Poverty is a curse that you must aware of. For you to experience prosperity you must identify curses and deal with it. You will be frustrated if you embrace a curse.
I can see curse that operates in so many places all over the world. No matter how much effort they made still frustrations and the sweat still remain. I can see that poverty and lack is a curse. Very important for each one who wants to experience divine provision to see poverty as a curse. In Deuteronomy 28 blessing and curses will fall upon Israel if they disobeyed the Word of God. One of the curses was poverty and lack being always in need.
Deuteronomy 28:48 therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.
I myself believe that poverty is a curse because God puts poverty in the category of a curse. I am also aware that that some people take vows of poverty. I respect for their great sacrifice to the Lord. However i can see that when God cursed Israel the first result is poverty. Upon looking the realities of life today we can see a lot who are starving,died because of famine,wars around the world that contributes to this. Now is the time to align ourselves to God and obey all His commands. Deuteronomy 28 spoke the blessings and curses. Your present situation right now is the result of your choices either you obey God or disobeyed Him.
This seminar is different from other Christian finance seminars. The teaching does not feature merely "practical" information on finances, but follows Craig Hill's anointed understanding of God's Word in teaching finances from a Biblical and heart perspective (Matt. 6:21). The teaching and personal ministry opportunities will reveal root causes why you may not be prospering financially as you should. If your heart's desire is to be able to have an abundance to pour into God's Kingdom here on earth, this seminar experience is for you!
Financial Foundations Details This financial seminar from Family Foundations is different from other finance seminars in that it does not feature merely "practical" information on finances, but follows Craig Hill's anointed understanding of God's Word in teaching finances from a biblical perspective. Craig brings a special insight on God's provision in the concept of "Sparrow Faith," and shows participants how the world's financial system is driven by the Spirit of Mammon, the force who would draw people away from believing in God's provision for them. The teaching includes the building blocks to help people understand God's plan for their provision, and the five biblical uses of money.
Who should come?
* Anyone who is struggling to get by and desirous of getting out of debt * Anyone who has trouble saving money * Anyone who wants to learn God's wisdom on finances * Anyone who wants to learn how to be a better steward of what God has given him or her
Topics Include:
* Discover the difference between wealth, riches and money * What is "Mammon?" * Learn a systemized guide to getting out of debt * Learn five scriptural uses of money * Learn how to release God's blessing in finances * Personal ministry
Registration: In order to secure your place in the upcoming seminar, your registration form and payment must be received by the early registration deadline (typically one week prior to the start of the seminar). Registration after this date is accepted on a space-available basis and the early discounted registration fee will not apply. Because space is reserved for each registrant in a small group led by trained facilitators, all registration fees are nonrefundable after the early registration discount deadline.
1.Have Faith of a Sparrow 2.Establish the Tithe in your life 3.Stepping up to your debt 4.Close the circle (close your budget) 5.Make yourself a financial Eunuch
In the Bible there are more than 2,000 verses that deals with finances compared to faith. Jesus said you cannot serve both God and mammon. Mammon : the name of idolatrous God -Philistine god of prosperity -wants allegiance of the heart. Money is impotent -Money is given importance by deceptive mammon -happiness if have enough money is misleading -money is not the end.
What are the symptoms of mammon? 1. Worry and anxiety over money 2. Money mismanagement-too much month left at the end of money 3. Greed-inordinate desire to acquire or possess 4.Stinginess (fear of tithing) 5. Mentality of "I can't afford it" - rather say How can i afford it? must ask God if it is for you so He will provide 6. Discontentment -Philippians 4:2 7. Impulse buying- can't say no to wants 8. Never having enough-spending more than earning 9. Bondage to debt 10. Exaggerated Importance of Money - overestimate power of money
Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
2. Prosperity and success depend on studying and obeying the word of God. Joshua 1:8 “Do not let the word of God depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
3. Unless God is the central part of your money management, your plan will not succeed Psalms 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
B. Fundamental issues 1. God is the owner of everything Scripture ref: Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
2. Therefore, we are stewards. Scripture ref : 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body,whether good or bad. 3. In whom do we trust?
Psalms 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." 17He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.
4. In whom do we worship? GOD or Money Jesus said in Matthew 4:10 “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” Exo.34:14Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
5. Whom do we serve? Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
6. Whom do I Love more-God or money? money god 1Jonh 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Ecc.5:10 “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
7. Did I not make all the money myself?
1Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
8. Proof that we are but stewards. Parable of the talents 1Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.” Psalm 49:12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.
