatura4 abundance upon them: 1e prospered their e((orts unti4 the# were the wea4thiest peop4e upon the (ace o( the earth: Toda#; born?again be4ievers are heirs o( the promises given b# God to Israe4 because5 $$$ he is not a >ew, whi+h is one outwardly; neither is that +ir+um+ision, whi+h is outward in the flesh! %ut he is a >ew, whi+h is one inwardly; and +ir+um+ision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God$ (6omans 2!2/0 2D# As #ou 4earned in chapter two; #ou are an heir o( a44 the wonder(u4 promises made to Abraham5 "3nd if ye be 5hrist;s, then are ye 3braham;s seed, and heirs a++ording to the promise" (Galatians )!2D#$ As an heir o( Abraham; #ou have entered into an ever4asting covenant with God that was sea4ed and made e((ective through the b4ood o( 7esus: As the seed o( Abraham; #ou have not on4# inherited the same promises which be4onged to Israe4; but #ou have a covenant with God that has been estab4ished on even better promises5

%ut the ministry >esus has re+eived is as superior to theirs as the +ovenant of whi+h he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises$ (9ebrews 653; C-E# God has estab4ished us as 1is peop4e upon the earth: 8e are 1is sons and daughters and we are ca44ed b# 1is Name: 8e have not mere4# inherited the wea4th o( an earth4# &ingdom; but 23

we are +oint?heirs in the @ingdom o( God: THE TR!E P!RPOSE FOR PROSPERIT$ God is going to have an end?time peop4e; raised up (or a divine purpose; through whom 1e mani(ests 1is supernatura4 power: These peop4e wi44 present their 4ives as 4iving sacri(ices to reach the wor4d with the Gospe4 o( 7esus Christ: The# wi44 give (ree4# o( their ta4ents; time; spiritua4 gi(ts; and (inances to accomp4ish 1is divine purposes: The# wi44 be proo(?producers?? men and women who not on4# wi44 articu4ate the power o( God; but who a4so wi44 a44ow that power to be demonstrated through them b# sa4vation; mirac4es; hea4ing; and de4iverance: It is upon these peop4e that God wi44 re4ease a specia4 (inancia4 anointing; set them (ree (rom indebtedness; and 4aunch them into a divine c#c4e o( supernatura4 provision: God wi44 do this (or a divine purpose5 The e.tension o( 1is @ingdom: 7esus said::: $$$Therefore - say unto you, Ta&e no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on$ The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment$ 5onsider the ravens! for they neither sow nor reap; whi+h neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them! how mu+h more are ye better than the fowls4 3nd whi+h of you with ta&ing thought +an add to his stature one +ubit4 -f ye then be not able to do that thing whi+h is least, why ta&e ye thought for the rest4 5onsider the lilies how they grow! they toil not, they spin not; and yet - say unto you, that ,olomon in all his glory was not arrayed li&e one of these$ -f then God so +lothe the grass, whi+h is to day in the field, and to morrow is +ast into the oven; how mu+h more will he +lothe you, 7 ye of little faith4 3nd see& not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drin&, neither be ye of doubtful mind$ For all these things do the nations of the world see& after! and your Father &noweth that ye have need of these things: %ut rather see& ye the &ingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you$ (*u&e 2!220 ) # God is raising up a peop4e whose (ocus wi44 be on the @ingdom: The# wi44 not worr# about what the# eat or drin&; their c4othing; or where the# 4ive: The# wi44 see& (irst the @ingdom o( God; and a44 other things the# need wi44 be given to them: 8here has #our (ocus been< 1as it been on ma&ing mone#; getting ahead materia44#; and (retting about #our debts; or has #our (ocus been on the @ingdom o( God< As a be4iever; #ou are ca44ed to divine purpose: 8hen #ou change #our (ocus (rom #our persona4 (inances to the purpose o( e.tending the @ingdom; #ou wi44 be amaCed at the divine provision that (o44ows: 7esus e.p4ained the (ocus o( 1is ministr# dec4aring5 The ,pirit of the *ord is upon me , be+ause he hath anointed me to prea+h the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the bro&enhearted, to prea+h deliveran+e to the +aptives, and re+overing of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To prea+h the a++eptable year of the *ord$ (*u&e =! /0 D# 1is purpose was c4ear5 "$$$ For this purpose the ,on of God was manifested, that he 2-

might destroy the wor&s of the devil" ( >ohn )!/#$ 1ow does #our purpose compare< 8hen #ou bring #our purpose into harmon# with that o( our /ord and see& (irst GodBs @ingdom; divine provision wi44 (o44ow: I( #ou as& (or (inances and donBt receive; perhaps #ou shou4d e.amine #our motives (or as&ing5 ?e lust, and have not! ye &ill, and desire to have, and +annot obtain! ye fight and war, yet ye have not , be+ause ye as& not$ ?e as&, and re+eive not, be+ause ye as& amiss, that ye may +onsume it upon your lusts$ (>ames =!20)# IT IS TI"E FOR "ORE In this (ina4 end?time hour o( spiritua4 harvest; God wants to prosper us so that we wi44 be ab4e to accomp4ish the wor& 1e has given us o( evange4iCing the nations o( the earth: 8e are ca44ed to reap the spiritua4 harvest (ie4ds o( the nations; and we need resources to do this: I( God prospered Israe4 under the O4d Covenant which was based upon the b4ood o( bu44s and goats: how much more wi44 God prosper us under the New Covenant which is sea4ed b# the b4ood o( 7esus< The Israe4ites did not have direct access to God: It was necessar# (or them to approach 1im through their sacri(ices and o((erings which were o((ered b# the priests: Now; in our new covenant re4ationship; God is our $ather and as 1is chi4dren we have direct access to 1im: 8hatever we need to accomp4ish the tas& 1e has given us; 1e wi44 provide it: 7esus said5 "1hatsoever ye shall as& the Father in my name, he will give it you $$$ as&, and ye shall re+eive, that your 2oy may be full" (>ohn (!2)02=#$ 7esus a4so dec4ared5 "1hi+h of you, if his son as&s for bread, will give him a stone4 7r if he as&s for a fish, will give him a sna&e4 -f you, then, though you are evil, &now how to give good gifts to your +hildren, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who as& him<" ('atthew "!D0 , C-E#$

!id #ou note those words >how much more>< App4# this to #ou (inancia4 situation5 ?1ow much more wi44 #our 1eaven4# $ather supp4# #our (inancia4 needsA ?1ow much more wi44 #our 1eaven4# $ather prosper #ouA ?1ow much more wi44 #our 1eaven4# $ather use #ou to e.tend the @ingdomA God wants to bring #ou out o( (inancia4 bondage into a new position o( strength in #our (inances where #ou are 4oo&ing to 1im as #our source and depending upon 1is divine provision to accomp4ish supernatura4 purposes: 26

%e(ore we can (u4(i44 GodBs purposes in this end?time spiritua4 harvest; we must have a brea&through where we are no 4onger depending upon our own 4imited abi4ities; but we are 4oo&ing to God (or 1is supernatura4 provision: 8e must stop (ocusing on our resources and our materia4istic desires and p4ace our (ocus on 1is @ingdom: 8hen 7esus (irst commissioned 1is discip4es and sent them out on an evange4istic campaign to preach the @ingdom o( God and hea4 the sic&; 1e sent them without mone# or (ood1 1e to4d them; "Ta&e nothing for the 2ourney0no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no eBtra tuni+" (*u&e D!), C-E#$ 8h# did 7esus send 1is discip4es out with nothing< 1e did this so the# wou4d 4earn to depend upon GodBs supernatura4 provision: 1e did not want them to trust in their own 4imited resources; but to draw (rom GodBs un4imited reservoir: As the# went (rom cit# to cit#; God supernatura44# provided their needs: There was divine su((icienc# and the# did not 4ac& an#thing: /ater; 7esus as&ed them; "1hen - sent you out with no purse or (provision# bag or sandals, did you la+& anything4" They answered, "Cothing<" (*u&e 22!)., T3%#$ 7esus sent the discip4es out with nothing; but the# 4ac&ed nothingA That is tru4# divine provisionA GOD PRO"ISES DIVINE PROVISION "egard4ess o( the (inancia4 prob4ems #ou are (acing; God promises divine provision wherein #ou wi44 4ac& nothing: Pau4 to4d the Corinthians5 3nd God is able to ma&e all gra+e abound toward you; that ye, always having all suffi+ien+y in all things, may abound to every good wor&! (2 5orinthians D!/# Note the word >su((icienc#> in this verse: God has promised that #ou wi44 have a44 su((icienc# in a44 things so that #ou can do ever# good wor& that #ou need to doA 1ere is the &e# to this >su((icienc#>5

Cow he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and in+rease the fruits of your righteousness; %eing enri+hed in every thing to all bountifulness, whi+h +auseth through us than&sgiving to God$ (2 5orinthians D! 80 # Note the words >mu4tip4#> and >increase> in these verses: God has promised to mu4tip4# what #ou sow into the @ingdom o( God so that not on4# wi44 #our needs be met; but #ou wi44 be ab4e to sow additiona4 resources into the @ingdom o( God: As #ou stud# the bib4ica4 guide4ines in the remainder o( this boo&; remember that God 2)

wants to prosper #ou (or a speci(ic; divine purpose: It is on4# when #ou understand and embrace this purpose as #our own persona4 destin# that the reve4ation we are stud#ing wi44 be mani(ested in #our 4i(e: Now it is time to e4iminate a ma+or hindrance that can b4oc& divine provision??the spirit o( (ear: That is the ne.t step on our spiritua4 +ourne# to divine provision:

CHAPTER FO!R
BREA2ING THE SPIRIT OF FEAR
$ear was the (irst negative emotion e.perienced b# Adam and Eve as a resu4t o( their sin; the detai4s o( which are recorded in Genesis chapter three: A(ter the coup4e sinned; their spiritua4 e#es were opened to their true condition and the# were (ear(u45 ,9

3nd the *ord God +alled unto 3dam, and said unto him, 1here art thou4 3nd he said, heard thy voi+e in the garden, and I was afraid, be+ause - was na&ed; and - hid myself$ (Genesis )!D0 8# $ear resu4ted in shame and shame 4ed to hiding (rom the presence o( God: In the rea4m o( (inances; which is the sub+ect o( our stud#; (ear wi44 &eep #ou hiding and ashamed; trapped in a c#c4e o( (inancia4 (amine: One o( the (irst things that attac&s #our mind when #ou (ace (inancia4 (amine is the spirit o( (ear: 8hen une.pected emergencies ariseBcar repairs; medica4 bi44s; or a de4in=uent mortgageB(ear immediate4# ta&es ho4d in #our mind: ou worr# that #ou wi44 4ose #our home: ou (ret over #our bi44s: ou (ear that #ou wi44 never get out (rom under the debt #ou have incurred and the (inancia4 (amine that is 4itera44# engu4(ing #ou: $ear must be bro&en over #our 4i(e: $ear causes #ou to hoard #our (inancia4 resources; prevents #ou (rom obe#ing GodDs 8ord; and causes #ou to withho4d (rom giving to God: The nation o( Israe4 was &ept out o( their promised 4and because o( unbe4ie( generated b# (ear F1ebrews ,51)G: The# saw themse4ves as grasshoppers in the (ace o( the giants who 4ived there FNumbers 115,,G: Instead o( be4ieving GodBs promises o( victor#; the# re(used to enter the 4and and spent 29 #ears wandering in the wi4derness: $ear causes unbe4ie( which wi44 &eep #ou wandering in a (inancia4 wi4derness and prevent #ou (rom entering into the promises o( God: No matter how big the >giant> o( #our (inancia4 crisis is; God is greaterA !etermine in #our heart right now to embrace GodBs promises and (orge ahead to c4aim #our inheritanceA DIVINE PROVISION IN A TI"E OF FA"INE In 1 @ings 1-; there is a tremendous e.amp4e o( divine provision during an economic (amine: At the time o( this account; there was a great drought throughout the 4and that had been sent b# God because o( the peop4eBs sins: The heavens were shut up and there was no rain; (u4(i444ing the 8ord o( the /ord spo&en b# the prophet E4i+ah who prophesied the drought: The 4and was barren and parched and the crops withered in the (ie4ds: A(ter E4i+ahBs prophetic dec4aration; God directed 1is servant to go to a broo& ca44ed Cherith where he wou4d receive supernatura4 provision: If Elijah had allowed himself to fear, he might have questioned, "How am I going to get food out here by a little broo ! I did what "od told me to do and now I am being dire#ted to a remote lo#ation where there will be no food$ I will be there all by myself and I am surely going to die$" Is that what Elijah said! %o& 'irst (ings )*+, tells us that Elijah $$$"went and did a++ording unto the word of the *ord$" "od may be telling you to ta e #ertain ste-s of faith during your own finan#ial famine$ .aybe you haven/t e0-anded your business be#ause you have been -aying too mu#h attention to the finan#ial horror stories in the news$ 1erha-s you have been afraid to tithe in obedien#e to "od/s 2ord be#ause you fear it will #ause -ersonal la# $ In times of e#onomi# famine, ,1

you must listen only to "od and a#t u-on the dire#tion He gives you$ 3ou must #onquer the s-irit of fear that is tormenting you and reali4e that "od is your finan#ial -artner$ He has de#lared; >9onour the *ord with thy substan+e, and with the firstfruits of all thine in+rease! ,o shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine" (Proverbs )!D#$ 5he word -lenty in this verse means 6fullness,7 and 6abundan#e$7 5he e0-ression, "so shall thy barns be filled with plenty", de-i#ts the greatest -ossible abundan#e$ 2hen you honor the 8ord by obeying His 2ord, "od has -romised to su--ly your needs and bless you with the greatest -ossible abundan#e$ 8oo at what ha--ened to Elijah+ So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before ordan! And the ra"ens brought hi# bread and flesh in the #orning, and bread and flesh in the e"ening$ and he drank of the brook! %& 'ings &(:)*+,! In %ib4e times; ravens were regarded as omens o( mis(ortune; death; or traged# and were unc4ean because o( their scavenger habits: God chose unc4ean birds to (eed 1is prophetA God wi44 provide (or #ou; but it ma# not be according to #our preconceived ideas: 'ometimes God provides through natura4 means; sometimes through the supernatura4; but #ou can be assured that A$$$ God shall supply all your need a++ording to his ri+hes in glory by 5hrist >esus(Philippians =! D#$ E4i+ah had been in sec4usion (or some time b# %roo& Cherith when the 8ord o( the /ord came to him sa#ing; A3rise, get thee to Farephath, whi+h belongeth to Fidon, and dwell there! behold, - have +ommanded a widow woman there to sustain thee- ( Gings "!D#$ Now E4i+ah had a4read# 4earned one o( the &e# princip4es o( (inancia4 provision5 To be in God=s p4ace at God=s time: 'o at the 8ord o( the /ord; E4i+ah departed (rom Cherith and went to Jarephath5 ,o he arose and went to Farephath$ 3nd when he +ame to the gate of the +ity, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sti+&s! and he +alled to her, and said, Fet+h me, pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that - may drin&$ 3nd as she was going to fet+h it, he +alled to her, and said, %ring me, - pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand$ 3nd she said, 3s the *ord thy God liveth, - have not a +a&e, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a +ruse! and, behold, - am gathering two sti+&s, that - may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die$ 3nd Ali2ah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said! but ma&e me thereof a little +a&e first, and bring it unto me, and after ma&e for thee and for thy son$ For thus saith the *ord God of -srael, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the +ruse of oil fail, until the day that the *ord sendeth rain upon the earth$ 3nd she went and did a++ording to the saying of Ali2ah! and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days$ 3nd the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the +ruse of oil fail, a++ording to the word of the *ord, whi+h he spa&e by Ali2ah$ ( Gings "!D0 (# ,2

HEAR THE #ORD OF THE LORD 8hen #ou (ace a (inancia4 crises; it is crucia4 (or #ou to be ab4e to hear the 8ord o( the /ord concerning #our circumstances and to act in obedience upon what 1e directs #ou to do: 8hen God directed E4i+ah to go to Cherith; he did: 8hen God to4d E4i+ah to 4eave Cherith and go to Jarepath; he immediate4# started on his wa#: ou must be ab4e to discern GodBs direction during times o( (inancia4 (amine; and when #ou hear 1is voice #ou must respond in obedience: At Jarepath; God was not on4# going to b4ess 1is prophet (or the duration o( the (amine; but 1e wou4d a4so b4ess a 4itt4e widow woman who wou4d con=uer her spirit o( (ear and provide (or him: To demonstrate 1is divine provision; God did not choose a rich widow with a 4arge storehouse (i44ed with amp4e supp4ies: 1e chose a poor widow woman; a Genti4e 4iving in a countr# where the peop4e served %aa4; a person who did not even &now the God o( Israe4: The widow and her son were at a point o( starvation: 'he was at the end o( her own natura4 resources; at the point o( her greatest need: 'he was (ear(u4; had 4ost hope; and was preparing to die: The good news is that this is e.act4# when God steps in??when #ou get to the end o( #our own natura4 resources: The Apost4e Pau4 con(irmed this princip4e when he wrote these words5 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble whi+h +ame to us in 3sia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomu+h that we despaired even of life! %ut we had the senten+e of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God whi+h raiseth the dead! 1ho delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver! in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us$ (2 5orinthians 2!/0 8# It is when it seems a44 hope is gone that the resurrecting power o( God spea&s 4i(e into #our negative circumstances: /i&e the 4itt4e widow 4ad#; #ou ma# (ee4 there is no hope in #our (inancia4 situation: The (amine ma# have been so 4ong and so dr# that #ou are read# to give up: %ut when #ou have the sentence o( death in the natura4; then the resurrecting power o( God steps in to do a mirac4eA !onBt trust in #ourse4(; #our p4ans; and ideasA Trust in the resurrecting power o( God to spea& 4i(e into #our (inancia4 (amineA

E4i+ah as&ed the widow woman to bring him some water and ma&e him a ca&e to eat: 'he responded that a44 she had was a hand(u4 o( (4our and a 4itt4e oi4; that she was (i.ing it as a (ina4 mea4 (or herse4( and her (ami4#; and then the# wou4d prepare to die: This woman=s natura4 resources were tota44# e.hausted and she was (ear(u4 and hope4ess: 'he was actua44# ma&ing p4ans to starve to deathA Ta4& about a (inancia4 (amineA This ma# be where #ou are toda#: our Ahand(u4 o( (4our and oi4@ ma# represent #our meager pa#chec& or ban& account: As 4ong as #ou &eep #our e#es on #our own resources; #ou wi44 remain hope4ess: The more #ou 4oo& at #our (inancia4 prob4ems; the more (ear(u4 #ou wi44 become and the more impossib4e #our situation wi44 seem: I( #ou continue to 4oo& to #our own resources; #ou wi44 die spiritua44# and (inancia44#: ,,

FEAR NOT The prophet=s (irst words to this widow woman were; A$ear notA@ Then he directed her to use the sma44 provisions she had to ma&e a mea4 (or him (irst and then ma&e something (or herse4( and her son: 5his little widow was -robably thin ing to herself, "Elijah, is there something wrong with your hearing! I just finished telling you that I only have enough meal to ba e one #a e$ If I ba e that #a e and give it to you, then where am I going to get the su--lies to ba e another #a e for my son and myself!" If you are going to live in the #y#le of "od9s divine -rovision, then you must be able to see beyond the natural$ 3ou must not be limited by seeing only with your -hysi#al eyes$ 3ou will need to envision more that what #an be seen in the natural world$ 3ou must learn to see by eyes of faith into the s-iritual world and believe for the su-ernatural$ Then E4i+ah gave the widow woman God=s promise5 For thus saith the *ord God of -srael, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the +ruse of oil fail, until the day that the *ord sendeth rain upon the earth$ ( Gings "! =# This woman received the 8ord o( the /ord; be4ieved it; and acted upon it: 'he put obedience to GodBs commands ahead o( her own needs: 'he ba&ed a ca&e (or E4i+ah (irst and then she discovered she had enough oi4 and (4our to meet her own needs: 7ust as God promised; the +ar o( (4our and the +ug o( oi4 did not run empt#: Each da# o( the pro4onged (amine; as the widow reached down into the +ar; the (4our was su((icient: As she poured (rom the vesse4 o( oi4; there was p4ent#: 8hat this widow e.perienced was the divine provision o( God; a supernatura4 c#c4e o( continua4 supp4#: God did not (i44 her cupboards with tons o( (ood; a4though 1e certain4# cou4d have done so: As she 4oo&ed to God as her source o( supernatura4 supp4# each da#; 1e provided (or her and her (ami4#5 >And she went and did according to the saying of .li/ah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat #any days0 %1 'ings &(:&2*&),! "od used this mira#le to -rovide for Elijah, the widow, her son, and the woman9s entire household$ 5he barrel of flour was never em-ty and the #ruise of oil never failed$ 5hey e-t refilling su-ernaturally and the family had their needs met throughout the entire famine$ "od may not send tons of money to fi0 your finan#ial -roblems, but if you will -ut Him first and release what you have in your hand, day:by:day your needs will be met::even in times of e#onomi# famine$ ,2

WILL YOU DO YOUR PART? In this story, the 1ro-het Elijah obeyed "od and did his -art$ At the 2ord of the 8ord, he went to Broo ;herith and then relo#ated to <are-ath at "od/s #ommand$ 5he widow woman did her -art and obeyed at the 2ord of the 8ord s-o en through the -ro-het$ %ow the question is, what are you going to do! Are you going to su##umb to fear and horde your meager resour#es, or are you going to obey "od and #ontinue to give =or begin to give> your tithes and offerings! Are you going to -osition yourself where "od sends you so you #an be in the -la#e of His divine -rovision! Instead o( #ie4ding to (ear as #ou 4oo& at #our (inancia4 (amine; c4aim this power(u4 promise5 >-n famine 9e will redeem you from death $$$ neither shall you be afraid of destru+tion when it +omes$ 3t destru+tion and famine you shall laugh $$$"(>ob .!28022, 3'P# Instead of fearing, you are su--osed to be laughing in the fa#e of your la# & Have you ever laughed in the fa#e of your la# ! A ma+or tactic o( 'atan is to &eep be4ievers bound b# (inancia4 4ac&: 1e wants to &eep them caught in a vicious c#c4e o( debt; strugg4ing to pa# their bi44s and straining to provide the basic necessities (or their (ami4ies: 1e wants to &eep them so bound b# (ear that the# are no 4onger 4oo&ing to God e.pecting 1im to meet their needs: 5he Bible de#lares that 0!!!3or 4od hath not gi"en us the s5irit of fear$ but of 5ower, and of lo"e, and of a sound #ind0 %6 7i#othy &:(,! If "od did not give you a s-irit of fear, then where do you thin it #ame from! The enem# causes be4ievers to get their e#es so (ocused on their circumstancesItheir unpaid bi44s; 4oss o( income; and insu((icient (undsIthat the# begin to doubt GodDs 8ord and 1is promises: 'atan wi44 tr# to get #ou to &eep #our e#es on #our circumstances and use them to attac& the 8ord o( God: 1e wi44 put thoughts in #our mind 4i&e >God promised that i( #ou gave to 1im #ou wou4d receive bac&; provision pressed down and running over: %ut 4oo& at #our circumstances: /oo& at the bi44s pi4ing up: ou have given sacri(icia44# time a(ter time; but nothing has changed: God isnDt going to &eep 1is promises to #ou: ou might as we44 stop giving #our tithes and o((erings and use that mone# (or things #ou need:K One o( 'atanDs main strategies is to ma&e #ou (ear that i( #ou give to God in obedience to 1is commands; then #ou wi44 not have su((icient (unds 4e(t to meet #our (inancia4 ob4igations: 'atan is a 4iarA GodDs 8ord is (orever trueA God has promised to give bac& to #ou not +ust what #ou give; but a b4essing that is mu4tip4ied repeated4# unti4 it is running over: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and sha&en together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom$ For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again$ (*u&e (!)/# ,5

ou canBt a((ord not to give because it is giving that sets in motion divine provisionA 2hat if the widow woman had e-t her meager su--ly of oil and flour! 2hat if she had been so stressed that she #ould not hear and obey "od/s 2ord! It is not wrong to e0-e#t to re#eive when you give, be#ause this is "od/s -romise& God=s 8ord to #ou in the midst o( #our (inancia4 (amine is A$ear not:@ In the name o( 7esus; brea& the strongho4d o( (ear (rom #our 4i(e: As& God speci(ica44# what to do; then act?? be4ieving 1e wi44 (u4(i44 1is 8ord: The same supernatura4 God who mu4tip4ied the (4our and oi4 (or the widow wi44 supp4# what #ou need: 1e wi44 mu4tip4# the (inances #ou sow in obedience to 1is 8ord: ou wi44 have divine provision and continua4 supp4# as #ou draw dai4# (rom 1is un4imited resources: PRINCIPLES FOR TI"ES OF FINANCIAL FA"INE "ecession; in(4ation; and economic hard times have been with man&ind since the beginning o( time: The# are not new situations demanding new so4utions: %ib4ica4 answers to victorious4# con=uer dire economic conditions appear ear4# in boo& o( Genesis5 And there was a fa#ine in the land, beside the first fa#ine that was in the days of Abraha#!!! (Genesis 2(! #$ !uring this di((icu4t time; God gave AbrahamDs son; Isaac; speci(ic instructions to (o44ow in order to prosper: These are princip4es which we can (o44ow in our own times o( (inancia4 (amine: ?Remain 3ait435l to 6i6lical 7rinci7les. *an# be4ievers become inconsistent in times o( economic pressure; growing 4a. about their persona4 devotions; their giving; and church attendance because the# are so stressed: !eviating (rom these basic princip4es on4# creates more prob4ems: The /ord to4d Isaac that 1e wou4d b4ess him because his (ather; Abraham; >:::obeyed #y "oice, and ke5t #y charge, #y co##and#ents, #y statutes, and #y laws0 (Genesis 2(!.#$ God b4essed Abraham because he wa4&ed (aith(u44# in GodDs wa#s regard4ess o( the circumstances o( 4i(e: Abraham 4oo&ed to God as his 'ource and God directed Isaac to (o44ow AbrahamDs e.amp4e so that he wou4d prosper; despite the (amine:

?Don8t 3ollow t4e worl98s 7attern. %ecause o( the (amine; ever#one was 4eaving (or Eg#pt; where the# heard things were better: %ut the /ord had a di((erent p4an (or Isaac: 1e to4d him5 ::: >4o not down into .gy5t$ dwell in the land which 1 shall tell thee of: So/ourn in this land, and 1 will be with thee, and 1 will bless thee !!! > (Genesis 2(!20)#$ *ost o( the time i( #ou 4oo& at what the wor4d is doing and then do the opposite; #ou wi44 be in harmon# with GodBs p4an because the princip4es o( the @ingdom o( God are usua44# opposite those o( the wor4d:

,3

?Remain in t4e center o3 Go98s will1 "emember that God can b4ess #ou in an# 4ocation; so remain where 1e has p4aced #ou un4ess 1e directs #ou to do otherwise: >%lessed shalt thou be in the +ity, and blessed shalt thou be in the field" (Deuteronomy 2/!)#: In economica44# hard times; do not ma&e an# move??geographica44# or (inancia44#??without GodDs speci(ic guidance; even though #ou might hear rumors o( prosperit# in other 4ocations: "emain in 1is wi44; and??4i&e E4i+ah??and move on4# at 1is command: ?Sow :enero5sl; 95rin: t4e 3amine. 0nder GodDs instruction; Isaac remained where God directed him and $$$ "sowed in that land, and re+eived in the same year an hundredfold! and the Lord blessed hi#" (Genesis 2(! 2#$ 'ow generous4# into GodBs wor& during times o( (inancia4 (amine and #ou wi44 reap an abundant harvest: God estab4ished these princip4es o( bib4ica4 economics in a time when dar& c4ouds o( adversit# and 4oomed on the horiCon: Isaac (o44owed these princip4es and was b4essed: 1e prospered; despite the (amine??and so can #ouA GOD AL#A$S PROVIDES FOR HIS PEOPLE ou not need not (ear 4ean (inancia4 times; because God has a4wa#s provided (or 1is peop4e during (amines: 1e provided (or Abraham; 7oseph and his (ami4#; "uth and Naomi; !avid; and others in the bib4ica4 record: The psa4mist dec4ared5 The *ord &noweth the days of the upright! and their inheritan+e shall be for ever$ They shall not be ashamed in the evil time! and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied$ (Psalm )"! /0 D# The Apost4e Pau4 echoed simi4ar thoughts under the inspiration o( the 1o4# 'pirit5 1ho shall separate us from the love of 5hrist4 shall tribulation, or distress, or perse+ution, or famine , or na&edness, or peril, or sword4 3s it is written, For thy sa&e we are &illed all the day long; we are a++ounted as sheep for the slaughter$ Cay, in all these things we are more than +on:uerors through him that loved us$ For - am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor prin+ipalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to +ome, Cor height, nor depth, nor any other +reature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, whi+h is in 5hrist >esus our *ord$ (6omans /!).0)D# CON<!ER FEAR RIGHT NO#= I( #ou have been (ear(u4 because o( #our (inancia4 circumstances; pra# this pra#er5 "- rebu&e the spirit of fear$ - &now that it does not +ome from God$ - will no longer fear regarding my finan+es or any other negative +ir+umstan+es in my life$ God will provide abundantly for me and will meet all of my needs as - am obedient to 9is 1ord$" ,-

If the s-irit of fear should try to return to torment you, ma e this de#laration as often as needed+ 04od has not gi"en #e the s5irit of fear, but 8e has gi"en #e a s5irit of lo"e, 5ower o"er all the 5ower of the ene#y, and a sound #ind to guide #y financial affairs!0 $ear is a ma+or obstac4e that wi44 hinder divine provision; but there is another perhaps 4esser &nown barrier that wi44 a4so b4oc& GodBs (inancia4 b4essing in #our 4i(e: !o #ou &now what it is< I( not; #ou wi44 (ind out in the ne.t chapter:

CHAPTER FIVE
RE"OVING A "A0OR BARRIER
This chapter shares a reve4ation that is a bit di((erent in re4ation to (inances; but it is one that is vita4 to the sub+ect o( divine provision: There is a ma+or barrier that wi44 prevent #ou (rom ,6

receiving GodDs b4essing; even i( #ou imp4ement other scriptura4 teachings on (inances: I( #ou do not remove this barrier; then the windows o( (inancia4 b4essing ma# remain c4osed despite #our best e((orts: O( a44 the barriers that prevent GodDs divine provision; this is perhaps the 4east we44? &nown: As we start this chapter; here are three =uestions to consider5 ?Are #ou read# to 4earn about this barrier< ?Are #ou wi44ing to do whatever necessar# to brea& through it< ?Are #ou wi44ing to do whatever necessar# to never again be hindered b# this barrier< I( #our answers are L#esK to a44 o( these =uestions; then #ou are read# to beginA Consider this scenario5 ou have (aith(u44# brought #our (inancia4 gi(ts to the a4tar in obedience to GodDs commands: ou have been regu4ar4# pa#ing #our tithes and giving o((erings: ou have he4ped the poor and given cheer(u44# and even sacri(icia44#; but #ou sti44 have not e.perienced (inancia4 b4essings and #ou wonder wh#: 'ometimes; it is simp4# a matter o( waiting (or #our harvest to come in: ou do not harvest in the same season #ou sow but #ou wi44 eventua44# reap i( #ou remain (aith(u45 >3nd let us not be weary in well doing! for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians (!D#$ ou wi44 4earn more about this when we stud# the princip4es o( (inancia4 harvest in a chapter twe4ve o( this stud#: %ut right now; we want to consider a ma+or barrier that can hinder the divine provision o( God (rom (4owing into #our 4i(e: ou must e4iminate it be(ore #ou continue on to 4earn additiona4 bib4ica4 princip4es (or (inancia4 b4essing: /etDs start with the reve4ation (rom the 8ord5 ?e have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not &ill; and whosoever shall &ill shall be in danger of the 2udgment! %ut - say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a +ause shall be in danger of the 2udgment! and whosoever shall say to his brother, 6a+a, shall be in danger of the +oun+il! but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire$ Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar , and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; *eave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way; first be re+on+iled to thy brother, and then +ome and offer thy gift$ F'atthew .!2 02=#

!id #ou see it< !id #ou recogniCe the barrier< GodDs 8ord dec4ares that i( #ou bring #our gi(t to the a4tar and there is an#thing wrong between #ou and another person; #ou are to (irst be reconci4ed to them and then o((er #our gi(t: I( #ou are o((ering #our gi(ts with an un(orgiving heart; the# wi44 not be accepted: 7esus emphasiCed the importance o( (orgiving in the pra#er that 1e taught 1is discip4es5 ,)

