Fellowship of World Christians 'Working Together in Union with Christ'
How do you get to the place of prospering by giving when you have bills bills bills!!!
Morning all,
I was reading my daily devotional and there was something on prospering by giving. The daily devotional explained that our sources of income are not designed to prosper us, our giving is what prospers.
I am 100% for tithing. I have started increasing my faith in terms of sowing first fruits, thanks giving offerings and generally partnering in different situations. You know the one thing that gets me though- is getting to that place where the bills havent gobbled up all that precious seed.
I treat my tithe like a bill, it comes off first, it is a necessity. Then come all the necessaries ie BILLS, which are unvoidable because I have used the service and I know even our Father wants us to be good stewards. But what happens when the bills have gobbled all that precious seed up?
So the question is do you sacrifice some of those bills in order to put seed in the ground?
I was reading my daily devotional and there was something on prospering by giving. The daily devotional explained that our sources of income are not designed to prosper us, our giving is what prospers.
I am 100% for tithing. I have started increasing my faith in terms of sowing first fruits, thanks giving offerings and generally partnering in different situations. You know the one thing that gets me though- is getting to that place where the bills havent gobbled up all that precious seed.
I treat my tithe like a bill, it comes off first, it is a necessity. Then come all the necessaries ie BILLS, which are unvoidable because I have used the service and I know even our Father wants us to be good stewards. But what happens when the bills have gobbled all that precious seed up?
So the question is do you sacrifice some of those bills in order to put seed in the ground?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by SteveO on -
I believe that god always gives us opportunities to prosper and the tools to create wealth ie: more seed. Too many Christians wait for God to bring a miracle and piles of money to them to meet their needs. I think that we have a brain, eyes ears and the guidance of the holy spirit to show us the way. We just need to trust that if we put Him first and commit our ways to him our steps will be ordered.
I have recently joined a business (which has 2 Christian CEO's incidentally) which is not only creating wealth for me and my family but is helping families become debt free and financially independent. We live in a country with £1.4 trillion of personal debt, people need educating on how to manage their money, invest wisely and have a written plan to get out of debt. If anyone would like to know more about how they can learn the same and genuinely make an extra £500-£1500 per month on part time basis by helping people, then let feel free to contact me.
Sometimes Pastors spend too much time preaching that you get out of debt by tithing or giving 'sacrificial' offerings which in many cases just gets their congregation in more debt and even further from prosperity rather than teaching practical steps on how to get out of debt by restructuring your payment etc..
Please don't get me wrong.. I believe strongly in giving (as you purpose in your heart and as the Lord leads) and I believe that you reap what you sow. I just feel that sometimes a more practical method and a good financial education is the answer along with using the tools, gifts and opportunities that God gave us.
Just my opinion.. :-)
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Permalink Reply by SteveO on
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An excellent point.. The great thing about the business I am involved in is that it doesn't matter what age you are, what colour, what sex etc.. it is available to anyone who wants it (as long as they are eligible to work in the UK and not on an international student visa for example) There are many people involved that are over 65. Unfortunately it is a fact that 95% of people in this country get to 65 and are dead broke or still working. Our company is trying to change that through educating people financially and give people their dreams back.
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Permalink Reply by Tolu on -
Be real with God If you have issues or worries with or about money, go to your heavenly father and tell it like it is - Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:6 If you are giving but giving grudgingly then you are not pleasing God or yourself - For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. Psalm 51:15-18 Let God help you and heal you from past issues, allow the Word to dwell in you richly so you can learn and understand the principles of giving. When those issues are dealt with then give in faith, give cheerfully and keep giving according to your faith.
Look after your family also, God expects you to take care of your family's needs. If you have urgent bills to pay or kids to feed look after those issues first. Just apply wisdom and go to God in prayer for all your needs... he always provides.
Back to the original question: do you sacrifice some of those bills in order to put seed in the ground? My personal opinion; I don't believe in giving God money that is owed to someone else. I don't believe in giving God's money to someone else. It is bad business to mix money for different accounts like that. That in my book is desperation for money and not desperation for God. If we seek God's kingdom first then all other things will be added to us. And like Jesus also said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matt 22:21 Some bills are luxuries, perhaps its best to forgo things (for a season) like cable TV, magazine subscriptions or DVD rentals so you can have more money to give.
May God give us all the wisdom to activate His promises to us.
Shalom
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Permalink Reply by Tayo Richards on -
Truly inspiring!
I was particularly interested in the last paragraph because most of what you have said confirms what I already know. Sometimes I can be a bit direct about how I do things (I refuse to be pressured or intimidated, even in Church) and I just wanted to ensure that I wasnt bordering on rebellion.
Thanks Tolu!!
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Permalink Reply by SteveO on
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Doesn't 100% belong to God when we give our lives to Him? So by the above logic you should give everything in the offering and not pay any bills! We do not '"owe" God! If we did then it means he died for us conditionally and as we know His love in unconditional s I dont really agree with the "Give God what is Gods" statement as above... It is all HIs!!! As far as I am concerned, if you are just giving God 10% on a Sunday... by the above logic you are robbing Him of the other 90%!!
