#165 F-Bomb #5: Finances
Financial Freedom
Proverbs 8:17-18 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.”
Proverbs 3:9-19 “Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”
Jesus talked much about money.
1 of every 10 verses in Gospels deal directly with money.
16 of 38 parables are concerned with how to handle possessions.
Bible has 500 verses on prayer, 500 on faith, 2000 on money.
Matthew 6:31, 33 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? … But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Living With Financial Problems:
Challenges Your Physical Health
“AP poll, 27 percent had ulcers or digestive-tract problems, compared with eight percent of those with low levels of debt stress, and 29 percent who suffered severe anxiety, compared with four percent of those with low debt stress.”
Challenges Your Mental Health
“A decade-long study at the Iowa State University Institute for Social and Behavioral Research has shown that children who experience socioeconomic adversity at an early age are at increased risk for experiencing mental health challenges during their teen years.”
Challenges Your Relational Health
Dr. Phil “It’s this simple: Money can ruin your marriage. In fact, it’s the number one problem in marriages and the number one cause of divorce.”
1 Timothy 6:17-18 “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. …”
“ … Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Luke 12:16-21 “And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Two Basic Approaches To Giving
1. I’ve Got To Give
Pay the God tax. Pay the heat bill at the church. Keep God from getting angry.
2. I Get To Give
Malachi 3:10 “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.”
The Get To Give Approach Has:
1. Purpose
Genesis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.”
Galatians 3:29 “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
2. Pattern
1 Corinthians 16:2 “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”
Regularly – Proportionately – Passionatly
3. Privilege
Partner in His redemptive plan.
God doesn’t desperately need what you have … you desperately need what he has.
Don’t be generous emotionally … be generous intentionally.
I have been given an opportunity and not an obligation.
10 Opportunities:
1. Document His Favour
I can now list all the ways God has blessed me.
2. Express Obedience Tangibly
This act of obedience has opened the door to the joy of obedience in other areas of my life.
What else can I demonstrate? He heals!
He empowers!
He frees!
3. Connect With His Heart
I’m invested.
I love why He loves.
Do you wash the rental car when you return it?
4. Engage Myself In BIGGER!
I built an orphanage in India.
I put smart boards in the school.
I am helping 100 families have a Merry Christmas
I built a home in Haiti that cares for children born with aids. I am planting churches all over the world.
Training 1000’s of leaders worldwide.
5. Confront Selfishness
Stuff does’t have me … I serve others with the blessing of God on my life.
6. Conquer Worry
I have put my whole life under His authority and protection. I’m engaged in a partnership with Almighty God!!!
7. Enjoy The Rest
My priorities are straight and I can thoroughly enjoy the blessing on my life. He gives me everything and I honour Him with the best so I can enjoy the rest.
8. Give God Glory
Giving is greatest and most Holy worship.
Devil gets mad when He sees me honouring God.
9. Declare Good News
Look what the Lord has done!!! He is Good!!!
He is my source!!!
10. Open My Life To Him
I position myself to be conduit through which heaven can invade earth.
I am an open window through which God can display and express His kindness.
Financial Freedom
Proverbs 8:17-18 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.”
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