Divine Provision

8/13/2019 Divine Provision

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DIVINE PROVISION

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BIBLICAL FINANCIAL

STRATEGIES

c Harvestime International Networ

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Number

Introduction 2

Chapter One Embracing Our Giving God 5

Chapter Two Accessing our !ivine "esources 12

Chapter Three Comprehending Prosperit# $or Purpose 22

Chapter $our %rea&ing The 'pirit O( $ear 2)

Chapter $ive "emoving A *a+or %arrier ,-

Chapter 'i. /iving 0nder An Open eaven 3

Chapter 'even E.periencing 'upernatura4 !ebt "etirement 5-

Chapter Eight C4aiming Tota4 "estoration 35

Chapter Nine App4#ing 'criptura4 $inancia4 Princip4es Part One -

Chapter Ten App4#ing 'criptura4 $inancia4 Princip4es Part Two 61

Chapter E4even Incorporating The Teachings O( 7esus )5

Chapter Twe4ve Activating Princip4es O( $inancia4 arvest )6

Chapter Thirteen Imp4ementing 'trategies O( $inancia4 8ar(are 19

Chapter $ourteen "e4easing our $inancia4 Anointing 119

Chapter $i(teen $acing our $inancia4 $uture 113

Appendi. One O4d Testament O((erings 123Appendi. Two ow To *a&e A %udget 12-Appendi. Three $inancia4 Princip4es Chec&4ist 12)

INTROD!CTION

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8e are 4iving in a time o( tremendous (inancia4 instabi4it#: "ising debt; increasingunemp4o#ment; home4essness; and povert# are ma+or concerns throughout the wor4d: %usinessesare (ai4ing: Nations that were (ormer4# great economic giants are in (inancia4 upheava4: "ichbusinessmen and stoc&bro&ers are watching wea4th s4ip (rom their grasp:

There is much (ear(u4 specu4ation about what 4ies ahead: ow high wi44 in(4ation rise8i44 I be ab4e to ho4d on to m# +ob< 8i44 I be ab4e to ma&e m# house pa#mentAs a resu4t; churches and Christian ministries that are supported b# donations are a4so strugg4ingto maintain their outreaches:

This boo&; "Divine Provision,"wi44 prepare #ou persona44# and #our ministr# corporate4#to (ace what is happening now and what wi44 occur in the (uture in the (inancia4 rea4m: ourposition in the (ace o( the current and impending crises wi44 not be one o( wea&ness; but it wi44 bea stance o( strength; (aith; and power, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy !#$

It is important that #ou understand bib4ica4 (inancia4 strategies because God wants to use#ou??#our ta4ents; #our resources; and #our ministr#??to reap an end?time harvest o( sou4s aroundthe wor4d: The on4# wa# #ou can do this is to be (ree (rom (inancia4 prob4ems b# entering into anew dimension o( divine provision:

Credit card debt: Threats o( (orec4osure: %an&ruptc#: 'trugg4ing to ma&e ends meet:%are4# surviving (rom pa#chec& to pa#chec&: $or man#; this is a wa# o( 4i(e: 8hat wou4d #oudo i( #ou had un4imited (inancia4 resources< Ta&e a (ew minutes and thin& about this serious4#:Answer it honest4#: 8hat wou4d #ou do< our answer to this =uestion revea4s a 4ot about #ourpriorities: It a4so ma# ver# we44 determine #our (inancia4 (uture:

The divine provision on which this stud# (ocuses is not where one 4ives 4avish4# andse4(ish4# consumes resources b# satis(#ing e.travagant; materia4istic desires: The abundanceGod wants #ou to e.perience is where #our needs wi44 be met so #ou wi44 be ab4e to sow 4ibera44#into the @ingdom o( God and e.tend the Gospe4 to the nations o( the wor4d:

The scriptura4 (inancia4 strategies shared in this boo& wi44 position #ou and #our ministr#to e.perience divine provision: No 4onger wi44 #ou be hindered b# unscriptura4 practices such asincurring unpaid debt; co?signing debts (or others; and dishonest (inancia4 practices: I( #ou arean emp4o#er in ministr# or business; #ou wi44 4earn that #ou cannot de(raud #our wor&ers ande.pect God to b4ess #ou: ou must pa# #our wor&ers and pa# #our debts: ou wi44 4earn that#ou cannot be une=ua44# #o&ed in business or ministr# with someone who is not honest(inancia44#:

This boo& was birthed through persona4 e.perience: 8hen we started the ministr# o(arvestime Internationa4 Networ& in 1)6,; we had no donors and no mai4ing 4ist: 8e had nodenominationa4 sponsors: 8e 4oo&ed to God to provide the needs o( the ministr#??and we sti44do


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$rom the beginning; we set ministr# po4icies that we wou4d not incur debt; be4ieving that i(God wanted us to go somewhere or do something; e wou4d provide: 8e did not 4oo& to richpeop4e to underwrite the ministr#: 8e re(used to co?sign (or the debts o( others and we paid ourbi44s: To the best o( our abi4ities; we (o44owed the (inancia4 princip4es given in GodBs 8ord:

8e started the ministr# with what we had A used computer and an o4d t#pewriter: 8edidnBt even have room (or an o((ice in our home; so we converted a c4oset into an o((ice: A44 o(the training materia4s we have deve4oped and sent around the wor4d and into prisons are given(ree o( charge: 8e se44 materia4s here in the 0nited 'tates to he4p underwrite the ministr#; buteven then i( a person cannot a((ord it; the studies are a4so o((ered (ree o( charge on our webpage: /i&e the Apost4e Pau4; we sometimes have wor&ed with our own hands to support theministr#??(rom (ree?4ance writing to managing mini?storage (aci4ities: 8hatever was necessar#;we did it to accomp4ish our divine mandate:

Through app4ication o( these bib4ica4 princip4es; God has b4essed this ministr# abundant4#:

arvestime Internationa4 Networ& has grown into an internationa4 outreach touching the 4ives o(hundreds o( thousands o( peop4e around the wor4d: In our persona4 (inances; we have (o44owedthese same scriptura4 princip4es: 8hat persona4 debt we had has been supernatura44# retired andwe donBt incur new debt: 8e pa# our tithes; give o((erings; he4p the poor; we donBt co?sign (orthe debts o( others; and we are honest in our (inancia4 a((airs:

It is not o(ten in our boo&s that we share persona4 in(ormation 4i&e this; and it is not sharedhere to e.a4t us or this ministr# in an# wa#: 8e are on4# sharing this so that #ou wi44 &now thatthe princip4es in this boo& are tried and true: 8e have 4ived out these princip4es in our persona44ives and our ministr#: The concepts shared in this stud# are GodBs 8ord and the# tru4# wor&8e have embraced the bib4ica4 motto

%ut see& ye first the &ingdom of God , and his righteousness; and all these things shall beadded unto you$ ('atthew !))#

$or man# #ears; nationa4 Christian 4eaders in deve4oping nations 4oo&ed to richer westernnations (or support: 8hat an amaing trans(ormation has occurred as the# have rea4ied thatGod is their source??not America or Eng4and or e4sewhere: 'ome o( the 4argest churches in thewor4d have been bui4t in deve4oping countries without a dime o( support (rom other nations:GodBs p4an (or (inancia4 b4essing isnBt +ust restricted to western nations: These princip4es wor& nomatter where #ou 4ive because

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the *ord$For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and

my thoughts than your thoughts$ For as the rain +ometh down, and the snow from

heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and ma&eth it bring forth andbud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater! o shall my word be that

goeth forth out of my mouth! it shall not return unto me void , but it shall a++omplish that

whi+h - please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto - sent it$ (-saiah ..!/0#

The scriptura4 princip4es in this stud# wi44 not return void The# wi44 wor& because the#

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are GodBs 8ord

ou ma# have strugg4ed with (inancia4 prob4ems (or so 4ong that #ou have given up hopeo( an#thing ever changing in the (uture: "emember the stor# o( the cripp4ed man at the poo4 o(%ethesda< e had given up a44 hope o( getting we44; but then one da#??in the per(ect timing o(

God??he got his brea&through: 7esus stopped b#; he was tota44# hea4ed; too& up his bed; andwa4&ed ou need the same &ind o( mirac4e in #our (inances to e4iminate the hindrances whichhave cripp4ed #ou (rom rising up to accomp4ish #our divine destin#: This is #our time (or a(inancia4 brea&through It is time to ta&e up #our cripp4ed (inances??so to spea&??and begin towa4& into the mirac4e o( GodBs divine provision

In this stud# on bib4ica4 (inancia4 strategies; #ou wi44 4earn about our giving God and thetremendous resources e has a4read# given us through Christ 7esus: ou wi44 4earn how to 4iveunder an open heaven (inancia44# and how #our debts can be supernatura44# retired: ou wi44a4so 4earn how to conduct spiritua4 war(are in beha4( o( #our (inances; scriptura4 (inancia4princip4es; and how to remove barriers to (inancia4 b4essing: I( #ou have 4ost ever#thing; #ou

wi44 4earn how a44 can be restored: Through this process; #ou wi44 receive a new (inancia4anointing that wi44 enab4e #ou to sow and reap abundant4# in GodBs @ingdom: ou wi44 beprepared to (ace #our (inancia4 (uture with (aith instead o( (ear because #ou wi44 have a (irm(oundation bui4t upon GodBs 8ord

The tit4e (or this stud#;Divine Provision; was se4ected to &eep #our (ocus on the basicthesis o( this reve4ation That God supernatura44# provides (or be4ievers to meet their needs andenab4e them to accomp4ish is purposes:

Each chapter tit4e in this stud# o( Divine Provisionis phrased as a step to ta&e: 8e havea 4ong spiritua4 +ourne# ahead; so 4etBs get started:

CHAPTER ONE

E"BRACING O!R GIVING GOD

$rom Genesis to "eve4ation; God c4ear4# revea4s that e a4wa#s provides (or is peop4eand that (inancia4 b4essing is is wi44: The prosperit# e has p4anned (or #ou to en+o# is

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abundant provision; both materia44# and spiritua44#; enab4ing #ou to (u4(i44 #our divine destin#:God doesnBt want #ou to view im as stern and uncaring: e wants #ou to embrace im as a4oving and giving eaven4# $ather who wants to b4ess is chi4dren in ever# wa#??inc4uding(inancia44#: $rom the time Israe4 became a nation; God e.pressed is desire to b4ess is peop4e:e dec4ared

1herefore it shall +ome to pass, if ye hear&en to these udgments, and &eep, and do them,

that the *ord thy God shall &eep unto thee the +ovenant and the mer+y whi+h he sware

unto thy fathers! 3nd he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee! he will alsobless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy +orn, and thy wine, and thine

oil, the in+rease of thy &ine, and the flo+&s of thy sheep, in the land whi+h he sware unto

thy fathers to give thee$ (Deuteronomy !20)#

!oes this sound 4i&e a God who wants is peop4e to 4ive in povert#< No It is GodDs p4an(or #ou to have su((icienc# in ever# area o( #our 4i(e; and that inc4udes #our (inances:'u((icienc# doesnBt necessar# mean wea4th??a4though God b4esses some peop4e in this wa#: %ut

it does mean that #our persona4 and ministr# needs wi44 be met:

Note that in this passage God dec4ares; "$$$if you hear&en to these udgments"$ To what+udgments is God re(erring< e is ta4&ing about the princip4es revea4ed in is 8ord; and thisinc4udes is p4an (or divine provision??not a scheme (or se4(ish e.travagance; but a p4an (orsupernatura4 provision o( #our needs:

HO# DO $O! PERCEIVE GOD%

ow #ou perceive God has a tremendous impact on #our (inances: It wi44 a((ect how #ouview materia4 b4essings; how #ou give to God and others; and how #ou perceive the rich and thepoor: As #ou begin this stud# on divine provision; #ou must decide the answer to this =uestionow do #ou perceive God in terms o( is generosit#-f ye then, being evil, &now how to give good gifts unto your +hildren, howmu+h more shall your Father whi+h is in heaven give good things to them that as& him4"('atthew !#$ 7esus reminded peop4e that God was their $ather and??4i&e a44 (athers??e 4ovesto b4ess is chi4dren with gi(ts: Then 7esus pointed out that; un4i&e human (athers; God wi44 notpromise and then (ai4 to de4iver: GodDs generosit# to is chi4dren is (ar greater than that o( #ournatura4 parents or even #ourse4( as a parent:

The %ib4e describes God in two ma+or areas which i44ustrate is amaing generosit#: Itidenti(ies im as 5reatorand as6edeemer: God is the One 8ho gives both materia4 4i(e andspiritua4 4i(e:

These tit4es revea4 the essence o( God; and throughout the %ib4e e is worshiped in botho( these ro4es: In "eve4ation 11; the e4ders sang; >Thou are worthy, 7 *ord, to re+eive glory

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and honour and power! for thou hast +reated all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were

+reated$" In "eve4ation 5); the# sang $ $ $"Thou are worthy to ta&e the boo&, and to open theseals thereof! for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every&indred, and tongue, and people, and nations $$$"

The %ib4e repeated4# ce4ebrates GodDs twin gi(ts o( creationand redemption??ismateria4 and spiritua4 givingGiving than&s unto the Father, whi+h hath made us meet to be parta&ers of theinheritan+e of the saints in light! 1ho hath delivered us from the power of dar&ness, and

hath translated us into the &ingdom of his dear on! -n whom we have redemption

through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins! 1ho is the image of the invisible God, the

firstborn of every +reature! For by him were all things +reated, that are in heaven, andthat are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or

prin+ipalities, or powers! all things were +reated by him, and for him! 3nd he is before

all things, and by him all things +onsist$ 3nd he is the head of the body, the +hur+h! who

is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have thepreeminen+e$ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 3nd, having

made pea+e through the blood of his +ross, by him to re+on+ile all things unto himselfby him, - say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven$ ( 5orinthians !20

28#

erse 13 praises God because "$$$by him all things were +reated"and verse 29 (or $$$"having made pea+e through the blood of his +ross$" These are is twin gi(ts o( creation andredemption:

THE GIFT OF CREATION

The bib4ica4 record starts with a description o( GodDs gi(t o( creation: Genesis 11 openswith time4ess words that introduce us to our God >-n the beginning God +reated the heaven andthe earth:> Christians ma# disagree over detai4s about creation; but the basic truth is p4ain Gode.isted be(ore the wor4d and ever#thing came (orth (rom nothing at is command:

Genesis 12) records GodDs (irst words to humanit# were; >$$$%ehold - have given you$$$>These words revea4 GodDs nature at the outset o( is re4ationship with man&ind: e is a giver;and creation is one o( is greatest gi(ts to us: God b4essed Adam and Eve with a44 that wasneeded in order (or them to prosper

o God +reated man in his own image, in the image of God +reated he him; male andfemale +reated he them$And God blessed them, and God said unto them,Be fruitful,

and multiply,and replenish the earth, and subdue it! and have dominion over the fish of

the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon theearth$ 3nd God said, %ehold, I have givenyou every herb bearing seed, whi+h is upon

the fa+e of all the earth, and every tree, in the whi+h is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to

you it shall be for meat$ 3nd to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and

to every thing that +reepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life,I have giveneverygreen herb for meat! and it was so$ (Genesis !20)8#

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The stor# o( NoahDs ar& high4ights the diversit# o( the CreatorDs giving: A massive ocean4iner; so to spea&; was needed to preserve a samp4e o( a44 the &nown species: 8henever Godgives and whatever e gives; there is end4ess variet#: 8h# are there so man# species o( birdsand insects< 8h# is ever# snow(4a&e and (ingerprint uni=ue< 8h# are there so man# di((erences

in the appearances o( individua4s< It is because God is such an e.travagant giver

Psa4ms Chapter 19 provides a guided tour o( GodDs gi(t o( creation

%less the *ord, 7 my soul$ 7 *ord my God, thou art very great; thou art +lothed with

honour and maesty$ 1ho +overest thyself with light as with a garment! who stret+hest

out the heavens li&e a +urtain! 1ho layeth the beams of his +hambers in the waters! who

ma&eth the +louds his +hariot! who wal&eth upon the wings of the wind! 1ho ma&eth hisangels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire! 1ho laid the foundations of the earth, that it

should not be removed for ever$ Thou +overedst it with the deep as with a garment! the

waters stood above the mountains$ 3t thy rebu&e they fled; at the voi+e of thy thunder

they hasted away$ They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto thepla+e whi+h thou hast founded for them$ Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass

over; that they turn not again to +over the earth$ 9e sendeth the springs into the valleys,whi+h run among the hills$ They give drin& to every beast of the field! the wild asses

:uen+h their thirst$ %y them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, whi+h

sing among the bran+hes$ 9e watereth the hills from his +hambers! the earth is satisfied

with the fruit of thy wor&s$ 9e +auseth the grass to grow for the +attle, and herb for theservi+e of man! that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 3nd wine that ma&eth glad

the heart of man, and oil to ma&e his fa+e to shine, and bread whi+h strengtheneth mans

heart$ The trees of the *ord are full of sap; the +edars of *ebanon, whi+h he hathplanted; 1here the birds ma&e their nests! as for the stor&, the fir trees are her house$

The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the ro+&s for the +onies$ 9e appointed

the moon for seasons! the sun &noweth his going down$ Thou ma&est dar&ness, and it isnight! wherein all the beasts of the forest do +reep forth$ The young lions roar after their

prey, and see& their meat from God$ The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together,

and lay them down in their dens$ 'an goeth forth unto his wor& and to his labour untilthe evening$ 7 *ord, how manifold are thy wor&s< in wisdom hast thou made them all!

the earth is full of thy ri+hes$ o is this great and wide sea, wherein are things +reeping

innumerable, both small and great beasts$ There go the ships! there is that leviathan,

whom thou hast made to play therein$ These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest givethem their meat in due season$ That thou givest them they gather! thou openest thine

hand, they are filled with good$ Thou hidest thy fa+e, they are troubled! thou ta&est away

their breath, they die, and return to their dust$ Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are+reated! and thou renewest the fa+e of the earth$ The glory of the *ord shall endure for

ever! the *ord shall reoi+e in his wor&s$(Psalm 8=!0))#

8hen peop4e thin& about God as Creator; the# o(ten assume that is creative wor& endedin Eden; but GodDs e.travagant giving through creation sti44 continues: Psa4m19 moves betweenwhat God didat creation and what estill does(or creation: erses 2-?2) show that the ongoinge.istence o( a44 creation depends on the CreatorDs e.travagant; continuous giving: erse ,9

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ma&es it c4ear that GodDs creative giving is ongoing >Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are+reated $$$"

"ight up to the end o( time as we &now it; God wi44 continue to create??inc4uding thegreat creative act spo&en o( in "eve4ation 215 where God dec4ares >$$$ %ehold, - ma&e all things

new $$$"

THE GIFT OF REDE"PTION

O4d Testament sacri(ices and o((erings were vita4 in the 4ives o( the Israe4ites: God usedthem (or generations to prepare is peop4e (or the da# when Christ wou4d o((er is 4i(e as theon4# sacri(ice su((icient to c4eanse man&indBs sin: These sacri(ices and o((erings were necessar#because without the shedding o( b4ood there is no remission o( sin: The O4d Testament s#stemwas as a reminder o( their need (or a 'avior who wou4d someda# die once and (or a44 (or the sinso( a44 man&ind:

Centuries 4ater; God sent 7esus to the wor4d as is greatest gi(t to man&ind: e gave ison4# 'on wi44ing4# as a sacri(icia4 o((ering (or our sins