Give us day by day our daily bread$ 3nd forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us$ 3nd lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: (*u&e !)0=# 7esus 4in&ed human (orgiveness with divine (orgiveness: 1e said that (orgiving others was important evidence o( being (orgiven b# God: The (act that this was part o( the dai4# pra#er we are to pra# con(irms that we wi44 constant4# need to receive and e.tend (orgiveness: 0n(orgiveness hinders ever# area o( #our 4i(e5 'piritua44#; emotiona44#; ph#sica44#; andIas we have +ust 4earnedI(inancia44#: THE PRODIGAL SON One o( the most (amous stories 7esus to4d that i44ustrates (orgiveness is the parab4e that has come to been &nown as the stor# o( the Prodiga4 'on5 3nd he said, 3 +ertain man had two sons! 3nd the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me$ 3nd he divided unto them his living$ 3nd not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and too& his 2ourney into a far +ountry, and there wasted his substan+e with riotous living$ 3nd when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want$ 3nd he went and 2oined himself to a +iti@en of that +ountry; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine$ 3nd he would fain have filled his belly with the hus&s that the swine did eat! and no man gave unto him$ 3nd when he +ame to himself, he said, 9ow many hired servants of my father;s have bread enough and to spare, and - perish with hunger< - will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, - have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 3nd am no more worthy to be +alled thy son! ma&e me as one of thy hired servants$ 3nd he arose, and +ame to his father$ %ut when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had +ompassion, and ran, and fell on his ne+&, and &issed him$ 3nd the son said unto him, Father, - have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be +alled thy son$ %ut the father said to his servants, %ring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet! 3nd bring hither the fatted +alf, and &ill it; and let us eat, and be merry! For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found$ 3nd they began to be merry$ (*u&e .! 02=#

This #oung man??who has come to be ca44ed the >prodiga4 son>??as&ed his (ather (or his inheritance and then went to a (ar countr# where he wasted the mone# on riotous; sin(u4 4iving: Eventua44#; the #oung man was reduced to wor&ing on a pig (arm; something that was abhorrent to 7ews: 1e was so hungr# that even the (ood he was (eeding to the pigs 4oo&ed goodA $ina44#; the #oung man rea4iCed that his (atherBs servants were treated better than he was; so he trudged bac& home to as& i( his (ather wou4d a44ow him to become one o( his servants: As 29

the #oung man neared his home; the (ather ran to meet him; embraced him; and began a 4avish ce4ebration o( his return: The word >(orgive> does not appear in the account; but that is what the stor# is about?? (orgiveness: The son &new that he had sinned against heaven and his (ather; and he con(essed this to his dad: The son as&ed his (ather (or merc# and received (ar be#ond what he e.pected or deserved: 1is (ather did not 4a# down a 4ist o( conditions (or his sonBs reinstatement: 1e we4comed him and accepted his repentance: 1is (ather brought the best robe and sanda4s (or him; gave him his signet ring; and threw a great part# (or him and his (riends: This parab4e apt4# i44ustrates the (orgiving nature o( God and o((ers a great mode4 a(ter which to pattern our own (orgiveness: The son &new he was a sinner: 8hen he turned (rom his sin and as&ed his (ather (or merc#; 1is (ather (orgave him and we4comed him bac& into the (atherMson re4ationship: This is the e.amp4e we are to (o44ow in (orgiving those who have wronged us: !NLI"ITED FORGIVENESS 'in brings hurt and division: It causes heartache and miser#: 'in is what we thin&; sa#; and do that vio4ates GodDs 4aw: It is behind a44 crime; povert#; war; and in+ustice: 'in inc4udes both sins o( omission and commission??the (irst being not doing what we &now we shou4d do and the 4atter being doing what is wrong: As a resu4t o( sin; we not on4# hurt ourse4ves but others are damaged b# our words and actions: $ami4ies are sp4it: Peop4e are separated (rom each other and (rom God: Our p4anet is spoi4ed; nations are at war; and societ# su((ers (rom crime: 8e 4ive in a sin(u4 environment; a wor4d that re=uires (orgiveness (rom God and one that re=uires that we continua44# (orgive others: The centra4 message o( the Gospe4 is that transgressions can on4# be dea4t with through the (orgiveness e.tended to us b# God and that once 1e (orgives us; then the process is set in motion (or us to (orgive others: Tragica44#; mi44ions o( peop4e have never e.perienced GodBs unmerited (orgiveness: Our churches are (i44ed with peop4e who thin& that the# must do something to earn 1is (orgiveness: The on4# wa# #ou can brea& through the barrier o( un(orgiveness is accept GodDs gi(t o( (orgiveness made possib4e through the death o( 7esus Christ on the cross: Then #ou wi44 be ab4e to e.tend (orgiveness to others and #our o((erings wi44 be acceptab4e to God: Peter once as&ed 7esus how o(ten he shou4d (orgive a person who repeated4# wronged him: 7esus rep4ied; >sevent# times seven>??basica44# indicating there shou4d be no 4imit on (orgiveness: The point is p4ain5 GodBs (orgiveness has no 4imit and neither shou4d ours: 8e o(ten (ind it incredib4# hard to sa# we are sorr# or to (orgive a person who has hurt us or someone we 4ove: An#one can spea& the words >I (orgive #ou;> but the# are o(ten muttered through c4enched teeth and with 4oo&s and actions that conve# a di((erent message: $orgiveness 21

is not a word which is mere4# announced: It is a gi(t which is given and then must be 4ived out in ever#da# 4i(e: FORGIVING DEBT $orgiveness ma# inc4ude (orgiving a (inancia4 debt that a person owes #ou: The /ordBs Pra#er ma&es it c4ear5 "3nd forgive us our debts, as we forgiven our debtors" ('atthew (! 2#$ The version /u&e gives o( the same sentence is5 >3nd forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us" (*u&e !=#$ 0npaid debt; 4i&e other sin(u4 o((enses; must be (orgiven: 'evera4 o( 7esusB parab4es about (orgiveness concern the importance o( (orgiving debts: I( mone# has a grip on #our 4i(e; then cance4ing a debt is incredib4# hard: I( #ou are (ree (rom the 4ove o( mone# and a dead4# addiction to it; then (orgiving someone o( a debt is eas#: This can be seen in 7esusB parab4e about the un(orgiving debtor recorded in *atthew 1652,?,5: In this stor#; a man was unab4e to repa# his master a huge sum o( mone# that he had borrowed: The man begged his master (or merc# and the master cance4ed his debt and a44owed him to go (ree: Then this same man who was (orgiven o( the 4arge debt insisted that a (riend who owed him a sma44 sum o( mone# repa# it: The (riend begged (or merc#; but the man put him into debtorBs prison which was a custom o( the time: 8hen the master heard about what his servant had done; he was ver# angr# with him because he had (orgiven him o( a 4arge debt but the servant had not e.tended the same merc# to his (riend: !NDERSTANDING FORGIVENESS $orgiveness is not +ust a re4uctant handsha&e; a (orced smi4e; and mumb4ed words: It is a true change in (ee4ings and attitudes that comes (rom deep inside #our sou4 and spirit: The (au4t is swept awa# and its negative in(4uence on #our emotions; thoughts; and actions cease: ou can on4# do this when #ou have been (orgiven #ourse4( and #ou understand the true concept o( (orgiveness: I( we sa# that we wi44 (orgive but warn that we wi44 never (orget; we betra# the (act that our (orgiveness is wrapped in carna4 reservations: 8hi4e it is true that we wi44 probab4# a4wa#s remember the incident; what changes with true (orgiveness is the wa# we (ee4 about it: It no 4onger matters as it once did: %e(ore (orgiveness was e.tended; the (au4t erected a barrier o( resentment; anger; and mistrust: A(ter (orgiveness has been e.tended and received; there is peace: Even though #ou remember the event; the emotiona4 reaction to it is no more: $orgiveness is much more than re(using to ta&e revenge against someone who has hurt us: O(ten; we ma# have enough se4(?contro4 not to reta4iate; but inside we are (urious: Once wronged; we are determined to punish the o((ender: 8hen we happen to meet up with a person who has wronged us; we show them b# our manner??i( not b# our words??that their o((ense is not (orgotten: 8hen #ou tru4# (orgive; a4though #ou ma# remember the incident; #ou no 4onger dwe44 on it; harbor negative emotions concerning it; or react hate(u44# to the o((ender: 22

$orgiveness is not simp4# ignoring an incident; pretending that it did not happen; or c4aiming we were not hurt: There can be no (orgiveness b# mere4# ignoring a wrong: 8hen two peop4e tr# to ignore o((enses; their re4ationship wi44 su((er: $orgiveness brings truth; 4ove; and +o# into ever# re4ationship where it is practiced in a positive wa#: The wa# we (orgive peop4e shou4d be patterned a(ter the wa# that God (orgives us: God made the (irst move: 1e initiated (orgiveness with 1is arms stretched wide on the cross: I( we are to practice (orgiveness; we must a4so 4earn to ma&e the (irst move: God (orgives sinners because 1e 4oves them; thin&s the# are worth (orgiving; and because 1e wants to have a re4ationship with them: To be rea4 and 4asting; our (orgiveness must emu4ate GodDs e.amp4e; which is more than giving a re4uctant apo4og# or a handsha&e which we o((er because we thin& it is the right thing to do: our o((ender ma# not even rea4iCe what the# have done: 8e usua44# thin& a person who hurt us did it de4iberate4#: 7esus taught a pro(ound truth that o((enders sometimes do not &now what the# are doing: 8hi4e hanging on the cross 7esus said; HFather forgive them, for they do not &now what they do$I Peop4e who are s4aves to sin have no abi4it# to do an#thing other than sin: It is impossib4e (or them to do GodBs wi44 and 4ive ho4#; righteous; compassionate 4ives: %ecause o( this; the# are prone to hurt us: 'ometimes even be4ievers are ob4ivious to their hurt(u4 actions and attitudes towards others: ou are on4# harming #ourse4( b# re(using to (orgive: The /ordDs emphasis on (orgiving others is not on4# because it is mora44# right to (orgive; but a4so because it is vita4 (or spiritua4 and ps#cho4ogica4 hea4th: Peop4e who re(use to (orgive are under immense spiritua4; ph#sica4; ps#cho4ogica4; menta4; and emotiona4 stress: God views (orgiveness as the means to a restored; reconci4ed re4ationship: $orgiveness is o((ered so that we can en+o# an eterna4 re4ationship with God: *an# peop4e do not emu4ate this when it comes to (orgiving others: 'ome peop4e sa# that the# wi44 (orgive a person who hurt them but that the# want nothing more to do with them: The# never want to see them again and want no sort o( re4ationship in the (uture: That is not true (orgiveness: Anger; revenge; harsh words; and withho4ding (orgiveness a44 accomp4ish the enem#Bs wor& o( &eeping peop4e iso4ated and divided: 7ust as (orgiveness o( our sin through the cross reunites sinners with God; so the (orgiveness we o((er shou4d restore bro&en re4ationships: 8here there is unit#; that is where GodDs b4essings are poured out; inc4uding (inancia4 b4essings5 %ehold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity< -t is li&e the pre+ious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even 3aron;s beard! that went down to the s&irts of his garments; 3s the dew of 9ermon, and as the dew that des+ended upon the mountains of Fion! for there the *76D +ommanded the blessing, even life for evermore$ (Psalm ))! 0)#

2,

8here is divine provision mani(ested< 8here brothers and sisters dwe44 together in unit#: PRACTICAL STEPS IN FORGIVENESS 1ere are si. practica4 steps (or e.tending (orgiveness to others: Ste7 one( Deal wit4 ;o5r an:er1 8e (re=uent4# are numb when we are (irst hurt; but a(ter a whi4e; anger??and sometimes rage??ta&es over our emotions: I( we tr# to (orgive be(ore we have dea4t with the anger; our (orgiveness wi44 not be genuine and wi44 not 4ast: The anger wi44 on4# sur(ace 4ater on: !onBt use #our anger as a weapon to 4ash out and hurt the o((ender or de4iberate4# damage their reputation: E=ua44#; do not suppress #our anger: Command anger to re4ease its ho4d upon #our 4i(e and then begin to wor& through #our (ee4ings b# ta4&ing with the o((ender: $orgiveness wi44 be impossib4e as 4ong as #ou re(use to ta4& to a person: ou must dea4 with anger (irst; or #ou wi44 not be ab4e to proceed to the other steps: Ste7 two( Acce7t w4at 4a77ene91 8hen we have been hurt; we o(ten (ind it di((icu4t to come to terms with the rea4it# o( that hurt: 8e thin& it wi44 go awa#: 8e hope that ever#thing wi44 return to norma4; but it wonBt: 8e must accept that the hurt has happened: 8e cannot undo it: 8e cannot dismiss it: 8e cannot return to how it was be(ore it happened: There wi44 be conse=uences and (orgiveness ma# not change some o( those; but (orgiveness wi44 hea4 our hurt and he4p those invo4ved to cope with the rami(ications o( their o((ence: Ste7 t4ree( Reco:ni>e t4at t4e o33en9er is val5a6le to Go91 The o((ender; 4i&e us a44; is (4awed because the# are human: !o not minimiCe the evi4 the# have done; but consider their good points; their strengths; and their potentia4: Tr# to see them as God sees them; as va4uab4e; important; and 4ovab4e despite their o((enses: Ste7 3o5r( Ac nowle9:e ;o5r 7art in t4e o33ense1 In human re4ationships; it is rare (or a bro&en re4ationship to be tota44# the (au4t o( one person: 'ometimes we are unab4e to (orgive because we cannot (ace up to our own responsibi4it# (or a prob4em: It is easier to b4ame a person and see& s#mpath# (rom (riends than to recogniCe our ro4e in a situation: $orgiveness is e((ective and re4ationships restored on4# when we (ace up to our responsibi4it# in an o((ense; however sma44 it ma# have been: Ac&now4edge it to God; admit it to #our o((ender; and see& (orgiveness: Ste7 3ive( O33er 5nrestricte9 3or:iveness1 GodBs (orgiveness is o((ered without an# conditions despite (u44 awareness that we are comp4ete4# untrustworth# beings who wi44 repeated4# (ai4 in the (uture: !o not demand an# guarantees (rom the person to whom #ou are o((ering (orgiveness: 7esus taught that we are to o((er unrestricted (orgiveness: I( a person repents; we (orgive: I( the# o((end us again and repent; we (orgive: I( the# do it again and repent; we (orgive again??and so on; sevent# times seven: In other words; we are to e.tend un4imited (orgiveness: I( our (orgiveness is wrapped up in conditions or reserved as a reward (or good behavior; it is not true (orgiveness: Genuine (orgiveness ris&s ever#thing to (orgive; 4a#s down no conditions; rea4iCes that the other person is human and there(ore prone to be unre4iab4e; and desires the restored re4ationship more than re+ection and iso4ation: 22

Ste7 si?( Cele6rate t4e restore9 relations4i71 The %ib4e ma&es it p4ain that there is a great ce4ebration in heaven ever# time a sinner repents??a ce4ebration 4i&e that which occurred when the prodiga4 son returned home F/u&e 15519G: $orgiveness needs to be ac&now4edged in our re4ationships and be sea4ed in some wa#: In the parab4e o( the prodiga4 son; the (ather threw a part# to ce4ebrate the reconci4iation: "estored re4ationships are so important that the# shou4d be a cause (or specia4 ce4ebration: "ea4; 4asting (orgiveness is so de4ight(u4; so wonder(u4; and so supernatura4 that it shou4d be observed in a specia4 wa#: FORGIVENESS RE0ECTED Tragica44#; the bro&en wor4d in which we 4ive means that a person we have hurt sometimes re+ects us when we o((er remorse; repentance; and a sincere apo4og#: The# ma# re(use to (orgive us o( our o((ences: There is nothing we can do when that happens: E=ua44#; we can o((er (orgiveness to a person who has hurt us; on4# to (ind that the# wi44 not accept our apo4og# and donBt want to repair the bro&en re4ationship: Again; there is nothing more we can do: $orgiveness is a gi(t which is o((ered and received: It is not imposed and it cannot be demanded: 8e ma# o((er genuine repentance to someone; but there is no guarantee that (orgiveness wi44 (o44ow: 8hen we have e.tended or as&ed (orgiveness according to the princip4es o( GodDs 8ord and it is re+ected; then we can return to the a4tar with our gi(ts &nowing we have acted in obedience: Even though the o((ender rebu((ed our e((orts; we have done our part b# brea&ing through the barrier o( un(orgiveness: LIVING THE FORGIVING LIFE)ST$LE The re4ationship between GodBs (orgiveness and our (orgiving others is 4i&e that between (aith and good wor&s! "For by gra+e are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves! it is the gift of God! Cot of wor&s, lest any man should boast" (Aphesians 2!/0D#: 8e are saved b# (aith for good wor&s: 8e are not saved by good wor&s: 'o it is with (orgiveness: 8e receive GodBs (orgiveness??(or one reason among man#??to enab4e us to (orgive others: 8e do not earn GodBs (orgiveness b# (orgiving others: /iving the (orgiving 4i(e?st#4e means being (i44ed with the merc# which God has shown to us and e.tending it to others: Out o( gratitude to God; we shou4d respond with merc# to others who transgress against us: 'ure4# our awareness o( our own human (au4ts and (ai4ures shou4d ma&e us react with merc# toward those who batt4e the same human 4imitations: *erc#?? overwhe4ming merc#??is the most basic characteristic o( peop4e who 4ive a (orgiving 4i(e: $orgiveness must become part o( our 4i(est#4e because as 4ong as we 4ive in a sin(u4 wor4d; we wi44 need (orgiveness and it wi44 be necessar# to e.tend it to others: 'ee&ing and e.tending (orgiveness is part o( the dai4# pra#er 7esus taught; so it is obvious4# an ongoing issue: $orgiveness might not seem eas# to incorporate as a 4i(est#4e; but remember; it is possib4e 25

because o( the greatest mirac4e that God ever per(ormed5 sacri(ice o( 1is 'on; 7esus Christ:

our own (orgiveness through the

#HAT IS $O!R ANS#ER% At the beginning o( this chapter; three =uestions were posed5 ?Are #ou read# to 4earn about this barrier< ?Are #ou wi44ing to do whatever necessar# to brea& through it< ?Are #ou wi44ing to do whatever necessar# to never again be hindered b# this barrier< And now; what are #our answers< 8hat actions do #ou need to ta&e in #our own 4i(e to e4iminate the barrier o( un(orgiveness so that #ou can receive GodBs b4essings in ever# area o( #our 4i(e??inc4uding #our (inances< Are #ou wi44ing to 4ive the (orgiving 4i(est#4e so that #ou never again wi44 be hindered b# this barrier< "emember that we are see&ing divine provision; and that on4# comes when we wa4& in obedience to GodDs commands; inc4uding the need to ma&e things right: I( there is something between #ou and another person; 4eave #our gi(t at the a4tar; go to them and e.tend or see& (orgiveness: %# so doing; #ou wi44 open the windows o( GodDs b4essing upon #our 4i(e: Ta&e time right now to as& God to revea4 an# un(orgiveness #ou ma# be harboring in #our heart: *editate on the (o44owing verses and then go to the o((ender and ma&e it right: 9e that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to wal&, even as he wal&ed$ %rethren, - write no new +ommandment unto you, but an old +ommandment whi+h ye had from the beginning$ The old +ommandment is the word whi+h ye have heard from the beginning$ 3gain, a new +ommandment - write unto you, whi+h thing is true in him and in you! be+ause the dar&ness is past, and the true light now shineth$ 9e that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in dar&ness even until now$ 9e that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none o++asion of stumbling in him$ %ut he that hateth his brother is in dar&ness, and wal&eth in dar&ness, and &noweth not whither he goeth, be+ause that dar&ness hath blinded his eyes$ - write unto you, little +hildren, be+ause your sins are forgiven you for his name;s sa&e$ ( >ohn 2!(0 2# For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you! %ut if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses$ ('atthew (! =0 .# 3nd when ye stand praying, forgive , if ye have ought against any! that your Father also whi+h is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses$ %ut if ye do not forgive , neither will your Father whi+h is in heaven forgive your trespasses: F'ar& !2.02(# >udge not, and ye shall not be 2udged! +ondemn not, and ye shall not be +ondemned! forgive, and ye shall be forgiven5 (*u&e (!)"# 23

Ta&e heed to yourselves! -f thy brother trespass against thee, rebu&e him; and if he repent, forgive him$ 3nd if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, - repent; thou shalt forgive him: (*u&e "!)0=# -f we say that we have fellowship with him, and wal& in dar&ness, we lie, and do not the truth! %ut if we wal& in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of >esus 5hrist his ,on +leanseth us from all sin$ -f we say that we have no sin, we de+eive ourselves, and the truth is not in us$ -f we +onfess our sins, he is faithful and 2ust to forgive us our sins, and to +leanse us from all unrighteousness$ -f we say that we have not sinned, we ma&e him a liar, and his word is not in us$ ( >ohn !(0 8# 3nd be ye &ind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for 5hrist;s sa&e hath forgiven you$ (Aphesians =!)2# Now that #ou have bro&en through the barriers o( (ear and un(orgiveness; #ou are read# to position #ourse4( scriptura44# to 4ive under the open heaven o( GodBs b4essing: ou wi44 4earn how to do this in the ne.t chapter:

CHAPTER SI@
LIVING !NDER AN OPEN HEAVEN
8ou4d #ou 4i&e to 4ive under an open heaven where a44 o( #our needs are metI(inancia4; spiritua4; and ph#sica4< The &e# to doing is so simp4e; #et so pro(ound that it wi44 change #our entire 4i(e and ministr#: /etDs e.amine *a4achi ,519?11 in the Amp4i(ied Eersion o( the %ib4e5 %ring all the tithes0the whole tenth of your in+ome0into the storehouse, that there may be food in 'y house, and prove 'e now by it, says the *ord of hosts, if - will not open the windows of 9eaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room 2-

enough to re+eive it$ 3nd - will rebu&e the devourer (inse+ts and plagues# for your sa&es, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the *ord of hosts$ God said; >%ring a44 the tithes??the tenth o( a44 #our income?into the storehouse:> As part o( 1is covenant with 1is peop4e; God re=uired them to give a tithe o( a44 the# possessed: This was not optiona4: The tithe was considered ho4# and be4onged to the /ord: In GodBs p4an (or divine provision; 1e intended (or that tithe be the means b# which 1e b4essed and prospered 1is peop4e and b# which there wou4d be no 4ac& in the wor& o( God: God directed *oses to te44 the peop4e5 3 tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the *ord; it is holy to the *ord $$$The entire tithe of the herd and flo+&0every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd;s rod0will be holy to the *ord$ (*eviti+us 2"!)8,)2, C-E# As the herdsmen counted the newborn catt4e and sheep; the# passed under a rod which had been dipped in red paint: Ever# tenth anima4 was touched with the rod and was sacri(iced as tithe: As the harvest was gathered; one tenth o( the crops were set aside (or the tithe: God said; >%ring a44 the tithes into the storehouse; that there ma# be (ood in m# house:> The storehouses in %ib4e times were the chambers in the temp4e where the tithes were stored: The storehouse toda# is not a sing4e church or a particu4ar denomination; but the overa44 wor& o( God throughout the wor4d: Our tithes are to support the ministers o( God??the apost4es; prophets; evange4ists; pastors; and teachers??so that the# can give themse4ves to the ministr# o( the 8ord o( God: Our tithes are a4so to be used to support the 4oca4 church; GodBs wor& around the wor4d; and to meet the needs o( orphans; widows; and the poor: God never intended tithing to be a hardship upon 1is peop4e: As the# were (aith(u4 in giving; God b4essed their crops unti4 there was such an abundance that not on4# were their own needs met; there was a4so su((icient (or 1is wor& and the need#: Tithing was the &e# which opened the windows o( heaven and re4eased GodBs b4essings into the 4ives o( 1is peop4e; and the same is true toda#: THE BIBLICAL "ANDATE FOR TITHING *an# be4ievers do not tithe because the# be4ieve that God no 4onger re=uires it: The# argue that since tithes were instituted under O4d Testament 4aw; we no 4onger need to tithe since we are 4iving under the new covenant: It is important to note that the practice o( tithing was not origina44# instituted under the 4aw and to recogniCe the true purpose o( its inception: In Genesis 1251-?29 the bib4ica4 account shows Abram returning (rom a batt4e where God gave him victor# over the &ings who had invaded 'odom and Gomorrah and ta&en /ot; his nephew; captive: Abram had won the batt4e; 26

rescued /ot and his (ami4# and their possessions; and captured the spoi4s o( 'odom and Gomorrah: As Abram was returning (rom this great victor#; he met *e4chiCede&; the &ing o( 'a4em who was the high priest o( God: A detai4ed description o( him is given 1ebrews5 For this 'el+hi@ede&, &ing of ,alem (and# priest of the 'ost 9igh God, met 3braham as he returned from the slaughter of the &ings and blessed him; 3nd 3braham gave to him a tenth portion of all (the spoil#$ 9e is primarily, as his name when translated indi+ates, &ing of righteousness, and then he is also &ing of ,alem, whi+h means &ing of pea+e$ 1ithout (re+ord of# father or mother or an+estral line, nor with beginning of days or ending of life, but resembling the ,on of God he +ontinues to be a priest without interruption and without su++essor$ (9ebrews "! 0), T3%# 1ere we see *e4chiCede& (unctioning as the priest o( the *ost 1igh God be(ore the /evitica4 priesthood was ever estab4ished under the 4aw: 1e is mentioned in the 8ord as a t#pe o( 7esus Christ: *e4chiCede& is described as being "without father, without mother, without des+ent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made li&e unto the ,on of God; abideth a priest +ontinually" (9ebrews "!)#$ 1e was a &ing whose parents were un&nown: 1e was not mentioned in the 1ebrew genea4ogies; and there was no record o( his birth or death: 1is name means >&ing o( righteousness> and his tit4e >@ing o( 'a4em> means >&ing o( peace:> *e4chiCede& was a t#pe o( our /ord 7esus Christ who is the great 1igh Priest and the mediator between God and man: 7esus is a4so the >@ing o( righteousness:> 1e came to earth as the righteous 'on o( God$$$"holy, blameless, unstained by sin" (9ebrews "!2(, T3%#$ Through 1im we are made righteous and accepted b# God F1 Corinthians 15,9G: 7esus destro#ed the barrier separating God and man; reconci4ed us to the $ather and; thereb#; made peace through the cross F"omans 551G: /evitica4 priests he4d their o((ice on the basis o( their descent (rom /evi and Aaron; but *e4chiCede& was appointed priest direct4# b# God: 7esus was a4so appointed 1igh Priest b# God; not b# 4aw or because o( 1is descent (rom /evi or Aaron; but on the basis o( the power o( an end4ess 4i(e5 For it is obvious that our *ord sprang from the tribe of >udah, and 'oses mentioned nothing about priests in +onne+tion with that tribe$$$1ho has been +onstituted a Priest, not on the basis of a bodily legal re:uirement0an eBternally imposed +ommand +on+erning 9is physi+al an+estry 0but on the basis of the power of an endless and indestru+tible life$ (9ebrews "! =, (, T3%# God appointed 7esus to this position5 ",o too 5hrist, the 'essiah, did not eBalt 9imself to be made a high priest, but was appointed and eBalted by 9im 1ho said to 9im, ?ou are 'y ,on, today - have begotten ?ou; 3s 9e says also in another pla+e, ?ou are a Priest (appointed# forever after the order (ran&# of 'el+hi@ede&" (9ebrews .!.0(, T3%#$

2)

*e4chiCede& had an unending priesthood: "9aving neither beginning of days nor end of life$$$ he abides a priest perpetually" (9ebrews "!), C3,#$ This does not mean that he did not die: 8hat it means is that there is no record o( his death or the termination o( his priesthood: 'ince his priesthood was not terminated; he is said to have a continuing priesthood which is a t#pe o( that o( 7esus Christ: 7esus has an unending; unchangeab4e priesthood as our Great 1igh Priest: "For those who formerly be+ame priests re+eived their offi+e without its being +onfirmed by the ta&ing of an oath by God, but this 7ne was designated and addressed and saluted with an oath, The *ord has sworn and will not regret it or +hange 9is mind, ?ou are a Priest forever a++ording to the order of 'el+hi@ede&$ Cow there have been many of those priests, sin+e death prevented them from +ontinuing in offi+e; but be+ause >esus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood$ Therefore he is able to save +ompletely those who +ome to God through him, be+ause he always lives to inter+ede for them$ (9ebrews " portions of 2 02., C-E# As we 4oo& more c4ose4# at this incident where Abram gave tithes to *e4chiCede&; &eep in mind that *e4chiCede& was a t#pe representing Christ: GOD IS REVEALED AS EL ELION At this point in bib4ica4 histor#; God had a4read# revea4ed 1imse4( to Abram whi4e he was 4iving in 0r o( the Cha4dees; a heathen 4and where the peop4e worshipped ido4s: God ca44ed Abram out o( this countr# and to4d him to go to a 4and 1e wou4d show him: God promised "will ma&e of thee a great nation, and - will bless thee, and ma&e thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing" (Genesis 2!2#$ /ater; on the p4ain o( *oreh; God appeared to Abram and promised to give his seed the 4and o( Canaan: Again at %ethe4; God revea4ed 1imse4( as the true God 7ehovah (Genesis 1256G: Now; Abram wi44 receive the reve4ation o( God as E4 E4ion??the God *ost 1igh: *e4chiCede&; the divine4# appointed high priest o( the *ost 1igh God pronounced a b4essing upon Abram: 1e said; "%lessed be 3bram by God 'ost 9igh (A- Alion#, 5reator of heaven and earth$ 3nd blessed be God 'ost 9igh (A- Alion#, who delivered your enemies into your hand" (Genesis =! D028, C-E#$ >E4 E4ion> is the name which describes God as the supreme deit#: >E4>; which is (rom the same 1ebrew word as E4ohim and means >the 'trong One; the 1igh; 1ighest; E.a4ted; the 'upreme God:> Abram had a great reve4ation that da#: $or the (irst time; he recogniCed the God 8ho had been spea&ing to 1im (or 8ho 1e was??not as some remote deit#??but as >E4 E4ion>; the strong; power(u4 creator; the God above a44 other gods; the most high supreme God: Then Abram??standing in the presence o( the @ing o( 'odom; his peop4e; and his own servants??paid honor to E4 E4ion b# giving his tithe??a tenth o( a44 the spoi4s he had gathered in batt4e: There was no 4aw re=uiring him to tithe and no one was compe44ing him to do so: Abram 59

gave his tithe wi44ing4# as an act o( worship ac&now4edging God as E4 E4ion and as the one and on4# 'ource o( his b4essings: *e4chiCede&; as GodBs representative; received the tithe; presented it to God; and pronounced GodBs b4essings upon Abram$ "%ut this person ('el+hi@ede&# who has not their *eviti+al an+estry re+eived tithes from 3braham (himself# and blessed him who possessed the promises (of God#" (9ebrews "!(, T3%#$ This e.amp4e o( Abram giving his tithe be(ore the 4aw was instituted is the bib4ica4 basis (or giving tithes toda#: Tithing is based upon the reve4ation o( God as E4 E4ion??creator and possessor o( the heavens and earth; the *ost 1igh; the 'upreme God??and honoring 1im with our substance b# (ree4# giving (rom hearts o( 4ove and adoration: TITHING IS NOT LEGALISTIC Tithing is not a 4ega4istic ritua4 re=uired b# the 4aw: It is an outward e.pression o( a covenant re4ationship with God: God set tithing in order through Abram be(ore the 4aw was given: AbrahamDs action o( giving his tithe to *e4chiCede& set the precedent (or tithing: Abram giving tithes to God through the high priest *e4chiCede& is a beauti(u4 para44e4 o( what happens when we tithe: 7esus is now in heaven where 1e stands be(ore God on our beha4(; as our 1igh Priest5 "For 5hrist, the 'essiah, has not entered into a san+tuary made with (human# hands, only a +opy and pattern and type of the true one, but (9e has entered# into heaven itself, now to appear in the (very# presen+e of God on our behalf" (9ebrews D!2=, T3%#$ 8hen we give our tithes; we are not giving to a church; a denomination; a ministr# or to a man??we are giving to God: As the 1igh Priest o( the *ost 1igh God; 7esus receives our gi(ts ??+ust as *e4chiCede& received AbramBs tithes??and presents them to God: %# virtue o( 1is divine authorit# as our 1igh Priest; Christ then pronounces b4essings upon us; +ust as *e4chiCede& did on Abram: Can #ou see it< As #ou give #our tithes in worship; 7esus receives it; ta&es #our tithes into 1is hands as the /evitica4 priests did; 4i(ts them up to God; and then stretches out 1is hands toward #ou to re4ease GodBs b4essings into #our 4i(e: HO# TO GIVE $O!R TITHE There are man# be4ievers who are being robbed o( the +o# and b4essing God intended (or them to e.perience through tithing: *an# give their tithes simp4# because the# (ee4 it is their Christian dut#: It has become a dr#; 4i(e4ess ritua4 instead o( a wa# to worship God: The# give their tithes; but there is no +o#; (aith; or e.pectation o( the b4essings God has promised: Other Christians give their tithes grudging4#: The# consider it a hardship to give tithes: Others do not be4ieve that the tithe be4ongs to God: Instead; the# give God their >4e(tovers>?? whatever is 4e(t a(ter the# have paid their bi44s and ta&en out mone# (or other e.penses: 51

