October 30 2016 God's Plan For Financial Blessing

GOD’S PLAN FOR FINANCIAL BLESSING

TWO STATEMENTS FROM JESUS

Luke 12:15 – Jesus said, “Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 16:9-13 – “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain eternal friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.  So, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?  And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?  No one can serve two masters.  You cannot serve both God and money.

Money is a tool and a test.

Managing money is a spiritual discipline.

SEVEN HABITS FOR FINANCIAL BLESSING

1. I must trust God as my source and supply.

Romans 11:36 – Everything comes from God; everything exists by His power; and everything is intended for His glory.

Deuteronomy 8:18 – Always remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed.

2. I must do my work as an act of Worship.

Proverbs 21:5 – Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Proverbs 10:4 – Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 16:11 – The Lord demands fairness in every business deal; He sets the standard.

Proverbs 12:11 – Hard work brings prosperity; only fools waste time chasing fantasies.

Proverbs 13:11 – Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; but wealth from hard work grows.

3. I must keep good records.

Proverbs 27:23-24 – Be sure you know the conditions of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.  For riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. 

Proverbs 23:23 – Get the facts at any price.

Proverbs 24:3-4 – Any enterprise becomes strong, through common sense and profits by keeping abreast of the facts.

Three Things To Know: Know what you own; Know what you earn: Know where it goes.

4. Plan your spending.

Proverbs 21:5 – The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as hast leads to poverty.

Proverbs 21;20 – The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.

Three things in a good budget: Mutual decision; Matter of prayer; Goals

5. Enjoy what you have.

Proverbs 15:16-17 – Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.  Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

1 Timothy 6:6-8-But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and be content with that.

Hebrews 13:5 – Be content with what you have.

6. Share with others in need.

Proverbs 11:24-25 – One man gives freely, yet gains even more, another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous man will prosper, he who refreshed others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 19:17 – He who is kind to the poor leads to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has one.

Proverbs 22:19 – A generous man will himself be blessed.

Proverbs 28:27 – He who gives to the poor will lack nothing.

7. It’s called tithing.

Proverbs 3:9 – Honor the Lord with your wealth, and with the first fruits of all your crops.

Three Reasons To Tithe: It shows Our Gratitude; It’s a Reminder for the Present; It’s a Step of Faith for the Future.

Deuteronomy 14:23

Malachi 3:8-11

Matthew 6:33 – Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

September 25 2016 Learning To Be Content

LEARNING TO BE CONTENT

Memory Verse: Exodus 20:17 "You shall not covet...anything that belongs to your neighbor."

"COVET": the uncontrolleddesire to acquire

I. What Happens When I Always Want More

1. Fatigue

Proverbs 23:4" Do not wear yourself out to be rich; have the wisdom to show restraint."

2. Debt

Ecclesiastes 5:11 (LB) "The more money you have, the more money you spend..."

3. Worry

Ecclesiastes 5:12 (GN)"A working man ... can get a good night's sleep. But the rich man has so much that he stays awake worrying."

4. Conflict

James 4:1"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from the desires that battle with you?"

5. Dissatisfaction

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (GN)"You will never be satisfied if you long to be rich. You will never get all you want."

Philippians 4:12(Paul) "I have learned the secret of being content... whether living in plenty or in want."

II. How To Learn To Be Content

1. RESIST COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHERS.

2 Corinthians 10:12 "We do not dare classify or compare ourselves ... it is not wise."

I Timothy 6:9 (JB) "When we long to be rich, we are a prey to temptation; We get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge us into ruin."

2. REJOICE IN WHAT I DO HAVE.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (GN)"If God gives a man wealth and property .. he should be grateful and enjoy what he has...it is a gift from God."

Ecclesiastes 6:9 (GN)"It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else."

3. RELEASE WHAT I HAVE TO HELP OTHERS.

I Timothy 6:17-19 (LB)"Tell those who are rich, not to be proud and not to trust in their money which will soon be gone. Tell them to use their money to do good ... to give happily to those in need, always with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven -- it is the only safe investment for eternity!"

