This program will help you undo financial bondage.
The Holy Spirit shared that faithful tithing and offering were indeed a cornerstone of good Christian stewardship but not the only cornerstone. We know that Christ is the only cornerstone for the faith!!! Yet, in our earthly stewardship of money there are eight cornerstones that practically need to be put in place from which the rest of the building can be rightly built.
Work in a legitimate field and ministry. Man shall live by the sweat of his brow (caused by the work of his hands). If a man does not work, he also should not eat. Work exercises Christ's command to serve others and properly care for yourself, family, others in need, and the church (local and global). It also gives you a vital mission field in which you can glorify Jesus Christ, find witty ways to evangelize the lost, and disciple (build up) other believers in the workplace. Of all the get-rich-quick schemes this is the only sure-fire method to start and continue making money!!!
Tithe and give abundant offerings. This honors God and opens the door for Him to move mightily to rebuke the devourer on your behalf and to pour blessings you don't have room to receive. Even though His authorities (churches/church leaders) receive your tithes and offering on earth, it is witness that the One Who lives receives them in heaven. This means not only will you receive an abundant supply but others will receive many benefits through you as well. In addition, faithfully adhering to this cornerstone teaches you to live beneath your income and helps discipline you so you can adhere to the other cornerstones.
Budget your income and spending. What man would first build a house without counting the cost! You must know the state of your flocks and herds otherwise you wealth will not last through your generation. This is a very important principle that most people do not want to follow. However, all sound businesses and wealthy people (most have grown to such abundance over many years) adhere to a budget. There are several different method used but they all amount to the same thing - live well beneath your income. As your income grows your comforts grow.
Sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term financial soundness. Delayed gratification now (because you need to employ it) results in great benefits accruing to you in the long-run. I buffet (beat my body into submission) lest having told others about the way I myself become a castaway (do not get to receive the benefits of following the principles I've told others about). And Barnabas sold land that he owned and gave it to the Apostles for the work of the ministry!!!
Stay out of debt and eliminate the debt you have. God desires that you prosper and that you be in the position of a lender and not a borrower. He does not desire that you be a slave. But you will be if your eyes and heart are on borrowing to get what you think you need and want. I'm convinced He desires that we live debt-free lives and only use credit as a short-term convenience that we can immediately pay off next month and that He is prepared to guide us to live that way and make it happen. However, you must plan to live this way and budget income and spending to make it happen.
Save a reasonable portion of your income each pay period. There is much tillage in field of a poor man, but it is all wasted for lack of judgment. There's oil and wine in the dwelling of the wise but a foolish man spends all his income. I believe saving 10% and growing from there is a reasonable starting point. However, start wherever you can immediately (2%, 5%, etc.) by building an emergency fund of 3 to 6 months of income (longer if you're self-employed or your job is not stable). God will help you do this as you adhere to the cornerstones above.
Diversifying your money and resources. Give a portion to seven or eight for you do not know what troubles you'll face. There is safety in a multitude of counselors. This means you don't have to be an expert at picking the right stock, bond, or other investment. While you should educate yourself to how these asset building/wealth management tools work, you only have to remember not to put all your eggs into one basket but over time into seven or eight types as well as seven or eight brokers/financial institutions as well as learn short and long-term investing basics for these tools as well as the histories of the types of returns they have produced over short (1-3 year), medium(4-10 years), and long (11-30 year) periods of time. Putting all your eggs in one basket results in all or a huge portion of your assets getting spoiled in market downturns, whereas putting your eggs in seven baskets results in a very small portion of your assets getting spoiled when the market dives or people attempt to snare you in fraudulent investment schemes.
Invest your excess savings. The Master gave His servants talents. The one He gave five talents went about trading (investing) and increased the talents to ten. The one He gave two traded and produced four. The lazy/wicked servant who received one talent hid it in the ground and brought no increase for the Master. On another occasion the Master gave each servant one mina. One of them traded and produced ten minas. Another traded and produced five. The lazy/wicked servant hid it in a napkin and brought no increase for the Master. The Master gave the wicked servants’ talent and mina to others who produced using kingdom principles and cast the wicked servant into outer darkness. God through the discipline of His financial plan and guidance of the Holy Spirit brings you to the point of investing when you use the above principles as the cornerstone of your finances.
I hope these eight cornerstones (principles) help you get on the road that God prepared for His people that together we may do His will and serve His people!!!
Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!
Deuteronomy 28:12, Proverbs 21:20, 22:7, Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 6:38, 14:28-30, Hebrews 7:8, Acts 4:36
Please forward these bondage breaking articles to other people who can use helpful insight!!!
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