A great ma+orit# o( Christians have not #et had a reve4ation o( God as E4 E4ion??the *ost 1igh God; Creator and Possessor o( heaven and earth; the 'upreme God: The# give their tithes; but instead o( trusting 1im to meet their needs; the# are worried about how the# are going to pa# their bi44s: 8hat about #ou< 8hat has #our attitude been about giving #our tithe to God< Ta&e time right now to thin& about it: our tithe??a tenth o( a44 #our income??is to be ho4# unto the /ord: It is to be consecrated; set apart; and dedicated to God and 1is wor&: It shou4d not be hand4ed haphaCard4# or sown into a ministr# that is not producing spiritua4 resu4ts: As #ou give #our tithe; #ou are entering into a re4ationship with God where #ou are ac&now4edging and honoring 1im as E4 E4ion??#our 'ource??and 1e; in turn; re4eases b4essing and prosperit# into #our 4i(e THIS IS THE 2E$ TO AN OPEN HEAVEN ou ma# be at a point where it seems there is no wa# out (inancia44#: ou ma# (ee4 that #ou are so (ar in debt that there is no hope o( ever being debt?(ree: ou have tried ever#thing #ou &now to do; #et #ou +ust canBt seem to get ahead: ou have con(essed GodBs promises concerning 1is divine provision; #et (or some reason #ou have not seen a mani(estation o( 1is b4essings upon #our (inances: Get read# (or God to brea& the chains binding #our (inances as #ou obe# 1im b# giving #our tithes and o((erings: /etBs return to the scripture with which we opened this chapter5

%ring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the *ord of hosts, if - will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to re+eive it$ 3nd - will rebu&e the devourer for your sa&es, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine +ast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the *ord of hosts$ ('ala+hi )! 80 # The word >prove> is trans4ated (rom a 1ebrew root word which means >to tr# or testH to investigate or e.amine:> GodBs cha44enge is to prove 1im to see that 1is promised b4essings are true: 1is storehouse is (u44 o( ever#thing #ou need and more; (ar greater than an#thing #ou can thin& or as&: The answer to #our (inancia4 need is there; stored up (or #ou; and God is +ust waiting (or #ou to act in obedience so 1e can prove 1imse4( to #ou: God is sa#ing; >Prove *e?? give *e #our tithe and test *e to see i( I wi44 do what I have promised:> God wants us to put 1im (irst??above our own needs and desires; above the needs o( our (ami4ies; and above the needs o( our ministries: 7esus said; "%ut see& ye first the &ingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" ('atthew (!))#$ *an# Christians are waiting (or God to meet their (inancia4 needs (irst: The# are waiting (or 1im to 52

increase their income be(ore the# give their tithe: %ut God sa#s; >Give *e #our tithe (irst; then prove *e to see how I wi44 pour out *# b4essings upon #ou>: Part o( GodBs covenant with Israe4 was that 1e promised to open the windows o( heaven and command 1is b4essing upon the wor& o( their hands: As 4ong as the# were obedient; Israe4 4ived under an open heaven: God promised5 -f you wal& in 'y statutes and &eep 'y +ommandments and do them, - will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her in+rease, and the trees of the field yield their fruit$ 3nd your threshing (time# shall rea+h to the vintage, and the vintage (time# shall rea+h to the sowing time; and you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land se+urely$ (*eviti+us 2(!)0., T3%# in but The *ord shall open to you 9is good treasury, the heavens to give the rain of your land its season, and to bless all the wor& of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, you shall not borrow$ (Deuteronomy 2/! 2, T3%#

Not on4# did God promise to give a (ruit(u4 season so that their crops wou4d prosper; but in *a4achi ,519?11 1e promised to guard them (rom an#thing that wou4d spoi4 the crops be(ore the# were gathered: 1e said; >I wi44 rebu&e the devourer (or #our sa&es:> Notice the t#pe o( b4essing the Israe4ites cou4d count on reaping: It was not an ordinar# b4essing: It was not +ust enough (or them to get b#: 1e promised to pour out upon them a b4essing so great "that there shall not be room enough to re+eive it$" The# cou4d e.pect not +ust a harvest su((icient to meet their needs; but more than enoughIan abundance:

LIVING !NDER A CLOSED HEAVEN 8hen the nation o( Israe4 was disobedient and (ai4ed to give to God; the# 4ived under a curse and the heavens were c4osed to them5 %ut if you will not obey the voi+e of the *ord your God, being wat+hful to do all 9is +ommandments and 9is statutes whi+h - +ommand you this day, then all these +urses shall +ome upon you and overta&e you $$$The heavens over your head shall be brass, and the earth under you shall be iron$ The *ord shall ma&e the rain of your land powdered soil and dust; from the heavens it shall +ome down upon you until you are destroyed$ (Deuteronomy 2/! .,2)02=, T3%# 3nd - will brea& and humble your pride in your power; and - will ma&e your heavens as iron (yielding no answer, no blessing, no rain#, and your earth (as sterile# as brass$ (*eviti+us 2(! D, T3%# %ecause o( disobedience; Israe4 su((ered (rom (amine and scarcit#: !rought and insects destro#ed their crops and God de4ivered them into the hands o( their enemies: 'o4omonBs Temp4e 5,

in 7erusa4em was destro#ed and the peop4e were ta&en captive and 4ived under %ab#4onian ru4e (or -9 #ears: As soon as Israe4 returned (rom captivit#; the# rebui4t the a4tar and o((ered the burnt sacri(ices prescribed b# the 4aw: The# observed their (easts and brought (reewi44 o((erings to God: The# were grate(u4 to God (or de4ivering them out o( captivit# and were an.ious to reestab4ish worship in the house o( God: %# the second #ear a(ter their return (rom captivit#; the (oundation o( the temp4e had been 4aid; but the# (aced opposition (rom their enemies FECra 252?5G: Their enemies convinced Arta.er.es; &ing o( Persia; to issue a decree commanding them to stop bui4ding the temp4e: In the (ace o( this opposition; the peop4e became (ear(u4 and stopped giving and bui4ding: The# became indi((erent toward the house o( God and more interested in bui4ding their own houses; sowing their crops; and rep4enishing their own storehouses: Now that the# were sa(e4# bac& in their own 4and; the# were an.ious to become reestab4ished and en+o# the abundance the# had once &nown; so the# soon (orgot about God and their covenant with 1im: !uring this time; Israe4 4ived under a c4osed heaven: The# sowed their crops; but the# harvested 4itt4e: God shut up the heavens and withhe4d the rain: 1e sent a drought upon the 4and and the (ruits o( the earth dried up: A44 the 4abor o( their hands was spoi4ed: 8hat 4itt4e the# did have was not su((icient: God to4d them; "?ou have planted mu+h, but have harvested little$ ?ou eat, but never have enough$ ?ou drin&, but never have your fill$ ?ou put on +lothes, but are not warm$ ?ou earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it" (9aggai !(, C-E#$ Can #ou identi(# with them< 1ave #ou ever (e4t as i( there is never enough mone# to pa# #our bi44s and provide (or #our (ami4#< !oes it seem 4i&e #our pa#chec& is gone be(ore #ou get it< I( #ou havenBt been tithing; that is one reason (or #our di((icu4ties: CONSIDER $O!R #A$S The peop4e (ai4ed to recogniCe the reason wh# the# were not prospering: God used the prophets 1aggai and Jechariah to revea4 that the conditions the# were e.periencing were a resu4t o( their disobedience5 Thus says the *ord of hosts! This people say, The time is not yet +ome that the *ord;s house should be rebuilt (although 5yrus had ordered it done siBteen years before; rebuilding of >erusalem;s walls had later been forbidden, but not so of the temple#$ Then +ame the word of the *ord by 9aggai the prophet, saying, -s it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house (of the *ord# lies in ruins4 Cow therefore thus says the *ord of hosts! 5onsider your ways (and set your mind on what has +ome to you#$ Cow therefore thus says the *ord of hosts! 5onsider your ways (and set your mind on what has +ome to you#$ ?ou have sown mu+h, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drin&, but you do not have your fill, you +lothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it$$$?ou loo&ed for mu+h (harvest#, and it +ame to little; and even when you brought that home, - blew it away$ 1hy4 says the *ord of hosts$ %e+ause of 'y house whi+h lies waste, while you yourselves run ea+h man to his own house (eager to build 52

and adorn it#$ Therefore the heavens above you (for your sa&e# withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its produ+e$ 3nd - have +alled for a drought upon the land and the hill +ountry, upon the grain, the fresh fruit 2ui+e, the oil, upon what the ground brings forth, upon men and +attle, and upon all the (wearisome# toil of men;s hands$ (9aggai !20(, D0 T3%# God to4d Israe4 to consider their wa#s??to 4oo& at how the# were 4iving to determine wh# the# were not e.periencing GodBs b4essings: 1e to4d them; "?ou loo&ed for mu+h (harvest#$ and 8, it +ame to little; and even when you brought that home, - blew it away$ 1hy4 says the *ord of hosts$ %e+ause of 'y house whi+h lies waste, while you yourselves run ea+h man to his own house (eager to build and adorn it#" (9aggai !D, T3%#$ *an# be4ievers are 4iving under a c4osed heaven and wondering wh# the# are not being b4essed: 'ome peop4e b4ame their (inancia4 di((icu4ties on 'atan; when sometimes their prob4ems are actua44# a resu4t o( their own disobedience to scriptura4 princip4es revea4ed in 1is 8ord concerning (inances: Are #ou continuing to incur debt< Are #ou co?signing (or the debts o( others< Are #ou not pa#ing #our bi44s< Are #ou re(using to (orgive someone< Are #ou neg4ecting to tithe< A44 these are vio4ations o( scriptura4 princip4es: It is time to stop and consider #our wa#s: The peop4e o( Israe4 were not reaping the abundance God had promised because the house o( God 4a# in ruins whi4e the# were bus# bui4ding their own houses: The# made e.cuses; sa#ing, "The time has not yet +ome for the *ord;s house to be built" (9aggai !2, C-E#: The# put their own needs and those o( their (ami4ies be(ore the house o( God: God wor&ed through the ministr# o( 1is prophets; 1aggai and Jechariah to e.pose the sins o( the peop4e; ca44 them to repentance; and encourage them to comp4ete the pro+ect5 Then Ferubbabel the son of ,healtiel, and >oshua the son of >eho@ada&, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people (returned from +aptivity#, listened to (and obeyed# the voi+e of the *ord their God (not vaguely or partly, but +ompletely# a++ording to the words of 9aggai the prophet, sin+e the *ord their God had sent him, and the people reverently feared and worshipfully turned to the *ord$ (9aggai ! 2, T3%# 3nd the elders of the >ews built and prospered, through the prophesying of 9aggai the prophet and Fe+hariah the son of -ddo$ They finished their building as +ommanded by God of -srael and by de+ree of 5yrus and Darius and 3rtaBerBes &ing ofPersia; 3nd this house was finished on the third day of the month 3dar, in the siBth year of the reign of Ging Darius$ (A@ra (! =0 ., T3%#

the

$rom the ver# da# the Israe4ites renewed their commitment to GodBs house and began to give again; the /ord began to b4ess them: F1aggai 2516G: 0pon comp4etion o( the temp4e; the peop4e dedicated it b# giving massive o((erings: It was a time o( great +o# and than&sgiving to God5 55

Then the people of -srael0the priests, the *evites and the rest of the eBiles +elebrated the dedi+ation of the house of God with 2oy$ For the dedi+ation of this house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred male lambs and, as a sin offering for all -srael, twelve male goats, one for ea+h of the tribes of -srael$ (A@ra (! (0 ", C-E# The peop4e ce4ebrated b# eating the Passover in the new4#?erected temp4e: The /evites and priests were puri(ied and set in their positions; so that the# wou4d be ab4e to carr# on the service o( the temp4e according to the 4aw 'ome #ears 4ater; when the wa44s around 7erusa4em were rebui4t under the direction o( Nehemiah; the peop4e began to once again bring their tithes and (irst(ruits to the house o( God: 8hen the wa44s were comp4eted; the peop4e gathered together to hear the boo& o( the 4aw read: $rom morning unti4 noon; ECra and the /evites read and taught the 4aw: 8hen the peop4e rea4iCed how the# had disobe#ed the commandments o( God; the# wept; repented; and entered into a da# o( (asting5 7n the twenty0fourth day of the same month, the -sraelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sa+&+loth and having dust on their heads$ Those of -sraelite des+ent had separated themselves from all foreigners$ They stood in their pla+es and +onfessed their sins and the wi+&edness of their fathers$ They stood where they were and read from the %oo& of the *aw of the *ord their God for a :uarter of the day, and spent another :uarter in +onfession and in worshiping the *ord their God$ (Cehemiah D! 0), C-E# The peop4e con(essed and repented o( their sins and ac&now4edged the righteousness o( God 8ho had brought these +udgments because o( their disobedience: The# did not tr# to ma&e e.cuses or +usti(# their actions??the# repentedA The great da# o( repentance ended with the peop4e renewing their covenant with God as the# dec4ared5 "%ut see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers so they +ould eat its fruit and the other good things it produ+es$ %e+ause of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the &ings you have pla+ed over us$ They rule over our bodies and our +attle as they please$ 1e are in great distress$ -n view of all this, we are ma&ing a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our *evites and our priests are affiBing their seals to it$" (Cehemiah D!)(0)/, C-E# The nation entered into a so4emn oath be(ore God; with a (i.ed reso4ve that the# wou4d 4ive b# it: 3nd the rest of the people, the priests, *evites, door&eepers, singers, Cethinim (temple servants#, and all they who had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who had &nowledge and understanding, >oined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a +urse and an oath to wal& in God;s law whi+h was given to 'oses the servant of God, and to observe 53

and do all the +ommandments of the *ord our *ord and 9is ordinan+es and 9is statutes; (Cehemiah 8!2/02D, T3%# GOD8S PLAN HAS NOT CHANGED Toda#; we have the same commands; cha44enges; and promises concerning our tithe that God gave Israe4 because we are spiritua4 heirs o( their covenant5 3 man is not a >ew if he is only one outwardly, nor is +ir+um+ision merely outward and physi+al$ Co, a man is a >ew if he is one inwardly; and +ir+um+ision is +ir+um+ision of the heart, by the ,pirit, not by the written +ode$$$ (6omans 2!2/02D, C-E# 8e have the same choice Israe4 had: 8e can either 4ive under an open or c4osed heaven: I( we are (aith(u4 and consistent in giving to God and wa4&ing in obedience to 1is 8ord and our covenant with 1im; God wi44 open the heavens and pour out 1is b4essings upon us: 1owever; i( we disobe# and withho4d our tithes; the heavens over us wi44 be as iron??#ie4ding no answer; no b4essing; and no rain F/eviticus 2351)G: As Israe4; we wi44 be putting our (inancia4 resources into a bag with a ho4e in it F1aggai 153G: *an# o( GodDs peop4e are 4iving under a c4osed heaven because the# have neg4ected the house o( God and the wor& o( God b# not giving tithes and o((erings: God is sa#ing to us toda#; "?ou have planted mu+h, but have harvested little$ ?ou eat, but never have enough$ ?ou drin&, but never have your fill$ ?ou put on +lothes, but are not warm$ ?ou earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it$" This is what the *ord 3lmighty says! "Give +areful thought to your ways" (9aggai !(0", C-E#$

TA2E THESE STEPS I( #ou want to 4ive under an open heaven and receive divine provision (rom God; ta&e these steps5 ?Consi9er ;o5r wa;s: "eeva4uate #our giving and #our (inancia4 dea4ings: I( #ou have not been tithing or are vio4ating other scriptura4 princip4es; then #ou are 4iving under a c4osed heaven: ?Re7ent1 As& God to (orgive #ou (or (ai4ing to give #our tithes and o((erings: God doesnBt want #our e.cuses: 1e wants #our repentance: As& God to (orgive #ou i( #ou have neg4ected the storehouse o( God and have put own #our needs and desires (irst: ?Renew ;o5r covenant wit4 Go91 I( #ou have not been tithing; begin to do so: %e (aith(u4 and consistent in giving #our tithes into the storehouse o( God: "emember that tithing is the re=uired minimum we are to give to God: ou shou4d a4so be giving 5-

o((erings over and above #our tithe: The components o( the covenant which Israe4 renewed with God upon the comp4etion o( the 7erusa4em wa44 inc4uded giving their ver# best and consistent4# giving both tithes and o((erings: The# p4edged to give (or the e.penses o( the house o( God; dec4aring5 >1e will not negle+t the house of our God" (Cehemiah 8!)D, C-E#$ GET READ$ TO RECEIVE 8hen #ou have ta&en these steps; get read# to receiveA God wi44 open the windows o( heaven and pour out 1is b4essings in such an abundance there wi44 not be enough room (or #ou to receive themA 1e wi44 rebu&e the devourer (or #our sa&e and #ou wi44 wa4& in a covenant re4ationship with 1im where #ou are 4iving in a continuous c#c4e o( 1is divine provision: 8hen #ou are (aith(u44# giving #our tithes and o((erings in obedience to GodBs 8ord; #ou a4so position #ourse4( (or the mirac4e o( supernatura4 debt retirement: That is the sub+ect o( the ne.t chapter:

CHAPTER SEVEN
E@PERIENCING S!PERNAT!RAL DEBT RETIRE"ENT
There are man# peop4e who are under such a bondage o( debt that the# thin& there is no possib4e wa# (or them ever to get out o( it: I( this is #ou; then this chapter is written to encourage #ou to be4ieve God (or supernatura4 debt cance44ation: A mista&e that man# peop4e ma&e when doing (inancia4 p4anning is to (ocus on debt? reduction: 8hi4e this is important and is the sub+ect o( this chapter; this shou4d not be #our main (ocus: our main (ocus shou4d be (u4(i44ing the spiritua4 destin# that God has (or #ou: I( #ou &eep #our (ocus on #our (inancia4 situation; #ou wi44 never dare to be4ieve that God can re4ease the (inances necessar# to enab4e #ou to (u4(i44 #our vision: God wants #ou to (ocus on 1is un4imited resources: 56

There is a tremendous O4d Testament stor# that i44ustrates supernatura4 debt retirement5 Cow there +ried a +ertain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Alisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou &nowest that thy servant did fear the *ord! and the +reditor is +ome to ta&e unto him my two sons to be bondmen$ 3nd Alisha said unto her, 1hat shall - do for thee4 tell me, what hast thou in the house4 3nd she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil$ Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few$ 3nd when thou art +ome in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that whi+h is full$ ,o she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out$ 3nd it +ame to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, %ring me yet a vessel$ 3nd he said unto her, There is not a vessel more$ 3nd the oil stayed$ Then she +ame and told the man of God$ 3nd he said, Go, sell the oil , and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy +hildren of the rest$ (2 Gings =! 0"# In this account; a widow woman (aced a desperate situation: 1er husband died and she had no source o( incomeBno possib4e wa# to meet the needs o( her (ami4#: 'he was in debt; and the creditor had come to ta&e her sons as s4aves in pa#ment o( the debt??a custom o( that time: This woman was desperate: I( ever an#one needed a mirac4e; she did: 'he had a4read# 4ost her husband and now she (aced the possibi4it# o( 4osing her sons: In her desperation; she cried out to the prophet E4isha (or he4p: E4isha answered; A8hat sha44 I do (or #ou< Te44 me; what do #ou have in the house<@ The woman answered that she had nothing e.cept a +ar o( oi4: E4isha to4d her to borrow as man# vesse4s as possib4e (rom her neighborsBnot a (ew; but as man# as possib4e: Then she was to go into her house; shut the door; and begin to pour her oi4 into the vesse4s she had co44ected: 8h# was she to shut the door< To c4ose out the unbe4ie( o( (riends or (ami4# who might have criticiCed her and to shut out the dire circumstances around her: !o #ou need to shut the door on the unbe4ie(; criticism; and negative circumstances that are hindering #our own (aith (or a (inancia4 mirac4e< The widow acted upon the word o( the /ord=s prophet: 'he co44ected the vesse4s; entered into her house; shut the door; and too& her sma44 bott4e o( oi4 and began to pour: As she poured; the oi4 began to mu4tip4# Can #ou imagine the amaCement she e.perienced each time she poured the oi4 and (i44ed another vesse4< 'he &ept pouring and pouring unti4 ever# empt# vesse4 she had co44ected was (i44ed to the brim; then the prophet E4isha to4d her to se44 the oi4; pa# her debt; and (ree her sons: ARE $O! READ$ FOR DEBT CANCELLATION% Are #ou a candidate (or the mirac4e o( debt cance44ation< I( so; #ou must begin to act in obedience to GodBs 8ord: The &e# to the mirac4e o( debt cance44ation (or this widow woman was acting upon the 8ord o( the /ord: At GodBs command; she used what she had and God mu4tip4ied it: 5)

ou ma# thin& #our circumstances are so bad that #ou do not have an#thing with which to start: God mu4tip4ied a sma44 supp4# o( oi4 to meet this woman=s need: %egin to act b# (aith upon God=s 8ord and use what #ou have; no matter how sma44 it ma# seem to #ou: There is a mirac4e in #our house and it starts with what #ou a4read# possess: our Apot o( oi4@ ma# be an idea; a ta4ent; or an abi4it# that??when presented to God??wi44 resu4t in #our (inancia4 (reedom: ou ma# have 4imited resources; 4i&e the 4itt4e 4ad in New Testament times who presented his 4oaves and (ishes to the *aster to (eed a mu4titude: Ta&e what 4itt4e #ou have; present it to God; and watch what happens5 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and sha&en together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom$ For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again$ (*u&e (!)/# The (4ow o( oi4 stopped on4# when there were no more empt# vesse4s: %egin to pour what #ou have??#our 4imited (inancia4 resources; #our ta4ents; #our time and abi4ities??into the empt# vesse4s o( hurting humanit#: As 4ong as #ou continue to act upon the 8ord; use what #ou have; and pour #our 4i(e into empt# vesse4s; #our resources wi44 continue to mu4tip4# supernatura44#: As& God to show #ou what #ou a4read# possess that can be mu4tip4ied (or a mirac4e5 Perhaps a ta4ent< An idea< An invention< God has given #ou the power to get wea4th F!euteronom# 29512G: A44 #ou must do is re4ease that power??the supernatura4 abi4it# and strength??that is a4read# within #ou: DONAT LI"IT GOD= Can #ou be4ieve God (or supernatura4 debt retirement< !id #ou &now that God is on4# 4imited b# #our unbe4ie(< This is re(4ected in a power(u4 bib4ica4 account that occurred during the siege o( a cit# ca44ed 'amaria: The '#rian @ing; %en 1adad; and his armies; had surrounded this cit# and p4anned to capture it; not b# battering down the wa44s; but b# cutting o(( a44 supp4ies and starving the peop4e to death: The peop4esB hunger had reached a point o( desperation: $ood was so scarce that a don&e#Ds head so4d (or eight# she&e4s o( si4ver: The don&e# was considered an unc4ean anima4 and wou4d not be eaten e.cept as a 4ast resort; but peop4e were eating it and other unc4ean beasts: Conditions were so devastating that mothers were eating their own babies: The horror o( starvation had driven the peop4e to canniba4ismA The &ing o( 'amaria became so enraged over the terrib4e (amine that he swore he wou4d cut o(( E4ishaDs head; since E4isha was the one who had prophesied the conditions as +udgment (rom God: %ut Prophet E4isha was not (ear(u4 regarding the (amine or the &ingBs threats: 1is e#es were not on the negative circumstances around him; but the# were on A4might# God5 Then Alisha said, 9ear ye the word of the *ord; Thus saith the *ord; Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a she&el, and two measures of barley for a she&el, in the gate of ,amaria$ Then a lord on whose hand the &ing leaned 39

answered the man of God, and said, %ehold, if the *ord would ma&e windows in heaven, might this thing be4 3nd he said, %ehold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof$ 3nd there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate! and they said one to another, 1hy sit we here until we die4 -f we say, 1e will enter into the +ity, then the famine is in the +ity, and we shall die there! and if we sit still here, we die also$ Cow therefore +ome, and let us fall unto the host of the ,yrians! if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they &ill us, we shall but die$ 3nd they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the +amp of the ,yrians! and when they were +ome to the uttermost part of the +amp of ,yria, behold, there was no man there$ For the *ord had made the host of the ,yrians to hear a noise of +hariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host! and they said one to another, *o, the &ing of -srael hath hired against us the &ings of the 9ittites, and the &ings of the Agyptians, to +ome upon us$ 1herefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the +amp as it was, and fled for their life$ 3nd when these lepers +ame to the uttermost part of the +amp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drin&, and +arried then+e silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and +ame again, and entered into another tent, and +arried then+e also, and went and hid it$ (2 Gings "! 0/# God gave E4isha a prophetic message promising de4iverance (or the peop4e o( 'amaria: 1e said; H$$$9ear the word of the *ord! Thus says the *ord, Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will sell for a she&el, and two measures of barley for a she&el, in the gate of ,amaria<I (2 Gings "! , T3%#$ The captain cha44enged E4isha; H$$$-f the *ord would ma&e windows in 9eaven, +ould this thing be4I E4isha answered; H$$$?ou shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of itI (2 Gings "!2, T3%#$ 8henever an# prophetic message is given; it wi44 be cha44enged b# those who are (u44 o( unbe4ie(: 'ome peop4e ma# even cha44enge the message in this boo& on (inances: That is wh# we are care(u44# documenting each chapter with the 8ord o( God: Peop4e who are 4ed b# the (4esh wi44 a4wa#s be in con(4ict with those 4ed b# the 'pirit: In this instance; the captain wou4d not receive the prophetic promise because he had p4aced 4imitations upon what God cou4d do: 1e did not be4ieve God was ab4e to supernatura44# provide the (4our and bar4e#; even i( 1e made windows in heaven and poured it down upon them: This is an e.amp4e o( what unbe4ie( wi44 do5 It wi44 b4ind #ou (rom seeing the (u4(i44ment o( GodBs promises in #our 4i(e: The captainBs unbe4ie( did not bother E4isha: It did not cause him to waver or wonder i( he had rea44# heard (rom God: E4i+ah to4d the man; L ouDre going to see this with #our own e#es; but #ouDre not going to have an# part in itAK !e4iverance (or the peop4e o( 'amaria came through supernatura4 intervention: God put their enemies to (4ight; and there was a supernatura4 trans(erence o( the wea4th o( the '#rians into their handsA !uring the night; God caused the '#rians to hear the noise o( a great mu4titude o( men and horses and the# thought the &ing had sent the 1ittites and Eg#ptians to (ight against 31

them: The '#rians were so terri(ied that the# ran (or their 4ives; 4eaving behind horses; supp4ies; and their si4ver and go4d: God used (our destitute 4epers to bring de4iverance to the peop4e o( 'amaria: 8hen these men decided the# wou4d die i( the# remained where the# were; the# bo4d4# marched into the camp o( the '#rians and discovered that the arm# had (4ed: The# began to eat; drin&; and ta&e the spoi4s (or themse4ves: 8hen the# rea4iCed that what the# were doing was se4(ish; the# returned to 'amaria to 4et the &ing &now what had happened: A(ter the &ing veri(ied that what the 4epers said was true; the peop4e rushed into the '#rian camp and too& the spoi4s: The prophec# spo&en through E4isha was (u4(i44edA The captain; who was (u44 o( unbe4ie( and had cha44enged E4isha; saw the (u4(i44ment o( the prophec#; but he did not parta&e o( it: 1e was appointed guard dut# at the gate and the starving peop4e who rushed through it to get (ood tramp4ed him to death: 0nbe4ie( wi44 b4oc& #ou (rom receiving the things #ou need (rom God: 0nbe4ie( wi44 cause #ou to =uestion God and 4imit what 1e can do (or #ou: 0nbe4ie( wi44 resu4t in (inancia4 disaster and spiritua4 death: %e4ieve God (or great things in #our (inances: %e4ieve 1im (or supernatura4 debt retirement and (or continuing divine provision: The on4# 4imit is #our unbe4ie(A !onBt be 4i&e the captain who re(used to be4ieve: %e 4i&e the (our 4epers who said; >8e are not going to sit here and dieA> Get up; enter in; and parta&e o( the mirac4e God has reserved (or #ou: BELIEVE FOR A S!PERNAT!RAL TRANSFER OF #EALTH 'o where wi44 the mone# come (rom to retire #our debt< For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and &nowledge, and 2oy! but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God$$$ (A++lesiastes 2!2(# God ma# give #ou wisdom and &now4edge o( how to invest wise4#: 1e ma# give #ou an idea (or an invention: 1e ma# give #ou a ta4ent or abi4it# that is needed in the mar&et p4ace: 1e ma# choose to supernatura44# p4ace in #our hands the wea4th o( the wic&ed: The %ib4e mentions numerous such trans(ers o( wea4th (rom unbe4ievers to the righteous: )A6ra4am( 8hen /ot was ta&en captive b# the enem#; Abraham rescued his nephew and too& the spoi4s o( the cities o( 'odom and Gomorrah )Isaac5 God trans(erred the wea4th that shou4d have be4onged to Abime4ech and his peop4e to Isaac to such an e.tent that the &ing to4d him5 $$$"'ove away from us; you have be+ome too powerful for us " (Genesis 2(! (, C-E#$ )0aco6( 8hen /aban to4d 7acob that he cou4d pa# him on4# in spec&4ed catt4e that came (orth (rom the herd; God made a44 o( the catt4e to have spec&4ed ca4ves: 8hen /aban said that he 32

wou4d on4# pa# in striped catt4e; a44 o( the ca4ves birthed were striped: >Thus the man in+reased and be+ame eB+eedingly ri+h, and had many sheep and goats, and maidservants, menservants, +amels, and don&eys" (Genesis )8!=), 3'P#$ )0ose74( The wea4th o( the nations was trans(erred into his hands (or divine purpose5 To save the wor4d (rom (amine: To accomp4ish this mandate; 7oseph 4ost a44 that was (ami4iar and dear to him and e.perienced man# tria4s: %ut 7oseph remained (aith(u4; and the wea4th o( the wor4d (4owed into his hands: )Solomon5 8hen God to4d 'o4omon he cou4d as& (or an#thing and it wou4d be given to him; 'o4omon as&ed (or wisdom to ru4e GodBs peop4e proper4#: 1is re=uest so p4eased the /ord; that::: $$$God said unto him, %e+ause thou hast as&ed this thing, and hast not as&ed for thyself long life; neither hast as&ed ri+hes for thyself, nor hast as&ed the life of thine enemies; but hast as&ed for thyself understanding to dis+ern 2udgment; %ehold, - have done a++ording to thy words! lo, - have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none li&e thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise li&e unto thee$ 3nd - have also given thee that whi+h thou hast not as&ed, both ri+hes, and honour! so that there shall not be any among the &ings li&e unto thee all thy day$ ( Gings )! 80 )# God was so p4eased that 'o4omon had put the &ingdom be(ore his own persona4 desires that 1e gave him the things that most men wou4d have as&ed (or??wea4th; (ame; and such supernatura4 abundance that no &ing be(ore or since has ever been ab4e to match the sp4endor o( his &ingdom: God caused other nations to trans(er their wea4th into 'o4omonBs &ingdom and he eventua44# e.ceeded a44 the &ings o( the earth in riches as we44 as in wisdom FF1 @ings 19519?1,; and 25?2)G: PRACTICAL STEPS TO RETIRE $O!R DEBT !onBt +ust sit bac& and wait (or God to do ever#thing (or #ou: 1e a4wa#s wor&s through man&ind to accomp4ish 1is divine purposes; so #ou are part o( the process: 'upernatura4 debt reduction wi44 not occur when #ou are vio4ating the commands regarding (inances given in 1is 8ord: It is not going to happen as 4ong as #ou are running up credit card bi44s and bowing to the god o( materia4ism: 1ere are some practica4 steps to he4p retire #our debt: ?*a&e a commitment to start the process o( debt reduction: ?'et a goa4 as to when #ou rea4istica44# wou4d 4i&e to be debt?(ree and begin to be4ieve God (or it: ?Continue to give #our tithes and o((erings to God (irst so that the windows o( heaven wi44 be open over #our (inances: 3,