Acts 20:35 (GN)"There is more happiness in giving than in receiving."

4. REFOCUS ON WHAT'S GOING TO LAST.

2 Corinthians 4:18 "We fix our attention, not on the things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever."

Luke 12:15 "A man's true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be."

April 17 2016 Your Finances And God's Provision

YOUR FINANCES AND GOD’S PROVISION

GOD’S GUARANTEE:

Philippians 4:19 – God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

THE CONDITIONS:

GOD PROMISES TO MEET MY FINANCIAL NEEDS

1. If I ask Him for help.

James 4:2 – You do not have, because you do not ask God.

John 16:24 – You have not asked for anything in My Name.  Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.

2. If I learn to be content.

Philippians 4:12 – I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation.

Contentment – my happiness doesn’t depend on Circumstances.

1 Timothy 6:6-7- There’s great gain in Godliness combined with contentment for we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.

3. If I practice giving in faith.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each one should give what he’s decided to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will about in every good work.

Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns.

4. If I maintain my integrity.

Proverbs 16:11 – The Lord demands fairness in every business deal.

Proverbs 19:1 – Better be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.

Proverbs 10:22 – The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it.

5. I must trust Him with my life.

Matthew 6:33 – Your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well what you need, and He will give it to you if you give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to.

1 Timothy 6:17 – Don’t put your hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but put your hope in God.

Psalm 111:5 – He gives food to those who trust Him, He never forgets His promises.

November 15 2015 Managing My Money

MANAGING MY MONEY

Wiser- Part 5 of 8

FIVE FOUNDATIONS FOR FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Rule #1: Keep Good Records

Proverbs 23:23 (LB)"Riches can disappear fast ... so watch your business interests closely. Know the state of your flocks.  "

Proverbs 23:23 (LB)"Get the facts at any price!"

Rule #2: Plan Your spending

Proverbs 21:5 (GN) Plan carefully  and you will have plenty; if you act too quick, you will never have enough.  "

Proverbs 21:20 (GN)". . . stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.  "

Rule #3: Save For the Future

Proverbs 21:20a (LB)"The wise man  saves for the future. . . "

Proverbs 13: 11 (Jerusalem Bible) "He grows rich who accumulates little by little.              

Rule #4: Enjoy What your already have

Proverbs 21:17 (Good News) "Indulging in luxuries, wine and rich food will never make you wealthy. 

Hebrews 13:5 "Be content with what you have. .  

Rule #5: Give At least 10% back to God

Memory Verse: Proverbs 3:9-10 (LB) "Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part  of all your income and He will fill  your barns to overflow. 

Proverbs 10: 16 (Living Bible) "The good man's earnings advance  the cause of righteousness. 

Proverbs 22:9 "A generous man will leave God's blessings.  

Isaiah 55:2  Why spend money on what does not satisfy. "

Novemer 2 2014 Fully Engaged In My Church

Fully Engaged in My Church

Memory Verse: “The eyes of the Lord search to and fro through out the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His. -2 Chronicles 16:9

FIVE ACTIONS OF A FULLY ENGAGED LIFE

1. I TAKE RESPONSIBILITY DAILY FOR MY SPIRITUAL GROWTH

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” - James 4:8

2. I PRACTICE CONTENTMENT IN ALL AREAS OF MY LIFE

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” - Philippians 4:12

3. I SERVE ONE HOUR A WEEK IN MY CHURCH  (minimum)                                                    

“Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” - John 12:27

“The greatest among you must be a servant.” – Matthew 23:11

4. I INVITE ONE FRIEND A MONTH TO TO CHURCH WITH ME
 
“‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:2-6

5. I BRING THE FULL TITHE TO GOD EACH WEEK
 
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  - Malachi 3:7

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” – Matthew 6:21

“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” – Matthew 7:16 - 17