A warehouse is a place where stuff is stored, set aside and accumulated. A distribution center is a place where stuff flows freely in and out. When it comes to your money, are you a warehouse or a distribution center?
For those who are not sure, here are a few questions to ask yourself.
1. Do you frequently buy things for yourself?
2. Do you find it hard to part with your belongings?
3. Do you only donate things that you don’t like anymore or don’t fit?
4. Do you believe that you should get all you can, can what you get, and sit on the can?
5. Do you believe that the money in your account really belongs to God and you are just a steward called to distribute it to those God chooses?
6. Do you enjoy giving things away, even your most prized possessions?
7. Have you noticed that as you give, God always fills your distribution center back up?
A warehouse makes me think of a stagnant pond. Without circulation things begin to die. But a distribution center has a constant flow that brings life. God is always searching for people who will be distribution centers because He wants to use them to bring life to people.
One thing that’s important to note is that before God will start giving you this money, He needs to know that you will be a faithful steward and use it how He desires. To start, He may ask you to buy a simple cup of coffee for someone. Sounds easy, right? However, He then tells you to give it to the lady you don’t like at work. Will you do it out of obedience to God or will you walk away? As we prove ourselves in these little tests He will begin to entrust bigger things to us.
My husband and I often give big tips at restaurants. I love to think about how excited the waitress will be when she picks up the tip after we’ve left and finds it is crazy big. It seems simple but if we learn to hear God in these situations, we will be better able to hear him in bigger situations. I know some people who have given away cars, houses and airplanes because God asked them to. We aren’t there yet but I would love to get there some day.
Here are some verses to look up if you would like to learn more about trusting God to supply your needs so that you can learn to be a distribution center for Him.
Deuteronomy 28, Proverbs 3:9-10, Proverbs 28:27, Isaiah 48:17, Malachi 3:8-11, II Corinthians 9:6-11
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Are You Robbing God?
Did you know that we help to determine if we see God's blessing manifest in our lives?
Malachi 3:9-11 tells us that we are robbing God if we don't give the first 10% of our income to Him.
You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the LORD of hosts;
The reason God demands the first of your income is because where your money is there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34) Tithing is as much an attitude as it is an action. Choosing to faithfully give the first of your income to God shows that you have the right attitude and the right heart condition. You see God as your source and you trust that He will stand by His Word and liberally supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
God doesn't need our money. He simply wants our hearts. One of His greatest desires is to take care of us. He never wanted us to toil for a living. In His kingdom you supply your needs by sowing and reaping. You can't sow apple seeds and expect to see corn in August. That goes against the laws of nature. The same is in the Kingdom of God. You can't withhold your tithes and offerings from God and expect to see a harvest of money. It doesn't work. You will only reap what you sow. If you give in abundance and with a happy heart, God will give back to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together and RUNNING OVER! (Luke 6:38) You can never outgive God. I challenge you to study the verses in the Bible that show how God supplies your needs and then step out in faith begin to sow your financial seeds. Remember, it isn't the amount of the seed. It is the significance of it.
Blessings to you and your family!
Christy
Malachi 3:9-11 tells us that we are robbing God if we don't give the first 10% of our income to Him.
You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the LORD of hosts;
The reason God demands the first of your income is because where your money is there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34) Tithing is as much an attitude as it is an action. Choosing to faithfully give the first of your income to God shows that you have the right attitude and the right heart condition. You see God as your source and you trust that He will stand by His Word and liberally supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
God doesn't need our money. He simply wants our hearts. One of His greatest desires is to take care of us. He never wanted us to toil for a living. In His kingdom you supply your needs by sowing and reaping. You can't sow apple seeds and expect to see corn in August. That goes against the laws of nature. The same is in the Kingdom of God. You can't withhold your tithes and offerings from God and expect to see a harvest of money. It doesn't work. You will only reap what you sow. If you give in abundance and with a happy heart, God will give back to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together and RUNNING OVER! (Luke 6:38) You can never outgive God. I challenge you to study the verses in the Bible that show how God supplies your needs and then step out in faith begin to sow your financial seeds. Remember, it isn't the amount of the seed. It is the significance of it.