?*a&e a rea4istic budget and 4ive b# it: /imit #our spending to necessities on4#: I( #ou do not &now how to budget; see Appendi. Two o( this stud#: ?E4iminate credit card debt: 'ee Appendi. Two o( this stud# (or suggestions on how to do this: ?!eve4op a debt conso4idation p4an: Noti(# #our creditors and negotiate a reduced month4# amount that #ou wi44 be ab4e to pa# them whi4e #ou are awaiting GodBs supernatura4 provision: ou owe these peop4e mone#: ou cannot de(raud #our creditors and e.pect God to b4ess #ou: ?Consider getting a second +ob or a better +ob to he4p retire #our debt: As a minister o( the Gospe4; Pau4 wor&ed with his own hands at a second +ob o( tent?ma&ing so that he wou4d remain debt?(ree: ?E4iminate an# scriptura4 vio4ations that might hinder #our (inances (rom being b4essed: "eview the chec&4ist o( these in Appendi. Three o( this stud#: ?As& God to show #ou creative wa#s to use what #ou have??#our time; ta4ents; and (inances??to re4ease the power to get wea4th as God has promised: %# ta&ing these practica4 steps towards being debt?(ree; #ou wi44 position #ourse4( (or God to supernatura44# move in #our (inances: PRACTICAL G!IDELINES TO RE"AIN DEBT FREE Once God sets #ou (ree (rom debt; do not ever become indebted ever again: The %ib4e sa#s5 >,tand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith 5hrist hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yo&e of bondage" (Galatians .! #$ 1ere are some practica4 guide4ines to he4p #ou remain debt (ree: First( Learn to live wit4in ;o5r means1 /ive a 4i(est#4e that #our income can rea4istica44# support: Pride and materia4ism resu4t in (inancia4 di((icu4ties: 8e bu# something because the neighbor got oneBa bigger house with a bigger mortgage; a 4u.ur# car; a boat; big screen TE; designer c4othes: God ma# provide these b4essings (or #ou but 1e does not want #our (inances dictated b# what others are wearing; driving; or 4iving in: 1e does not want #ou to go into debt to obtain these things: 'et a rea4istic budget and 4earn to 4ive within #our means$ "3nd having food and raiment let us be therewith +ontent" ( Timothy (!/G: I( #ou do not &now how to ma&e a budget; see the guide4ines in Appendi. Two o( this boo&: Secon9( G5ar9 a:ainst :ree9 an9 materialism: The %ib4e dec4ares5 %ut godliness with +ontentment is great gain$ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is +ertain we +an +arry nothing out$ 3nd having food and raiment let us be 32

therewith +ontent$ %ut they that will be ri+h fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, whi+h drown men in destru+tion and perdition$ For the love of money is the root of all evil! whi+h while some +oveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pier+ed themselves through with many sorrows$ ( Timothy (!(0 8# *one# is not wrong in itse4(: It is the 4ove o( mone# that is the root o( a44 evi4 and that 4eads to greed; covetousness; materia4ism; and debt5 1hoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his in+ome$ (A++lesiastes .! 8, C-E# The 4ove o( mone# not on4# resu4ts in debt; it causes sorrow and can even resu4t in erring (rom the (aith: Greed and materia4ism wi44 ta&e #ou right bac& into the bondage o( debt i( #ou arenBt care(u4: /earn to be content with what #ou have: 7esus warned, "$$$ Guard yourselves and &eep free from all +ovetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more#; for a man;s life does not +onsist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundan+e or that whi+h is over and above his needs" (*u&e 2! ., T3%#$ T4ir9( Do not inc5r new 9e6t1 It is one thing to embrace the reve4ation o( supernatura4 debt cance44ation as revea4ed in this chapter; but #ou must a4so accept the who4e counse4 o( God: The %ib4e sa#s; A7we no man anything$$$- (6omans )!/G: I( #ou 4ive b# this princip4e; #ou wi44 not incur an# more debt: 8hi4e it is convenient to use a credit card (or purchasesBand #ou a4most have to use one to rent a car and ma&e other transactions in AmericaBthese cards can become a (inancia4 snare: The (irst month that #ou cannot pa# #our bi44; destro# those credit cards: Trust God (or supernatura4 retirement o( #our current debt; then embrace the bib4ica4 princip4e o( debt?(ree 4iving and re(use to incur additiona4 debt: Fo5rt4( Do not inc5r t4e 9e6t o3 ot4ers1 The %ib4e warns again co?signing (or anotherBs debt: I( the# de(au4t and donBt pa#; then #ou are 4e(t with the ob4igation: The %ib4e sa#s; >9e who puts up se+urity for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to stri&e hands in pledge is safe" (Proverbs ! ., C-E#$ I( #ou put up securit#??p4edge or co?sign a 4oan??then #ou wi44 su((er (or it: 1onor GodBs 8ord and re(use to ma&e such agreements: I( #ou have made such an agreement; get out o( itA Fi3t4( ReBect con9emnation an9 em6race revelation: As #ou have studied this chapter; #ou ma# have (e4t condemned because o( #our debts: The purpose o( this reve4ation is not to bring condemnation; but to point the wa# to a new beginning in #our (inances: The %ib4e dec4ares; AThere is therefore now no +ondemnation to them whi+h are in 5hrist >esus, who wal& not after the flesh, but after the ,pirit- (6omans /! #$ As& God to (orgive #ou (or past scriptura4 vio4ations; then begin to operate on the basis o( the princip4es #ou are 4earning in this boo&: "e+ect the condemnation o( the enem# and embrace this reve4ation; be4ieving God to p4ug #ou into 1is supernatura4 c#c4e o( divine provision: CI #ISH I HAD 2NO#N=C

35

'ome who are reading this chapter ma# be sa#ing; >I wish I had received this reve4ation and &nown these princip4es be(ore I 4ost ever#thing because o( m# debt:> I( #ou are one o( those who have a4read# e.perienced ban&ruptc# or 4ost #our home or +ob; then the ne.t chapter is (or #ou: God wants #ou to e.perience tota4 restoration:

CHAPTER EIGHT
CLAI"ING TOTAL RESTORATION
Perhaps #ou are one who has 4ost it a44: our +ob is gone; #ou have 4ost #our house; and #our investments have vanished: ou have 4ost ever#thing: GodBs 8ord is a marve4ous record o( divine restorations: To the Israe4ites who had 4ost their econom# due to p4agues resu4ting (rom their sin; God said5 3nd - will restore to you the years that the lo+ust hath eaten, the +an&erworm, and the +aterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army whi+h - sent among you$ 3nd ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the *ord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you! and my people shall never be ashamed$ (>oel 2!2.02(# Even though the economic devastation Israe4 was e.periencing was the resu4t o( their sin; God promised restoration when the# returned to 1im: Perhaps #our (inancia4 crisis is #our (au4t because o( unwise decisions or vio4ations o( scriptura4 princip4es: On the other hand; perhaps the 4osses are not #our (au4t and #ou are an innocent victim o( circumstances: "egard4ess o( the reason (or #our (inancia4 crises; God wants to restore a44 #ou have 4ost: CITAS NOT "$ FA!LT=C 1ave #ou done ever#thing #ou &now to do right and sti44 4ost ever#thing< ou are not a4one: Two men in the %ib4e e.perienced simi4ar devastation; through no (au4t o( their own: 33

0o6( >Ever#thing is goneA> In essence; these are words 7ob dec4ared when he said, "$$$Ca&ed +ame - out of my mother;s womb, and na&ed shall - return thither! the *ord gave, and the *ord hath ta&en away; blessed be the name of the *ord$ -n all this >ob sinned not, nor +harged God foolishly" (>ob !2 022#$ 7ob 4ost his chi4dren; his house; and his (4oc&s??the 4ater which represented his income: 1is wi(e turned against him and was a((4icted ph#sica44#; but sti44 he re(used to b4ame God or grow bitter: Instead; 7ob worshipped and b4essed the name o( the /ord: I( #ou have 4ost it a44; donBt b4ame God: "e(use to become bitter: !onBt turn (rom God in #our time o( need??turn to 1imA 7ob remained (aith(u4; and in the end God restored more than he had 4ost5 >,o the *ord blessed the latter end of >ob more than his beginning" (>ob =2! 2#$ Davi9( !avid e.perienced simi4ar devastation when he 4ost ever#thing at a p4ace ca44ed Ji&4ag: The Ama4e&ites invaded the# cit# and too& the women captive; inc4uding !avidBs wives: Ever#thing the peop4e owned was gone and the cit# was burned to the ground: !avid and his men wept unti4 there were more no tears 4e(t to shed: It was a desperate situation; and !avidBs men were so upset that the# even ta4&ed o( &i44ing him because the# b4amed him (or their 4osses F1 'amue4 ,951?3G: In the midst o( this tota4 devastation; !avid encouraged himse4( in the /ord F1 'amue4 ,953G: 'ometimes; there wi44 be no one around to encourage #ou: There wi44 be no one to cheer #ou on: That is when #ou must encourage #ourse4( in the /ord: In the (ace o( tota4 4oss; #ou must encourage #ourse4( b# c4aiming GodBs promises: !avid too& his arm# and returned to the batt4e(ie4d to rec4aim a44 that was right(u44# his5 3nd David re+overed all that the 3male&ites had +arried away! and David res+ued his two wives$ 3nd there was nothing la+&ing to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had ta&en to them! David re+overed all$ ( ,amuel )8! /0 D# !avid recovered a44: Ever#thing that had been 4ost was restored: God wants to restore a44 #ou have 4ost a4so: !onBt remain in the ruins o( (inancia4 de(eat weeping over #our 4osses: Encourage #ourse4( in the /ord; then rise up and begin to act in (aith to c4aim tota4 restoration: CITAS ALL "$ FA!LT=C ou ma# be thin&ing; >7ob and !avid were innocent victims; but m# (inancia4 disaster is a44 m# (au4tA> *a#be #ou are in a crisis because o( poor decisions or vio4ations o( scriptura4 princip4es: "egard4ess??God wants to restore a44 #ou have 4ost: Israe4 e.perienced tota4 devastation when the# re(used to enter the promised 4and because o( (ear and unbe4ie(: The# had to return to the wi4derness (or (ort# #ears; #et God did not abandon them5 3-

For the *ord thy God hath blessed thee in all the wor&s of thy hand! he &noweth thy wal&ing through this great wilderness! these forty years the *ord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast la+&ed nothing$ (Deuteronomy 2!"# !espite their sin; God did not abandon them: 1e provided (or them in the wi4derness?? the# 4ac&ed nothing??and 1e eventua44# brought a new generation to their promised 4and: God has not abandoned #ou to 4ive in povert# and (inancia4 ruin (or the rest o( #our 4i(e; even i( the circumstances #ou are in are #our own (au4t: The /ord to4d Israe4 that 1e wou4d (orgive them and b4ess them again as soon as the# repented5 3nd the *ord thy God will ma&e thee plenteous in every wor& of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy +attle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good! for the *ord will again re2oi+e over thee for good, as he re2oi+ed over thy fathers! -f thou shalt hear&en unto the voi+e of the *ord thy God, to &eep his +ommandments and his statutes whi+h are written in this boo& of the law, and if thou turn unto the *ord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul$ For this +ommandment whi+h - +ommand thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off$ -t is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, 1ho shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it4 Ceither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, 1ho shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it4 %ut the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it$ (Deuteronomy )8!D0 =# God promised to b4ess 1is peop4e in ever# area o( their 4ives when the# repented and returned to embrace the scriptura4 princip4es 1e had c4ear4# mandated (or them to 4ive b#: >The 8ord is near #ou??in #our mouth and #our heart??so do itA>; commanded the /ord: This scenario is apt4# i44ustrated in the stor# o( Israe4 and the batt4e o( Ai: One o( the cha44enges God gave 7oshua was to 4ead Israe4 across the 7ordan "iver to c4aim their promised 4and: God said that the spoi4s o( the batt4e at 7ericho; the (irst cit# the# wou4d con=uer; were to be reserved (or the /ord F7oshua 351)G: One o( the warriors o( Israe4; a man named Achan; sinned b# ta&ing spoi4s (rom the enem# to &eep (or himse4(; despite the (act God had (orbidden it: %ecause o( this sin; Israe4 4ost their ne.t batt4e at a much sma44er cit# named Ai F7oshua -G: On4# when the peop4e repented and ac&now4edged their sin did God once again begin to b4ess them: I( #ou have 4ost ever#thing because o( #our own sins or (inancia4 b4unders; repent: Then do as Israe4 did and return to the batt4e(ie4d under the new anointing o( GodBs restorative power: ou must ta&e action i( #ou want to e.perience restoration5 $$$"that they may re+over themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are ta&en +aptive by him at his will" (2 Timothy 2!2(#$ No matter how dar& it is around #ou; the /ord has promised restoration: 'o get upA The g4or# o( the /ord is rising upon #ou5 36

3rise, shine; for thy light is +ome, and the glory of the *ord is risen upon thee$ For, behold, the dar&ness shall +over the earth, and gross dar&ness the people! but the *ord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee$$$the abundan+e of the sea shall be +onverted unto thee, the for+es of the Gentiles shall +ome unto thee$ The multitude of +amels shall +over thee, the dromedaries of 'idian and Aphah; all they from ,heba shall +ome! they shall bring gold and in+ense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the *ord$ (Portions of -saiah (8! 0 (# CONTIN!O!S RESTORATION ou wi44 need the mirac4e o( restoration continuous4# in 4i(e as #ou repeated4# (ace di((icu4t circumstances: I( #ou have been (aith(u4 in #our tithes and o((erings; then #ou are strategica44# positioned to e.perience it: There is a beauti(u4 O4d Testament stor# that i44ustrates this5 Then spa&e Alisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, 3rise, and go thou and thine household, and so2ourn wheresoever thou +anst so2ourn! for the *76D hath +alled for a famine; and it shall also +ome upon the land seven years$ 3nd the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God! and she went with her household, and so2ourned in the land of the Philistines seven years$ 3nd it +ame to pass at the seven yearsJ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines! and she went forth to +ry unto the &ing for her house and for her land$ 3nd the &ing tal&ed with Geha@i the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, - pray thee, all the great things that Alisha hath done$ 3nd it +ame to pass, as he was telling the &ing how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, +ried to the &ing for her house and for her land $$$(2 Gings /! 0.# 'hunem was a vi44age o( Ga4i4ee through which the Prophet E4isha routine4# passed on his wa# to minister in the northern &ingdom: The 'hunammite woman; who is spo&en o( in this chapter; supported E4isha and ministered to his needs: This woman prepared a room in her house and provided mea4s and she4ter (or him: %ecause o( her generosit# to the prophet o( God; this woman reaped continuous restoration as she (aced the di((icu4ties o( 4i(e: 1er gi(t o( hospita4it# was mu4tip4ied man# times over with b4essings mone# cannot bu#: The woman was chi4d4ess; but God opened her womb; she conceived; and gave birth to a bo# F2 @ings 251-G: A (ew #ears 4ater when her son died; E4isha pra#ed (or him and he was resurrected (rom the dead F2 @ings 25,,?,-G: 'ome time 4ater; E4isha warned the 'hunammite woman about a (amine that was coming upon the 4and and to4d her to ta&e her (ami4# to another countr# unti4 it was over F2 @ings 651G: The woman obe#ed the 8ord o( the /ord spo&en through E4isha and too& her entire househo4d to 4ive in the 4and o( the Phi4istines: A(ter the (amine ended; the woman returned to 'hunem on4# to (ind that during the time she was gone; her house and 4and had been seiCed: 8hen she went to the &ing to as& (or the return o( her propert#; E4ishaDs servant; GehaCi; was with the &ing te44ing him how this womanBs son had been raised (rom the dead: 8hen the 3)

&ing rea4iCed who she was; he immediate4# dec4ared5 $$$ H6estore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field sin+e the day that she left the land, even until nowI F2 Gings /!(#$ God not on4# provided (or this 'hunammite woman during the seven #ears o( (amine; but 1e a4so restored a44 she had 4ost during the time that she was awa# (rom her home4and: 'he e.perienced supernatura4; divine provision because o( her (aith(u4ness to God: 8hen #ou remain (aith(u4 in giving; #ou are positioned (or (inancia4 restoration; as we44 as restoration in areas e=ua44# as important or even more va4uab4e than mone#: 1e can restore #our (ami4#; (riends; +ob; possessions; and ministr#:

GOD T!RNS NOTHING INTO SO"ETHING ou might be wondering; >1ow can God restore ever#thing to me: I have nothing with which to start over: Ever#thing is goneA> Our God created a universe (rom nothing: 1e can turn #our nothing into something; as 'imon Peter 4earned on a (ishing trip5 3nd it +ame to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the la&e of Gennesaret, 3nd saw two ships standing by the la&e! but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets$ 3nd he entered into one of the ships, whi+h was ,imonJs, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land$ 3nd he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship$ Cow when he had left spea&ing, he said unto ,imon, *aun+h out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught$ (*u&e .! 0=# 'imon Peter and his crew had (ished a44 night with no resu4ts: 1ave #ou been >(ishing a44 night>??4aboring hard; wor&ing ever# ang4e in the natura4 wor4d??with sti44 no resu4ts< I( so; #ou can identi(# with Peter: 'imon Peter was an e.pert (isherman; but 7esus was a carpenter: 8hat did 7esus &now about (ishing< et Peter did not re(use to do as the /ord commanded5 3nd ,imon answering said unto him, 'aster, we have toiled all the night, and have ta&en nothing! nevertheless at thy word - will let down the net$ (*u&e .!.# The word >word" in this verse means 6hema, which is the reve4ation o( GodDs spo&en 8ord: 'imon was sa#ing; LIDve been out here (ishing a44 night; but ou seem to &now something about this water that I donDt &now; so at our 6hema 8ord; I wi44 4et down the net:K Peter said; >Neverthe4ess at th# 8ord:> In the midst o( #our (inancia4 need; spea& these words to God: Even though #ou have tried repeated4# and (ai4ed; dec4are >neverthe4ess at Th# -9

8ord>??4et 1im &now #ou wi44 tr# once more: This time; do it GodBs wa#: /aunch out in the deep: Cut 4oose (rom the sa(et# o( the shore4ine: At the 8ord o( the /ord; go where #ou havenBt gone be(ore5 3nd when they had this done, they in+losed a great multitude of fishes! and their net bra&e$ 3nd they be+&oned unto their partners, whi+h were in the other ship, that they should +ome and help them$ 3nd they +ame, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sin&$ 1hen ,imon Peter saw it, he fell down at >esus; &nees, saying, Depart from me; for - am a sinful man, 7 *ord$ For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes whi+h they had ta&en$ (*u&e .!(0D# 7esus had to4d Peter to 4et down the nets Fp4ura4G; and he wou4d receive a draught: 'imon on4# 4et down the net Fsingu4arG and it was so (u44 that it began to brea&: 1is boat started to sin&; and he had to ca44 his partners (or he4p: 'imon had 4imited God: There has never been a 6hema 8ord spo&en through the power o( the 1o4# 'pirit that wonBt be (u4(i44ed in #our 4i(eA !onBt (i.ate on what is or isnDt possib4e in the natura4 wor4d: 8hen God sa#s nets; #ouBd better 4et down all o( #our nets: !onDt come to GodDs storehouse with #our 4itt4e sac&: "o44 out #our wagonsA !onBt 4imit God: Obe# 1is 8ord to #ou and #ou wi44 be amaCed at the abundance that wi44 be brought into #our hands: It is interesting to note in this stor# that Peter ca44ed his partners (or he4p to bring in the catch: The word >partners> indicates that Peter was not a 4one (isherman; but had a (ishing enterprise: The word >partners> used here is the same word used (or >communion> in 2 Corinthians 1,512 when it spea&s o( the communion o( the 1o4# Ghost being continua44# with #ou: The 1o4# 'pirit is #our partner; and with 1im as a (inancia4 partner; an#thing is possib4eA #HAT TO DO #HEN THE #INE R!NS O!T 1ave #ou ever (e4t tota44# drained< ou are so tired and wear# o( the batt4es o( 4i(e that #ou (ee4 empt#; especia44# in regards to the (inancia4 crisis #ou are (acing: 8hat do #ou do when #ou have no strength to go on< 8hat happens when a44 o( #our precious resources are gone< There is an account in the %ib4e that answers this =uestion: It occurred during a wedding (east in Cana o( Ga4i4ee: The part# was going great when sudden4#; the# ran out o( wine5 3nd the third day there was a marriage in 5ana of Galilee; and the mother of >esus was there! 3nd both >esus was +alled, and his dis+iples, to the marriage$ 3nd when they wanted wine, the mother of >esus saith unto him, They have no wine$ >esus saith unto her, 1oman, what have - to do with thee4 'ine hour is not yet +ome$ (>ohn 2! 0=# 8hen the wine was gone; the mother o( 7esus &new that 1e cou4d he4p and she immediate4# appea4ed to 1im: Perhaps 4i&e *ar#; #ou have gone to the /ord with an appea4 about #our need??#our great 4osses; #our empt# ban& account??and #ou are sti44 waiting (or an answer: %e assured5 7esus has a set timing (or #our mirac4e; +ust as 1e did (or the mirac4e o( the -1

empt# wine +ugs: >*# time hasnBt come #et;> 7esus answered 1is mother: Then >$$$9is mother saith unto the servants, 1hatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (>ohn 2!.#$ The &e# to this mirac4e is (ound in these words5 "$$$whatever 9e says to you, do it<" that is #our spiritua4 &e#: ou are 4earning through the pages o( this boo& what God sa#s about (inances: Now #ou must act in obedience and do it5 3nd there were set there siB waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the >ews, +ontaining two or three fir&ins apie+e$ >esus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water$ 3nd they filled them up to the brim$ 3nd he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast$ 3nd they bare it$ (>ohn 2!(0/# A(ter 7esus turned the +ugs o( water into wine and it was served; then $$$"the governor of the feast +alled the bridegroom, 3nd saith unto him, Avery man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drun&, then that whi+h is worse! but thou hast &ept the good wine until now" (>ohn 2!D0 8#$ our +ugs ma# be empt# right now; but 7esus has a set timing (or #our mirac4e: 8ait unti4 #ou hear (rom God; then do what 1e te44s #ou to do and God wi44 rep4enish #our resources with abundance: The o4d wine is gone; but the new wine wi44 be better than #ou ever imagined: $O! LOSE TO GAIN 1The princip4es in GodDs @ingdom are di((erent than the princip4es which govern 4i(e in the natura4 wor4d in which we present4# 4ive: In 1is @ingdom; the mee& are con=uerors; the 4east are greatest; the (irst are 4ast; sma44 becomes great; #ou give to receive; and #ou die in order to e.perience true 4i(e: There are man# other contrasts in the @ingdom o( God that di((er (rom how peop4e in the wor4d thin& and act: The Apost4e Pau4 dec4ared one o( these contrasts between our concept o( what is considered 4oss and gain5 ?ea doubtless, and - +ount all things but loss for the eB+ellen+y of the &nowledge of 5hrist >esus my *ord! for whom - have suffered the loss of all things, and do +ount them but dung, that - may win 5hrist, 3nd be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, whi+h is of the law, but that whi+h is through the faith of 5hrist, the righteousness whi+h is of God by faith! That - may &now him, and the power of his resurre+tion, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made +onformable unto his death; (Philippians )!/0 8# Pau4 had his priorities right: 8hatever he 4ost pa4ed in signi(icance in comparison to what he gained in &nowing Christ: The princip4e is this5 In GodBs @ingdom; #ou 4ose to gain:

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!id #ou ever stop to thin& that the 4osses #ou are e.periencing might actua44# resu4t in gain i( #ou view them (rom GodBs perspective< Consider the bib4ica4 record o( those who 4ost ever#thing; on4# to gain a great dea4 more because o( their obedience to God5 )A6ra4am 4e(t his home; (ami4#; and nation at the 8ord o( the /ord: 1e was 4e(t with a 4ess desirab4e piece o( 4and when he a44owed /ot to choose the best propert#: 1is gains< 1e tithed and treated others generous4#: In return; Abraham received a mirac4e chi4d; a promised 4and; and became the (ather o( nations: 1 )0ose74 4ost the 4ove o( his brothers; was separated (rom his (ather; 4ost his home4and; and was striped his priCed possession??his coat o( man# co4ors: 1is (reedom and reputation were ta&en: 1is gains< 1e became second in command in Eg#pt and saved the wor4d (rom starvation: )Est4er 4e(t her be4oved unc4e and her simp4e wa# o( 4i(e to become =ueen: 'he ris&ed her 4i(e to appear be(ore the &ing: 1er gains< 'he saved an entire nation (rom annihi4ation and preserved the 4ineage (rom which the *essiah wou4d come: )0o4n t4e Ba7tist 4ost his 4i(e (or the sa&e o( the Gospe4; but his ministr# prepared the wa# (or the greatest mani(estation ever given5 God in (4esh who came and 4ived among us and died (or our sins: )T4e A7ostle Pa5l 4ost his position and prestige as a 4eader in Israe4 when 1e became a be4iever in 7esus Christ: 1e was stoned; beaten; shipwrec&ed; and imprisoned: 1e dec4ared that he su((ered the 4oss o( a44 things: 1is gains< 1e out?wrote; out?preached; and out?trave4ed an# New Testament minister on record and came to &now the /ord in an intimate re4ationship: )Peter was ca44ed to 4eave a pro(ession he 4ovedN(ishing: 1e was rewarded with catching men instead o( (ish and became a great 4eader in the (irst church: )T4e A7ostle 0o4n 4ost his (reedom and was cast upon a 4one4#; deserted is4and: 1e probab4# watched the ship sai4ing awa# wondering i( he wou4d ever see his home or (ami4# again: %ut there on that is4and; whi4e in the 'pirit on the /ordBs !a#; 7ohn received one o( the greatest reve4ations ever given regarding the end?times and the (ina4 restoration o( a44 things in the new heaven and earth: 8e cou4d spea& o( numerous other bib4ica4 e.amp4es; but these are su((icient to i44ustrate the point: The =uestion is; what about #ou< Is it +ust possib4e that God wi44 ta&e the 4osses o( #our 4i(e and turn them around (or #our bene(it< Are #ou going to remain weeping over the ashes o( #our 4osses or??4i&e !avid??are #ou going to rise up and c4aim tota4 restoration< In O4d Testament times i( a man sto4e something; he was re=uired to restore doub4e what he had sto4en FE.odus 2252G: Proverbs 35,1 spea&s o( a seven?(o4d restoration that is to be made b# a thie(: 'atan is a thie( and 7esus dec4ared5 The thief +ometh not, but for to steal, and to &ill, and to destroy! - am +ome that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly$ (>ohn 8! 8# -,

I( #ou have 4ost ever#thing??i( it has been &i44ed; sto4en; or destro#ed??then recogniCe the source o( #our 4oss: It was not #our emp4o#er; #our mate; #our (riend; #our (ami4# member; or God who did this wrong against #ou: It is 'atan who comes to stea4; &i44; and destro# a44 that is va4uab4e and good in #our 4i(e: 7esus comes that #ou might have abundant 4i(e??and that inc4udes 1is divine provision (or #our ever# need: A man named 7: 1udson Ta#4or; who was a (amous missionar# to China; once wrote these words to his wi(e during a di((icu4t (inancia4 time5 >8e have twent#?(ive cents??and a44 the promises o( GodA> ou ma# have on4# a (ew cents or ma#be nothing at a44; but #ou have a44 the promises o( God at #our disposa4A A vita4 part o( #our tota4 restoration wi44 be the wise app4ication o( scriptura4 princip4es to #our (inances: @eep reading; as that is the sub+ect o( the ne.t (ew chapters:

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CHAPTER NINE
APPL$ING SCRIPT!RAL FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES PART ONE
As be4ievers; we do not 4oo& to the strategies o( the wor4d (or princip4es to govern our (inances: 8e 4oo& to the truth o( GodBs 8ord: There are (ive basic princip4es that shou4d distinguish the be4ieverBs attitude (rom that o( the wor4d5 ?The master o( our mone# is God: 8e are guided b# obedience to 1is 8ord in regards to (inances: 8e are on4# stewards o( the resources 1e has given us: ?Our motivation is di((erent (rom that o( the wor4d: Instead o( amassing wea4th (or se4(ish purposes; we are motivated b# a desire to use our resources (or GodBs g4or#: ?Our min9set di((ers (rom that o( the wor4d: 8e see& contentment with what we have and we own our possessions instead o( being owned b# them: ?Our means o( attaining (inances di((er: 'criptura4 boundaries are honored to prevent (raud and deceit and we 4ive b# princip4es o( honest# and integrit#: ?Our mana:ement o( mone# di((ers (rom that o( the wor4d: Our budgets inc4ude categories 4i&e tithes; o((erings; and giving to the poor: In regards to our management o( mone#; there are (our basic =uestions about giving and receiving which need bib4ica4 answers5 ?8h# shou4d we give< ?1ow shou4d we give< ?To whom shou4d we give< ?8hat can we e.pect to receive when we have given< A44 be4ievers shou4d be ab4e to give bib4ica4 answers to each o( these =uestions: Pause now and write a brie( response to each =uestion so #ou can compare #our answers with the scriptura4 directives that #ou wi44 stud# in this chapter: -5

#H$ SHO!LD #E GIVE% 8e shou4d give because5 #e want to 7attern o5rselves a3ter o5r :ivin: Go91 As we 4earned in chapter one o( this stud#; God is someone who gives 4avish4#: 1e is the a44?giving Creator and "edeemer: 8e want to be 4i&e 1im; so this means that we (o44ow 1is e.amp4e and give generous4#: #e want to o6e; Go9As comman9s to :ive1 God commanded Israe4 to ma&e giving centra4 in their persona4; (ami4#; and nationa4 4ives: New Testament teachings in the Gospe4s and Epist4es emphasiCe giving as we44: E.amp4es in the histor# o( the (irst church recorded in the boo& o( Acts a4so i44ustrate this: A4might# God commands us to give and as 1is chi4dren; we respond in obedience: #e love t4e worl9 wit4 t4e love o3 Go91 God so 4oved the wor4d that 1e gave 1is on4# 'on F7ohn ,513G: 8e give to the wor& o( the /ord because we are (i44ed with GodBs 4ove and we want to e.tend the Gospe4 to the wor4d: #e are t4an 35l1 The 7ews gave sacri(icia4 gi(ts to e.press gratitude (or GodBs provision (or their needs: 8e a4so e.press our than&s b# giving to God: #e want to a99ress le:itimate nee91 There are massive variations in wea4th around the wor4d: 'ome o( our brothers and sisters in the Third 8or4d strugg4e in di((icu4t conditions; whi4e those in western nations 4ive in re4ative ease: 7ohn taught that we cannot tru4# have GodBs 4ove mani(ested through us i( we ignore the needs o( our brothers and sisters in the %od# o( Christ: The %ib4e repeated4# addresses the importance o( giving to the poor; to widows; orphans; and the nation o( Israe4: #e now it is more 6lesse9 to :ive t4an to receive1 This @ingdom princip4e is tota44# opposite o( the wor4dBs advice which is to get a44 #ou can; get it an# wa# #ou can; and then horde it: #e want to la; 57 4eavenl; treas5re1 8e want to be among those who receive the awesome b4essings which God has promised (or those who invest in heaven4# rather than earth4# treasures F/u&e 125,,?,2G: #e want o5r nee9s s577lie91 'ome peop4e spend #ears c4inging to their mone# in a vain attempt to meet their own needs; on4# to see God provide miracu4ous4# as soon as the# start to give: 'ad4#; man# never 4earn to give and remain in need their entire 4ives: It does not matter i( #ou have enormous debts or di((icu4t (inancia4 circumstances; God promises to supp4# a44 o( #our needs out o( 1is in(inite riches when #ou are obedient to 1is commands to give: HO# SHO!LD #E GIVE%