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten on, that whosoever believeth

in him should not perish, but have everlasting life$ (>ohn )!#

God sent 7esus to earth in the (orm o( human (4esh; to ta&e our sins upon imse4(; to shedis b4ood; and to restore us to (u44 (e44owship with im: 7esus shed is b4ood wi44ing4#: No onetoo& is 4i(e (rom im; but e 4aid it down o( is own (ree wi44

9en+e, when 9e (5hrist# entered into the world, 9e said, a+rifi+es and offerings ?ou

have not desired, but instead ?ou have made ready a body for 'e (to offer#; -n burnt

offerings and sin offerings ?ou have ta&en no delight$ Then - said, *o, here - am, +ome todo ?our will, o God; (to fulfill# what is written of 'e in the volume of the %oo&$

(9ebrews 8!.0, T3%#

%ecause o( this one per(ect sacri(ice; man was (orever set (ree (rom sin:

1hereas this 7ne (5hrist# after 9e had offered a single a+rifi+e for our sins (that shall

avail# for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, Then to wait until 9is enemies

should be made a stool beneath 9is feet$ For by a single offering 9e has forever+ompletely +leansed and perfe+ted those who are +onse+rated and made holy$ (9ebrews

8!20=, T3%#

There is no (urther sacri(ice necessar# to redeem man&ind (rom sin: No 4onger is itnecessar# (or us to o((er burnt o((erings to God: 8e are ab4e to enter into a re4ationship withim through that one per(ect sacri(ice: Through the b4ood o( 7esus; we have been granted (reeaccess to God whereb# we are ab4e to come (ear4ess4# and bo4d4# into is presence to receive a44we need (rom im:

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GodDs greatest gi(t is is on4# 'on??especia44# the deatho( is 'on: Titus 21 describes7esus as One >1ho gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all ini:uity, and purifyunto himself a pe+uliar people, @ealous of good wor&s$"

$irst Timoth# 23 sa#s that 7esus >gave himself as a ransom for all$" $irst Corinthians329 speci(ies that we were >bought with a pri+e" Co4ossians 11,?1 sa#s that God >hathdelivered us from the power of dar&ness, and hath translated us into the &ingdom of his dear

on! -n whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins $$$"

Ephesians 1-?6 uses simi4ar words to underscore GodDs e.treme generosit# >-n whomwe have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, a++ording to the ri+hes of his

gra+e; 1herein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and pruden+e $$$"$

There are man# other verses in the New Testament which describe the $atherDs gi(t o(is 'on: It is because o( ChristDs death and our redemption (rom sin that we can stand +usti(ied

be(ore a righteous and ho4# God: $irst Corinthians 311 states >ye are ustified in the name ofthe *ord >esus, and by the pirit of our God$" "omans 6,, spea&s o( the present??>-t is Godthat ustifieth"00and "omans 51) 4oo&s to the (uture??>by the obedien+e of one shall many bemade righteous$" 7usti(ication means that the divine verdict o( >gui4t#; but pardoned> has beendec4ared over our 4ives rather than >gui4t# and condemned>:

"omans 519 states that >$$$when we were enemies, we were re+on+iled to God by thedeath of his on$" In 2 Corinthians 516 we are to4d that >all things are of God, who hathre+on+iled us to himself by >esus 5hrist, and hath given to us the ministry of re+on+iliation"$

8e &now (rom ever#da# e.perience that gi(ts are a vita4 part o( mending bro&enre4ationships: $rom a bou=uet o( (4owers a(ter a domestic argument to reparations a(ter a war;giving brings hea4ing and restores re4ationships: 7esus Christ gave is 4i(e as an indescribab4egi(t to reconci4e us to our Creator:

I( #ou have not e.perienced this wonder(u4 gi(t o( redemption; then stop right now; as&God to (orgive #our sins through the b4ood o( 7esus; and accept 7esus Christ as #our 'avior: It isimportant that #ou do this i( #ou have not a4read# done so; not on4# because it is re=uired toreconci4e #ou to God; but a4so because the reve4ation o( bib4ica4 (inancia4 princip4es is a spiritua4one: It can on4# be received with a born?again; spiritua4 mind:

EVER$ GOOD GIFT CO"ES FRO" GOD

God 4oved us so much that e gave is on4# 'on; so shou4d it not stand to reason that

ever# good gi(t in our 4ives come (rom imames !#

our (ami4#; #our (riends; #our hea4th; #our ministr#; #our ta4ents; #our (inancia4resources??ever# positive thing in #our 4i(e is a gi(t (rom our giving God:

The boo& o( "eve4ation records additiona4 gi(ts that our giving God wi44 give to be4ieversin the (uture

9e that hath an ear, let him hear what the pirit saith unto the +hur+hes; To him that

over+ometh will - give to eat of the tree of life, whi+h is in the midst of the paradise of

God: (6evelation 2!#

Fear none of those things whi+h thou shalt suffer! behold, the devil shall +ast some of

you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days! be thou faithful

unto death, and - will give thee a +rown of life$ (6evelation 2!8#

9e that hath an ear, let him hear what the pirit saith unto the +hur+hes; To him that

over+ometh will - give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and inthe stone a new name written, whi+h no man &noweth saving he that re+eiveth it$

(6evelation 2!#

3nd he that over+ometh, and &eepeth my wor&s unto the end, to him will - give powerover the nations! (6evelation 2!2#

3nd - will give him the morning star$(6evelation 2!2/#

3nd he said unto me, -t is done$ - am 3lpha and 7mega, the beginning and the end$ - will

give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely$(6evelation 2!#

3nd, behold, - +ome :ui+&ly; and my reward is with me, to give every man a++ording as

his wor& shall be$(6evelation 22!2#

Ephesians 2?19 re(4ects the immensit# o( GodDs giving nature

%ut God, who is ri+h in mer+y, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Aven when we

were dead in sins, hath :ui+&ened us together with 5hrist, (by gra+e ye are saved;# 3nd

hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly pla+es in 5hrist >esus!That in the ages to +ome he might shew the eB+eeding ri+hes of his gra+e in his &indness

toward us through 5hrist >esus$ For by gra+e are ye saved through faith; and that not of

yourselves! it is the gift of God! Cot of wor&s, lest any man should boast$ For we are hiswor&manship, +reated in 5hrist >esus unto good wor&s, whi+h God hath before ordained

that we should wal& in them$

THE BASIS FOR O!R GIVING

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$rom Genesis to "eve4ation; our God is depicted as a giving God: %ecause God gave isbest to us through creation; redemption; and ever# good gi(t we have received; we must bewi44ing to give our best to im:

As God has (ree4# given us a44 things through Christ; we must be wi44ing to present our

bodies as a "living sa+rifi+e, holy, a++eptable unto God" (6omans 2!#$ 8e must not withho4dan#thing (rom God; but must give ourse4ves to im tota44#??spirit; sou4; and bod#: 8hen #ougive #ourse4( one hundred percent to God; then #ou wi44 not withho4d an#thing (rom im??#ourtime; ta4ents; or #our (inances:

As #ou wi44 4earn in this stud#; be4ievers are to give God the ver# best that the# have asan act o( worship: It is GodBs wi44 that there be p4ent# to provide (or the need# and (or the wor&o( e.tending the @ingdom o( God: It is is wi44 that we have the necessar# (inances toaccomp4ish the mandate e has given o( evange4iing the wor4d:

8e are 4iving in GodBs end?time spiritua4 harvest and we are under a divine commission

to ta&e the Gospe4 to the nations o( the earth be(ore 7esus returns: 7esus said; "3nd this gospel ofthe &ingdom shall be prea+hed in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall theend +ome" ('atthew 2=!=#$ To be ab4e to accomp4ish this tas&; however; we must have abrea&through in our (inances: It costs mone# to trave4 and spread the Gospe4: It is e.pensive toproduce %ib4es and training materia4s: It re=uires (unding to bui4d churches and e.tend missions:Christian radio; te4evision; and internet ministries a44 re=uire (inances:

'atan has hindered the wor& o( God (or too 4ong: e has sown 4ies and robbed man#be4ievers (rom the b4essing o( giving to God and receiving is (inancia4 b4essings in return: As aresu4t; the (4ow o( (inances into their 4ives and into the wor& o( God through them has beenhindered:

As be4ievers; we have un4imited riches reserved (or us to abundant4# meet ever# need inour 4ives and ministries: The prob4em is; man# be4ievers do not &now what these resources areor how to access them: That is the sub+ect o( the ne.t chapter:

CHAPTER T#O

ACCESSING $O!R DIVINE RESO!RCES

!o #ou consider #ourse4( to be a need# person< In some wa#s; it is good to be need#:8e are not ta4&ing about needs that 4ead to dependenc# on others or deprivation; rather aboutbeing need# be(ore God: It was said o( the church at /aodicea

%e+ause thou sayest, - am ri+h, and in+reased with goods, and have need of nothing;and &nowest not that thou art wret+hed, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and na&ed! -

+ounsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be ri+h; and white

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raiment, that thou mayest be +lothed, and that the shame of thy na&edness do not appear;

and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see$ (6evelation )!0/#

%ecause the# (ai4ed to perceive their true needs; the /aodiceans became 4u&ewarm andse4(?su((icient: Perhaps because o( their materia4 wea4th the# thought the# had no needs; but

spiritua44# the# sure did

Phi4ippians 1) dec4ares; >%ut my God shall supply all your need a++ording to his ri+hesin glory by 5hrist >esus$" God supp4ies according to need: Ta&e awa# the need; and there is nosupp4#: The right &ind o( need attracts supernatura4 resources; the divine provision about whichwe are stud#ing: This is wh# #ou need a de(inite spiritua4 purpose: The bigger #our spiritua4purpose??#our dreams; goa4s; and ob+ectives??the bigger the supp4# God has reserved (or #ou:The more resources #ou need to accomp4ish is purposes; the bigger #our supp4#:

A need4ess 4i(e is an unproductive 4i(e: A great spiritua4 4eader named Oswa4d Chambersdec4ared; "-f we are ever free from the sense of need, it is not be+ause the 9oly pirit has

satisfied us, but be+ause we have been satisfied with as mu+h as we have$ 3 sense of need$$$&eeps our life rightly related to >esus 5hrist$"

God &nows #our need be(ore #ou as&

3nd it shall +ome to pass, that before they +all, - will answer; and while they are yet

spea&ing, - will hear$ (-saiah !2=#

God wants to provide (or #ou abundant4#: The %ib4e dec4ares that e is "$$$able to doeB+eeding abundantly above all that we as& or thin&, a++ording to the power that wor&eth in us"(Aphesians )!28#$

8e donBt rea4ie a44 that God has prepared (or us; but we can discover this through is'pirit??which is one o( the reasons (or this stud#

%ut as it is written, Aye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heartof man, the things whi+h God hath prepared for them that love him$ %ut God hath

revealed them unto us by his pirit! for the pirit sear+heth all things, yea, the deep

things of God$ ( 5orinthians 2!08#

Again; it must be emphasied that the purpose o( divine provision is not to amass wea4thand materia4 things: The purpose is to empower #ou to (u4(i44 #our divine destin#: 8e must a4soemphasie again that this reve4ation can on4# be understood b# a spiritua4 mind: This is not amanua4 on budgeting or a business guide to managing #our (inances: This is a spiritua4reve4ation based upon the 8ord o( God: This is wh# #ou must be a true be4iever in 7esus Christin order to receive and app4# this reve4ation:

God is the supernatura4 provision (or #our spiritua4 vision: e seeds #our need

3nd God is able to ma&e all gra+e abound toward you; that ye, always having allsuffi+ien+y in all things, may abound to every good wor&! 3s it is written, 9e hath

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God promised Abraham that his descendants wou4d become a great nation FGenesis 121?,: The promise must have seemed unbe4ievab4e to Abraham because his wi(e; 'arah; wase4der4# and chi4d4ess FGenesis 11,9?,1H 1-15; but Abraham be4ieved God and??at is 8ord??began a 4ong +ourne# into the un&nown:

Abraham trave4ed south a4ong the trade routes (rom aran; through 'hechem and %ethe4;to the 4and o( Canaan: This was a popu4ated area; inhabited b# the war?4i&e Canaanites; soAbrahamBs be4ie( that God wou4d u4timate4# give this 4and to him and his descendants was atremendous act o( (aith

%y faith 3braham, when he was +alled to go out into a pla+e whi+h he should after

re+eive for an inheritan+e, obeyed; and he went out, not &nowing whither he went$ %yfaith he soourned in the land of promise, as in a strange +ountry, dwelling in

taberna+les with -saa+ and >a+ob, the heirs with him of the same promise! For he loo&ed

for a +ity whi+h hath foundations, whose builder and ma&er is God$ (9ebrews !/08

As part o( Abraham=s ca44 and in response to his obedience; God made speci(ic promisesto him: This agreement between God and Abraham has been ca44ed the >Abrahamic covenant:>The %ib4e records severa4 occasions when God appeared to Abraham to ma&e; con(irm; andamend the promises o( this covenant:

The provisions o( these agreements; which u4timate4# wou4d resu4t in b4essing a44 the(ami4ies o( the earth; were not on4# e.tended to Abraham; but to his seed a(ter him??Isaac; 7acob;and the nation o( Israe4

The tremendous b4essings o( Abraham e.tend even (urther than the nation o( Israe4;

however: The Apost4e Pau4 dec4ared

The pirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the +hildren of God! 3nd if+hildren, then heirs; heirs of God, and oint0heirs with 5hrist; if so be that we suffer with

him, that we may be also glorified together: (6omans /!0

"omans 13 dec4ares that Abraham was the Afather of us all:@ As a chi4d o( God; asAbraham=s spiritua4 seed; and as a +oint heir with 7esus Christ; these covenant promises are a4so#our spiritua4 inheritance:

The Apost4e Pau4 dec4ared;A3nd if ye be 5hrists, then are ye 3brahams seed, and heirsa++ording to the promise@(Galatians );2$#: This means that as a true be4iever; #ou areAbraham=s spiritua4 seed and the promises that God made to Abraham e.tend down through thecenturies to #ou toda#

That is, They whi+h are the +hildren of the flesh, these are not the +hildren of God! butthe +hildren of the promise are +ounted for the seed$ (6omans !/

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To stud# the promises o( the Abrahamic covenant in detai4; consu4t >The 5ovenant 7f3braham" on the arvestime Internationa4 Networ& webpage: The (o44owing 4ist summariesthe tremendous wea4th that is #ours through this power(u4 covenant: Each promise made toAbraham is 4isted; (o44owed b# a spiritua4 app4ication in itali+print:

Genesis &'(&)*+,1 I wi44 show thee a 4and and give it to thee F1;-:God will reveal your spiritual destiny$

2: I wi44 ma&e o( thee a great nation F2:God will ma&e your spiritual des+endants great$

,: I wi44 b4ess thee F2:God will bless you$

: I wi44 ma&e th# name great F2:9e will ma&e your name greatBof good reputation$

5: Thou sha4t be a b4essing F2:9e will ma&e you a blessing$

3: I wi44 b4ess them that b4ess thee F,:9e will bless those that bless you$-: I wi44 curse them that curse thee F,:

9e will +urse those who +urse you$6: In thee sha44 a44 (ami4ies o( the earth be b4essed F,:

The families (nations# of the earth will be blessed through you$

Genesis &*(&-)&,(

): A44 the 4and which thou seest; to thee wi44 I give it (orever F15:3ll God reveals to you is yours$

19: I wi44 a4so give the 4and to th# seed (orever F15:

These blessings will eBtend to your spiritual seed$11: I wi44 ma&e th# seed as the dust o( the earth F13:?our spiritual seed will be as the dust of the earth$

12: 8a4& through the 4and; (or I wi44 give it unto thee F1-:1herever God leads you, that spiritual territory is yours$

Genesis &-(&)'&(

1,: I am th# shie4d F1:God is your shield:

1: I am th# e.ceeding4# great reward F1:God is your eB+eeding great reward$

15: e that sha44 come (orth out o( thine own 4oins sha44 be thine heir F:?ou will bring forth spiritual heirs$

13: Abraham wou4d be4ieve the /ord and it wou4d be counted to him (or righteousness F3:?ou believe the *ord and it is +ounted to you for righteousness$

1-: Th# seed sha44 be as the stars o( heaven F5:?our spiritual seed shall be as the stars of heaven$

16: I am the /ord who brought thee out o( 0r o( the Cha4dees to give thee this 4and to inherit

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it F-:God brought you out of the past to bring you into your spiritual inheritan+e$

1): Th# seed sha44 be in bondage Fs4aver# in Eg#pt (or 99 #ears F1,:God brought you out of the bondage of slavery to sin$

29: That nation whom the# sha44 serve FEg#pt wi44 I +udge F1:

God will udge those who enslaved you$21: A(terward; I wi44 bring them out Fo( Eg#pt with great substance F1:?ou will be brought out of every bondage with great spiritual and material substan+e$

22: Thou sha4t go to th# (athers in peace F15:?ou will oin your Godly an+estors in eternity$

2,: Thou sha4t be buried in a good o4d age F15:?ou will live to a++omplish your destiny$

2: In the (ourth generation; th# seed sha44 come here again F13:?our seed will be preserved and return to their spiritual roots$

25: 0nto th# seed have I given this 4and F16:?our seed will inherit their rightful possessions$

23: I wi44 set the "iver o( Eg#pt and the great Euphrates "iver as the boundaries o( thepromised 4and F16:God has established your spiritual boundaries, and nothing +an +hange them$

Genesis &,(&)''(

2-: I wi44 ma&e m# covenant between me and thee FAbraham F2:This is a supernatural +ovenant established between God and you$

26: I wi44 mu4tip4# thee e.ceeding4# F2:God will multiply you eB+eedingly$

2): *# covenant is with thee FGod=s +ovenant is with you$

,9: Thou sha4t be a (ather o( man# nations F:?ou will be the spiritual parent of nations$,1: Th# name sha44 be ca44ed Abraham rather than Abram F5:

God will +hange your spiritual identity to refle+t 9is purposes$

,2: I wi44 ma&e thee e.ceeding4# (ruit(u4 F3:?ou will be eB+eedingly fruitful in every area of life$

,,: I wi44 ma&e nations o( thee F3:?ou will multiply spiritually and affe+t the destiny of entire nations$

,: @ings sha44 come out o( thee F3:?ou will raise up spiritually great men and women$

,5: The covenant is ever4asting F-:This +ovenant is everlasting$

,3: I wi44 be a God unto thee F-:God will be God to you$

,-: I wi44 be a God unto th# seed a(ter thee F-:9e will be God to your spiritual and natural seed$

,6: I wi44 give a44 the 4and o( Canaan to #ou and to #our seed as an ever4asting possessionF6:

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God will give you your rightful inheritan+e as an everlasting possession$

,): And I wi44 be th# seedBs God F6:9e will be your seed=s God$

9: Circumcision sea4ed the covenant F)?1:This +ovenant has been sealed by the blood of >esus 5hrist:

1: 'araiBs name sha44 be changed to 'arah F15:*i&e arah, your spiritual identity will be +hanged and you will be+ome fruitful$2: I wi44 b4ess 'arah F13:

God will bless you$

,: I wi44 give thee a son o( 'arah F13:9e will raise up spiritual sons and daughters to you$

: 'arah wi44 be a mother o( nations F13:?ou will be the spiritual mentor of nations$

