If all God wanted was for you to have everything that appeals to your natural no matter what the cost mind (big houses, fine cars, expensive clothes, and fine jewelry), then you'd be on the right road by spending all your net income and using credit to get such things and more of them all the time. However, the bible reveals that we should seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (the life that is according to His standards) and everything we need for life, godliness, and ministry will be given to us. This includes provision for the ministry of cultivating family, friend, church, business, employment, and financial relationships, etc. in a manner that glorifies God.
Christians should not live their lives pursuing material blessing, rather we should pursue Father God and His will for our lives whatever careers, business endeavors, and ministry that entails. We must know that Daddy God will bestow greater blessing upon on us as we seek to do His will and follow the directions He gives us: in His Word (logos) and by His Spirit speaking in us what He wants us to do (rhema).
No sorrow will be added to the blessing when wealth is provided by God and brought about by through intimacy with Christ. Many people experience lack of peace, joy, and fulfillment even though they amassing riches: All because they refused to adhere to God’s lifestyle and financial standards. Many look good on the outside having plenty of stuff their flesh (carnal soul-led nature) craves, but they are full of decay and destruction internally and eternally, not able to maintain marriages and moral behavior in a way that truly serve them, spouses, children, and other people.
Unsaved people try to obtain the best by avoiding relationship with Jesus Christ and trying to do everything on their own to get such things including constantly taking out more loans to get it and looking at most situations from a “what can I get out of it” perspective. The pressure of this lifestyle brings sorrow, anxiety, and fear. But, it is not so for those whose relationship and pursuit is found in Jesus Christ because the bible declares that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The person in pursuit of Christ thinks “what does the Father want me to do” and “how can I use this job, business, career, or resource to bring the glorious light of the gospel into more people’s lives.”
Unfortunately, through misinformation and self-serving interpretations of bible passages many believers use the world system to try and bring blessing upon themselves. They wind up with sorrows instead, at least while on earth. Hopefully, they will soon recognize that they should first seek relationship with God and the Holy Spirit’s guidance in every area of life including their finances. His scriptures identify a financial plan (principles that help you manage money in a way that is pleasing to Him and truly helpful to others). He wants you to know that you’ll be a slave to satan and selfish thinking when you follow any other plan.
He created you to support ministry with a great portion of your money. Your stewardship of money should be mission driven based on the fact that you, like God, don't want anyone to perish but all to repent for their sins, accept Christ as Lord, inherit eternal life, and be truly fruitful while on earth. True fruitfulness can only happen when you:
1) Seek the Lord’s will for your life through daily reading scripture, praying, praising, and worshipping Him.
2) Fellowship weekly with local church believers.
3) Work in legitimate endeavors in order to have seed to sow and bread to eat.
4) Consistently tithe and give offerings.
5) Live on less than your net income (take home pay).
6) Eliminate debt on depreciating assets.
7) Refuse to use loans to obtain depreciating assets.
8) Forsake co-signing for other people.
9) Establish suitable savings for emergencies and unusual expenses.
10) Invest in assets that show a history of appreciation (real estate, stocks, bonds, etc.).
11) Employ deferred gratification until you’re able to buy with cash things you desire. Trust God to provide things you need through your income or the goodwill of other people.
This pattern fits the Great Commission, lifestyle, and stewardship that scripture directs us to employ. Through it, godly wealth accumulation will be the order of your life.
Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!
Deuteronomy 8:18-20, Psalms 2:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 26:15-18, 2Timothy 1:7-11
Please forward these bondage breaking articles to other people who can use helpful insight!!!
You can find books authored by Randy and Karen Parlor at www.Amazon.com.
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