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Give :enero5sl;. >Generosit#> means >giving wide4#>: 8e are not rea44# generous i( we persist in measuring our generosit# b# what we give; rather than b# what we retain: The %ib4e dec4ares5 The liberal soul shall be made fat! and he that watereth shall be watered also himself$ (Proverbs !2.# 9e that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor$ (Proverbs 22!D# Give creativel;1 Giving in %ib4e times inc4uded tithes; sacri(ices; (ree?wi44 o((erings; g4eanings; hospita4it#; (unds (or widows; co44ections (or (amine re4ie(; e.pensive +ars o( oi4; and even a buria4 tomb: As& God to show #ou creative wa#s to give in addition to giving #our (inances: $or e.amp4e #ou might donate c4othing; b4an&ets; or (ood to the home4ess; a car to someone in need o( transportation; or a +ob to someone who is unemp4o#ed: Give willin:l;1 God as&s that peop4e give wi44ing4#5 ,pea& unto the +hildren of -srael, that they bring me an offering! of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall ta&e my offering$ (ABodus 2.!2# For if there be first a willing mind, it is a++epted a++ording to that a man hath, and not a++ording to that he hath not$ (2 5orinthians /! 2# Then the people re2oi+ed, for that they offered willingly, be+ause with perfe+t heart they offered willingly to the *ord! and David the &ing also re2oi+ed with great 2oy$( 5hroni+les 2D!D# Give c4eer35ll;1 God 4oves a cheer(u4 giver5 Avery man a++ording as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of ne+essity! for God loveth a +heerful giver$ (2 5orinthians D!"# Give 7ro7ortionatel;1 Ever# be4iever shou4d give as he is ab4e; in proportion to his income and how God has b4essed him: Avery man shall give as he is able, a++ording to the blessing of the *ord thy God whi+h he hath given thee$ (Deuteronomy (! "# Give wit4 sim7licit; an9 wit4o5t see in: reco:nition1 !onBt give with (an(are or see&ing recognition5 $$$ he that giveth, let him do it with simpli+ity$$$(6omans 2!/#

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Ta&e heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them! otherwise ye have no reward of your Father whi+h is in heaven$ Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypo+rites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men$ Eerily - say unto you, They have their reward$ %ut when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand &now what thy right hand doeth! That thine alms may be in se+ret! and thy Father whi+h seeth in se+ret himself shall reward thee openly$ ('atthew (! 0=# Give e?7ectin: Go9 to meet ;o5r nee91 This is not a wrong motive: c4aiming GodBs promises and ta&ing 1im at 1is 8ord: ou are simp4#

9onour the *ord with thy substan+e, and with the firstfruits of all thine in+rease! ,o shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine$ (Proverbs )!D0 8# %ut my God shall supply all your need a++ording to his ri+hes in glory by 5hrist >esus$ (Philippians =! D# Give sacri3iciall;1 'acri(icia4 giving is measured b# what #ou retain rather than b# what #ou give5 3nd he +alled unto him his dis+iples, and saith unto them, Eerily - say unto you, That this poor widow hath +ast more in, than all they whi+h have +ast into the treasury! For all they did +ast in of their abundan+e; but she of her want did +ast in all that she had, even all her living$ ('ar& 2!=)0==# Give wit4 a 75re motive1 As& #ourse4(5 8h# am I giving< I( #ou are giving because #ou were pressured to do so or because #ou want to 4oo& good be(ore others; #our motive is wrong: our giving shou4d be (rom a heart (i44ed with 4ove5 3nd though - bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though - give my body to be burned, and have not +harity, it profiteth me nothing$ ( 5orinthians )!)# our obedience to God and 1is 8ord are more important that #our gi(ts5 3nd ,amuel said, 9ath the *ord as great delight in burnt offerings and sa+rifi+es, as in obeying the voi+e of the *ord4 %ehold, to obey is better than sa+rifi+e, and to hear&en than the fat of rams$ For rebellion is as the sin of wit+h+raft, and stubbornness is as ini:uity and idolatry$ %e+ause thou hast re2e+ted the word of the *ord, he hath also re2e+ted thee from being &ing$ ( ,amuel .!22# Give ;o5r 6est1 In O4d Testament times; GodBs peop4e were instructed to bring their best rather and were (orbidden to o((er sic& and in+ured anima4s or po44uted o((erings F*a4achi 153? 12G: 8e a4so shou4d give our best: The woman who o((ered her a4abaster bo. o( e.pensive ointment gave the ver# best she had; as did the 4itt4e widow woman who gave a44 that she had F*ar& 235-?19 and *ar& 12522?22G: I( it doesnBt cost #ou something; it isnBt #our best gi(t: -6

!avid said, "- will not offer burnt offerings to the *ord my God of that whi+h +osts me nothing" (2 ,amuel 2=!2=#$ TO #HO" SHO!LD #E GIVE% 8e see massive needs in our wor4d through the medium o( te4evision and the Internet: 8e hear (re=uent (inancia4 appea4s in our churches and receive 4etters (rom numerous ministries see&ing donations (or 4egitimate needs: 8e sometimes (ee4 overwhe4med b# the number o( re=uests we receive: 8hich ones shou4d we respond to< 1ere are some scriptura4 directives to guide #our giving: Give to t4e local c45rc41 The (irst priorit# in giving shou4d be to a44ocate a tenth o( our income to our 4oca4 church: Our tithes shou4d be used to support the modern e=uiva4ents o( priests and /evites??peop4e who are invo4ved in some (orm o( ministr# 4i&e pastors; missionaries; teachers; prophets; evange4ists; church secretaries; musicians; #outh wor&ers; counse4ors; and careta&ers o( GodBs house: Our gi(ts shou4d a4so be used (or rent; uti4ities; maintenance; etc:; o( the 4oca4 church: Give to t4e 7oor1 In addition to (inancia4 gi(ts to the poor; #our giving might inc4ude assisting orphanages; ta&ing c4othes and (ood to the home4ess; giving #our time to organiCe care (aci4ities (or poor chi4dren; estab4ishing +ob centers (or the unemp4o#ed; or de4ivering mea4s to the e4der4#: In the O4d Testament; one?third o( the tithe was used to (eed the need# in the 4oca4 area: A portion o( our tithes and o((erings shou4d go into a speci(ic (und so that the church can he4p their 4oca4 poor: F$or e.amp4es; see !euteronom# 15519H Proverbs 1)51-H 2652-H 225)H and Psa4m 2151G: Give to ministries t4at mentor ;o51 ou shou4d support the ministries which God has used to b4ess #ou and he4p #ou grow in the /ord: In the New Testament; the *acedonian be4ievers were committed; 4ong?term (inancia4 partners o( the Apost4e Pau4: The# had been brought to (aith in Christ b# Pau4: The# had been b4essed and mentored spiritua44# b# him; so in return the# he4ped support his ministr#: Give ;o5r s7irit5al :i3ts+ talents+ an9 time to wort4; ca5ses1 God has given #ou spiritua4 gi(ts; ta4ents; and time: These shou4d be o((ered to the /ord as we44 as #our (inances: Consider vo4unteering in #our church or a Christian organiCation: Give to Israel1 Pau4 made it c4ear that we have an eterna4 spiritua4 debt to the 7ews: A4most a44 o( the %ib4e was written b# 7ews: 7ewish be4ievers (irst brought the Gospe4 to the Genti4es and the# were the (irst to spread the Good News across the wor4d: God prospers those who 4ove Israe4; and giving is one wa# to demonstrate #our 4ove FPsa4m 12253G: Give 4os7italit; to ot4er 6elievers1 As our communities disintegrate; (ami4ies brea& up; and the number o( e4der4# peop4e mu4tip4ies; hospita4it# among be4ievers becomes ever more urgent: Our towns are increasing4# (i44ed with 4one4# peop4e who wou4d va4ue a mea4 in another personBs home: *an# be4ievers 4ive a4one and have empt# rooms that cou4d be used to advance the @ingdom: In America; man# be4ievers opened their homes (or temporar# she4ter to the -)

home4ess a(ter a terrib4e hurricane ca44ed @atrina ravaged a portion o( the nation: Perhaps #ou cou4d host a missionar# home on (ur4ough or provide temporar# housing (or someone who has been disp4aced (rom their own residence due to a disaster: #HAT CAN #E E@PECT TO RECEIVE #HEN #E HAVE GIVEN% 'ome ma# thin& that this is a =uestion we shou4d not as&; #et it is a sub+ect which the %ib4e c4ear4# addresses: 8hen we give consistent4# and scriptura44#; then we can e.pect to receive5 Provision 3or o5r eart4l; nee9s1 %oth the O4d and New Testaments contain c4ear promises that God wi44 b4ess us in tangib4e wa#s when we give o( our resources: In !euteronom# 1252) and *a4achi ,519; God promises over(4owing b4essing upon those who give bib4ica44#: !euteronom# 2251) contains a simi4ar promise5 1hen thou +uttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fet+h it! it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow! that the *ord thy God may bless thee in all the wor& of thine hands$ (Deuteronomy 2=! D# 8hen we give (ree4# to the poor; we can e.pect God to b4ess us: The %ib4e indicates that >9e that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the *ord; and that whi+h he hath given will he pay him again" (Proverbs D! "#$ The Prophet Isaiah e.p4ains the amaCing b4essings we wi44 receive when we give GodBs wa#5 -s it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are +ast out to thy house4 when thou seest the na&ed, that thou +over him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh4 Then shall thy light brea& forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily! and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the *ord shall be thy rearward$ Then shalt thou +all, and the *ord shall answer; thou shalt +ry, and he shall say, 9ere - am$ -f thou ta&e away from the midst of thee the yo&e, the putting forth of the finger, and spea&ing vanity; 3nd if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the affli+ted soul; then shall thy light rise in obs+urity, and thy dar&ness be as the noonday! 3nd the *ord shall guide thee +ontinually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and ma&e fat thy bones! and thou shalt be li&e a watered garden, and li&e a spring of water, whose waters fail not$ (-saiah ./!"0 # 7esus said; "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and sha&en together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom$ For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (*u&e (!)/#$ S57ernat5ral :rowt4 an9 miracles1 The staggering growth in the ear4# church was c4ear4# re4ated to their generosit#: *irac4es o( sa4vation; hea4ing; and de4iverance cannot be separated (rom the sacri(icia4 4i(est#4e o( be4ievers in the ear4# church: 8hen our churches give

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GodBs wa#; we wi44 begin to see mirac4es and d#namic growth such as the ear4# church e.perienced: Heavenl; treas5re1 8e convert our earth4# wea4th into heaven4# treasure b# giving GodBs wa#: "ead the (o44owing passages and note both the promises and the conditions5 3nd whosoever shall give to drin& unto one of these little ones a +up of +old water only in the name of a dis+iple, verily - say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward$ ('atthew 8!=2# 1hen the ,on of man shall +ome in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory! 3nd before him shall be gathered all nations! and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats! 3nd he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left$ Then shall the Ging say unto them on his right hand, 5ome, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the &ingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world! For - was an hungred, and ye gave me meat! - was thirsty, and ye gave me drin&! - was a stranger, and ye too& me in! Ca&ed, and ye +lothed me! - was si+&, and ye visited me! - was in prison, and ye +ame unto me$ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, *ord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee4 or thirsty, and gave thee drin&4 1hen saw we thee a stranger, and too& thee in4 or na&ed, and +lothed thee4 7r when saw we thee si+&, or in prison, and +ame unto thee4 3nd the Ging shall answer and say unto them, Eerily - say unto you, -nasmu+h as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me$ ('atthew 2.!) 0=8# ,ell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags whi+h waB not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approa+heth, neither moth +orrupteth$ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also$ (*u&e 2!))0)=# Then said he also to him that bade him, 1hen thou ma&est a dinner or a supper, +all not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy &insmen, nor thy ri+h neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a re+ompen+e be made thee$ %ut when thou ma&est a feast, +all the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind! 3nd thou shalt be blessed; for they +annot re+ompense thee! for thou shalt be re+ompensed at the resurre+tion of the 2ust$ (*u&e =! 20 =# Now that we have answered some basic =uestions regarding giving; in the ne.t chapter we wi44 go deeper into our stud# o( scriptura4 (inancia4 princip4es b# reviewing O4d and New Testament e.amp4es and directives:

61

CHAPTER TEN
APPL$ING SCRIPT!RAL FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES PART T#O
1aving answered some basic =uestions regarding giving; we wi44 now e.amine the records o( bib4ica4 givers and additiona4 scriptura4 princip4es o( (inances recorded in the O4d and New Testaments: This is one o( the most important chapters in this boo&: %ecause o( the man# princip4es presented; this is a 4esson #ou wi44 want to stud# care(u44#: 'ome scriptures are (inancia4 promises to c4aim: Others are e.amp4es to (o44ow or commands to obe#: A44 are spiritua4 stepping stones in the +ourne# to our destination o( divine provision: OLD TESTA"ENT FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES The O4d Testament is (i44ed with e.amp4es o( e.travagant givers and strategic princip4es that are app4icab4e to our own giving: /etBs wa4& through the O4d Testament together to review some o( these power(u4 e.amp4es and princip4es: Go91 As we previous4# 4earned; giving began with God at the time o( creation when 1e gave us the beauti(u4 wor4d in which we 4ive: In Genesis ,513?21; God sacri(iced anima4s to provide the b4ood sacri(ice re=uired (or the sins o( Adam and Eve and gave them c4othing to cover their shame: GodBs ma+or gi(ts o( creation and redemption??as discussed in chapter one o( this stud#??are prominent in the (irst three chapters o( Genesis and throughout the bib4ica4 record: I( we want to be 4i&e God; we must a4so 4earn to give 4avish4# and creative4#: Cain an9 A6el1 Genesis 2 records that both Cain and Abe4 o((ered gi(ts to God; but 1e 4oo&ed (avorab4# on4# upon Abe4Ds gi(t: 1ebrews 1152 comments; >%y faith 3bel offered unto God a more eB+ellent sa+rifi+e than 5ain, by whi+h he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts" $$$ 8hat was the di((erence between the gi(ts< 8h# did God accept one and re+ect the other< Abe4 gave $$$ >the firstlings of his flo+&, and of the fat thereof" $$$ (Genesis =!=# whi4e Cain $$$"brought of the fruit of the ground" ... (Genesis =!)#1 Abe4 gave the best he had (o44owing GodBs re=uirement (or a b4ood sacri(ice; whi4e Cain did not: 8e 4earn (rom this account that not a44 gi(ts are acceptab4e to God: 8e must give the wa# God commands: Noa41 In Genesis 6529 we read that a(ter the (4ood subsided; Noah bui4t an a4tar to o((er God a sacri(ice: Noah sacri(iced $$$"of every +lean beast, and of every +lean fowl$" God was so p4eased with NoahDs 4avish gi(t that 1e rewarded him with the promise o( a (abu4ous b4essing FGenesis 6521N)51-G: In Genesis )5,; God promised; >Avery moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have - given you all things> and in Genesis )5- God dec4ared5 >3nd you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply 62

therein:> This i44ustrates how those who give their best to God are rewarded with divine provision: A6ra4am1 God so b4essed Abraham that the 4and cou4d not support both him and his nephew; /ot FGenesis 1,55G: Abraham wi44ing4# gave /ot (irst choice o( the 4and; demonstrating his generous nature to others FGenesis 1,55?16G: Abraham gave a tithe o( a44 his possessions to *e4chiCede& FGenesis 1251-?22G and he e.tended hospita4it# to strangers FGenesis 1651?15G: These e.amp4es o( giving are a44 ones that we; as be4ievers; shou4d emu4ate in our own 4ives: It is AbrahamDs wi44ingness to sacri(ice his 4ong?awaited son; Isaac; which demonstrates some o( the greatest concepts about giving: $or the (irst time; God as&ed a man (or a gi(t and 1e re=uired the best: "ead Genesis 22515?16 and note the 4in& between (aith?(i44ed giving and the amaCing b4essings received b# Abraham: Note a4so that Abraham ca44ed this proposed sacri(ice >worship> FGenesis 2255G: God re=uires our best gi(ts and we shou4d a4wa#s give as an act o( worship: Abraham recogniCed God as his source o( wea4th; as so shou4d we: 1e wou4d ta&e none o( the riches o((ered b# the @ing o( 'odom $$$"lest thou shouldest say, - have made 3bram ri+h" (Genesis =!2)#$ /et God prosper #ou; then 1e wi44 get the g4or#: The testimon# o( AbrahamBs servant was5 3nd the *ord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is be+ome great! and he hath given him flo+&s, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and +amels, and asses$ 3nd ,arah my master;s wife bare a son to my master when she was old! and unto him hath he given all that he hath$ (Genesis 2=!).0)(# Isaac1 Isaac was a giver and "$$$ the man waBed great, and went forward, and grew until he be+ame very great! For he had possession of flo+&s, and possessions of herds, and great store of servants! and the Philistines envied him" (Genesis 2(! )0 =#: Peop4e wi44 ta&e note when #ou are b4essed (inancia44#: In Genesis 23526; the peop4e said to Isaac; "$$$1e saw +ertainly that the *ord was with thee$$$" 8hat &ind o( testimon# is it to the wor4d i( God does not provide (or 1is chi4dren< 0aco61 7acob p4edged a tithe o( a44 he had to the /ord; and God b4essed him abundant4#: God a4wa#s honors 1is 8ord FGenesis 26522G: 7acob a4so understood the rea4 va4ue o( spiritua4 birthrights and b4essings; even though the wa# he went about obtaining them was wrong FGenesis 25?2-G: 'ome things are more va4uab4e than mone#: !onBt se44 #our spiritua4 heritage (or a bow4 o( soupA 0ose74: God gave 7oseph a p4an to save the wor4d (rom (amine FGenesis 21?22G: 1e can give #ou a success(u4 (inancia4 p4an as we44:

T4e nation o3 Israel1 There is much taught in the O4d TestamentIespecia44# in E.odus and /eviticus??concerning sacri(ices; tithes; and o((erings instituted b# God in the nation 6,

o( Israe4: A review o( these guide4ines revea4 that when gi(ts were o((ered; the cost to the giver was considerab4e; the sacri(ice had to be per(ect; and each sacri(ice was given (or a speci(ic purpose: F'ee the 4ist o( O4d Testament o((erings in Appendi. One o( this stud#:G 8e a4so discover that God origina44# p4anned that there wou4d be no poor among 1is peop4e F!euteronom# 1552?5G; a4though there wou4d be poor a4iens in the 4and and instructions were given to provide (or them F/eviticus 1)5)?1,G: Israe4 4e(t Eg#pt with the wea4th o( the wic&ed which God provided5 3nd the +hildren of -srael did a++ording to the word of 'oses; and they borrowed of the Agyptians 2ewels of silver, and 2ewels of gold, and raiment! 3nd the *ord gave the people favour in the sight of the Agyptians, so that they lent unto them su+h things as they re:uired$ 3nd they spoiled the Agyptians$ (ABodus 2!).0)(# God is ab4e to give #ou (avor in the e#es o( #our emp4o#er: 1e is ab4e to p4ace into #our hands wea4th that has been accumu4ated b# wic&ed unbe4ievers so that #ou can use it to accomp4ish 1is purposes: Israe4 4ac&ed nothing during their wi4derness +ourne#: God provided (ood and water and shoes and c4othing that did not wear out: For the *ord thy God hath blessed thee in all the wor&s of thy hand! he &noweth thy wal&ing through this great wilderness! these forty years the *ord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing$ (Deuteronomy 2!"; # No 4ac&??that is GodBs p4an (or 1is peop4e: The Psa4mist reca44s5 9e brought them forth also with silver and gold! and there was not one feeble person among their tribes$ Agypt was glad when they departed! for the fear of them fell upon them$ 9e spread a +loud for a +overing; and fire to give light in the night$ The people as&ed, and he brought :uails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven$ 9e opened the ro+&, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry pla+es li&e a river$ For he remembered his holy promise, and 3braham his servant$ 3nd he brought forth his people with 2oy, and his +hosen with gladness! 3nd gave them the lands of the heathen! and they inherited the labour of the people; That they might observe his statutes, and &eep his laws$ Praise ye the *ord$ (Psalm 8.!)"0=.# God abundant4# b4essed Israe4 (or a divine purpose5 That the# might observe 1is statues and &eep 1is 4aws as a witness to the nations: God wants to b4ess #ou (or the same reasons: Other (inancia4 principa4s we discover in the stor# o( Israe4 that are app4icab4e to our own (inances inc4ude the (o44owing5 ?The# gave abundant4# (or the construction o( the tabernac4e5 E.odus ,5521?22: 62

?Those who were gi(ted in wor&manship gave o( their ta4ents and abi4ities5 E.odus ,5519: ?The# were to be 4enders instead o( borrowers5 !euteronom# 1553: ?The# were to be (air when the# 4ent to others5 !euteronom# 22519?1,: ?The# were to care (or the poor and the widows5 !euteronom# 155-?6;11H 2251): ?The# shou4d pa# (air wages5 !euteronom# 22512?15: ?The# must be (aith(u4 with their tithes and o((erings5 !euteronom# 2352: ?The# wou4d e.perience either b4essings or curses in ever# area o( their 4ives??inc4uding (inances??depending upon their obedience to GodBs 8ord5 !euteronom# 2- and 26: 8hen Israe4 was preparing to enter their promised 4and; *oses gave a warning which we do we44 to heed a4so5 %eware that thou forget not the *ord thy God, in not &eeping his +ommandments, and his 2udgments, and his statutes, whi+h - +ommand thee this day! *est when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 3nd when thy herds and thy flo+&s multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the *ord thy God, whi+h brought thee forth out of the land of Agypt, from the house of bondage; 1ho led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and s+orpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the ro+& of flint; 1ho fed thee in the wilderness with manna, whi+h thy fathers &new not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 3nd thou say in thine heart, 'y power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth$ %ut thou shalt remember the *ord thy God! for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his +ovenant whi+h he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day$ 3nd it shall be, if thou do at all forget the *ord thy God, and wal& after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, - testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish$ 3s the nations whi+h the *ord destroyeth before your fa+e, so shall ye perish; be+ause ye would not be obedient unto the voi+e of the *ord your God$ (Deuteronomy /! 028# This scenario is apt4# i44ustrated in the ne.t e.amp4e drawn (rom the boo& o( 7oshua 0os45a1 One o( the cha44enges God gave 7oshua was to 4ead Israe4 across the 7ordan "iver to c4aim their promised 4and: God said that the spoi4s o( the batt4e at 7ericho; the (irst cit# the# wou4d con=uer; were to be reserved (or the /ord F7oshua 351)G: One o( the warriors o( Israe4; a man named Achan; sinned b# ta&ing spoi4s (rom the enem# (or his persona4 use; despite the (act God had (orbidden it: %ecause o( this sin; Israe4 4ost their ne.t batt4e at a much sma44er cit# named Ai F7oshua -G: On4# when the peop4e repented did God once again begin to b4ess them: $rom this we 4earn that we cannot vio4ate scriptura4 princip4es regarding mone# or materia4 possessions and sti44 e.pect to be b4essed b# God: R5t41 The %oo& o( "uth is one o( the best bib4ica4 e.amp4es o( the wa# God wants us to care (or the poor: Not on4# did %oaC a44ow "uth to g4ean his (ie4ds; he gave her (ar more than the 65

4aw demanded F"uth 2513G: The stor# ends with %oaC marr#ing "uth and the start4ing reve4ation that !avid was their great?grandson; meaning that 7esus 1imse4( descended (rom %oaCBs act o( 4oving generosit#: Davi9 an9 Solomon. In 1 'amue4 25; !avidDs ambition was to bui4d a house (or the /ord in 7erusa4em; but God made it c4ear that it was not 1is wi44 (or him to do so: Even though his dream was denied; !avid gave generous4# so that 'o4omon cou4d have the privi4ege o( bui4ding GodBs house: !avid a4so inspired the peop4e to give wi44ing4# and who4ehearted4# to the /ord F1 Chronic4es 2)5)G: $irst Chronic4es 2252?13 and 2)52?5 cata4og the gi(ts which enab4ed 'o4omon to bui4d the temp4e: God ma# use #ou to give or raise (inances to he4p someone e4se accomp4ish their divine destin#: In 1 Chronic4es 21522 we 4earn how !avid re(used to give something to the /ord that had cost him nothing: True gi(ts to God shou4d cost us something: The Psa4ms are a4so (i44ed with sacri(ices o( praise; than&sgiving; and worship o((ered to God b# !avid: These are a4so a vita4 part o( giving5 3nd let them sa+rifi+e the sa+rifi+es of than&sgiving, and de+lare his wor&s with re2oi+ing$ (Psalm 8"!22# - will offer to thee the sa+rifi+e of than&sgiving, and will +all upon the name of the *ord$ (Psalm (! "# !avid a4so spea&s o( obedience being more important than an# gi(t we can give to God5 For thou desirest not sa+rifi+e; else would - give it! thou delightest not in burnt offering$ The sa+rifi+es of God are a bro&en spirit! a bro&en and a +ontrite heart, 7 God, thou wilt not despise$ (Psalm . ! (0 "# EliBa4 an9 Elis4a. 'evera4 incidents in the 4ives o( E4i+ah and E4isha i44ustrate the importance o( providing (or GodDs servants: A(ter E4i+ah announced an impending drought F1 @ings 1-G; he was directed b# God to go sent to the broo& Cherith where provision was made (or him: /ater; God sent E4i+ah to Jarephath where he met a poor widow who provided (or him (rom her meager resources: %ecause o( her generosit#; God provided abundant4# (or her throughout the entire (amine: This stor# c4ear4# shows how God b4esses those who give sacri(icia44# to GodDs ministers: The %ib4e records severa4 incidents regarding giving in E4ishaDs 4i(e a4so: One o( the most important chapters about giving in the O4d Testament is 'econd @ings; Chapter 2: It records three stories which teach about (inances: Eerses 1?6; show how God miracu4ous4# he4ps peop4e be re4eased (rom debt: Eerses 6?1- te44 the stor# o( a wea4th# woman; who showed hospita4it# to E4isha and was b4essed with a son and the restoration o( her 4and: Eerses 22?22 describe how a man thought that he was providing (or one prophet and was amaCed when God used his gi(t to provide (or 199 prophetsA

63

O6a9ia41 In 1 @ings 16; we 4earn that ObadiahIat enormous ris& to himse4(Iprovided generous4# (or GodDs prophets during a time o( (amine: /i&ewise; God wants to b4ess #ou so that #ou can provide (or those in need during di((icu4t times: Hanna41 A chi4d4ess woman named 1annah gave her (irst son; 'amue4; to the wor& o( the /ord: 8hat an e.travagant gi(tA "eview her stor# in 1 'amue4 chapter 1: 8hat great gi(t is God as&ing #ou to give< 2in: 0e4oia9a1 This man raised o((erings (or the house o( God to rep4ace the dedicated things that the wic&ed sons o( Atha4iah had destro#ed F2 Chronic4es 22G: God speci(ica44# anoints some be4ievers with an abi4it# to raise (unds (or the wor& o( the /ord: I( #ou are one with that gi(t; be sure that #our e((orts bene(it the e.tension o( 1is wor& and are not used (or se4(ish gain: 2in: He>e ia41 @ing 1eCe&iah commanded that o((erings be given (or the restoration o( the house o( God and to enab4e the priests and /evites to be (ree to minister: 1e (i44ed the chambers o( GodBs house with o((erings: The peop4e gave so much that it was pi4ed up in heapsA 1eCe&iah is another e.amp4e o( one who was ab4e to motivate others to give; a specia4 abi4it# that is va4uab4e to the @ingdom F2 Chronic4es ,152?12G: E>ra( Chapters 1 through 3 records how the peop4e gave 4avish4# (or the rebui4ding o( the tabernac4e: "epeated4#; there wi44 be specia4 God?ordained pro+ects that wi44 necessitate specia4 gi(ts (rom be4ievers: Ne4emia41 Nehemiah was care(u4 to see that the poor were cared (or and he was generous with the wor&ers who were rebui4ding the wa44 around the cit# o( 7erusa4em FNehemiah 551-?2)G: 1e a4so 4ed the peop4e in repentance and a new commitment to God regarding their (inances FNehemiah 19G: 8e shou4d care (or the poor; be (air with our emp4o#ees; and??i( we are in a 4eadership position??cha44enge peop4e to a new commitment to God in the area o( their (inances: 0o61 7ob was a wea4th# man who was $$$"perfe+t and upright, and one that feared God, and es+hewed evil" F>ob ! #$ 'atan suggests in 7ob 153?12 that 7ob served God on4# because o( his b4essings; so God a44owed a tria4 to prove this was not true: 7ob 4ost his income; his hea4th; and his (ami4#; #et he did not turn awa# (rom God: The boo& ends with 7obDs (ortune being restored doub4e F7ob 22519?1-G: As we 4earned in chapter eight o( this stud#; God wi44 restore a44 that the enem# has sto4en i( we remain (aith(u4 to 1im: /i&e 7ob; we ma# e.perience e.treme4# di((icu4t times; but God wi44 a4wa#s see us through and we wi44 once again be b4essed:

Financial 7rinci7les in t4e Psalms1 The boo& o( Psa4ms opens with a b4essing that whatever #ou do wi44 prosper5 6-

%lessed is the man that wal&eth not in the +ounsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the s+ornful$ %ut his delight is in the law of the *ord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night$ 3nd he shall be li&e a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper$ (Psalm ! 0)# 1ere are the steps to prospering in a44 #ou do5 ?"e(use to wa4& in the counse4 o( the ungod4#: ?'top hanging out with sinners: ?'top scorning GodBs promises: ?!e4ight in the 8ord o( God: ?*editate on GodBs 8ord da# and night::: :::and #ou wi44 prosper in a44 #ou doA 1ere are some other &e# princip4es (rom the boo& o( Psa4ms5 ?God cares (or the poor; as shou4d we5 22523H )516H 1255H 1253H ,5519H 2951-H 2151H 36519H 3)5,,H -252;12?1,H1)H 19-521H 19)5,1H 1125)H 11,5-H 1,2515H 129512: ?God promises b4essings when #ou give to the poor5 1151?,: ?God de4ivers the poor and need#5 -2512?12H 1,2515: ?I( #ou regard ini=uit# in #our heart; God wonBt hear #ou??which means 1e wonBt hear #our pra#ers (or (inancia4 b4essing5 33516: ?!o not charge a Christian brother interest or accept bribes5 1555: ?!o not trust in wea4th5 2)53?-; 19?12; 13?1-H 525-: ?8ea4th and riches wi44 be (ound in the house o( one who serves the /ord5 1125,: ?It is better to have 4itt4e than to have much and dwe44 with the wic&ed5 ,-513: ?!o not borrow and (ai4 to repa#5 ,-521: ?The righteous wi44 never be (orsa&en and his chi4dren wi44 never beg5 ,-525: ?God provides (or the righteous because o( their generosit#5 ,-525?23: ?God provides 4avish4# (or 1is peop4e5 1955,-?25: ?God b4ess those who give generous4#5 11255: Financial 7rinci7les in Prover6s1 ?8arnings against i44?gotten gains5 151,?15H 1952H 11513; 16H 12511 1,511H 2155?3H 2,52H 2656;13; 1)?29H 26522: ?8isdom is more important than wea4th5 2512?13H 6511;16H 13513H 2515: ?Admonitions to give tithes and o((erings5 ,5)?19: ?Admonitions to be generous and rewards (or generosit#5 ,52-?2H 11522?25H 225): ?The danger o( co?signing (or the debts o( others5 351?11H 11515H 22523?2-: ?Avoid briber#5 35,5: ?The importance o( saving5 353?6: ?Ac&now4edge GodBs divine provision5 195,H 1152: ?8arnings against 4aCiness and admonitions to be di4igent5 1952?5H 1,52H 165)H 66