C. Source of giver of wealth.
1. God is the giver and enabler. Sovereign Lord the giver and enabler Ecclesiastes 15:19 Moreover, when God ¬¬¬¬¬gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God.” Ecc.6:2 “God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. 2. Satan is also a giver of wealth. ---used money to acquire coz he’s not the owner. Luke 4:6 "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
D. Guiding principles of wealth and possessions. Proverbs 10:22 “It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich ,and he adds no sorrow to it.”
E. Why does God bestow riches? 1 To provide for our needs.. creation principle 2. To give us ministry of helps. Scripture ref. 1 Timothy 6:18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.”
F. Why ministry of helps/giving? 1. Giving is a acceptance of our role as stewards. 2. Giving requires faith for without faith , it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
G. Who should we help?
Our earthly family. 1Timothy 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives , and especially for his Immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
1. Our kingdom family. Scripture ref: 1 John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
Mat.10:42 “ And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
2. Our shepherd and church workers. Scriptures ref. Galatians 6:6 “ Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.”
3. Orphans and widows. Scripture ref. James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Ex. Buddhist in Sri Lanka Christian- little impact in the world in giving. 4. The unsaved- the poor needy. Scripture ref. Proverbs 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
5. Advancement of the great commission. Matthew 28, Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." H. Do I have enough to give? Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
2corinthians 9:6. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Giving is a command Giving is a mastery over money We can never out give God
I. Giving is laying treasures in heaven.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Ex. Work 5 years send all u can to Phils after no more.
Jesus rebuked those not rich towards God. In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus said in Luke 12:20 “"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 anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Luke 14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." J. What is the first order of stewardship?
1. Acknowledge him as owner.. 2. Worship him with a tithe.
Scripture ref. Leviticus 27:30 “" `A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Tithing is old testament law.Gen.14:20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
K. Why Do we tithe?
1. It is biblical. Lev.27:30 " `A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD..
Gods house come first remember Haggai 1:4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" 5Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." 2. It is an act of worship, thanksgiving and obedience. 3. Provision for the storehouse. 4. Failure to tithe is robbing God. Pastor-eating bread crumbs The joy and peace – nobody can buy
Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, `How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.” 5. Jesus re affirmed the need of tithe. Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
6. Arguments against tithing. A. Abrahamic tithe (Genesis14:20) is one event never repeated. B. Mosaic tithe is now obsolete, as we are no longer bound by the Law.
7. Biblical respond to objection to tithing.
A. Tithing was re affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 23:23 B. Fulfillment of Law does not mean abolishment of the Law (ceremonial, food and sacrificial law are accomplish and no longer required) C. Matthew 5:18 “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Law of Christ D. The early church gives more than a tithe.
8. How does the early church give? Acts 4:32 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales.” They yield total and complete ownership to God. 9. Tithe is minimum not maximum.
L. Application
1. Trust God to meet our needs. Matthew 6:8 “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” 2. Do not make worldly riches your anchor which elusive and uncertain 1Timothy 6:17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Proverbs 23:4 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”
3. Avoid borrowing. Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Psalm 37:21 “The wicked borrow and do not repay”
4. Never Borrow to do God’s work. Psalm 34:9-10 “Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.” 5. Beware of things that hinder- e.g. compulsion to own a home Hebrew 11:9 “By faith he (Abraham) made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
6. Never co-sign. Proverbs 17:18 “A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.”
7. Do not be greedy.
Luke 12:18 “15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 1Timothy 6:9 “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
8. Do not be enticed by quick profit. Proverbs 14:15 “A foolish man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. 9. Do not gamble.
1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 10. Invest prudently.
Proverbs 13:11 “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.”
11. Avoid consumerism but live a modest life style. Proverbs 12:9 “Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. Do not fall into traps of consumerism and materialism. Every dollar you spent is a dollar you gain. 12. Give generously and regularly. Be cheerful and regular giver 2Corinthians 8:7 “But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” If you wait till you have enough to give---it will never comes
13. Have a saving plan.
Luke 14:28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” Planning avoids wastefulness. Jesus said in John 6:12 “, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."
Plan for a debt free life. 2 Timothy 2:4 “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer.”
Conclusion: God uses money to direct our lives. He bestows riches to provide for our needs and to give as a ministry of helps in the administration of Gods Love. Satan uses money to enslave as and to render us unfruitful-with the worries of lives.
Christians are called upon to be faithful and content with their given lot. 1Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Jesus said in Luke 16:10 “"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Be trustworthy with our given lot. We will be called to account to God our stewardship.
References:Biblical Money Management Principles By: Mr. Matthew Kwok
Biblical Principles of Finance-Ancient Path Seminar
For interested applicants who wanted to join the Biblical principles of Finance here in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Just coordinate with us, we can organize to have the said seminar here.Email to:marissacostales@yahoo.com for some inquiry and details. You can contact#+639264111540