5: @ings o( peop4e sha44 be o( 'arah F13:?ou will bring forth strong spiritual leaders$

3: 'arahBs son sha44 be named Isaac F1):

?our +hildren will be birthed by the pirit (li&e -saa+#, not of the flesh (li&e -shmael#$-: I wi44 estab4ish m# covenant with Isaac (or an ever4asting covenant F1):This +ovenant is established with you forever$

6: I wi44 estab4ish m# covenant with IsaacBs seed a(ter him (or an ever4astingcovenant F1):This +ovenant is established with your seed forever$

): I wi44 ma&e Ishmae4 (ruit(u4 F29:God will ma&e all related to you spiritually fruitful$

59: I wi44 mu4tip4# Ishmae4 e.ceeding4# F29:God will multiply all related to you spiritually$

51: Twe4ve princes sha44 Ishmae4 beget F29:

?ou will bring forth spiritual heirs$52: I wi44 ma&e Ishmae4 a great nation F29:?our seed will be a great spiritual nation$

5,: *# covenant wi44 I estab4ish with Isaac; but I have b4essed Ishmae4 a4so F29?21:God will bless all of your efforts (-shmael#, but 9is divine +ovenant +omes

supernaturally through 9is pirit (-saa+#$

Genesis ''(&.)&/ 5: The covenant is guaranteed b# God=s oath F13:

God has guaranteed these blessings are yours with 9is own oath$

55: In b4essing I wi44 b4ess thee F1-:God will bless you as you bless others$

53: In mu4tip4#ing; I wi44 mu4tip4# th# seed as the stars o( the heaven and as the sand which isupon the sea shore F1-:God will multiply your spiritual seed as the stars and sand$

5-: Th# seed sha44 possess the gate o( his enemies F1-:?our spiritual seed will possess the gates of the enemy:

56: In th# seed sha44 a44 (ami4ies o( the earth be b4essed F16:?our spiritual seed will bless all families (the nations# of the earth$

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7esus did not send them awa# without meeting their need: e drew (rom is $atherBs reservoiro( riches: e said to Phi4ip; "1here are we to buy bread, that these may eat4 3nd this 9e wassaying to test him; for 9e 9imself &new what 9e was intending to do$ Philip answered 9im,Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not suffi+ient for them, for everyone to re+eive a little$

7ne of 9is dis+iples, 3ndrew, imon Peters$ brother, said to 9im, There is a lad here who has

five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people4" (>ohn !.0, C3#$

Instead o( sending the peop4e awa# hungr#; 7esus too& the resources that e had andmu4tip4ied them: e too& (ive 4oaves o( bread and two sma44 (ish; b4essed the (ood; divided it;and gave it to is discip4es to (eed the peop4e: Not on4# did the# have enough (or ever#one to eatand be satis(ied; but there was an abundance o( twe4ve (u44 bas&ets 4e(t over This is the same t#pe o( divine provision God intends (or #ou to e.perience toda#??enough (or the need with some4e(t over

On another occasion; when it was time to pa# the annua4 temp4e ta. re=uired o( ever#7ew; 7esus did not 4oo& to manBs resources but e depended upon GodBs divine provision: e to4dPeter to go down to the sea; throw in a (ish hoo&; ta&e the (irst (ish he caught: open its mouth;

and he wou4d (ind su((icient mone# to pa# their ta.es F*atthew 1-2-: Peter had (ished (or#ears and never (ound mone# in a (ishBs mouth %ut neverthe4ess; Peter obe#ed; the /ordBs 8ordwas (u4(i44ed; and their need was met:

These e.amp4es i44ustrate that a4though 7esus was poor according to the wor4dBsstandards; e had at is disposa4 a44that e needed or wou4d ever need to accomp4ish ismission to the wor4d: 8hatever was needed; 7esus received (rom the $ather and as is +oint?heir;so can #ou

7esus became the one supreme sacri(ice through which a44 men can be reconci4ed andrestored into (e44owship with the $ather: Through is b4ood; we have entered into a New

Covenant b# which we have been made +oint?heirs with7esus o( the @ingdom o( God

The pirit 9imself (thus# testifies together with our own spirit, (assuring us# that we are

+hildren of God$ 3nd if we are (9is# +hildren, then we are (9is# heirs also! heirs of Godand fellow heirs with 5hrist0sharing 9is inheritan+e with 9im $$$ (6omans 613?1-; T3%#

As +oint?heirs with 7esus Christ; we are not 4imited b# the wea4th o( this wor4d: 8e havedirect access to the $ather and a44 that e has be4ongs to us: 8e do not need to re4# upon ourown 4imited resources in accomp4ishing our divine mandate to spread the gospe4 to the wor4dbecause we have un4imited access to the resources o( heaven:

8hat is #our inheritance in Christ< It is a44 #ou need to meet #our persona4 needs and a44that #ou need to e.tend GodBs @ingdom: The %ib4e dec4ares, "%ut my God shall supply allyourneed a++ording to his ri+hes in glory by 5hrist >esus" (Philippians =!#: A44 means e.act4#that A44: Ever#thing #ou need Not #our >name it and c4aim> it idea o( con(essing mansions;e.pensive cars; and +ewe4s??but #our needs: That is #our inheritance through 7esus Christ:

our resources in Christ are not +ust (inancia4 b4essings: A44 the treasures o( wisdom and&now4edge are in Christ FCo4ossians 22?,: ou are enriched in im in a44 things F1 Corinthians

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15?3: The %ib4e dec4ares, "3lready you have all you want< 3lready you have be+ome ri+h


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abundantly above all that we as& or thin&, a++ording to the power that wor&eth in us"

(Aphesians )!28#$ God is ab4e?To do:::?To do e.ceeding4#:::?To do e.ceeding4# abundant4#:::

?To do e.ceeding4#; abundant4# above a44 that we as&:::?To do e.ceeding4# abundant4# above a44 that we thin&:

:::And the power to do e.ceeding4#; abundant4#; above a44 #ou as& or thin& is a4read# within #ou>3++ording to the power that wor&s in youesus 5hrist$ >esus had a++ess to

all the resour+es of heaven and as 9is oint0heir, - have unlimited a++ess to all that 9e

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Our stud# o( bib4ica4 (inancia4 guide4ines is (or purpose; not privi4ege: 8e are notadvocating a >name it c4aim> it menta4it#; where one see&s materia4 b4essings and c4aims them>b# (aith:> 8e are see&ing divine provision in order to (ree us (inancia44# to e.tend the Gospe4 tothe nations o( the wor4d and accomp4ish our God?given purpose:

As we have 4earned; the divine provision we see& is not to provide 4u.ur#; but to meetour basic needs so that we can be (reed (inancia44# to be part o( GodBs end?time; harvest?timec#c4e: The word >4u.ur#> comes (rom a /atin word that means >e.cessive>: It re(ers to havingan abundance o( mone#; time; and com(ort which one uses se4(ish4#:

It is necessar# to understand; however; that in western nations some things are necessar#that peop4e in other nations might view as 4u.uries: $or e.amp4e; in /os Ange4es; Ca4i(ornia; acar is considered necessar# (or a pastor to (u4(i44 his duties: The cit# is huge and in order to visithis congregation; the man# rest homes; hospita4s; etc:; he needs transportation: In a sma44vi44age in India where one can wa4& ever#where; a car might be viewed as a 4u.ur#: *ore

(inances might be needed in America to bui4d a church than what is needed to construct abui4ding in a rura4 vi44age in India:

This means #ou cannot +udge the standards o( 4iving in another nation as wrong or right:A personBs need and standard o( 4iving ma# var# (rom nation to nation: It is a matter o( heartmotive: 8h# do #ou have what #ou have< 8h# are #ou see&ing to obtain what #ou thin& #ouneed< Is it to (urther the e.tension o( the Gospe4 or to (u4(i44 #our own se4(ish desiresto succeed ore.perience success>: The Apost4e 7ohn dec4ared; "%eloved, - wish above all things that thoumayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" () >ohn 2#$

There are man# scriptura4 e.amp4es o( GodBs peop4e who were wea4th#: Chec& out the(o44owing re(erences

?Abraham Genesis 1,2?Isaac Genesis 231,?7acob Genesis ,9,?7oseph Genesis ,)2H 19??*oses and Israe4 Genesis 12,5?,3?!avid 1 Chronic4es 2)26?'o4omon 2 Chronic4es 112H 1 @ings 192,?7ehoshaphat 2 Chronic4es 1-5?ee&iah 2 Chronic4es ,22-?7ob 7ob 1,?!anie4 !anie4 26H 326?7oseph o( Arimathea *atthew 2-5-?Corne4ius Acts 191?2?/#dia Acts 131

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?%e4ievers in the ear4# church Acts ,?,5

8ea4th itse4( is not wrong: It is the 4ove o( mone# that is wrong and what #ou do withthe wea4th #ou are given that is important: ou mone# represents #our time; ta4ents; abi4ities;and hard wor&: It is not evi4 in itse4(; and it can either be a b4essing or curse in #our 4i(e: I( #ou

use it wise4# and are 4ibera4 in giving to God and the need#; then #ou wi44 be b4essed: I( #ou 4ove#our mone# so much that #ou hoard it (or se4(ish reasons and re(use to give to God and others;then it becomes a curse:

In recent #ears; there has been much teaching about (inances that was se4(?centered andresu4ted in man# be4ievers being more concerned about getting their own se4(ish desires met thanabout doing the wor& o( God: *an# spend more time wor&ing to bui4d their ban& accounts;en+o#ing the p4easures o( this wor4d; and ac=uiring materia4 possessions than the# do ine.tending the @ingdom o( God:

Instead o( setting their a((ections on things above FCo4ossians ,2 and 4a#ing up

treasures in heaven F*atthew 329; man# be4ievers are bus# accumu4ating the wea4th o( thiswor4d (or their own se4(ish purposes: The# are not satis(ied with having their needs met nor arethe# content with what the# have; but the# are constant4# see&ing additiona4 wea4th and materia4possessions: 7esus warned is discip4es

$$$ Guard yourselves and &eep free from all +ovetousness ? the immoderate desire forwealth, the greedy longing to have more; for a mans life does not +onsist and is notderived from possessing overflowing abundan+e, or that whi+h is over and above his

needs$ (*u&e 2!.,T3%#

*an# be4ievers have put con(idence in their ban& accounts; pa#chec&s; and (inancia4investments instead o( depending upon God: As we previous4# 4earned in the 4etter to the churcho( /aodicea; 7esus warned those trusting in wor4d4# riches

$$$ be+ause you are lu&ewarm, and neither +old nor hot, - will spew you out of 'y mouthew, whi+h is one outwardly; neither is that +ir+um+ision, whi+h is outwardin the flesh! %ut he is a >ew, whi+h is one inwardly; and +ir+um+ision is that of the heart,

in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God$ (6omans 2!2/0

2#

As #ou 4earned in chapter two; #ou are an heir o( a44 the wonder(u4 promises made toAbraham "3nd if ye be 5hrists, then are ye 3brahams seed, and heirs a++ording to thepromise" (Galatians )!2#$ As an heir o( Abraham; #ou have entered into an ever4astingcovenant with God that was sea4ed and made e((ective through the b4ood o( 7esus: As the seedo( Abraham; #ou have not on4# inherited the samepromises which be4onged to Israe4; but #ouhave a covenant with God that has been estab4ished on even better promises

%ut the ministry >esus has re+eived is as superior to theirs as the +ovenant of whi+h he is

mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises$ (9ebrews 63;C-E#

God has estab4ished us as is peop4eupon the earth: 8e are is sons and daughters andwe are ca44ed b# is Name: 8e have not mere4# inherited the wea4th o( an earth4# &ingdom; but

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we are +oint?heirs in the @ingdom o( God:

THE TR!E P!RPOSE FOR PROSPERIT$

God is going to have an end?time peop4e; raised up (or a divine purpose; through whom

e mani(ests is supernatura4 power: These peop4e wi44 present their 4ives as 4iving sacri(ices toreach the wor4d with the Gospe4 o( 7esus Christ: The# wi44 give (ree4# o( their ta4ents; time;spiritua4 gi(ts; and (inances to accomp4ish is divine purposes: The# wi44 be proo(?producers??men and women who not on4# wi44 articu4ate the power o( God; but who a4so wi44 a44ow thatpower to be demonstrated through them b# sa4vation; mirac4es; hea4ing; and de4iverance:

It is upon these peop4e that God wi44 re4ease a specia4 (inancia4 anointing; set them (ree

(rom indebtedness; and 4aunch them into a divine c#c4e o( supernatura4 provision: God wi44 dothis (or a divine purpose The e.tension o( is @ingdom: 7esus said:::

$$$Therefore - say unto you, Ta&e no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for

the body, what ye shall put on$ The life is more than meat, and the body is more thanraiment$ 5onsider the ravens! for they neither sow nor reap; whi+h neither have

storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them! how mu+h more are ye better than thefowls4 3nd whi+h of you with ta&ing thought +an add to his stature one +ubit4 -f ye then

be not able to do that thing whi+h is least, why ta&e ye thought for the rest4 5onsider the

lilies how they grow! they toil not, they spin not; and yet - say unto you, that olomon in

all his glory was not arrayed li&e one of these$ -f then God so +lothe the grass, whi+h isto day in the field, and to morrow is +ast into the oven; how mu+h more will he +lothe

you, 7 ye of little faith43nd see& not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drin&, neitherbe ye of doubtful mind$ For all these things do the nations of the world see& after! andyour Father &noweth that ye have need of these things:%ut rather see& ye the &ingdom ofGod; and all these things shall be added unto you$ (*u&e 2!220)#

God is raising up a peop4e whose (ocus wi44 be on the @ingdom: The# wi44 not worr#about what the# eat or drin&; their c4othing; or where the# 4ive: The# wi44 see& (irst the @ingdomo( God; and a44 other things the# need wi44 be given to them:

8here has #our (ocus been< as it been on ma&ing mone#; getting ahead materia44#; and(retting about #our debts; or has #our (ocus been on the @ingdom o( God< As a be4iever; #ou areca44ed to divine purpose: 8hen #ou change #our (ocus (rom #our persona4 (inances to thepurpose o( e.tending the @ingdom; #ou wi44 be amaed at the divine provision that (o44ows:

7esus e.p4ained the (ocus o( is ministr# dec4aring

The pirit of the *ord is upon me , be+ause he hath anointed me to prea+h the gospel to

the poor; he hath sent me to heal the bro&enhearted, to prea+h deliveran+e to the+aptives, and re+overing of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To

prea+h the a++eptable year of the *ord$ (*u&e =!/0#

is purpose was c4ear "$$$ For this purpose the on of God was manifested, that he

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might destroy the wor&s of the devil" ( >ohn )!/#$ ow does #our purpose compare< 8hen #oubring #our purpose into harmon# with that o( our /ord and see& (irst GodBs @ingdom; divineprovision wi44 (o44ow:

I( #ou as& (or (inances and donBt receive; perhaps #ou shou4d e.amine #our motives (or

as&ing

?e lust, and have not! ye &ill, and desire to have, and +annot obtain! ye fight and war, yet

ye have not , be+ause ye as& not$ ?e as&, and re+eive not, be+ause ye as& amiss, that yemay +onsume it upon your lusts$ (>ames =!20)#

IT IS TI"E FOR "ORE

In this (ina4 end?time hour o( spiritua4 harvest; God wants to prosper us so that we wi44 beab4eto accomp4ish the wor& e has given us o( evange4iing the nations o( the earth: 8e areca44ed to reap the spiritua4 harvest (ie4ds o( the nations; and we need resources to do this: I( Godprospered Israe4 under the O4d Covenant which was based upon the b4ood o( bu44s and goats:

how much morewi44 God prosper us under the New Covenant which is sea4ed b# the b4ood o(7esusohn !2)02=#$

7esus a4so dec4ared

"1hi+h of you, if his son as&s for bread, will give him a stone4 7r if he as&s for a fish,

will give him a sna&e4 -f you, then, though you are evil, &now how to give good gifts toyour +hildren, how much morewill your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who

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%e(ore we can (u4(i44 GodBs purposes in this end?time spiritua4 harvest; we must have abrea&through where we are no 4onger depending upon our own 4imited abi4ities; but we are4oo&ing to God (or is supernatura4 provision: 8e must stop (ocusing on our resources and ourmateria4istic desires and p4ace our (ocus on is @ingdom:

8hen 7esus (irst commissioned is discip4es and sent them out on an evange4isticcampaign to preach the @ingdom o( God and hea4 the sic&; e sent them without mone# or (ood1e to4d them; "Ta&e nothing for the ourney0no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no eBtratuni+" (*u&e !), C-E#$

8h# did 7esus send is discip4es out with nothing< e did this so the# wou4d 4earn todepend upon GodBs supernatura4 provision: e did not want them to trust in their own 4imitedresources; but to draw (rom GodBs un4imited reservoir:

As the# went (rom cit# to cit#; God supernatura44# provided their needs: There wasdivine su((icienc# and the# did not 4ac& an#thing: /ater; 7esus as&ed them; "1hen - sent you out

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wants to prosper #ou (or a speci(ic; divine purpose: It is on4# when #ou understand and embracethis purpose as #our own persona4 destin# that the reve4ation we are stud#ing wi44 be mani(estedin #our 4i(e:

Now it is time to e4iminate a ma+or hindrance that can b4oc& divine provision??the spirit

o( (ear: That is the ne.t step on our spiritua4 +ourne# to divine provision:

CHAPTER FO!R

BREA2ING THE SPIRIT OF FEAR

$ear was the (irst negative emotion e.perienced b# Adam and Eve as a resu4t o( their sin;the detai4s o( which are recorded in Genesis chapter three: A(ter the coup4e sinned; their spiritua4e#es were opened to their true condition and the# were (ear(u4

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3nd the *ord God +alled unto 3dam, and said unto him, 1here art thou4 3nd he said, -

heard thy voi+e in the garden, andI was afraid, be+ause - was na&ed; and - hid myself$

(Genesis )!08#

$ear resu4ted in shame and shame 4ed to hiding (rom the presence o( God:

In the rea4m o( (inances; which is the sub+ect o( our stud#; (ear wi44 &eep #ou hiding andashamed; trapped in a c#c4e o( (inancia4 (amine: One o( the (irst things that attac&s #our mindwhen #ou (ace (inancia4 (amine is the spirit o( (ear: 8hen une.pected emergencies ariseBcarrepairs; medica4 bi44s; or a de4in=uent mortgageB(ear immediate4# ta&es ho4d in #our mind: ouworr# that #ou wi44 4ose #our home: ou (ret over #our bi44s: ou (ear that #ou wi44 never getout (rom under the debt #ou have incurred and the (inancia4 (amine that is 4itera44# engu4(ing #ou:$ear must be bro&en over #our 4i(e: $ear causes #ou to hoard #our (inancia4 resources; prevents#ou (rom obe#ing GodDs 8ord; and causes #ou to withho4d (rom giving to God:

The nation o( Israe4 was &ept out o( their promised 4and because o( unbe4ie( generated b#

(ear Febrews ,1): The# saw themse4ves as grasshoppers in the (ace o( the giants who 4ivedthere FNumbers 11,,: Instead o( be4ieving GodBs promises o( victor#; the# re(used to enter the4and and spent 9 #ears wandering in the wi4derness:

$ear causes unbe4ie( which wi44 &eep #ou wandering in a (inancia4 wi4derness and prevent#ou (rom entering into the promises o( God: No matter how big the >giant> o( #our (inancia4crisis is; God is greater !etermine in #our heart right now to embrace GodBs promises and (orgeahead to c4aim #our inheritance

DIVINE PROVISION IN A TI"E OF FA"INE

In 1 @ings 1-; there is a tremendous e.amp4e o( divine provision during an economic(amine: At the time o( this account; there was a great drought throughout the 4and that had beensent b# God because o( the peop4eBs sins: The heavens were shut up and there was no rain;(u4(i444ing the 8ord o( the /ord spo&en b# the prophet E4i+ah who prophesied the drought: The4and was barren and parched and the crops withered in the (ie4ds:

A(ter E4i+ahBs prophetic dec4aration; God directed is servant to go to a broo& ca44edCherith where he wou4d receive supernatura4 provision: If Elijah had allowed himself tofear, he might have questioned, "How am I going to get food out here by alittle broo! I did what od told me to do and now I am being dire#ted to aremote lo#ation where there will be no food$ I will be there all by myself and

I am surely going to die$" Is that what Elijah said! %o& 'irst (ings )*+ tellsus that Elijah $$$"went and did a++ording unto the word of the *ord$"

od may be telling you to tae #ertain ste-s of faith during your ownfinan#ial famine$ .aybe you haven/t e0-anded your business be#ause youhave been -aying too mu#h attention to the finan#ial horror stories in thenews$ 1erha-s you have been afraid to tithe in obedien#e to od/s 2ordbe#ause you fear it will #ause -ersonal la#$ In times of e#onomi# famine,

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you must listen only to od and a#t u-on the dire#tion He gives you$

3ou must #onquer the s-irit of fear that is tormenting you and reali4ethat od is your finan#ial -artner$ He has de#lared; >9onour the *ord with thysubstan+e, and with the firstfruits of all thine in+rease! o shall thy barns be filled with plenty,

and thy presses shall burst out with new wine"(Proverbs )!#$ 5he word -lenty in thisverse means 6fullness,7 and 6abundan#e$7 5he e0-ression, "so shall thy barnsbe filled with plenty",de-i#ts the greatest -ossible abundan#e$ 2hen you honorthe 8ord by obeying His 2ord, od has -romised to su--ly your needs andbless you with the greatest -ossible abundan#e$ 8oo at what ha--ened toElijah+

So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he wentand dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before ordan! And the ra"ensbrought hi# bread and flesh in the #orning, and bread and flesh in thee"ening$ and he drank of the brook!

%& 'ings &(:)*+!

In %ib4e times; ravens were regarded as omens o( mis(ortune; death; or traged# and wereunc4ean because o( their scavenger habits: God chose unc4ean birds to (eed is prophet Godwi44 provide (or #ou; but it ma# not be according to #our preconceived ideas: 'ometimes Godprovides through natura4 means; sometimes through the supernatura4; but #ou can be assured thatA$$$ God shall supply all your need a++ording to his ri+hes in glory by 5hrist >esus-(Philippians =!#$

E4i+ah had been in sec4usion (or some time b# %roo& Cherith when the 8ord o( the /ordcame to him sa#ing;A3rise, get thee to arephath, whi+h belongeth to idon, and dwell there!

behold, - have +ommanded a widow woman there to sustain thee-( ings !#$ Now E4i+ahhad a4read# 4earned one o( the &e# princip4es o( (inancia4 provision To be in God=s p4ace atGod=s time: 'o at the 8ord o( the /ord; E4i+ah departed (rom Cherith and went to Jarephath

o he arose and went to arephath$ 3nd when he +ame to the gate of the +ity, behold, the

widow woman was there gathering of sti+&s! and he +alled to her, and said, Fet+h me, -pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that - may drin&$ 3nd as she was going to fet+h it, he

+alled to her, and said, %ring me, - pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand$ 3nd she

said, 3s the *ord thy God liveth, - have not a +a&e, but an handful of meal in a barrel,and a little oil in a +ruse! and, behold, - am gathering two sti+&s, that - may go in and

dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die$ 3nd Aliah said unto her, Fear

not;go and do as thou hast said! but ma&e me thereof a little +a&e first, and bring it untome, and after ma&e for thee and for thy son$ For thus saith the *ord God of -srael, The

barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the +ruse of oil fail, until the day that the

*ord sendeth rain upon the earth$ 3nd she went and did a++ording to the saying of

Aliah! and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days$ 3nd the barrel of meal wastednot, neither did the +ruse of oil fail, a++ording to the word of the *ord, whi+h he spa&e by

Aliah$ ( ings !0#

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HEAR THE #ORD OF THE LORD

8hen #ou (ace a (inancia4 crises; it is crucia4 (or #ou to be ab4e to hear the 8ord o( the/ord concerning #our circumstances and to act in obedience upon what e directs #ou to do:8hen God directed E4i+ah to go to Cherith; he did: 8hen God to4d E4i+ah to 4eave Cherith and

go to Jarepath; he immediate4# started on his wa#: ou must be ab4e to discern GodBs directionduring times o( (inancia4 (amine; and when #ou hear is voice #ou must respond in obedience:

At Jarepath; God was not on4# going to b4ess is prophet (or the duration o( the (amine;but e wou4d a4so b4ess a 4itt4e widow woman who wou4d con=uer her spirit o( (ear and provide(or him: To demonstrate is divine provision; God did not choose a rich widow with a 4argestorehouse (i44ed with amp4e supp4ies: e chose a poor widow woman; a Genti4e 4iving in acountr# where the peop4e served %aa4; a person who did not even &now the God o( Israe4:

The widow and her son were at a point o( starvation: 'he was at the end o( her ownnatura4 resources; at the point o( her greatest need: 'he was (ear(u4; had 4ost hope; and was

preparing to die: The good news is that this is e.act4# when God steps in??when #ou get to theend o( #our own natura4 resources: The Apost4e Pau4 con(irmed this princip4e when he wrotethese words

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble whi+h +ame to us in 3sia,

that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomu+h that we despaired even of

life! %ut we had the senten+e of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves,but in God whi+h raiseth the dead! 1ho delivered us from so great a death, and doth

deliver! in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us$ (2 5orinthians 2!/08#

It is when it seems a44 hope is gone that the resurrecting power o( God spea&s 4i(e into#our negative circumstances: /i&e the 4itt4e widow 4ad#; #ou ma# (ee4 there is no hope in #our(inancia4 situation: The (amine ma# have been so 4ong and so dr# that #ou are read# to give up:%ut when #ou have the sentence o( death in the natura4; then the resurrecting power o( God stepsin to do a mirac4e !onBt trust in #ourse4(; #our p4ans; and ideas Trust in the resurrecting powero( God to spea& 4i(e into #our (inancia4 (amine

E4i+ah as&ed the widow woman to bring him some water and ma&e him a ca&e to eat: 'heresponded that a44 she had was a hand(u4 o( (4our and a 4itt4e oi4; that she was (i.ing it as a (ina4mea4 (or herse4( and her (ami4#; and then the# wou4d prepare to die: This woman=s natura4resources were tota44# e.hausted and she was (ear(u4 and hope4ess: 'he was actua44# ma&ingp4ans to starve to death Ta4& about a (inancia4 (amine

This ma# be where #ou are toda#: our Ahand(u4 o( (4our and oi4@ma# represent #ourmeager pa#chec& or ban& account: As 4ong as #ou &eep #our e#es on #our own resources; #ouwi44 remain hope4ess: The more #ou 4oo& at #our (inancia4 prob4ems; the more (ear(u4 #ou wi44become and the more impossib4e #our situation wi44 seem: I( #ou continue to 4oo& to #our ownresources; #ou wi44 die spiritua44# and (inancia44#:

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FEAR NOT

The prophet=s (irst words to this widow woman were; A$ear not@ Then he directedher to use the sma44 provisions she had to ma&e a mea4 (or him (irst and then ma&e something (or

herse4( and her son:

5his little widow was -robably thining to herself, "Elijah, is theresomething wrong with your hearing! I just finished telling you that I onlyhave enough meal to bae one #ae$ If I bae that #ae and give it to you,then where am I going to get the su--lies to bae another #ae for my sonand myself!"

If you are going to live in the #y#le of od9s divine -rovision, then youmust be able to see beyond the natural$ 3ou must not be limited by seeingonly with your -hysi#al eyes$ 3ou will need to envision more that what #an

be seen in the natural world$ 3ou must learn to see by eyes of faith into thes-iritual world and believe for the su-ernatural$

Then E4i+ah gave the widow woman God=s promise

For thus saith the *ord God of -srael, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall

the +ruse of oil fail, until the day that the *ord sendeth rain upon the earth$

( ings !=#

This woman received the 8ord o( the /ord; be4ieved it; and acted upon it: 'he putobedience to GodBs commands ahead o( her own needs: 'he ba&ed a ca&e (or E4i+ah (irst and

then she discovered she had enough oi4 and (4our to meet her own needs: 7ust as God promised;the +ar o( (4our and the +ug o( oi4 did not run empt#: Each da# o( the pro4onged (amine; as thewidow reached down into the +ar; the (4our was su((icient: As she poured (rom the vesse4 o( oi4;there was p4ent#:

8hat this widow e.perienced was the divine provision o( God; a supernatura4 c#c4e o(continua4 supp4#: God did not (i44 her cupboards with tons o( (ood; a4though e certain4# cou4dhave done so: As she 4oo&ed to God as her source o( supernatura4 supp4# each da#; e provided(or her and her (ami4# >And she went and did according to the saying of .li/ah:and she, and he, and her house, did eat #any days0 %1 'ings &(:&2*&)!

od used this mira#le to -rovide for Elijah, the widow, her son, and thewoman9s entire household$ 5he barrel of flour was never em-ty and the#ruise of oil never failed$ 5hey e-t refilling su-ernaturally and the familyhad their needs met throughout the entire famine$

od may not send tons of money to fi0 your finan#ial -roblems, but ifyou will -ut Him first and release what you have in your hand, day:by:dayyour needs will be met::even in times of e#onomi# famine$

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WILL YOU DO YOUR PART?