2952;1,H 2155H 21529; 25?23H 2151-H 2,521H 225,9?,2H 265,: ?8arnings against trusting in riches5 11526H 16511H 29521H 2,52?5H 2-522: ?8arning against hording5 11523: ?The wea4th o( the wic&ed is stored up (or the righteous5 1,522: ?Admonitions to care (or the poor5 12521; ,1H 1-55H 1652,H 22522?2,H 1)51-H 2151,H 225);13;22?2,H 2652-: ?8arnings against greed5 1552-H 26525H 2652: ?1onest# in business is re=uired5 1151H 13511H 2952,: ?1umi4it# and the (ear o( the /ord bring wea4th5 2252: ?Avoid borrowing5 225-: ?!onBt be sting#5 21523H 2,53?-H 26522: ?There is va4ue in being neither rich or poor5 ,956?): ?8ea4th obtained b# (raud disappears5 1,511: ?!onBt oppress the poor5 22513: ?"easons (or povert#5 11522H 1,516H 2951,H 2,521H 225,2H 2651)H 26522: Financial 7rinci7les in Ecclesiastes1 !espite the (act that 'o4omon??the author o( Ecc4esiastes??had great riches; he (ound them to be vanit# FEcc4esiastes 256?15G: "ead chapter 2 (or his e.hortation on the meaning4ess o( riches apart (rom God: 1e ac&now4edges God as the source o( wea4th and o( an# +o# that one might gain through riches FEcc4esiastes 551)G: In chapter 5 verses 2?5; 'o4omon emphasiCes the importance o( &eeping vows #ou ma&e to God??which; o( course; wou4d inc4ude (inancia4 vows: 1e observes that one who 4oves mone# never has enough o( it: 1e a4so presents the concept that the wic&ed store up wea4th (or the righteous FEcc4esiastes 2523G and that i( #ou give to others; in due time #ou wi44 receive FEcc4esiastes 1151G: Financial 7rinci7les in t4e 7ro74etic 6oo s1 Isaia4( Providing (or the poor is important to God; so we are b4essed when we give to the poor5 152,H1951?2H 2151-?29H 565-: 0eremia4( !o not g4or# in riches5 )52,: Pa# (air wages5 2251,: A promise o( restoration5 ,,519?11: !o not oppress the poor5 1651-: E>e iel( !ivine restoration is promised5 4151-: Hosea( I( #ou sow to the wind; #ou wi44 reap the whir4wind5 353: God does not b4ess dishonest#5 125-: 0oel( !ivine restoration is promised5 2525?2-: Amos( !ivine restoration is promised5 )511: A tremendous end?time harvest wi44 occur5 )51,: 0ona4( !ivine provision was evident??even (or GodBs errant prophet5 151-H ,53?-: "ica4( !o not de(raud others5 251?2: I44?gotten gains wi44 not 4ast5 251,b: Ha6a 5 ( 'tea4ing and e.tortion is (orbidden5 253?-: Ha::ai( Priorit# shou4d be given to the wor& o( the /ord5 155?11: God b4esses #ou (inancia44# (rom the moment #ou begin to obe# 1is 8ord5 1516?1): "alac4i( !o not o((er b4emished sacri(ices5 15); 11: 6)

Pa# wor&ers a (air wage5 ,55: !o not rob God b# re(using to pa# tithes5 ,5-?12: NE# TESTA"ENT FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES The New Testament a4so contains man# e.amp4es o( e.travagant givers and important princip4es that we can app4# to our (inances: /et us wa4& through the New Testament record and e.amine our (inances in re4ation to its teachings: FThe (inancia4 princip4es taught b# 7esus are dea4t with separate4# in the ne.t chapter so the# are not inc4uded here:G $irst; 4etBs 4oo& at some e.travagant givers5 T4e wise men1 The# gave va4uab4e gi(ts to Christ F*atthew 25)?12G: Anointin: women1 Each o( the gospe4s reports a stor# o( a woman who worshiped 7esus b# anointing 1im with e.pensive (ragrances: "ead these accounts in /u&e -5,3?59; *atthew 2353?1,; *ar& 125,?); and 7ohn 1251?11: 8hat e.travagant gi(t can #ou give to God< $or sure; #ou can o((er sacri(ices o( praise and worship: !onBt 4et #our giving become routine: Give as an act o( worship: Give e.travagant4#; as did these women: O((er e.travagant worship to God: Genero5s women1 These women o((ered hospita4it# to 7esus and 1is discip4es during 1is earth4# ministr#5 /u&e 651?, and 1)5,6?22 and 7ohn 1151?25 and 1251?12: 0ose74 an9 Nico9em5s1 *atthew 2-55- introduces us to >$$$a ri+h man of 3rimathaea, named >oseph, who also himself was >esusJ dis+iple$" *ar& 15522?2- and /u&e 2,559?52 describe 7osephBs visit to Pi4ate; his re=uest (or ChristDs bod#; and the gi(t o( his own tomb (or 1is buria4: 7ohn 1)5,6?29 indicates that 7oseph was he4ped b# Nicodemus; who gave 199 pounds o( m#rrh and a4oes (or emba4ming the /ordBs bod#: Dacc4ae5s1 "ead his stor# in /u&e 1): $inancia4 restoration to those he had cheated was the (irst response o( this dishonest ta. co44ector a(ter he came to 7esus: Is there restoration #ou need to ma&e to others in order to be (inancia44# b4essed< A small 6o; wit4 a small l5nc41 The bo# in 7ohn 3 gave what he had and a mu4titude was (ed: 8hat do #ou have that #ou can give to God to be supernatura44# mu4tip4ied< T4e 7oor wi9ow1 This 4ad# is one o( the greatest bib4ica4 giversA 8e do not &now her name; but her stor# is recorded in *ar& 12521?22 and /u&e 2151?2: 'he gave a44 she hadA

L5 e8s commen9ations1 7ohn the %aptist F/u&e ,519?11G; the Capernaum centurion F/u&e -55?3G; 7oanna and 'usanna F/u&e 651?,G; the good 'amaritan F19525?,-G; Jacchaeus F/u&e 1)56?19G; the widow F/u&e 2151?2G; and 7oseph F/u&e 2,559?52G are commended as be4ievers who gave generous4#: 1ow wou4d /u&e view #our generosit#< )9

Financial Princi7les In T4e Boo O3 Acts1 In Acts chapter 2 we 4earn that new be4ievers in the (irst church mani(ested immediate changes in their (inancia4 practices and made giving centra4 to their 4ives5 3nd they +ontinued stedfastly in the apostles; do+trine and fellowship, and in brea&ing of bread, and in prayers$ 3nd fear +ame upon every soul! and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles$ 3nd all that believed were together, and had all things +ommon; 3nd sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need$ (3+ts 2!=20=.# Notice that the# gave $$$"as every man had need" and the# had a44 things in common: Acts 25,2?,- describes the be4ieversB generosit#: In Acts )5,3?,); /u&e describes !orcas as a giving person: Corne4ius was introduced in Acts 1951?2 as one who::: "gave mu+h alms to the people" and in Acts 13515 a woman named /#dia gave hospita4it# to Pau4 and 'i4as: Acts 551?11 te44s the stor# o( a man and his wi(e who gave deceit(u44# and su((ered severe +udgment (or doing so: A warning to us a44A Acts 6516?22 records the stor# o( a man who thought he cou4d bu# the gi(ts o( God with mone# and 4earned it cannot be done??another negative e.amp4e (rom which we can 4earn: Acts 1152-?,9 records an important deve4opment in giving: %arnabas and 'au4 were teaching Genti4e be4ievers in '#rian Antioch when some prophets visited them5 >And in these days +ame prophets from >erusalem unto 3ntio+h$ 3nd there stood up one of them named 3gabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth O(amineP throughout all the world! whi+h +ame to pass in the days of 5laudius 5aesar" (3+ts !2"02/#$ The discip4es decided to meet this need: >Then the dis+iples, every man a++ording to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren whi+h dwelt in >udaea! 1hi+h also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of %arnabas and ,aul" (3+ts !2D0)8#$ 0nti4 this time; o((erings had been designated (or the need# nearb#: %e4ievers now rea4iCed that the# had a responsibi4it# (or those e4sewhere: Acts 295,5 emphasiCes the teaching o( 7esus that it is more b4essed to give than to receive:

Financial Princi7les In T4e E7istles1 Romans1 ?One who wor&s is worth# o( his wages5 252: ?God; who gave 1is 'on; wi44 gracious4# give us a44 things5 65,2: )1

?The greatest gi(t #ou can give to God is to present #our bod# a 4iving sacri(ice5 1251?2: ?8hen #ou give; do it 4ibera44#5 1256: ?Owe nothing to an#one5 1,56: ?The ear4# church cared (or the poor; as we shou4d a4so5 15525?2-: & Corint4ians1 ? ou a4read# have a44 #ou need and are rich in Christ5 256: ? ou shou4d wor& hard with #our own hands5 2512: ?Those who preach the Gospe4 shou4d 4ive b# the Gospe4: FIt is acceptab4e (or a minister to be supported b# the churchG5 )512: ?8e shou4d o((er the gospe4 (ree o( charge5 )516: ?Each be4iever shou4d give tithes and o((erings in &eeping with their income5 1351?2: ' Corint4ians1 ?The command not to be #o&ed together with unbe4ievers app4ies to business associates as we44 as other re4ationships5 3512: ?Generosit# is encouraged5 651?12: ?7esus became poor that we might become rich5 65): ?8e shou4d give wi44ing4#5 6512: ?%e4ievers shou4d he4p one another when in need5 651,?15: ?I( #ou sow sparing4#; #ou wi44 reap sparing4#5 )53: ?%e4ievers shou4d purpose in their hearts what to give and give cheer(u44#; rather than grudging4# or out o( necessit# because the# have to do so5 )5-: ?God wants #ou to abound in a44 things at a44 times so that #ou can accomp4ish good wor&s5 )56?): ?God supp4ies our need so that we can sow more seed and reap a harvest so we can sow again5 )519: ?God wants us to be made rich in ever# wa# so we can be generous and through our generosit# God wi44 be g4ori(ied5 )511?1,4: Galatians1 ?Pau4 remembered the poor; as shou4d we5 2519: ?8e reap what we sow5 353?): ?8e shou4d not grow wear# in sowing5 35)?19:

E74esians1 ?As be4ievers; we are b4essed with spiritua4 b4essings5 15,: ?8e have unsearchab4e riches in Christ5 ,56: ?1e is ab4e to do immeasurab4# more than a44 we as& or thin& according to the power within us5 ,529: P4ili77ians1 )2

?8or4d4# pro(it is viewed as 4oss to a be4iever5 ,5-?11: ?The Phi4ippians gave to Pau4; who mentored them in the (aith: 8e shou4d give to those who mentor us in the (aith as we445 2512?1-: ?%e4ievers ma# e.perience times o( need as we44 as p4ent#; but God u4timate4# supp4ies our needs5 2511?12: ?The secret in an# circumstance is to be content with what #ou have5 2512: ?Our o((erings are a sweet?sme44ing scent be(ore God5 2516: Colossians1 ?8e have immense riches through 7esus Christ5 252?,: ?Avoid greed; which is actua44# ido4atr#5 ,55: ?8hatever we do; we shou4d do it as i( we are wor&ing (or the /ord instead o( men; (or it is (rom 1im we wi44 receive our reward5 2,?22: & T4essalonians1 ?Pau4 wor&ed with his own hands in order not to be a burden to an#one whi4e he preached the Gospe4: There ma# be times that it is necessar# (or us to do this a4so5 15)H 2511: ' T4essalonians1 ?Pau4 wor&ed with his own hands whi4e sharing the gospe4; so as not to be a burden on the peop4e to whom he was ministering5 ,56?): ?I( a person does not wor&; he shou4d not eat5 ,519: ?8e must earn the bread which we eat5 ,512: & Timot4;1 ?8e shou4d not be a 4over o( mone#5 ,5,: ?8e shou4d not pursue dishonest gain5 ,56: ?I( a person does not provide (or his (ami4#; he has denied the (aith and is worse than an unbe4iever5 556: ?%e4ievers shou4d he4p widows in their (ami4#5 5513: ?The church shou4d he4p widows in need who do not have (ami4# to he4p them5 5513: ?8or&ers are worth# o( their wages5 551-?16: ?God4iness with contentment is great gain5 353: ? ou brought nothing into the wor4d and can ta&e nothing out o( it5 35-: ?8e shou4d be content with having our basic needs met??(ood and c4othing5 356: ?Peop4e who pursue riches o(ten (a44 into traps5 35): ?The 4ove o( mone# is the root o( a44 &inds o( evi45 3519: ?The 4ove o( mone# has caused some to wander (rom the (aith and e.perience much grie(5 353?19: ?Those who are rich shou4d not trust in their riches; but the# shou4d invest in eternit#5 351-: ?Those who are rich shou4d be generous and wi44ing to share5 3516: ?8e 4a# up treasures in heaven when we give to others5 351): ' Timot4;1 ?In the 4ast da#s; peop4e wi44 4ove mone# more than the# 4ove God5 ,52: ),

?1ave nothing to do with those who are 4ove mone#5 ,55: P4ilemon1 ?God uses us to meet the needs o( others5 1516: He6rews1 ?Tithing was instituted when Abraham paid tithe to *e4chiCede&: $or a discussion o( this; see chapter si. o( this boo&5 -51?19: ?I( #our heart is not set on riches; the >spoi4ing o( #our goods> wi44 not a((ect #our (aith in God5 195,2?,5: ?*en and women o( (aith (rom bib4ica4 histor# are 4isted in 1ebrews 11: The# a44 are givers; having given up something; per(ormed dangerous tas&s (or the /ord at persona4 ris&; andMor 4aid down their 4ives as mart#rs: The greatest gi(t #ou can give is to o((er #our 4i(e to 7esus Christ to (u4(i44 1is purposes5 1ebrews 11: ?8e shou4d continua44# o((er a sacri(ice o( praise to God: It is not a sacri(ice when ever#thing is going we44: It is a sacri(ice when #ou are strugg4ing with di((icu4t circumstances5 1,515: ?God e=uips #ou with divine provision so that 1e can wor& in #ou and through #ou5 1,521: 0ames1 ?God generous4# gives wisdom to govern ever# aspect o( our 4ives??inc4uding (inances5 155?-: ? ou cannot be doub4e?minded and e.pect to receive an#thing (rom God5 15-: ?8e shou4d not show partia4it# to the rich5 251?): ?Giving necessities is a good wor& o( (aith5 2515?13: ?I( #ou as& and do not receive; perhaps it is because #ou have a wrong motive5 252?,: ?8e shou4d guard against divisions among be4ievers that arise out o( covetousness and materia4istic desires5 251?,: ?The rich shou4d not horde; withho4d (air wages; 4ive in 4u.ur#; or be un+ust5 551?3: & 0o4n1 ?The $atherBs 4avish 4ove (or us is one o( our greatest gi(ts5 ,51: * 0o4n1 ?7ohnBs pra#er (or be4ievers was that the# wou4d prosper and be in good hea4th even as their sou4 prospered: God wants #ou to prosper in ever# area o( #our 4i(e??bod#; sou4; and spirit5 ,52:

059e1 ?The gi(t o( divine preservation wi44 &eep #ou (rom (a44ing and present #ou (au4t4ess in the presence o( the /ord5 1522: Financial Princi7les In T4e Boo O3 Revelation1 ?The church at /aodicea is chided b# God (or trusting in their riches: The# did not recogniCe their spiritua4 povert#: True riches come (rom God5 ,51-?16: ?>1urt not the oi4 and the wine:> The oi4 is a t#pe o( the 1o4# 'pirit and the wine is a t#pe o( ChristBs b4ood: The command here is to not touch GodBs peop4e with the end?time economic )2

chaos that is caused b# the rider on the b4ac& horse5 353: ?God wi44 create a44 things new??a new heaven and a new earth??and give this 4avish gi(t and eterna4 4i(e to 1is peop4e5 Chapter 21: THERE IS "ORE TO CO"E111 In this and the previous chapter we studied (inancia4 princip4es given b# the inspiration o( the 1o4# 'pirit and recorded in the O4d and New Testaments: %ut we arenBt (inished #etA There is more to come in the ne.t chapter as we 4earn to incorporate into our 4ives the (inancia4 princip4es taught b# 7esus Christ:

CHAPTER ELEVEN
INCORPORATING THE TEACHINGS OF 0ES!S

)5

In the previous two chapters we studied scriptura4 (inancia4 princip4es in the O4d and New Testaments: In this chapter we (ocus on the teachings and e.amp4es re4ated to (inances which were shared b# 7esus$ To get the (u44 bene(it o( this summar#; 4oo& up each re(erence in #our %ib4e and read the entire passage: This wi44 enab4e #ou to stud# each teaching within the conte.t it was given: As in:( ?As&; and #ou sha44 receive5 /u&e 115)?19: ?Our 1eaven4# $ather a4wa#s responds to our appea4s5 *atthew -5-?12H /u&e 1155?16: Coveto5sness( ?Covetousness is sin5 *ar& -521: ? ou shou4d beware o( covetousness5 /u&e 12515: )%e +ontent with your wages! *u&e )! =$ Fairness( ?The $ather is (air in bestowing rewards to 9is servants! 'atthew 28! 0 )$ ?Those who e.perience true change in their 4ives wi44 set their (inances in order: Jacchaeus; the ta. co44ector; is an e.amp4e5 /u&e 1)51?): Financial 7lannin:( ?P4an wise4# be(ore #ou begin a pro+ect so #ou &now that #ou have su((icient (unds to (inish it5 /u&e 12526?,9: ?God e.pects us to be good (inancia4 managers: The parab4e o( the good manager5 /u&e 1351?12$ For:ivin: 9e6t( ?8e shou4d be merci(u4 and (orgive others their debts; even as we have been (orgiven: The parab4e o( the unmerci(u4 servant5 *atthew 16521?,5: Givin:( ?!o not give to be seen b# others5 'atthew (! 0=$ 0,tore up treasures in heaven rather than on earth! 'atthew (! D02 ; *u&e 2!)20)=$ 01hen you give what you have, God multiplies it! 'atthew =! )02 ; .!2D0)/; 'ar& (!)80==; /! 02 ; *u&e D! 20 "; >ohn (! 0 )$ 01hatever you give up to follow God, you will re+eive it multiplied ba+& to you in this life and in eternity! 'atthew D!2"02D; 'ar& 8!2D0)8; *u&e /!2/0)8$ 0>esus ta&es note of our giving$ The widow who gave all! 'ar& 2!= 0=); *u&e 2 ! 0=$ The eBtravagant gift from 'ary! >ohn 2!)0/$ )Give to those who as& of you! 'atthew .!=2; *u&e (!)8$ ?8e are to he4p those who are su((ering; even as the good 'amaritan did5 /u&e 19525?,-: ?The sma44est act o( giving does not go unnoticed5 *atthew 19522: ?Give and it wi44 be given to #ou in abundance5 /u&e 35,6: ?8hen we give to those in need; we are giving to the /ord5 *atthew 255,5?25: ?Giving does not abso4ve #ou o( &eeping the other 4aws o( God5 *atthew 2,52,H /u&e 16519?12: )3

?8e shou4d give a4ms Fo((erings to the poorG based upon what we have! *u&e 0Give to the poor! *u&e =! 20 =$

!= $

Hin9rances to :ivin: an9 receivin:( ?I( #ou have an#thing in #our heart between #ou and a brother or sister; ma&e it right be(ore presenting #our gi(ts to God5 *atthew 552,?22: Possessions( ? our 4i(e doesnBt consist in the abundance o( things #ou possess5 /u&e 12515;2,: ?Own #our possessions; donBt 4et #our possessions own #ou5 *ar& 1951-?2-: Priorities in regards to money: ?$o44owing the /ord; not mone#; must be #our priorit#: The rich #oung ru4er5 *atthew 1)513? 22H /u&e 16516?2-: ?GodBs house shou4d be a house o( pra#er; not merchandiCing5 *ar& 11515?1-H 7ohn 251,?13: ? our eterna4 destin# is more important than amassed riches: The rich (oo45 /u&e 1251,?21H ?The rich man and /aCarus5 /u&e 1351)?,1: ?'ee& (irst GodBs &ingdom; and a44 other things wi44 be added to #ou5 /u&e 125,1: Ric4es))t4eir 9an:er( ?It is di((icu4t (or rich peop4e to be saved when the# trust in their wea4th5 *atthew 1)52,?23H *ar& 1952,?2-: ?8e shou4d guard against the deceit(u4ness o( riches5 *ar& 251): Stewar9s4i7( ?I( #ou are not a good steward; what #ou have wi44 be given to others5 *atthew 215,,?21H *ar& 1251?)H /u&e 1)511?23H 295)?13: ?God has given #ou ta4ents; spiritua4 gi(ts; and (inances (or which #ou wi44 be he4d responsib4e when 7esus returns5 *atthew 22525?51H 25512?,9H *ar& 1,5,2?,-H /u&e 12522?26H 1351?12: Ta?es( ? ou shou4d pa# #our ta.es5 *atthew 2251)?21H 1-522?23: ?Give to the government what is re=uired and give to God what is 1is5 *atthew 22513?2,; *u&e 28!2802($ T4e3t( ?The(t is a sin5 *atthew 1551)H *ar& -521?2,: ? ou shou4d not stea45 *atthew 1)51-?16H *ar& 1951)H /u&e 16529: Tr5st in Go9As 7rovision( ?!o not worr# about (ood; c4othing; etc; because God wi44 ta&e care o( #ou5 *atthew 3525?,2H /u&e 1253?-H 22?,1: ?'ee& (irst GodBs @ingdom; and a44 e4se wi44 be provided5 /u&e 125,1: ?!onBt be 4imited b# #our own resources but trust in GodBs provision5 /u&e 225,5: )-

#or ( ?8hen #ou do #our wor& GodBs wa#; supernatura4 mu4tip4ication occurs5 /u&e 552?11H 7ohn 2151?3: In the ne.t chapter we wi44 continue our stud# o( divine provision b# 4earning how to activate scriptura4 princip4es o( (inancia4 harvest; man# o( which are drawn (rom the teachings o( 7esus on this sub+ect:

CHAPTER T#ELVE
ACTIVATING PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL HARVEST
1The written record o( GodBs 8ord; the %ib4e; (ocuses on peop4e; promises; prophecies; and princip4es: *uch o( the %ib4e is a record o( 7eo7le; how God dea4t with them and their )6

response to 1im: There are a4so ma+or portions o( the %ib4e which record 7ro74ecies o( (uture events and there are man# 7romises given to GodBs peop4e: The %ib4e a4so contains important 7rinci7les which #ou must understand in order to comprehend what God is sa#ing to #ou through 1is 8ord: One o( these great princip4es is understanding the natura4 para44e4s o( spiritua4 truths: The word >para44e4> means to be simi4ar to something; to put one thing a4ongside another and compare the two: 8hen we spea& o( a >natura4 para44e4 o( a spiritua4 truth> it means a natura4 e.amp4e is used to e.p4ain a spiritua4 truth: The parab4es o( 7esus are natura4 e.amp4es o( spiritua4 truths because the# are earth4# stories which i44ustrate heaven4# concepts: The stories 1e to4d were natura4 para44e4s representing the spiritua4 truths 1e was teaching: This princip4e o( natura4 and spiritua4 para44e4s is e.p4ained b# the Apost4e Pau45 $$$There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body$ 3nd so it is written, The first man 3dam was made a living soul; the last 3dam was made a :ui+&ening spirit$ 9owbeit that was not first whi+h is spiritual, but that whi+h is natural; and afterward that whi+h is spiritual$ ( 5orinthians .!==0=(# This is a great e.amp4e o( a natura4 para44e4 o( a spiritua4 truth: The (irst man created b# God was a natura4 man: 1is name was Adam: 7esus; who is re(erred to as the 4ast Adam; was a spiritua4 man: Adam was a natura4 e.amp4e o( the spiritua4 truth God wou4d revea4 through 7esus Christ: %# the natura4 man FAdamG came sin and death: %# the spiritua4 man F7esusG came sa4vation and 4i(e: That which is natura4 is something #ou can observe with #our natura4 senses: ou can see; hear; or touch it: That which is spiritua4 can on4# be observed with spiritua4 senses: Natura4 e.amp4es can be recogniCed with #our ph#sica4 senses but spiritua4 para44e4s can on4# be recogniCed b# the reve4ation o( the 1o4# 'pirit:

A SPIRIT!AL PARALLEL OF FINANCIAL HARVEST At the time o( ChristBs ministr# on earth; peop4e were (ami4iar with princip4es o( natura4 harvest because the# 4ived in an agricu4tura4 societ#: *an# peop4e (armed and raised crops (or a 4iving: %# using the e.amp4e o( the natura4 harvest; 7esus &new peop4e wou4d understand what 1e was teaching: 8e are going to e.amine some basic princip4es o( natura4 harvest that??when app4ied spiritua44# to #our (inances??wi44 enab4e #ou to reap a tremendous (inancia4 harvest: These princip4es are a44 natura4 para44e4s o( spiritua4 truths: ))

Princi7le One( See9time an9 4arvest c;cles o7erate in 6ot4 t4e nat5ral an9 s7irit5al worl9s1 1hile the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and +old and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not +ease$ (Genesis /!22# God instituted a basic 4aw o( harvest in the natura4 wor4d; one o( perpetua4 sowing and reaping: As 4ong as the earth remains; there wi44 be seedtime))a time to p4ow the ground and sow the seed: There wi44 a4so be a harvest??a time to gather the #ie4d o( the seed which is sown: 7ust as there is a natura4 seedtime and harvest; there are a4so such times spiritua44#: our time; 4ove; (aith(u4ness; abi4ities; and acts o( &indness are a44 good seeds: our tithes and o((erings are a4so seeds #ou sow: As #ou give o( #ourse4( and #our (inances; #ou are p4anting good seeds and because o( the princip4e o( seedtime and harvest; #ou can e.pect to reap a harvest: Princi7le Two( $o5 m5st sow in or9er to rea71 In the natura4 wor4d; in order to reap a crop the (armer must (irst sow some seeds: I( #ou want a good (inancia4 harvest; then #ou must (irst p4ant seeds b# giving: ou ma# have reached a point o( desperation where #our (inances are so 4ow #ou thin& #ou cannot a((ord to give: Ta&e a step o( (aith to give God the best (inancia4 seed possib4e: 'ow it into (erti4e soi4??into a church or ministr# where sou4s are being won into the @ingdom o( God; where 4ives are being changed; saved; hea4ed; and de4ivered b# the power o( God: Then watch how God wi44 use that seed #ou sowed to produce the harvest #ou need: I( #ou donBt sow; #ou wonBt reap: Princi7le T4ree( $o5 rea7 w4at ;o5 sow1 Another universa4 4aw o( the harvest is that whatever #ou sow; #ou wi44 reap1 In the natura4 wor4d; whenever a (armer sows wheat seed he &nows that it wi44 #ie4d wheat: I( he sows an app4e seed; he &nows it wi44 produce an app4e tree and he wi44 eventua44# reap a harvest o( app4es: The same is true in the spiritua4 wor4d: Pau4 to4d the Ga4atians; L%e not de+eived; God is not mo+&ed! for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians (!"#$ 8hatever seeds #ou sow; that is what #ou wi44 reap: I( #ou sow seeds to #our carna4 nature and indu4ge in the 4usts o( the (4esh; #ou wi44 reap corruption: I( #ou sow seeds o( +ea4ous#; bitterness; anger; and hatred; #ou wi44 reap the same: %ut i( #ou sow to the 'pirit precious seeds o( (aith; 4ove; merc#; compassion; obedience; and (aith(u4ness to God; #ou wi44 reap a harvest (rom the good seeds #ou have sown both here in this 4i(e and in the 4i(e to come: The same is true in #our (inances: I( #ou sow good seed into the @ingdom o( God; #ou wi44 reap a (inancia4 harvest that wi44 not on4# meet #our needs but wi44 a4so enab4e #ou to give more to the wor& o( the /ord: Princi7le Fo5r( $o5 rea7 in 7ro7ortion to w4at ;o5 sow1 199

I( a (armer sows a 4ot o( seed; he reaps a big harvest: I( he sows 4itt4e seed; the harvest is not so great: This same princip4e is true in regards to the tithes and o((erings which #ou sow into the wor& o( God: I( #ou give 4ibera44# o( the ver# best God has given #ou; #ou wi44 reap an abundant harvest: I( #ou give on4# when #ou (ee4 it is convenient or give on4# a sma44 portion o( the (inancia4 b4essings God has poured into #our 4i(e; #ou wi44 reap a meager harvest: The harvest #ou reap wi44 be in proportion to the seed #ou sow: Princi7le Five( Go9 is ;o5r so5rce o3 ;o5r 4arvest1 *oses warned the chi4dren o( Israe4; as the# prepared to enter their promised 4and; to remember God as their source5 %ut thou shalt remember the *ord thy God! for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his +ovenant whi+h he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day$ (Deuteronomy /! /# *oses warned Israe4 o( the danger o( (orgetting their 'ource and o( thin&ing that it was through their own e((orts the# had obtained wea4th: In *osesD e.hortation is one o( the most important &e#s to 4iving in a c#c4e o( GodDs divine provision: No one but God can give #ou the power to get wea4th: our +ob or #our emp4o#er is not #our source: Those are +ust the current wa#s God is using to b4ess #ou: God is #our 'ourceA The God 8ho owns the wor4d; said LThe silver is mine, and the gold is mine$$$I (9aggai 2!/#, and owns H$$$the +attle upon a thousand hillsI (Psalm .8! 8#$ 1e is #our 'ource o( (inancia4 harvest: Princi7le Si?( $o5 will rea7 i3 ;o5 9o not 3aint1 !o not ever stop be4ieving (or #our harvest to come inA ou wi44 reap i( #ou donDt (aint5 $$$%e not de+eived; God is not mo+&ed! for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap$ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap +orruption; but he that soweth to the ,pirit shall of the ,pirit reap life everlasting$ 3nd let us not be weary in well doing! for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not$ 3s we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, espe+ially unto them who are of the household of faith$ (Galatians (!(0 8# 8hatever #ou so; #ou wi44 reap: The words used here mean whatever #ou continue to sow; #ou wi44 continue to reap: This is true not on4# in the area o( (inances; but ever# area o( #our 4i(e: There are man# Christians who have (aith(u44# given to support the wor& o( God (or #ears; but the# have not #et reaped a (inancia4 harvest: ou ma# be one o( those who have given #our ta4ents; time; dedication; and (inances and #ou wonder when #ou wi44 reap GodDs promised harvest: ou are becoming wear#: The devi4 has tried to beat #ou down: 1is attac& has been (erocious; but donBt give upA 7ust ho4d on because GodBs 8ord dec4ares that #ou wi44 reap what 191

