"BIBLE KEYS TO FINANCIAL BLESSINGS "

Theme today is based on, "BIBLE KEYS TO FINANCIAL BLESSINGS "

The subject of financial blessings is one subject that every Christian will want to hear about, since everyone desires to be rich in earthly possession. But how can we really come out of financial strains, debts and other related challenges? Is it possible to be debt free and live in abundance?

The amazing thing in the bible is the promises of overflow, God promises not only enough but more than enough. The specification is more than you can handle. It leaves us with one question, why then have we not been able to enjoy this kind of blessing in our lives? Could it be that we are not following the instructions of the lord to the book? Consider these promises

Deuteronomy 28:1-3 And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD your God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command you this day, that the LORD your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you shall hearken unto the voice of the LORD your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.

Moses instructed the children of Israel that if they will be careful to obey the voice of the Lord in full or completely, all these blessings will come to them and overtake them. The blessing here covers both the city and the land? Think about this, how often have we considered ourselves blessed just because we are blessed in the city or in the land. There are people who are so blessed in one of these places, but the blessing of God covers both the land and the city, not only to satisfaction but to overflow “more than enough”.

As we look deeper in to this subject, your eyes will be opened to see the full perimeter of God’s blessings. When you are blessed by the lord even the fertility of your soil will be affected, when others are crying of drought you will be harvesting much, when others are complaining of a global economic crisis you will still be having more than enough. This is the kind of blessing that the bible is talking about.

When the Lord opened my eyes this morning to this revelation, I was so eager to know how I can inherit these blessings, but then I was astonished at the principles the bible is offering. And the truth is that many of us do not fulfill these principles that is why we are not blessed as the bible says.

I want you to know that you can be blessed as the bible says if only you follow the instructions of the lord. All these instructions are in the word of God, and all you need to do is find it and obey it.

The big word is “giving” the only way to receive through the whole bible is by giving. You may ask of me how can I give and yet I do not even have enough myself? Everyone has something to give, before he is completely out, and the decision is yours “will you sow the seed or eat the seed” if you eat the seed you kill your chances of ever getting a harvest, but if you sow though it may be painful, you are expectant of a harvest. Giving is the only way to come out of financial strains, if you want your life to change then you must stop complaining about what you do not have and start thinking about how you can use what you have to get what you do not have. The keys are in your hands. What you have will call out for what you do not have.

There are three principles through the word of God which if we fulfill we will be able to walk in plenty both in the land and in the city these are; tithe, offerings and seed. Let us look at them one at a time.

TITHING :

The tithe is 10% of your income, and it should be given to God faithfully. Tithing honors the Scriptural principles of generously providing for religious leaders, giving to those in need, and laying up treasures in heaven.

Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to give the first part of our resources to God as an expression of honor and gratitude. “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9–10).

Tithing is one way to worship God—to honor Him as your provider and remind yourself that all of your resources belong to Him and are provided through His grace. As you give away that first 10% of your income, you set your course to honor God in the way you handle the rest of your finances.

The practice of tithing provides a regular reminder of your dependence on God. In good times, tithing helps you remember that God is the source of all blessings, and it allows you to demonstrate your gratitude for His care. In hard times, tithing motivates you to remember God’s faithfulness, and it enables you to demonstrate trust in God to provide for all of your needs.

As Christians, we are challenged to set our hearts on what truly matters, not on the frivolous things of the earth. (See Colossians 3:1–2.) Jesus challenged His disciples, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not beak through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).

Giving a tithe and giving beyond the tithe are ways that you can honor God and reach out to meet the needs of others. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).

OFFERINGS :

The secret benefit of giving.

A lot of people don’t like giving, including a lot of Christians. If that sounds like you, you might feel a bit uncomfortable, but please read on because I want to share an important secret with you.

If you’ve ever read the Bible with an open and honest heart, then you know it teaches us to give frequently and generously.

Jesus is very interested in what we do with our money. In fact, He spoke about money more frequently than any other subject except the Kingdom of God. He said:

“Woe to you that are rich” (Luke 6:24)
“You cannot serve God and mammon” (Luke 16:13)
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasure in heaven…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:19-21)
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matt 19:24)

Most of us don’t struggle to understand Jesus’ teaching, but we struggle to obey it because we are afraid. When we let go of money, we fear we’re letting go of our security.

Perhaps you’re troubled by the story of the young man who asks Jesus, “What must I do to get eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). When Jesus answers, “Go sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure; and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21), the man goes away heavy-hearted because he can’t bear to give up his wealth. Did he ever truly enjoy his privileged lifestyle again or did he always wonder, “What if…?”

The good news is money can be used to enhance our relationship with God and to bless humankind. Here’s the secret benefit of giving: it’s good for us. It teaches us to find our security in our Father God and to rely on Him for all our needs. Furthermore, a giving spirit makes life with God an adventure – how will He use you today?

Giving money is a great way of showing our love to God and seeing how He uses us to bless others. As we give, our attitude is transformed. Rather than asking, “How much of my money should I give to God?” we ask “How much of God’s money should I keep for myself?”

So give with a glad and generous heart because the very act of letting go of money does something within us. It destroys the demon greed and allows generosity to grow.

SEED :

God Is Waiting for You to Plant a Seed.

“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24b NIV)

What does a farmer do when he’s got a barren field that’s producing no income? He doesn’t complain about it. He doesn’t even pray about it! He just goes out and starts planting some seed, because nothing is going to happen until he plants the seed. He can pray all he wants, but it’s not going to produce fruit. He’s got to plant some seed.

Some of you think you’re waiting on God. You think you’re waiting on God for that job. You think you’re waiting on God for a husband. You think you’re waiting on God for the windfall. God says, “You think you’re waiting on me? I’m waiting on you! I’m waiting for you to plant a seed.”

Everything in life starts as a seed — a relationship, a marriage, a business, a church. And nothing happens until the seed is planted.

Why does God require us to plant a seed? Because planting is an act of faith. You take what you’ve got, and you give it away. That takes an act of faith! And it brings glory to God.

Jesus described this principle of sowing and reaping when he was trying to explain why he came to Earth to die on the cross. In John 12:24 Jesus said, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (NIV). Jesus was saying, “Millions of people will be saved and go to Heaven because of my death and Resurrection. I’m going to plant a seed, and the seed is going to be my life.”

Here’s the principle of sowing and reaping: Whenever you have a need, you plant a seed. Whatever it is you need — more time, more energy, more money, more support, more relationships, more wisdom — just plant a seed. If you need more time, give more time to your kids. If you need more money, give it away to someone who needs it. If you need more wisdom, share what wisdom you have with others. Give yourself away!

It may not make sense to you to give away something that you need more of, but that is exactly the kind of attitude that God wants to bless and that will produce fruit in your life. When you have a need, don’t gripe about it, don’t wish about it, and you don’t even have to pray about it — just plant a seed!

Talk It Over

For what need have you been waiting on God to provide?
What do you think God might be waiting on you to do about that need? What seed can you plant today?
What kind of effects do you see in yourself and others when you plant a seed and give of yourself? What kind of character do you think God wants to build in you?

Be blessed!!