October 20, 2015

Finances: October 20, 2015

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY OCTOBER 20, 2015.

FINANCES

DEFINITION:

The management of one’s monetary affairs.
SCRIPTURE:

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try me on this, 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. Malachi 3:10.



KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Tell us what you think about money, and we will tell you what you think about God. A man’s heart is closer to his wallet than anywhere else. Did you know that a family today spends 10 times more each year on luxuries and non-essential items than on charitable and religious donations?

The Bible warns us about greed and selfishness. The Bible encourages frugality and thrift. Jesus said to His disciples after He fed the multitude to gather up the fragments that remained, that nothing be lost. The famous preacher of years past, John Wesley, had a threefold philosophy about money that he often preached. He said, make all you can, keep all you can, and then give back to the Lord all you can. Most people today get all the money they can, spend all they can and then give meagerly to God if anything.

God has a plan for us concerning our finances. If we follow God’s plan he has promised to manage our money. But most believers do not take the Lord seriously about His plan on finances. Who do you think knows better as to how to manage your money --- you or God?

God’s plan is very simple. He promises that if we give Him the first part of all we receive, a tithe of 10%, he will then provide for all of our needs. All we can tell you is that the two of us obeyed God in regard to out tithe of 10% to Him even before we were married and then we continued year after year and God has provided for all of our needs.

Yes, there were times when we wondered if we were going to make it financially but we can testify that God never let us down and perfectly on time He provided so we could meet every need we had. It is amazing as we look back and see how God has taken us through valleys and over mountains providing to us all we have ever needed.

When we see this promise that God has given us in Malachi 3:10 and the blessing that He promises and we know the unfailing faithfulness of the promise giver, what keeps us from obeying His command. The reason is the lack of complete trust. People say that if God does not supply what they need what will they do? Others say that if they give away 10% and then do not have enough to pay their bills what do they do?

God has a response to these questions. It is simple, TRY ME! It is time for you to put Him to the test. God is faithful and if you give back to Him to further His kingdom, and then put your trust in Him, he will supply your every need.

We have been blessed to have had several visits to Israel. There are two bodies of water in Israel that serve as a good financial example for us today. The Jordan River is surrounded by beautiful healthy trees and greenery but around the Dead Sea nothing grows. It is barren and nothing lives. You see when the water flows into the Dead Sea it stays there because there is no outlet. But as the water flows into the Jordan River it moves continually.

The Dead Sea can be likened to the world’s financial system which is to accumulate and preserve all your wealth. The result is self-centered stagnation. Hoarding and saving all you make like this lives spiritually unfruitful and hinders the good works that God wants to do through you.

The Lord’s financial plan is like the Jordan River, a river that moves continually and as God’s provisions pass into our lives, we pass at least 10% back to Him and His ministries and God then will continue to give back to us. God supplies enough to live and enough to give.


LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:2.

Set your minds on things above, and not on earthly things.

 
PRAYER:

Help me to take the step of obedience and to trust You to supply all of my needs if I follow Your promise of giving the first fruits, 10% minimum, of what I earn back to You and Your work.




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