#ou have sown: 8hatever #ou do; donDt become wear# in we44?doing??in giving to support GodDs wor&; in p4anting seeds into the wor& o( God around the wor4d; and supporting pastors; teachers; evange4ists; and organiCations ministering in beha4( o( the @ingdom o( God: God promised that #ou wi44 reap i( #ou donDt give up: our harvest is coming: Pau4 said; H$$$in due season$$$K #ou wi44 reap: @eep on be4ieving (or #our season to reap the greatest harvest #ou have ever received: !onDt stop giving to GodA !onDt stop be4ieving and acting in (aith upon 1is promisesA The on4# thing that stands between #ou and reaping what God promised in 1is 8ord is =uitting and giving up: The devi4 wants #ou to >(aint>: 1e wants #ou to withho4d (rom God and stop giving: 1e wants #ou to remain in (inancia4 bondage so that #our needs wi44 not be met: 1e wants to rob #ou o( the +o# o( giving to God and stop the (4ow o( (inances into the @ingdom o( God: I( #ou are wear# in #our giving or #ou have stopped giving because #ou havenDt #et reaped a (inancia4 harvest; continue to c4aim GodDs promises and be4ieve (or #our harvest season to come: THE PARABLE OF THE SO#ER 7esus to4d an important parab4e which #ie4ds additiona4 insights into this process o( spiritua4 harvest5 Therefore hear the parable of the sower! 1hen anyone hears the word of the &ingdom, and does not understand it, then the wi+&ed one +omes and snat+hes away what was sown in his heart$ This is he who re+eived seed by the wayside$ but he who re+eived the seed on stony pla+es, this is he who hears the word and immediately re+eives it with 2oy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while$ For when tribulation or perse+ution arises be+ause of the word, immediately he stumbles$ Cow he who re+eived seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the +ares of this world and the de+eitfulness of ri+hes +ho&e the word, and he be+omes unfruitful$ %ut he who re+eived seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produ+es! some a hundredfold, some siBty, some thirty$ ('atthew )! /02 # 7esus app4ied this parab4e to the 8ord o( God; comparing the 8ord to seed sown b# a (armer: 7esus e.p4ained that whenever an#one hears the 8ord; 'atan wi44 tr# to stea4 it; it wi44 die because it doesnBt ta&e root; it ma# be cho&ed out because o( competing things; or e4se it wi44 (a44 on good ground and bring (orth spiritua4 (ruit in the 4i(e o( the hearer: These truths can a4so be app4ied to our (inances5 &1 Some see9 3alls 6; t4e wa;si9e+ Satan steals it+ an9 is lost1 God has a divine p4an (or #our (inances that 1e is revea4ing to #ou through this stud#; but i( #ou arenBt care(u4 the enem# wi44 stea4 these truths (rom #ou and #our harvest wi44 be 4ost: '1 Some see9 3alls on ston; :ro5n9 an9 9ie 6eca5se t4ere is no 9e7t41 'ha44ow (aith does not endure di((icu4t times: %e sure the good seed o( GodDs 8ord concerning (inances (a44s 192

on good ground: !onDt harden #our heart because o( negative persona4 e.periences in the area o( (inances: Our (aith is based on the truth o( GodBs 8ord; not persona4 e.periences: A great e.amp4e o( this is when Abraham pra#ed success(u44# (or the wombs o( other women to be opened when as o( #et his own wi(e remained barren FGenesis 2951-G: GodBs 8ord is true whether or not #ou have persona44# e.perienced a speci(ic mani(estation o( it: /et the good seed o( GodBs 8ord regarding (inances ta&e root in #our heart: *1 Some see9 is sown amon: t4orns an9 is c4o e9 o5t1 $ear; greed; unbe4ie(; and the cares o( this wor4d are e.amp4es o( spiritua4 >thorns> that wi44 cho&e out the growth o( scriptura4 (inancia4 princip4es in #our 4i(e: E1 Some see9 is sown in :oo9 :ro5n9 an9 6rin:s 3ort4 a 4arvest1 8hen seed is sown into good ground; something supernatura4 happens and a harvest resu4ts: 8hen #our tithes and o((erings are given to God; #our gi(ts wi44 produce a thirt#(o4d; si.t#(o4d; and hundred(o4d harvestA The seed #ou sow doesnDt +ust #ie4d according to what #ou have p4anted but it #ie4ds b# divine provision??thirt#(o4d; si.t#(o4d; a hundred(o4dA !onBt give #our o((erings towards something that is stagnant and dead: 'ow into ministries where #ou &now the 'pirit o( God is at wor&: Note that one &e# to the hundred(o4d harvest is sowing into good ground: The word used in this te.t (or >hundred(o4d> does not actua44# mean a hundred times what is sown; but it means the greatest return possib4e: 8hen God gives #ou a hundred(o4d return; 1e is 4itera44# giving #ou the ver# best 1e has avai4ab4e: ou cannot use a numerica4 (ormu4a to (igure out GodDs best (or #ou: God is not going to +ust put a number into a ca4cu4ator and give #ou one hundred?times whatever #ou gave: Instead; 1e wi44 give #ou 1is best in ever# area o( #our 4i(e when #ou give 1im #our best: 1is >best> ma# be demonstrated in other areas besides (inances; such as giving #ou the best (riends; the best spiritua4 gi(ts; ta4ents; and ministries:

IT IS TI"E FOR A S!PERNAT!RAL HARVEST "egard4ess o( what the news media sa#s about the econom#; be4ievers can e.perience divine provision and supernatura4 abundance: The reason< 8e are not depending upon the natura4; 4imited resources o( this wor4dBs wea4th but we are 4oo&ing to God as our 'ource: 8e are not depending on the stoc& mar&et or economic (orecasts: 8e are now 4iving in the time o( divine provision which was prophesied wou4d come in the end?times5 %ehold, the days +ome, saith the *ord, that the plowman shall overta&e the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt$ (3mos D! )# 19,

God has promised to b4ess the wor& o( our hands to such an e.tent that >seedtime> and >harvest> wi44 over4ap: This not on4# app4ies to the sowing o( the 8ord o( God and the reaping o( the spiritua4 harvest o( the 4ives o( the unsaved; but it a4so app4ies to our (inances: God is going to so mu4tip4# and increase what we sow into 1is @ingdom there wi44 be great abundance: The p4owman is going to overta&e the reaper: The seeds o( what we have sown wi44 grow so =uic&4# that harvest wi44 begin as soon as the seed is sown: The harvest o( GodBs b4essings in our 4ives?? spiritua4; ph#sica4; and (inancia4??wi44 be so great that the# wi44 4ast unti4 seedtime: As #ou have 4earned; God has a divine purpose (or prospering #ouA 8e are 4iving in the most crucia4 hour the Church has ever &nown: 8e are 4iving in GodBs end?time harvest: This is itA 7esus is comingA 8e are (aced with the responsibi4it# o( reaching bi44ions o( sou4s around the wor4d; man# o( whom have never #et heard the Gospe4 o( 7esus Christ: Ta&e time to review these princip4es o( (inancia4 harvest be(ore proceeding to the ne.t chapter where #ou wi44 4earn strategies that wi44 enab4e #ou to success(u44# conduct spiritua4 war(are in beha4( o( #our (inances:

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I"PLE"ENTING STRATEGIES OF FINANCIAL #ARFARE
'atan is #our spiritua4 enem#; and he wi44 attac& #our (inances as readi4# as he wi44 attac& an# area o( 4i(e where #ou a44ow him access: This is wh# the Apost4e Pau4 admonished; >Ceither give pla+e to the devil" (Aphesians =!2"#$ !onBt 4et 'atan get his (oot in the doorA 8h# is the enem# be interested in #our mone#< 1e has a two?(o4d purpose (or attac&ing 192

#our (inances5 First+ Satan wants to 7revent ;o5 3rom 4avin: ;o5r nee9s met1 8h#< %ecause it is virtua44# impossib4e (or #ou to (ree4# (ocus on God and 1is @ingdom i( #our da#?to?da# needs are not being met and #ou are worr#ing about #our (inances: Secon9+ Satan wants to 4in9er ;o5 3rom 3inancin: t4e s7rea9 o3 t4e Gos7el1 The devi4 wants to stop the (4ow o( (inances that support the preaching o( the Gospe4 around the wor4d: 1eDs not so much worried about wea4th# unbe4ievers: 1e &nows that the# donBt norma44# donate (or the end?time reaping o( sou4s: 1e &nows that the pub4ishers o( pornograph# and those who produce 4i=uor; i44ega4 drugs; and tobacco wonDt (inance evange4iCing the wor4d: 'o 'atan attac&s be4ievers??the peop4e that God wants to use to (inance the end?time harvest o( sou4s around the wor4d: These are the root causes (or the (inancia4 batt4es that #ou (ace: That is wh# it is time (or #ou to imp4ement strategies to conduct spiritua4 war(are in beha4( o( #our (inances: FINANCIAL BATTLE STRATEGIES The (o44owing are strategies o( spiritua4 war(are that can be used in the batt4e in beha4( o( #our (inances: Get ;o5r e;es o33 o3 ;o5r lac 1 The (irst thing #ou must do in order to batt4e e((ective4# (or #our (inances is get #our e#es o(( o( #our 4ac&: Ta&e #our e#es o(( #our di((icu4t circumstances and; b# (aith; 4oo& to God (or 1is divine provision our (aith must be (i.ed to the in(a44ib4e; impregnab4e 8ord o( God: our e#es must be upon God and 1is un4imited resources: 0nder the inspiration o( the 1o4# 'pirit; @ing !avid wrote5 The *ord &noweth the days of the upright! and their inheritan+e shall be forever$ They shall not be ashamed in the evil time! and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied$ (Psalm )"! /0 D# This is GodBs promise to #ou toda#A ou wi44 be ab4e to (ace the turmoi4 and the chaotic conditions that are coming upon the wor4d without (ear; &nowing that God wi44 supernatura44# provide (or #our needs: !onBt (ocus on #our 4ac& because it (osters (ear and unbe4ie(: $ocus on the truth that God has made it possib4e (or #ou to 4ive b# divine provision where #ou are drawing (rom 1is storehouse o( un4imited resources: Recognize your enemy. 3ou #annot war su##essfully if you do not now who you are fighting$ 3our enemy is not your boss or the government$ "et your eyes off your em-loyer$ "et your eyes off the e#onomy$ 3our em-loyer, the e#onomy, or anyone or anything else in the natural world are not your enemies$ 195

3ou are not fighting against flesh and blood5 >For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against prin+ipalities, against 5owers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against s5iritual wickedness in high 5laces0 (Aphesians (! 2#$ 1erha-s you did not get the -romotion you deserved on your job be#ause you are being held ba# by s-irits of dar ness$ .aybe you did not have the su##ess that you should be#ause you did not reali4e you were dealing with hindering s-irits$ 3ou must understand that you are not dealing with flesh and blood$ 3ou are not dealing with national e#onomi# #onditions or anything that is ta ing -la#e in the material world$ 5his is the reason that e#onomists have su#h a diffi#ult time in a##urately -redi#ting the future$ 5hey #annot -redi#t the interest rates or the rate of inflation -ro-erly$ 5hey #annot -redi#t the gross national -rodu#t #orre#tly be#ause this is a s-iritual battle$ 5o #ondu#t warfare in behalf of your finan#es, you must reali4e that the one behind the #risis you are fa#ing is ?atan and he is a liar$ @esus said, " 9e are of your father the de"il, and the lusts of your father ye will do! 8e was a #urderer fro# the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in hi#! :hen he s5eaketh a lie, he s5eaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it0 % ohn ;:22>$ Ao not believe anything ?atan says about your finan#es or anything else be#ause he is a liar& Bebu e him in the name of the 8ord and bind those hindering, demoni# s-irits$ Believe t4at Go9 wants to 7ros7er ;o51 I( #ou are going to e((ective4# war against the enem#Bs attac& on #our (inances; #ou must be4ieve that God wants to prosper #ou: 'tart con(essing itA That is what !avid did as he (aced the giant; Go4iath: It is what #ou must do as #ou (ace the giant o( #our (inancia4 circumstances: Then said David to the Philistine, Thou +omest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield! but - +ome to thee in the name of the *ord of hosts, the God of the armies of -srael, whom thou hast defied$ This day will the *ord deliver thee into mine hand; and - will smite thee, and ta&e thine head from thee; and - will give the +ar+ases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may &now that there is a God in -srael$ ( ,amuel "!=.0=(# !avid dec4ared success be(ore the batt4e even began: 1e &new his victor# was assured: Note the reason5 "$$$that all the earth may &now that there is a God$$$" God wants to give #ou victor# in ever# area o( #our 4i(e??inc4uding #our (inances??in order to prove to an unbe4ieving wor4d that 1e is 8ho 1e sa#s 1e is and 1e (u4(i44s 1is promises to 1is peop4e: As be4ievers; we are >the seed o( Abraham> and we have inherited the promises God gave to him and the peop4e o( Israe4: God has promised to command 1is b4essings upon a44 that #ou do5

193

The *ord will +ommand the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and 9e will bless you in the land whi+h the *ord your God gives you$ (Deuteronomy 2/!/, C3,# 1e has promised to prosper #ou5 3nd the *ord will ma&e you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produ+e of your ground, in the land whi+h the *ord swore to your fathers to give you$ (Deuteronomy 2/! , C3,# 1e has promised to open 1is storehouse and pour out 1is b4essing upon #ou5 The *ord will open for you 9is good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the wor& of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow$ (Deuteronomy 2/! 2, C3,# 1e has promised continua4 provision5 -f you wal& in 'y statutes and &eep 'y +ommandments so as to +arry them out, then shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produ+e and the trees of the field will bear their fruit$ -ndeed, your threshing will last for you until grape gathering, and grape gathering will last until sowing time$ ?ou will thus eat your food to the full and live se+urely in your land$ (*eviti+us 2(!)0., C3,# God has promised that 1is b4essings wi44 overta&e #ou5 3nd all these blessings shall +ome upon you and overta&e you, if you heed the voi+e of the *ord your God$ (Deuteronomy 2/!2, T3%# God said 1e wou4d open the windows o( 1eaven and pour out upon #ou such a b4essing that there wi44 not be room enough to contain it F*a4achi ,519G: God has not p4anned (or #ou to bare4# survive and be continua44# worr#ing about how #ou are going to pa# #our bi44s and #our ministr# ob4igations: 1e has not p4anned (or #ou and #our (ami4# to su((er (rom 4ac& o( basic necessities o( 4i(e or (or #our ministr# to go under (inancia44#: ou ma# be retired or a widow 4iving on a 4imited income strugg4ing (rom month?to? month +ust to pa# #our rent or house pa#ment; uti4ities; and put (ood on the tab4e: There ma# be 4itt4e or no mone# at a44 4e(t to ma&e necessar# repairs; pa# doctor bi44s; or bu# other necessities: ou ma# be a sing4e parent wor&ing 4ong hours to support a (ami4# on a meager sa4ar#; tr#ing to survive; 4iving (rom da# to da#; wondering how #ou are going to ma&e it through another wee&: "egard4ess o( the (inancia4 pressures #ou are (acing; be(ore #ou can brea& out o( (inancia4 bondage #ou must recogniCe it is GodBs wi44 that #ou prosper and begin to 4oo& to 1im as #our 'ource: /i&e !avid; dec4are the victor# be(ore the batt4e even starts: 19-

Face ;o5r 3inancial 7ro6lems arme9 wit4 t4e #or9 o3 Go91 To e((ective4# war against the devi4Bs attac& on #our (inances; #ou must (ace #our prob4ems head?on with a so4id scriptura4 (oundation concerning GodBs wi44 (or #our (inances The (irst sin invo4ved 'atan tempting Eve in regards to what God had said: The enem# =uestioned; >1as God rea44# said #ou shou4dnBt touch that tree<> 8hen 7esus was tempted; 'atan used the same strateg# o( cha44enging the 8ord o( God5 And esus being full of the 8oly 4host returned fro# ordan, and was led by the S5irit into the wilderness, Being forty days te#5ted of the de"il! And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered! And the de"il said to hi#, 1f thou be the Son of 4od, co##and this stone that it be #ade bread! %Luke 2:&*<, 5he devil #hallenged @esus to turn a ro# into a loaf of bread to demonstrate His -ower$ @esus answered the enemy/s #hallenge with the 2ord of "od$ He said+ $$$ "-t is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (*u&e !=#$ 5he devil too @esus to a high mountain and showed Him all of the ingdoms of the world and again, @esus rebu ed him with the 2ord of "od+ And the de"il, taking hi# u5 into an high #ountain, shewed unto hi# all the kingdo#s of the world in a #o#ent of ti#e! And the de"il said unto hi#, All this 5ower will 1 gi"e thee, and the glory of the#: for that is deli"ered unto #e$ and to who#soe"er 1 will 1 gi"e it! 1f thou therefore wilt worshi5 #e, all shall be thine! And esus answered and said unto hi#, 4et thee behind #e, Satan: for it is written, 7hou shalt worshi5 the Lord thy 4od, and hi# only shalt thou ser"e! %Luke 2:)*;, Cne more #hallenge followed and, on#e again, @esus used "od/s 2ord to #onquer the enemy+ And he brought hi# to erusale#, and set hi# on a 5innacle of the te#5le, and said unto hi#, 1f thou be the Son of 4od, cast thyself down fro# hence: 3or it is written, 8e shall gi"e his angels charge o"er thee, to kee5 thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee u5, lest at any ti#e thou dash thy foot against a stone! And esus answering hi# said unto hi#, 1t is said, 7hou shalt not te#5t the Lord thy 4od! %Luke 2:=* &6, ?atan will use the s#ri-tures de#eitfully to try to #onvin#e you that "od doesn/t mean what He says$ He will try to #ause you to doubt "od/s -romises regarding your finan#es$ Aon/t fall for it& He is a liar and there is 196

no truth in him$ (now what "od/s 2ord says and then stand se#ure in your nowledge$ I( 'atan can get #ou to doubt GodBs 8ord concerning divine provision; #ou wi44 be hindered (rom receiving GodBs b4essings: 7ames said, "%ut let him as& in faith, nothing wavering$ For he that wavereth is li&e a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed$ For let not that man thin& that he shall re+eive any thing of the *ord" (>ames !(0"#$ Battle wit4 ;o5r s7irit5al wea7ons1 5he Bible reveals that the wea-ons to fight s-iritual battles are s-iritual ones+ 3or the wea5ons of our warfare are not carnal, but #ighty through 4od to the 5ulling down of strong holds$ Casting down i#aginations, and e"ery high thing that e>alteth itself against the knowledge of 4od, and bringing into ca5ti"ity e"ery thought to the obedience of Christ! %6 Corinthians &?:2*), our weapons are not the weapons o( the wor4d: The# have divine; supernatura4 power to demo4ish strongho4ds5 1herefore ta&e unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand$ ,tand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 3nd your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of pea+e; 3bove all, ta&ing the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to :uen+h all the fiery darts of the wi+&ed$ 3nd ta&e the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the ,pirit, whi+h is the word of God! Praying always with all prayer and suppli+ation in the ,pirit, and wat+hing thereunto with all perseveran+e and suppli+ation for all saints$ (Aphesians (! )0 /# 1ere is a 4ist o( #our spiritua4 weapons5 1: The be4t o( truth: 2: The breastp4ate o( righteousness: ,: The preparation o( the Gospe4 o( peace: 2: The shie4d o( (aith: 5: The he4met o( sa4vation: 3: The sword o( the 'pirit: -: Pra#er: $or a detai4ed stud# o( these spiritua4 weapons and spiritua4 war(are in genera4; consu4t the 1arvestime Internationa4 Networ& course entit4ed "Strategies For Spiritual Warfare." Ta e control o3 ;o5r min91 3ou do not have to be a vi#tim of the thoughts that ?atan -uts into your mind$ "ight now; ta&e captive the thoughts that #ou wi44 go under (inancia44# and that #ou are going to 4ose #our house or #our +ob: "e+ect these thoughts in the name o( 7esusA our weapons are power(u4 (or$$$"5asting down imaginations, and every 19)

high thing that eBalteth itself against the &nowledge of God, and bringing into +aptivity every thought to the obedien+e of 5hrist" (2 5orinthians 8!.#$ Walk in obedience to od!" command". "od is your ;ommander:in: ;hief in the s-iritual battles of life$ In any war, the troo-s must obey the leader/s #ommands$ Cbey the s#ri-tural finan#ial -rin#i-les you are learning in this study and your vi#tory is assured$ Antici#ate $%% #ercent &ictory. 2e are not interested in only winning one battle$ 2e are interested in being vi#torious in every battle and winning the entire war$ 2e are not only #on#erned about the ultimate out#ome, but we want to be vi#torious every ste- of the way$ 1lan for )DD -er#ent vi#tory over )DD -er#ent of the wor of the enemy$ 8inning the war (or #our (inances??as in an# war in the natura4 wor4d??invo4ves more than one batt4e: ou ma# have some ups and downs during the con(4icts; but remember::: The *ord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down$ (Psalm =.! =# I( #ou happen to 4ose a batt4e; do not give up: *a&e no p4ans (or retreat or (urther de(eat: "ise up once again and stand (irm in the (ace o( the enem#: 1herefore ta&e unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand $ ,tand therefore$$$(Aphesians (! )0 =# ou do not batt4e a4one; (or there is a greater power in #ou than a44 the power o( the enem#5 ?e are of God, little +hildren, and have over+ome them! be+ause greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world$ ( >ohn =!=# There is someone within #ou that is greater than ever# (orce o( the enem#: In the ne.t chapter #ou wi44 4earn how to re4ease this power(u4 anointing that is a4read# resident within #ou:

CHAPTER FO!RTEEN
RELEASING $O!R FINANCIAL ANOINTING
119

A pure stream o( GodBs divine provision is being poured out upon the %od# o( Christ: It is a spiritua4 anointing that is being re4eased to enab4e us to accomp4ish the divine commission o( reaching the wor4d with the Gospe4: It is a mirac4e?wor&ing anointing that wi44 resu4t in supernatura4 signs (o44owing the proc4amation o( GodBs 8ord: A vita4 part o( this outpouring is a (inancia4 anointing that is going to move be4ievers to a new 4eve4 o( (inancia4 (reedom where not on4# wi44 their needs be met; but the# wi44 have a surp4us to sow into the wor& o( God: To man# peop4e; the concept o( an anointing means demonstrations o( emotions; outward mani(estations; and e.pressions o( Cea4: %ut the anointing o( God is more than emotiona4ism: It is more +ust shouting and dancing during a praise service??a4though these emotions are beauti(u4 wa#s to e.press #our worship: The true anointing o( God is a 4ot more than thatA It wi44 tota44# trans(orm #ou: It wi44 hea4 #our bod#; ma&e #ou a proo(?producing be4iever; (i44 #ou with divine power; and anoint ever# area o( #our 4i(e??inc4uding #our (inances: THE ANOINTING FOR AFTER#ARD God promised through 1is Prophet 7oe45 3nd it shall +ome to pass afterward that - will pour out of my ,pirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy and your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions$ (>oel 2!2/# 0nder4ine the word >a(terward> in this verse: This word is the &e# to understanding this passage: In essence; God is sa#ing >The outpouring o( *# 'pirit wi44 on4# occur a(ter certain things ta&e p4ace??a(terward m# 'pirit wi44 be poured out:> 8e must e.amine the entire chapter c4ose4# to interpret the meaning o( the word >a(terward>: In verses 1?-; the prophet describes a time o( economic devastation that had come upon the 4and because o( the peop4esB disobedience5 The word of the *ord that +ame to >oel the son of Pethuel$ 9ear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land$ 9ath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers4 Tell ye your +hildren of it, and let your +hildren tell their +hildren, and their +hildren another generation$ That whi+h the palmerworm hath left hath the lo+ust eaten; and that whi+h the lo+ust hath left hath the +an&erworm eaten; and that whi+h the +an&erworm hath left hath the +aterpiller eaten$ 3wa&e, ye drun&ards, and weep; and howl, all ye drin&ers of wine, be+ause of the new wine; for it is +ut off from your mouth$ For a nation is +ome up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the +hee& teeth of a great lion$ 9e hath laid my vine waste, and bar&ed my fig tree! he hath made it +lean bare, and +ast it away; the bran+hes thereof are made white$ (>oel ! 0"# Then the prophet directs the peop4e to::: 111

*ament li&e a virgin girded with sa+&+loth for the husband of her youth$ The meat offering, the drin& offering is +ut off from the house of the *ord; the priests, the *ord;s ministers, mourn$ (>oel !/0D# The (irst thing we note is a word to the priests: The ca44 to the priests is to do what< Get up and dance< "ise up and shout< No: The ca44 to the priests??and to be4ievers toda# as GodBs ho4# priesthood??is to mourn: 8hat are the# to mourn about< The# are to mourn over their spiritua4 condition and the resu4ting e((ects on the 4and; the econom#; and the house o( God: The virgin??representing GodBs peop4e??is depicted as a woman in mourning (or her husband: The 4and was in economic devastation: O((erings were cut o(( (rom the house o( the /ord: Now 4oo& at verses 11 and 1,5 %e ye ashamed, 8 ye husbandmen $$$ you vinedressers, for the wheat and the barley, the harvest of the field perishes $$$ Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests! howl, ye ministers of the altar! +ome, lie all night in sa+&+loth, ye ministers of my God$$$ (>oel ! , )# This verse commands the peop4e to 4ament be(ore God: The# are to4d to ca44 a so4emn assemb4# and gather the ministers??to do what< To have board meetings and business sessions< To run preachers out o( town and sp4it churches< 7oe4 said5 >,an+tify a fast, +all a solemn assembly, gather the elders $$$ +ry $$$" (>oel ! =#$ 1e said! "%low ye the trumpet in Fion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain" $$$(>oel 2! #$ God dec4ares; ::: >turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning> (>oel 2! 2#$ The message (rom God is toK "*et the priests, the ministers of the *ord, weep between the por+h and the altar, and let them say$ ,pare thy people$ 7 *ord$ 3nd give not thine heritage to reproa+h, that the heathen should rule over them! wherefore should they say among the people$ 1here is their God4" (>oel 2! "#$ God wants us to turn to 1im with a44 o( our hearts; to weep over our sins and those o( our nation; to (ast and pra#Iand then a3terwar9 the anointing o( God wi44 be poured out upon us: 'peci(ica44#; in the rea4m o( (inances; we must repent (or our un(aith(u4ness in giving; (or withho4ding our tithes; and (or being (ear(u4 and (ret(u4 over our (inances: Then a(terward; we wi44 e.perience the mani(estation o( GodDs promise to pour out 1is b4essings: I( #ou do this; #ou wonDt have room enough to receive the anointing God wants to re4ease upon #ou: It wonDt be a dribb4e: God wi44 pour out supernatura4 abundance upon #ou: THE ANOINTING IS ALREAD$ #ITHIN $O! The anointing o( God is a4read# within #ou: A44 #ou must do is 4earn to re4ease it5 %ut the anointing whi+h ye have re+eived of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man tea+h you! but as the same anointing tea+heth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him: ( >ohn 2!2"# 112

The anointing (rom God??inc4uding a (inancia4 anointing??a4read# abides within #ou: It doesnDt +ust come upon #ou during 'unda# worship services or at a %ib4e con(erence or even b# reading this boo&: The anointing abides continua44# within #ou: "ead what God dec4ared about an anointed man named C#rus5 Thus says the *ord to 9is anointed, to 5yrus, whose right hand - have held to subdue nations before him, and - will unarm and ungird the loins of &ings to open doors before him and that gates should not be shut$ - will go before you and level the mountains to ma&e the +roo&ed pla+es straight; - will brea& in pie+es the doors of bron@e and +ut asunder the bars of iron$ 3nd - will give you the treasures of dar&ness and hidden ri+hes of se+ret pla+es, that you may &now that it is -, the *ord, the God of -srael, 1ho +alls you by your name: (-saiah =.! 0), 3'P# This prophec# was directed persona44# to C#rus; the &ing o( Persia: One hundred #ears be(ore C#rus was even born; the prophet o( God prophesied this about him: As C#rus; #ou a4so have been ca44ed and anointed b# God: 1e dec4ares; >I have chosen #ou; I have ca44ed #ou; I have ordained #ou; and I have anointed #ouA> God said concerning C#rus, " $$$ whose right hand - have held$" ou can (ee4 secure because 'omebod#Bs got #ou b# the handA 'omeone is ho4ding on to #ou during times o( (inancia4 crisis and #ou are going to ma&e it throughA The Apost4e Pau4 dec4ared5 1ho shall separate us from the love of 5hrist4 shall tribulation, or distress, or perse+ution, or famine, or na&edness, or peril, or sword4 3s it is written, For thy sa&e we are &illed all the day long; we are a++ounted as sheep for the slaughter$ Cay, in all these things we are more than +on:uerors through him that loved us$ For - am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor prin+ipalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to +ome, Cor height, nor depth, nor any other +reature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, whi+h is in 5hrist >esus our *ord$ (6omans /!).0)D# >8ho sha44 be separate us (rom the 4ove o( Christ<> No one and nothingA Not even (inancia4 disaster; because 'omebod# has #ou b# the right handA 8hatever is 4ost; 1e wi44 restore and whatever #ou need; 1e wi44 provide: 1is supp4# is greater than the demands o( #our (inancia4 crisisA God is ta4&ing to those who have a44owed 1im to ho4d their hand: These are the ones who God has brought through great di((icu4ties; those who have weathered ever# &ind o( prob4em??inc4uding (inancia4 crisis??and are sti44 going on with God: It is to them that God is sa#ing; >I wi44 4oose the 4oins o( &ings:> This means 1e wi44 give #ou the power to con=uer entire nations in the spirit wor4d: ou wi44 be ab4e to pra# (or nations: ou wi44 be ab4e to (und the Gospe4 to these nations: ou ma# even trave4 to various countries to proc4aim the Gospe4:

11,

8hen Genera4 !oug4as *acArthur signed the peace treat# with Emperor 1irohito that brought 8or4d 8ar II to an end; he cha44enged America; >'end me 29;999 missionaries and we wi44 ta&e 7apan (or ChristAK That ca44 went unheeded: %ut now God is ca44ing a new generation; and this generation is not going to (ai4A God is raising up an arm# o( be4ievers who are going to go into a44 the wor4d with the proo(?producing power o( God: GOD #ILL "A2E A #A$ God didnBt ca44 #ou +ust to warm a church pew somewhere: 1e ca44ed #ou to do the wor&s o( God: 7esus said; "Go ye into all the world and prea+h the Gospel to every +reature$" That is the command to ever# be4iever; because we have received the anointing o( God and it abides within us: %ut in order to do this; #ou must get out (rom under (inancia4 bondage: In addition to receiving the anointing o( God (or #our pra#er 4i(e; #our ph#sica4 bod#; and #our spiritua4 4i(eI #ou must a4so receive it (or #our (inances: God to4d C#rusIand 1e is te44ing #ouILI wi44 open c4osed gates and brea& the bars o( iron: I wi44 ma&e a wa# where there seems to be no wa#; and #ou wi44 wa4& on throughAK ou ma# be in an impossib4e (inancia4 situation where there seems to be no wa# out: ou canBt go bac&: ou canDt go 4e(t or right: There is on4# one wa# to go; and that is (orward: 8hen God brought Israe4 out o( bondage in Eg#pt; the# came to a point where the "ed 'ea was in (ront o( them and the enem# was hot on their trai4: There were mountains on either side and the# heard the (ootsteps o( the enem# behind them: %ut God said; >IB44 ma&e a wa# where there is no wa#A> 8hen *oses heard the sound o( the advancing enem#; he cried out to God; >/ord; what am I going to do now<> God said; >8hat is that thing I put in #our hands<> >A rod;> answered *oses: L8e44 use itAK; God dec4aredA God has put something in #our hands that is so power(u4 that it wi44 open the wa# be(ore #ou: In the rea4m o( (inances; i( #ou re4ease what #ou have in #our hands; 1e wi44 give #ou more: 1e wi44 ma&e a wa# (inancia44# where there seems to be no wa#; when the creditor is hot on #our trai4 and there seems to be no so4ution to #our prob4em:

RECEIVING THE H!NDREDFOLD ANOINTING The %ib4e spea&s o( a thirt#(o4d and a si.t#(o4d return; but God wants #ou to receive the hundred(o4d anointing in ever# area o( #our 4i(e; inc4uding #our (inances: Then Peter began to say unto him, *o, we have left all and have followed thee$ 3nd >esus answered and said, Eerily - say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or +hildren, or lands, for my sa&e, and 112

the gospel;s, but he shall re+eive a hundredfold now in this time $$$ and in the world to +ome eternal life$ ('ar& 8!2/0)8# 7esus to4d Peter; >%ecause o( #our obedience #ou wi44 receive the hundred(o4d anointing; both in this time and in the wor4d to come:> The same is true (or #ou; i( #ou have made the same commitment as Peter and the discip4es: 1ere is how to re4ease a hundred?(o4d (inancia4 anointing in #our 4i(e: First( /eave the o4d 4i(e behind: Peter said; "we have left all and followed thee$" The hundred(o4d anointing that 7esus promised was (or those who 4eave the o4d 4i(e behind; and part o( that o4d 4i(e in regards to (inances ma# be improper attitudes and actions invo4ving mone#: your Secon9( "aise the 4eve4 o( #our (aith: "emember the words o( 7esus5 >3++ording to faith be it unto you> ('atthew D!2D#$ Peter be4ieved what 7esus said and e.pected to receive the hundred(o4d anointing: As a resu4t; Peter dedicated his entire 4i(e to the cause o( Christ??even unto death: T4ir9( E.amine #our obedience: Are #ou wa4&ing in obedience to the commands o( God concerning #our (inances< 7esus to4d Peter that the hundred(o4d return came because o( obedience: On4# when #ou are 4iving in obedience to scriptura4 commands wi44 God pour out 1is (inancia4 anointing upon #ou: ou canBt be cheating others; using wrong business practices; withho4ding #our gi(ts (rom God; and vio4ating other scriptura4 princip4es and e.pect the hundred(o4d return: Fo5rt4( E.amine how #ou use #our (inances: 7esus said the hundred(o4d anointing wou4d be upon those who 4e(t a44 "for my sa&e and the gospel;s"$ Is the cause o( Christ and the Gospe4 (oremost in #our 4i(e< Is this priorit# re(4ected in #our chec&boo&< THIS IS $O!R SEASON Throughout the ages there have been seasons when God has (u4(i44ed speci(ic purposes within the 4ives o( 1is chosen peop4e: The word >season> means La period o( time that is characteriCed b# a particu4ar circumstance or phenomenon:K In the natura4 wor4d; we have man# di((erent seasons: There are the seasons o( summer; (a44; winter; and spring: In some nations; there is a speci(ic hunting season; during which a person is given the 4ega4 right to hunt certain anima4s: There is a (ishing season; during which time #ou are a44owed to (ish: 8e have specia4 ho4ida# and (estiva4 seasons: This is #our season spiritua44#; #our time to receive GodBs (inancia4 anointingA 8hen *oses and the chi4dren o( Israe4 were wandering through the wi4derness; it was a season o( testing and preparation (or the time when the# wou4d enter the Promised /and and ta&e possession o( their inheritance: !uring that season in the wi4derness; God revea4ed 1imse4( as 115

the /ord o( divine provision: God (ed them dai4# with heaven4# manna: 1e 4ed them b# a c4oud b# da# and a pi44ar o( (ire b# night: 8hen the# needed water; 1e caused it to gush out o( a roc&: 1e supernatura44# provided (or a44 o( their needs: Their c4othes did not wear out and their (eet did not swe44; despite the desert heat and their rough +ourne# F!euteronom# 652G: 'ad4#; because o( (ear and unbe4ie(; the peop4e re(used to enter the Promised /and: the nation o( Israe4 wandered in the wi4derness (or (ort# #ears unti4 an entire generation died: God determined a set time o( (ort# #ears in the wi4derness; one #ear (or each da# the spies searched the 4and be(ore re(using to enter it FNumbers 125,,?,2G: 8hen at 4ast; a new generation (ina44# prepared to enter the Promised /and; *oses to4d them5 3nd thou shalt remember all the way whi+h the *ord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to &now what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest &eep his +ommandments, or no$ 3nd he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, whi+h thou &newest not, neither did thy fathers &now; that he might ma&e thee &now that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that pro+eedeth out of the mouth of the *ORD doth man live$ (Deuterono#y ;:6*<, 8hen the season in the wi4derness was over; God dec4ared5 :::>?e have dwelt long enough in this mount! Turn you, and ta&e your 2ourney$$$" (Deuteronomy !(0"#: 1e to4d them5 "%ehold, - have set the land before you! go in and possess the land $$$ " (Deuteronomy !/#$ 7oshua 4ed a new generation into a new season wherein Israe4 c4aimed their promised 4and and con=uered their enemies: Toda# is a new season (or GodDs peop4eA 1e is ca44ing (orth a new prophetic generation; a new breed o( peop4e: ou have wandered in the wi4derness o( (inancia4 crises 4ong enough: It is time to (or #ou to enter into a new season and receive #our (inancia4 anointing: "eceive it right now; b# (aith; in the name o( 7esusA This (inancia4 anointing is so power(u4 that #ou wi44 be ab4e to (ace the (uture without (ear; which is the sub+ect o( the (ina4 chapter which (o44ows:

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
FACING $O!R FINANCIAL F!T!RE
Through the bib4ica4 strategies #ou have 4earned in this stud#; #ou now are prepared to enter into divine provision; a supernatura4 dimension where #ou can e.perience (inancia4 victor#: ou have studied in detai4 the bib4ica4 approach to (inances: 113 ou have 4earned about the

importance o( tithes and o((erings; identi(ied &e#s to 4iving under an open heaven; and 4earned how #our debt can be supernatura44# retired: ou have received practica4 guide4ines on how to avoid new debt and 4ive within #our budget: ou a4so 4earned how to e4iminate barriers that wou4d prevent #ou (rom receiving (inancia4 b4essing; strategies (or spiritua4 harvest; and how to re4ease the (inancia4 anointing God has given #ou: ou have a4so 4earned how to do spiritua4 war(are in beha4( o( #our (inances: F%# the wa#??as in other areas o( 4i(e??that batt4e wi44 be continuous; so remain vigi4ant: @eep on (ighting and winningAG This (ina4 chapter (ocuses on #our (inancia4 (uture: As we see mone# 4osing its va4ue around the wor4d; in(4ation s&#?roc&eting; and ban&s; businesses; and investments (ai4ing; the (inancia4 (uture 4oo&s prett# grim in the natura4: %ut; as #ou have 4earned in this stud#; #ou can be assured that #our (inancia4 (uture is secure as #ou continue to tap into GodBs un4imited; divine provision: ou can (ace #our (inancia4 (uture without (earA GOD8S PLAN FOR $O!R F!T!RE As #ou imp4ement the &now4edge #ou have gained in this boo&; God wi44 continue to mu4tip4# #our (inances: The Gree& word (or mu4tip4ication is plethuno; which means; >to increase; to cause to mu4tip4#:> 8ithin GodBs c#c4e o( divine provision; supernatura4 mu4tip4ication continuous4# occurs: A(ter the !a# o( Pentecost when the 1o4# 'pirit was outpoured; supernatura4 mu4tip4ication too& p4ace as God added to the Church dai4#5 >3nd the word of God in+reased; 3nd the number of the dis+iples multiplied in >erusalem greatly"K(3+ts (!"#$ This same supernatura4 princip4e o( mu4tip4ication occurs when #ou give to God: As #ou have 4earned in this stud#; not on4# does God provide the seed (or #ou to sow; but 1e mu4tip4ies bac& to #ou what #ou give unti4 there is divine su((icienc# in #our 4i(e5 3nd LGodM 1ho provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your Lresour+es forM sowing$$$ (2 5orinthians D! 8, T3% #

In 7ohn 3; we (ind a hungr# mu4titude and a meager (ood supp4#5 3fter these things >esus went over the sea of Galilee, whi+h is the sea of Tiberias$ 3nd a great multitude followed him, be+ause they saw his mira+les whi+h he did on them that were diseased$ 3nd >esus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his dis+iples$ 3nd the Passover, a feast of the >ews, was nigh$ 1hen >esus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great +ompany +ome unto him, he saith unto Philip, 1hen+e shall we buy bread, that these may eat4 3nd this he said to prove him! for he himself &new what he would do$ Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not suffi+ient for them, that every one of them may ta&e a little$ 7ne of his dis+iples, 3ndrew, ,imon PeterJs brother, 11-

saith unto him, There is a lad here, whi+h hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes! but what are they among so many4 3nd >esus said, 'a&e the men sit down$ Cow there was mu+h grass in the pla+e$ ,o the men sat down, in number about five thousand$ 3nd >esus too& the loaves; and when he had given than&s, he distributed to the dis+iples, and the dis+iples to them that were set down; and li&ewise of the fishes as mu+h as they would$ 1hen they were filled, he said unto his dis+iples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost$ Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve bas&ets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, whi+h remained over and above unto them that had eaten$ (>ohn (! 0 )# /et the 4oaves and (ish in this stor# represent #our own 4imited (inancia4 resources: ou ma# 4oo& at #our (inances and thin& the# are insu((icient to meet the needs #ou are (acing now and in the (uture: ou 4oo& at #our 4imited income and #our sma44 o((erings (or the wor& o( God and wonder; >8hat can m# sma44 gi(ts do to meet such a great need as evange4iCing the wor4d<> The 4itt4e bo# with the bread and (ish gave what he had to 7esus: The /ord too& these 4imited resources; than&ed God (or 1is provision; and mu4tip4ied the (ood unti4 there was an abundance: Not on4# was there enough (or the mu4titude to eat and be satis(ied; there were twe4ve bas&ets o( surp4us (ood 4e(t overA 1ow wou4d #ou 4i&e (or God to mu4tip4# #our resources so that a44 o( #our needs are supp4ied with a surp4us 4e(t over< 8hen #ou sacri(ice and give (rom #our 4imited resources; be4ieving God (or divine provision; 1e wi44 mu4tip4# bac& abundant4# into #our 4i(e the time; ta4ents; and (inances that #ou give: G!IDELINES FOR $O!R FINANCIAL F!T!RE 1ere are some speci(ic guide4ines to assure that #ou continue to e.perience divine provision; no matter how dim the economic (uture o( #our nation ma# appear:

Remem6er t4at Go9 is ;o5r So5rce1 !onBt thin& that +ust because #ou are in a poor nation or wor&ing at a 4ow pa#ing +ob that God cannot provide abundant4# (or #ou: I( #ou 4ive in a deve4oping nation; donBt 4oo& to America (or (unding o( #our ministr# because when the 0nited 'tates su((ers economica44#; #ou wi44 a4so: 'ome o( the greatest churches in the wor4d are being bui4t in economica44#?cha44enged nations without he4p (rom other regions: !onBt 4oo& to rich (riends or (ami4# (or aid: !onBt 4oo& to #our +ob; #our boss; or #our investments: 8hatever #ou (ace in the (uture; remember to &eep #our e#es o(( #our circumstances and (ocus on God as #our divine 'ource o( provision: "aintain a Go9l; attit59e towar9s 3inances1 116

I( #ou be4ieve mone# is somehow evi4; then #ou have misunderstood GodBs 8ord and the entire reve4ation o( this boo&5 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pier+ed themselves with many a pang$ ( Timothy (! 8, C3, # On4# 4oving mone# is wrong: I( #ou (aith(u44# give #our tithes and o((erings; #ou are demonstrating that #ou are not bound b# a 4ove (or mone#: I( #ou 4ive within #our means; #ou show that mone# is not contro44ing #our 4i(e: !n9erstan9 t4at Go9 5ses 3inances to 9irect ;o5r li3e1 As #ou 4earned in this stud#; when the provision at Cherith %roo& ceased; E4i+ah was directed to where new provision awaited: 8hen the broo& runs dr# (inancia44# where #ou are; perhaps it is time to re4ocate #our residence; #our ministr#; or attain a new +ob: God provided (or E4i+ah >there>??in the p4ace to which he was directed b# the 1o4# 'pirit: 8here God guides; 1e provides: !onBt spend the rest o( #our 4i(e sitting b# a dried up broo& 4amenting over the (act that resources are no 4onger (4owing to #ou: Remem6er t4at t4e e; to increase is release1 Give what #ou have; and God wi44 increase it5 There is one who s+atters, yet in+reases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty$ The generous soul will be made ri+h, and he who waters will also be watered himself$ (Proverbs !2=02., CG> #

Reali>e t4at Go9 4onors ;o5r o6e9ience 6; 9emonstratin: His 7ower1 8hen #ou pa# #our tithes and are (aith(u4 to #our (inancia4 commitments; #ou can ca44 upon God in the time o( troub4e and 1e wi44 de4iver #ou5 7ffer to God the sa+rifi+e of than&sgiving; and pay your vows to the 'ost 9igh, 3nd +all upon 'e in the day of trouble; - will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify 'e$ ( Psalm .8! =0 ., 3'P # 8hen #ou (u4(i44 #our (inancia4 vows to God; #ou wi44 4ive under an open heaven o( 1is divine provision: 11)

Reco:ni>e t4at Go9 5ses ;o5r :i3ts to meet t4e nee9s o3 ot4ers1 For the poor will never +ease to be in the land; therefore - +ommand you, saying, "?ou shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land: (Deuteronomy .! , C3, # 1ow can #ou give to the poor i( #ou have not been 4ibera44# b4essed b# God< 1e (u44# intends to b4ess #ou so that #ou can (ree4# give to those in need as we44 as to the wor& o( the ministr#: "a e a 3inancial 7lan an9 stic wit4 it1 Pra#er(u44# see& GodBs wi44 regarding #our (inances because >The mind of man plans his way, %ut the *ord dire+ts his steps" (Proverbs (!D, C3, #$ *a&e a budget (or #our persona4 e.penses and #our ministr# and 4ive within it: F'ee Appendi. Two o( this boo& (or guide4ines (or deve4oping a budget:G As& God to direct ever# (inancia4 decision: !onBt go into debt: !onBt put #ourse4( in a vu4nerab4e position b# co?signing (or the debts o( others: Pa# #our bi44s: Obe# the guide4ines #ou have 4earned as #ou create and e.ecute a scriptura4 (inancia4 p4an in order to assure that #ou are positioned (or divine provision: Never 3or:et w4at Go9 4as 9one 3or ;o5 in t4e 7ast1 "emember the warning that *oses gave Israe45 3nd it shall be, when the *ord thy God shall have brought thee into the land whi+h he sware unto thy fathers, to 3braham, to -saa+, and to >a+ob, to give thee great and goodly +ities, whi+h thou buildedst not, 3nd houses full of all good things, whi+h thou filledst not, and wells digged, whi+h thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, whi+h thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the *ord, whi+h brought thee forth out of the land of Agypt, from the house of bondage$ (Deuteronomy (! 80 2# !onBt ever (orget how God has b4essed #ou and how 1e brought #ou out o( (inancia4 bondage: "emember 1is (aith(u4ness and how 1e has (u4(i44ed 1is promises to #ou: Contin5e to see t4e Lor91 It was said o( @ing 0CCiah; "$$$as long as he sought the *ord, God made him to prosper" (2 5hroni+les 2(!.#$ 'ad4#; "$$$when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destru+tion! for he transgressed against the *ord his God" (2 5hroni+les 2(! (#, %ecause o( his sin; 0CCiah was stric&en with 4epros# and remained a((4icted unti4 the da# o( his death: Continue to see& the /ord regarding #our (inances and how #ou use persona4 and ministr# (unds: There are man# needs in the wor4d to which #ou cou4d give; but what has God ca44ed you to do< That is what #ou wi44 be responsib4e (or when #ou stand be(ore God: Be 9ili:ent in a77l;in: scri7t5ral 3inancial 7rinci7les1 129

'ome peop4e are +ust p4ain 4aC#: The# never accomp4ish an#thing in their 4ives and never get ahead (inancia44#: The# b4ame their 4ac& o( (inances and 4ac& o( success on ever#thing but themse4ves: The %ib4e dec4ares that God rewards those who are di4igent5 %ut without faith it is impossible to please him! for he that +ometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently see& him$ (9ebrews !(# Peop4e with a 4aC#; do?nothing; ta&e?it?eas# attitude wi44 never be great4# rewarded because God rewards di4igence: >!i4igence> means to pursue something with a44 o( #our heart; strength; and might: It portra#s the concept o( being hard?wor&ing; attentive; and persistent: !i4igence is re=uired in order to succeed in an# area o( 4i(e: %e wi44ing to wor& hard to achieve (inancia4 (reedom: %e di4igent to app4# a44 #ou have 4earned regarding (inances in this stud#: I( #ou ta&e what #ou have studied in this boo& ha4(?hearted4# and do not put the truths #ou have 4earned into practice; #ou wonBt be rewarded: 8h#< %ecause the princip4es #ou studied are GodBs 8ord and #ou never prosper when #ou re(use to obe# 1is mandates: $aith; combined with due di4igence; create a power(u4 spiritua4 (orce that wi44 he4p #ou achieve #our (inancia4 goa4s: Obe# the commands regarding (inances and act upon the promises given in GodBs 8ord and #ou wi44 be assured o( success: God to4d 7oshua5 7nly be thou strong and very +ourageous, that thou mayest observe to do a++ording to all the law, whi+h 'oses my servant +ommanded thee! turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest$ This boo& of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do a++ording to all that is written therein! for then thou shalt ma&e thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good su++ess$ 9ave not - +ommanded thee4 %e strong and of a good +ourage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed! for the *ord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest$ (>oshua !"0D # The Psa4mist a4so emphasiCed that success comes (rom abiding in GodBs 8ord5 %lessed is the man that wal&eth not in the +ounsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the s+ornful$ %ut his delight is in the law of the *ord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night$ 3nd he shall be li&e a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper$ (Psalm ! 0)# !o #ou want to prosper in a44 #ou do< Then meditate on GodBs 8ord and app4# what #ou 4earn in ever# area o( #our 4i(e; inc4uding #our (inances: FACING THE F!T!RE #ITH CONFIDENCE !ivine provision does not mean #ou wi44 never have (inancia4 cha44enges: 7esus was c4ear that "-n the world ye shall have tribulation", but 1e said; "$$$be of good +heer; - have over+ome 121

the world" (>ohn (!))#$ 7esus de4egated to 1is (o44owers power over a44 the power o( the enem#; and this inc4udes his diabo4ica4 power that wou4d come to stea4 (rom #ou F/u&e 1951)G: 'o in (inancia44# 4ean and di((icu4t times; ca44 on that power(u4 anointing that is resident within #ou that wi44 overcome a44 the powers o( #our enem#: ou ma# (ace times o( (inancia4 testing?? as 7ob did??but #ou wi44 emerge victoriousA God wants #ou to be con(ident that 1e wi44 supp4# ever# need in both prosperous and di((icu4t times: ou can (ace #our (inancia4 (uture (rom a position o( &nowing: ou can &now that #ou wi44 have no 4ac&Iregard4ess o( the ba4ance in #our ban& account; #our sa4ar#; or the econom# o( #our nation: God to4d the nation o( Israe4 that the# cou4d position themse4ves so that 1is b4essings wou4d 4itera44# run a(ter them5 3nd it shall +ome to pass, if thou shalt hear&en diligently unto the voi+e of the *ord thy God, to observe and to do all his +ommandments whi+h - +ommand thee this day, that the *ord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth! 3nd all these blessings shall +ome on thee, and overta&e thee, if thou shalt hear&en unto the voi+e of the *ord thy God$ (Deuteronomy 2/! 02# GodBs peop4e wou4dnBt have to see& b4essings; but the# wou4d 4itera44# overta&e them: 8ou4d #ou 4i&e (or the b4essings o( God to pursue and overta&e #ou< I( so; then obe# 1is 8ordA 1ere are the b4essings God said wou4d pursue them5 %lessed shalt thou be in the +ity, and blessed shalt thou be in the field$ %lessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy +attle, the in+rease of thy &ine, and the flo+&s of thy sheep$ %lessed shall be thy bas&et and thy store$ %lessed shalt thou be when thou +omest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out$ The *ord shall +ause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy fa+e! they shall +ome out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways$ The *ord shall +ommand the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land whi+h the *ord thy God giveth thee$ The *ord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt &eep the +ommandments of the *ord thy God, and wal& in his ways$ 3nd all people of the earth shall see that thou art +alled by the name of the *ord; and they shall be afraid of thee$ 3nd the *ord shall ma&e thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy +attle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land whi+h the *ord sware unto thy fathers to give thee$ The *ord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the wor& of thine hand! and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow$ 3nd the *ord shall ma&e thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hear&en unto the +ommandments of the *ord thy God, whi+h - +ommand thee this day, to observe and to do them! 3nd thou shalt not go aside from any of the words whi+h - +ommand thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go 122

after other gods to serve them$ (Deuteronomy 2/!)0 =# Ta4& about a mandate (or divine provision; this is itA F!LFILLING O!R DIVINE P!RPOSE 7ust as God had a purpose (or prospering the nation o( Israe4; 1e has a divine purpose (or prospering #ou: ou are 4iving in the most crucia4 hour the church has ever &nown: ou are 4iving in GodDs end?time harvest: 8e are the 4abor (orce that must reap the spiritua4 harvest o( the nations o( the wor4d be(ore it is too 4ate: !uring 8or4d 8ar II; the %ritish were the 4ast 4ine o( resistance against the power(u4 NaCi oppression that was sweeping across Europe: %ritain was under re4ent4ess attac& and was in danger o( co44apse because the# 4ac&ed the resources to see the con(4ict through to victor#: %ritish Prime *inister 8inston Churchi44 issued an appea4 to the wor4d5 >Give us the too4s; and we wi44 (inish the +ob:> 1e &new that without he4p; the# wou4d not be ab4e to persevere to victor#: The wor4d responded; and victor# was achieved: There is a ca44 coming (rom the nations o( the wor4d toda#; >Give us the too4s; and we wi44 (inish the +ob:> %e4ievers around the wor4d are under the re4ent4ess attac& o( the enem# as the# are batt4ing (or the sou4s o( men and women and bo#s and gir4s: The# are ca44ing (or he4p??(or training materia4s; techno4og#; boo&s; supp4ies; and (inancia4 resources??so that the# can get the +ob done: The purpose o( this boo& is to position be4ievers (inancia44# so that not on4# wi44 their own needs be met; but the# wi44 be ab4e to answer this critica4 ca44: This is #our season; the time God has appointed #ou to reap the greatest (inancia4 harvest #ou have ever received so that #ou wi44 be ab4e to sow resources into the @ingdom o( God: Now is not the time to give upA !onDt doubtA !onDt (retA GodDs 8ord wi44 be (u4(i44ed +ust as 1e promisedA !onBt spea& negative4# about #our (inances because there is tremendous power in #our words5 Death and life are in the power of the tongue! and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof: (Proverbs /!2 # I( #ou (eed on doubt and unbe4ie(; #ou energiCe 'atan: !onDt spea& words that encourage #our enem# because:::>$$$by thy words thou shalt be 2ustified, and by thy words thou shalt be +ondemned" ('atthew 2!)"#$ Instead o( grumb4ing and comp4aining; begin to praise God (or the (inancia4 (reedom #ou are going to e.perience5 -n every thing give than&s! for this is the will of God in 5hrist >esus +on+erning you$ ( Thessalonians .! /# As #ou (ace the (uture; (ocus on the supernatura4 provision o( God: Than& 1im (or 1is divine provision: Ever# morning and evening; give a than& o((ering to the /ord: This wi44 &eep #our (ocus on God; who is #our true provider5 12,

-t is a good thing to give than&s unto the *ord, and to sing praises unto thy name, 7 most 9igh! To shew forth thy loving&indness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night$ (Psalm D2! 02# An attitude o( than&sgiving (ocuses #our thoughts on the things that rea44# matter in 4i(e and e4iminates an.iet# over the (uture5 %e +areful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and suppli+ation with than&sgiving let your re:uests be made &nown unto God$ 3nd the pea+e of God, whi+h passeth all understanding, shall &eep your hearts and minds through 5hrist >esus$ FPhilippians =!(0"# #HAT CAN ONE "AN DO% Among the greatest e.amp4es o( what can be accomp4ished through simp4e (aith in the (inancia4 promises o( God is demonstrated in the ministr# o( a man named George *u44er: 8hen God put it this manBs heart to bui4d orphanages in Eng4and; *u44er had on4# two shi44ings F59 centsG in his poc&et: $rom the beginning and throughout his entire ministr#; *u44er never made his needs &nown to an# man; but on4# to God a4one: 1e never sent out appea4s or too& o((erings: 1e never contacted donors or had a (und?raising program: %# trusting God a4one; some Q-;999;999 in 0:': (unds were given to *u44er to bui4d and maintain orphan homes in %risto4; Eng4and: Near the time o( *u44erBs death; there were (ive immense bui4dings o( so4id granite which accommodated two thousand orphans: In a44 the #ears since the mission was 4aunched; the orphans never went hungr#A One o( the greatest e((ects o( *ue44erBs ministr# was to inspire others to (o44ow his e.amp4e; resu4ting in at 4east one hundred thousand orphans being cared (or in Eng4and a4one some (i(t# #ears a(ter *u44er began his wor&: In addition to running the orphanages; *u44er preached three times a wee& (rom 16,9 to 16)6: 8hen he turned -9; he (u4(i44ed a 4i(e?4ong dream o( missionar# wor& (or the ne.t 1- #ears unti4 he was 6-: 1e trave4ed to 22 countries; preaching on average o( once a da#; addressing some three mi44ion peop4e: $rom the end o( his trave4s in 16)2 when he was 6- unti4 his death in *arch o( 16)6; *u44er preached in his church and wor&ed (or the 'cripture @now4edge Institute which he had (ounded: 1is (unera4 was he4d in %risto4 where he had served (or si.t#?si. #ears: Tens o( thousands o( peop4e reverent4# stood a4ong the route o( the simp4e procession: *en 4e(t their wor&shops and o((ices; women 4e(t their homes; a44 see&ing to pa# their 4ast respects to a man who b# (aith a4one impacted his generation: George *u44er dec4ared5 "T rust in God, not in man, not in +ir+umstan+es, not in any of your own eBertions, but real trust in God, and you will be helped in your various ne+essities$$$ Cot in +ir+umstan+es, not in natural prospe+ts, not in former donors, but solely in God$ This is that whi+h brings the blessing$ -f we say we trust in 9im, but in reality do not, then God, ta&ing us at our word, lets us see that we do not really +onfide in 9im; and hen+e failure 122

arises$ 7n the other hand, if our trust in the *ord is real, help will surely +ome$$$1e serve a God with unlimited resour+es and power, all the resour+es of the Godhead are at our disposal$" This is an e.amp4e o( what God can do through one man who p4aces his con(idence in God as his 'ource: 8hat God did (or George *u44er; 1e can do (or #ou: IT IS $O!R CHOICE There was a rich #oung ru4er who came to 7esus once as&ing; >1hat must - do to inherit eternal life4" (*u&e /! /, C-E#; 7esus to4d him that he must &eep the commandments: The #oung ru4er said to 7esus; "3ll these - have &ept sin+e - was a boy" (*u&e /!2 , C-E#$ Then 7esus said; "?ou still la+& one thing$ ,ell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven$ Then +ome, follow me" (*u&e /!22, C-E#$ The #oung ru4er went awa# sorrowing because he was not wi44ing to surrender his wea4th to Christ: 1e had a choice to ma&e; and he made the wrong one: 8e never again hear o( this #oung man: A44 we &now is that he 4e(t depressed; discouraged; and sorrowing: !id #ou &now that #ou have the power to choose whether or not #ou wi44 receive (inancia4 abundance< It is trueA E.periencing divine provision is #our choice: ou have 4earned the scriptura4 princip4es through this stud#; but now #ou must choose to app4# them b# obe#ing GodBs 8ord:

,ee, - have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; -n that - +ommand thee this day to love the *ord thy God, to wal& in his ways, and to &eep his +ommandments and his statutes and his 2udgments, that thou mayest live and multiply! and the *ord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it$ (Deuteronomy )8! .0 ( # Toda# is the da# to ma&e #our decision; a choice that wi44 pro(ound4# a((ect #our (inancia4 (uture: 8hich wa# wi44 #ou choose< God has set be(ore #ou (inancia4 death or (inancia4 4i(e: The choice is #ours: Choose 4i(eA

125

APPENDI@ ONE
OLD TESTA"ENT OFFERINGS&
The (o44owing are O4d Testament o((erings estab4ished b# God (or the nation o( Israe4: A4though we are certain4# (ree to give specia4 o((erings to than& God (or 1is b4essings; we no 4onger give sacri(ices and o((erings (or sin because God gave 1is 'on; 7esus Christ; to secure our atonement: @aphar O4ah Nese&h %i&&urim *inchah 'hB4amim Tenuphah 1attath Atonement o((ering %urnt o((ering !rin& o((ering $irst?(ruits o((ering *eat or cerea4 o((ering Peace o((ering 1eave and wave o((erings 'in o((ering 123 E.odus ,9514?13 /eviticus 1?) and E.odus 2)5,6?22 E.odus 2)529?21 and Genesis 26516 !euteronom# 1351?11 and Numbers 26523 /eviticus 251?13 /eviticus ,51?1- and Isaiah 5,55 /eviticus -5,9; ,2 and E.odus 2)52-?26 /eviticus 251?,5 and 2 Chronic4es 5521

Asham Jebhah Ned?habhah Jebhah?ha?todhah Jebhah nedher

Trespass o((ering $ree wi44 o((ering Than& o((ering Eotive o((ering

/eviticus 555?1) and Isaiah 5,519 E.odus ,555 and 2 Chronic4es ,1512 /eviticus -512?1, and 2 Chronic4es 2)5,1 /eviticus 22521?25

APPENDI@ T#O
HO# TO "A2E A B!DGET&
Pra; 3or wis9om1 As& God to he4p #ou ma&e and 4ive within a rea4istic budget: -f any of you la+& wisdom , let him as& of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him$ (>ames !.# Create a list o3 mont4l; e?7enses1 8rite down a44 the e.penses #ou regu4ar4# incur each month: This might inc4ude a mortgage pa#ment or rent; car pa#ments; gaso4ine; te4ephone; trash service; insurances; auto repairs; pub4ic transportation; groceries; eating out; tuition; uti4ities; entertainment; 4aundr# and dr# c4eaning; c4othes; house and medica4 insurance; propert# and income ta.es; bab#?sitting; subscriptions or dues; a4imon# or chi4d support; medica4 and denta4; home repairs; mone# spent on pets; haircuts; etc: 0se #our chec& boo&; credit card statements; and receipts to ma&e this 4ist: Divi9e t4is list o3 e?7enses into two cate:ories1 The (irst categor# is 3i?e9 e.penses which are the same each month: $or e.amp4e; #our rent and car pa#ment are (i.ed: The second categor# is varia6le e.penses that change (rom month?to?month: E.amp4es are gaso4ine; groceries; uti4ities; etc: 12-

Total ;o5r e?7enses1 Tota4 #our (i.ed e.penses: Tota4 #our variab4e e.penses: Then add them together (or a grand tota4: Total ;o5r mont4l; income1 /ist ever# source o( income; how much #ou receive (rom each source; and then tota4 it: Com7are ;o5r e?7enses an9 income1 ou wi44 have one o( two resu4ts5 ?I( #our resu4ts show more income than e.penses #ou are o(( to a good start: This means #ou can designate e.tra mone# to reduce debt or put into savings (or emergencies and (uture needs: ?I( #ou have more e.penses than income; then #ou must ma&e some 4i(e?st#4e changes:

"a e a9B5stments to ;o5r e?7enses1 E.amine #our e.penses and 4ist areas where #ou can cut costs: 0sua44# #ou canBt cut (i.ed e.penses 4i&e a mortgage; etc:; so 4oo& c4ose4# at #our variab4e e.penses to see where #ou can reduce e.penditures: 8hat can #ou 4ive without< $or e.amp4e; cou4d #ou give up #our ce44 phones (or a cheaper home phone< 8hat can #ou cut out comp4ete4#< Cou4d e4iminate entertainment costs and eating out (or awhi4e< 8hat e.penses cou4d #ou 4ower< $or e.amp4e; perhaps #ou cou4d use 4ess gaso4ine b# combining errands or wa4&ing when possib4e: %# 4owering each variab4e e.pense; #ou wi44 come c4oser to #our goa4 o( ba4ancing income and e.penditures: Set a realistic mont4l; 659:et1 The budget shou4d (ocus on #our actua4 needs instead o( e.tras #ou desire: Review ;o5r 659:et eac4 mont41 This review wi44 show #ou where #ou did we44 and where #ou need to improve:

Note( I( #ou have 4arge card ba4ances; here is a strateg# to he4p #ou retire those debts: Trans(er #our credit card ba4ances to the card with the 4owest interest rates: As an incentive (or the credit card compan# to a44ow this; te44 them the# can ma&e an automatic deduction (rom #our ban& account each month to assure the# wou4d be paid: One #ou have moved #our credit card debt to the card with the 4owest interest rate; do not pa# on4# the 4owest month4# pa#ment re=uired: @eep #our month4# pa#ments as 4arge as the# were be(ore #ou trans(erred ever#thing to the one 126

card: This wa# #ou wi44 have a higher pa#ment on the principa4 and be ab4e to pa# o(( #our debt in a shorter time:

APPENDI@ THREE
FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES CHEC2LIST
"eview this chec&4ist whenever #ou are e.periencing (inancia4 cha44enges: 'tud# the chapters indicated (or areas in which #ou need encouragement or correction: ?!o #ou view God as a giving God< 1ow #ou perceive 1im a((ects #our (inances: FChapter 1G ?!o #ou &now and are #ou c4aiming the divine resources avai4ab4e to #ou< FChapter 2G ?!o #ou have a scriptura4 view o( prosperit#< FChapter ,G ?Is #our (ocus on the @ingdom o( God or #our own se4(ish desires< FChapter ,G ?Are #ou bound b# (ear or are #ou trusting God in (aith (or #our (inances< FChapter 2G ?!o #ou (ocus on #our 4ac& or are #ou 4oo&ing to God as #our source< FChapter 2G ?!o #ou need to as& or e.tend (orgiveness< FChapter 5G ?Are #ou tithing regu4ar4#< FChapter 3G 12)

?!o #ou give o((erings above #our tithe< FChapter 3G ?!o #ou give to the poor< FChapter 3G ?Are #ou be4ieving and ta&ing practica4 steps (or supernatura4 debt retirement< FChapter -G ?Are #ou be4ieving God (or restoration o( a44 the enem# has sto4en (rom #ou< FChapter 6G ?Are #ou conducting #our (inancia4 a((airs according to bib4ica4 princip4es< FChapters )?19G ?Are #ou obe#ing the teachings o( 7esus regarding (inances< FChapter 11G ?1ave #ou activated the princip4es o( (inancia4 harvest in #our 4i(e< FChapter 12G ?Are #ou warring e((ective4# in beha4( o( #our (inances< FChapter 1,G ?Are #ou re4easing the (inancia4 anointing that is resident within #ou< FChapter 12G ?Are #ou (acing #our (inancia4 (uture with (aith or (ear< FChapter 15G ?1ave #ou made and are #ou 4iving within a practica4 budget< FAppendi. 2G

1,9