In this story, the 1ro-het Elijah obeyed od and did his -art$ At the2ord of the 8ord, he went to Broo ;herith and then relo#ated to your tithes and offerings! Areyou going to -osition yourself where od sends you so you #an be in the-la#e of His divine -rovision!

Instead o( #ie4ding to (ear as #ou 4oo& at #our (inancia4 (amine; c4aim this power(u4promise >-n famine 9e will redeem you from death $$$ neither shall you be afraid of destru+tion

when it +omes$ 3t destru+tion and famine you shall laugh $$$"(>ob .!28022, 3'P# Instead offearing, you are su--osed to be laughing in the fa#e of your la#& Have youever laughed in the fa#e of your la#!

A ma+or tactic o( 'atan is to &eep be4ievers bound b# (inancia4 4ac&: e wants to &eepthem caught in a vicious c#c4e o( debt; strugg4ing to pa# their bi44s and straining to provide thebasic necessities (or their (ami4ies: e wants to &eep them so bound b# (ear that the# are no4onger 4oo&ing to God e.pecting im to meet their needs:

5he Bible de#lares that 0!!!3or 4od hath not gi"en us the s5irit of fear$but of 5ower, and of lo"e, and of a sound #ind0 %6 7i#othy &:(! If od did

not give you a s-irit of fear, then where do you thin it #ame from!

The enem# causes be4ievers to get their e#es so (ocused on their circumstancestheirunpaid bi44s; 4oss o( income; and insu((icient (undsthat the# begin to doubt GodDs 8ord andis promises: 'atan wi44 tr# to get #ou to &eep #our e#es on #our circumstances and use them toattac& the 8ord o( God: e wi44 put thoughts in #our mind 4i&e >God promised that i( #ou gaveto im #ou wou4d receive bac&; provision pressed down and running over: %ut 4oo& at #ourcircumstances: /oo& at the bi44s pi4ing up: ou have given sacri(icia44# time a(ter time; butnothing has changed: God isnDt going to &eep is promises to #ou: ou might as we44 stopgiving #our tithes and o((erings and use that mone# (or things #ou need:K

One o( 'atanDs main strategies is to ma&e #ou (ear that i( #ou give to God in obedience to

is commands; then #ou wi44 not have su((icient (unds 4e(t to meet #our (inancia4 ob4igations:'atan is a 4iar GodDs 8ord is (orever true God has promised to give bac& to #ou not +ust what#ou give; but a b4essing that is mu4tip4ied repeated4# unti4 it is running over:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and sha&en together,

and running over, shall men give into your bosom$ For with the same measure that ye

mete withal it shall be measured to you again$ (*u&e !)/#

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ou canBt a((ord notto give because it is giving that sets in motion divine provision2hat if the widow woman had e-t her meager su--ly of oil and flour! 2hatif she had been so stressed that she #ould not hear and obey od/s 2ord! Itis not wrong to e0-e#t to re#eive when you give, be#ause this is od/s-romise&

God=s 8ord to #ou in the midst o( #our (inancia4 (amine is A$ear not:@ In the nameo( 7esus; brea& the strongho4d o( (ear (rom #our 4i(e: As& God speci(ica44# what to do; then act??be4ieving e wi44 (u4(i44 is 8ord: The same supernatura4 God who mu4tip4ied the (4our and oi4(or the widow wi44 supp4# what #ou need: e wi44 mu4tip4# the (inances #ou sow in obedience tois 8ord: ou wi44 have divine provision and continua4 supp4# as #ou draw dai4# (rom isun4imited resources:

PRINCIPLES FOR TI"ES OF FINANCIAL FA"INE

"ecession; in(4ation; and economic hard times have been with man&ind since the beginning

o( time: The# are not new situations demanding new so4utions: %ib4ica4 answers to victorious4#con=uer dire economic conditions appear ear4# in boo& o( Genesis

And there was a fa#ine in the land, beside the first fa#ine that was inthe days of Abraha#!!!(Genesis 2!#$

!uring this di((icu4t time; God gave AbrahamDs son; Isaac; speci(ic instructions to (o44ow inorder to prosper: These are princip4es which we can (o44ow in our own times o( (inancia4 (amine:

?Remain 3ait435l to 6i6lical 7rinci7les.*an# be4ievers become inconsistent in times o(economic pressure; growing 4a. about their persona4 devotions; their giving; and church

attendance because the# are so stressed: !eviating (rom these basic princip4es on4#creates more prob4ems: The /ord to4d Isaac that e wou4d b4ess him because his (ather;Abraham; >:::obeyed #y "oice, and ke5t #y charge, #y co##and#ents,#y statutes, and #y laws0(Genesis 2!.#$ God b4essed Abraham because hewa4&ed (aith(u44# in GodDs wa#s regard4ess o( the circumstances o( 4i(e: Abraham 4oo&edto God as his 'ource and God directed Isaac to (o44ow AbrahamDs e.amp4e so that hewou4d prosper; despite the (amine:

?Don8t 3ollow t4e worl98s 7attern.%ecause o( the (amine; ever#one was 4eaving (or

Eg#pt; where the# heard things were better: %ut the /ord had a di((erent p4an (or Isaac:e to4d him ::: >4o not down into .gy5t$ dwell in the land which 1 shall tellthee of: So/ourn in this land, and 1 will be with thee, and 1 will blessthee !!!> (Genesis 2!20)#$ *ost o( the time i( #ou 4oo& at what the wor4d is doing andthen do the opposite; #ou wi44 be in harmon# with GodBs p4an because the princip4es o(the @ingdom o( God are usua44# opposite those o( the wor4d:

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?Remain in t4e center o3 Go98s will1"emember that God can b4ess #ou in an# 4ocation;so remain where e has p4aced #ou un4ess e directs #ou to do otherwise: >%lessed shaltthou be in the +ity, and blessed shalt thou be in the field" (Deuteronomy 2/!)#: Ineconomica44# hard times; do not ma&e an# move??geographica44# or (inancia44#??withoutGodDs speci(ic guidance; even though #ou might hear rumors o( prosperit# in other

4ocations: "emain in is wi44; and??4i&e E4i+ah??and move on4# at is command:

?Sow :enero5sl; 95rin: t4e 3amine. 0nder GodDs instruction; Isaac remained whereGod directed him and $$$ "sowed in that land, and re+eived in the same year anhundredfold! and theLord blessed hi#"(Genesis 2!2#$ 'ow generous4# intoGodBs wor& during times o( (inancia4 (amine and #ou wi44 reap an abundant harvest:

God estab4ished these princip4es o( bib4ica4 economics in a time when dar& c4ouds o(adversit# and 4oomed on the horion: Isaac (o44owed these princip4es and was b4essed: eprospered; despite the (amine??and so can #ou

GOD AL#A$S PROVIDES FOR HIS PEOPLE

ou not need not (ear 4ean (inancia4 times; because God has a4wa#s provided (or is peop4eduring (amines: e provided (or Abraham; 7oseph and his (ami4#; "uth and Naomi; !avid; andothers in the bib4ica4 record:

The psa4mist dec4ared

The *ord &noweth the days of the upright! and their inheritan+e shall be for ever$ Theyshall not be ashamed in the evil time! and in the days of faminethey shall be satisfied$

(Psalm )!/0#

The Apost4e Pau4 echoed simi4ar thoughts under the inspiration o( the o4# 'pirit

1ho shall separate us from the love of 5hrist4 shall tribulation, or distress, orperse+ution, or famine, or na&edness, or peril, or sword4 3s it is written, For thy sa&e

we are &illed all the day long; we are a++ounted as sheep for the slaughter$ Cay, in all

these things we are more than +on:uerors through him that loved us$ For - am

persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor prin+ipalities, nor powers, northings present, nor things to +ome, Cor height, nor depth, nor any other +reature, shall

be able to separate us from the love of God, whi+h is in 5hrist >esus our *ord$ (6omans

/!).0)#

CON

I( #ou have been (ear(u4 because o( #our (inancia4 circumstances; pra# this pra#er

"- rebu&e the spirit of fear$ - &now that it does not +ome from God$ - will no longer fear

regarding my finan+es or any other negative +ir+umstan+es in my life$ God will provideabundantly for me and will meet all of my needs as - am obedient to 9is 1ord$"

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If the s-irit of fear should try to return to torment you, mae thisde#laration as often as needed+

04od has not gi"en #e the s5irit of fear, but 8e has gi"en #e a s5irit

of lo"e, 5ower o"er all the 5ower of the ene#y, and a sound #ind toguide #y financial affairs!0

$ear is a ma+or obstac4e that wi44 hinder divine provision; but there is another perhaps4esser &nown barrier that wi44 a4so b4oc& GodBs (inancia4 b4essing in #our 4i(e: !o #ou &now whatit is< I( not; #ou wi44 (ind out in the ne.t chapter:

CHAPTER FIVERE"OVING A "A0OR BARRIER

This chapter shares a reve4ation that is a bit di((erent in re4ation to (inances; but it is onethat is vita4 to the sub+ect o( divine provision: There is a ma+or barrier that wi44 prevent #ou (rom

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receiving GodDs b4essing; even i( #ou imp4ement other scriptura4 teachings on (inances: I( #oudo not remove this barrier; then the windows o( (inancia4 b4essing ma# remain c4osed despite#our best e((orts:

O( a44 the barriers that prevent GodDs divine provision; this is perhaps the 4east we44?

&nown: As we start this chapter; here are three =uestions to consider?Are #ou read# to 4earn about this barrier

Divine Provision

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