Blessings to you and your family!
Christy
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Root Problem With Stimulus Bills
I think one of the root problems with these stimulus bills is that it doesn't fix the underlying problems that got us here. Greed. Mismanagement of personal finances. Irresponsibility. Lack of accountability. People's belief that they are entitled to things.
If people's attitudes and belief systems don't change, we are going to be back in the same predicament when the money runs out. People who were irresponsible, overspent, and abused credit, are probably going to blow any tax credits or other kickbacks on more irresponsible spending.
I especially hate the idea that some people are going to get yearly rewards for paying their mortgage on time. The reward should be that you get to keep your house. As an adult you should be paying your bills on time without a reward. That's called being responsible. This type of "stimulus" is only encouraging those who are working the system instead of getting out there and working to make a living. In addition, those who need this "reward" to pay on time, will probably just short pay other bills to get this extra bonus the government is handing out.
Don't get me wrong. My heart goes out to the responsible people who lost a job or ran into medical issues that caused their bad financial situation. Those people should be helped by family, friends, local churches and ministries, etc. But, a massive stimulus program like these seem to reward the vast majority of people not in this category who carelessly throw their money around and think that because they breath air in our country it gives them a right to certain things. Even if they can't afford it.
The stimulus should be rewarding personal responsibility. This would then encourage others to become responsible so that they too could get the reward. It just seems like these stimulus bills are backwards.
If people's attitudes and belief systems don't change, we are going to be back in the same predicament when the money runs out. People who were irresponsible, overspent, and abused credit, are probably going to blow any tax credits or other kickbacks on more irresponsible spending.
I especially hate the idea that some people are going to get yearly rewards for paying their mortgage on time. The reward should be that you get to keep your house. As an adult you should be paying your bills on time without a reward. That's called being responsible. This type of "stimulus" is only encouraging those who are working the system instead of getting out there and working to make a living. In addition, those who need this "reward" to pay on time, will probably just short pay other bills to get this extra bonus the government is handing out.
Don't get me wrong. My heart goes out to the responsible people who lost a job or ran into medical issues that caused their bad financial situation. Those people should be helped by family, friends, local churches and ministries, etc. But, a massive stimulus program like these seem to reward the vast majority of people not in this category who carelessly throw their money around and think that because they breath air in our country it gives them a right to certain things. Even if they can't afford it.
The stimulus should be rewarding personal responsibility. This would then encourage others to become responsible so that they too could get the reward. It just seems like these stimulus bills are backwards.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Our New Identity
I believe that the way you see yourself affects how you handle your finances.
If you see yourself as never being able to make ends meet.
If you see yourself as destined for failure because of your past.
If you see yourself as not good enough.
Your actions will follow what you think. So, if you identify with the above statements, then your actions are most likely going to follow. But as Christians, we have a new identity that makes us more than conquerors. We know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We know that if we put God first He will take care of us. We know that God supplies all of our needs so we don't have to worry. When we identify with these statements, we are going to start acting as the victorious Christians we were meant to be. And, when we do this our lives will be an example to others who are struggling to find that same hope.
So, my question to you is . . . What are you identifying with?
If you aren't sure how God sees you, I invite you to visit my online study that I call "Living in the Overflow." Here's the link. http://www.overflowliving.com/Abundant_Prosperity_Study.html
Blessings!
Christy
www.OverflowLiving.com
If you see yourself as never being able to make ends meet.
If you see yourself as destined for failure because of your past.
If you see yourself as not good enough.
Your actions will follow what you think. So, if you identify with the above statements, then your actions are most likely going to follow. But as Christians, we have a new identity that makes us more than conquerors. We know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. We know that if we put God first He will take care of us. We know that God supplies all of our needs so we don't have to worry. When we identify with these statements, we are going to start acting as the victorious Christians we were meant to be. And, when we do this our lives will be an example to others who are struggling to find that same hope.
So, my question to you is . . . What are you identifying with?
If you aren't sure how God sees you, I invite you to visit my online study that I call "Living in the Overflow." Here's the link. http://www.overflowliving.com/Abundant_Prosperity_Study.html
Blessings!
Christy
www.OverflowLiving.com
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