I also do not believe that God wants us to "sacrifice or suffer" He wants us to prosper, bless and be blessed. Sure if luxuries take you focus away from God then yes, dont have them but God wants us to prosper in every way including financially. He has given us all the tools we need to do so.. If we have not got enough money to give in the offering and pay our bills then maybe we should use the wisdom and the tools he gave us to make more money so we can 'afford' it?
Controversial?!? LOL Just my opinion :-)
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Permalink Reply by Tolu on
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Not so controversial. I think we're all saying the say thing but in different ways. My replies were in response to the following question: do you sacrifice some of those bills in order to put seed in the ground? I interpreted this when I answered as meaning: should a person not pay their bills when they have the money to do so, but instead use it, to pay their tithes or increase their tithes & offerings, therefore reap the promises (more of the promises) that comes as a result of tithing.
Yes everything we are and have belongs to God, we 'owe' it all to Him. What I was stressing was that God expects you to pay your bills. Perhaps 'owed' was the wrong word to use in this case, I meant money dedicated or allocated for a certain purpose should be used as intended. If I have the money to pay my gas bill, I'll pay it otherwise I'll be stealing by withholding money for a service I've used.
God wants us to prosper in every way and He has blessed us with the power to get wealth. Learning how to save money is a way of creating more money. A farmer will save some of the seed from the harvest for the next season of sowing. The richest people don't spend all their money because they can afford to, they are also wise enough to hold some back to save and/or reinvest it. Everything must be done in balance.
Money is a resource that should not be wasted. Management of resources: financial management, time management etc plays an key part in our experience of God's blessings and life in general.
My emphasis is that we should learn to manage our finances and above all to always see God as the source of our every provision and be led by His Holy Spirit.
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Permalink Reply by Tolu on
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Sorry, I accidentally deleted this reply and I can't remember what I wrote now or if I stored it somewhere. D'oh!! If anyone happens to have made a copy of it I'd be happy if you could send it to my faithbook inbox. Have a blessed day people.
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Permalink Reply by Tolu on
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Some Food For Thought By Minister Craige G. Lewis
The EX Daily Word for March 11, 2008
www.exministries.com
©2008 G. Craige Works All Rights Reserved
Praying his will
Matt. 6:25 "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life-whether
you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more
than food and clothing?
Why are so many believers always praying for money? Our focus should
not always be
our bills or driving a nice car, but our focus should be moving up
the Spiritual ranks in God. We get so side tracked sometimes worrying
about bills and money, when God is trying to make us understand our
position in him. If we trust in him and know who we are, we should
began to pray his will and spend our intimate time with him praying his
will instead of our agendas. You see, the bible never taught us to
pray for money because we should work jobs for that. The bible never
told
us to pray for food and shelter, because he has already promised that.
So, we waste our time and effort focusing on things that are already
promised. When you pray, pray the will of God. Use your position of
power
to change someone's life, to set someone in order and to lead someone
to Christ. Once you realize the position God has given you, you will
realize that the world needs you and what God put into you. Get
focused on the things that are important to God and you will receive
the natural things effortlessly.
Many churches and preachers have trained us to worry! They'll have
prayer
lines for people that need money, they'll constantly tell people that
their financial miracle is on the way, and they'll make you feel bad
when
you don't have the finer things in life. Sure we all want good things,
but THAT CANNOT BE OUR FOCUS! Our prayers should not be about money!
That is a slap in the face to God because he said if you need money,
work a job! God gave us formulas to get things but many men are
using their own formulas to sell books and videos instead of pushing
the truth of the Word! It's easy to write the 7 steps to this and the
5 steps to that in a book and sell it, but those are the steps it took
for the author to do it. God's formula is in the bible and it will
never change. Give and it shall be given! Seek and you will find!
Knock and it will be opened! Obey God and you will eat the fat of the
land. By the sweat of thy brow, will you work to provide food and
shelter.
The bible is simple and yet man makes it very hard to follow at
times because they feel that there is so much that God didn't tell us.
Well, I got news for you today! God finished the work on Calvary and
your blessing, your breakthrough, and your miracle is already performed
for you. The day you give your heart to him and live right before him
is the day that you receive everything that he has promised you! You
don't need steps, you don't need counseling, and you don't need
conferences! All you need is a personal relationship with him and to
live like he said live. Your prayers should be about his power, his
plan
and his will being manifest in the earth, not money, clothes and
shelter!
Don't insult God, but follow his plan. Seek him first and he will
add the things that belong to you.
Suggested Reading: Ex. 19:5, Jer. 11:4, Psa. 37:4 , Prov. 12:2, Matt
6:33
Food For Thought
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Permalink Reply by Babs on -
Good morning brother.
Thanks for asking a question which affects all of us , God knows in the past I've been in situations where I look at my pay slip and look at the crucial bills I have for the month and say, "God will understand that its in my heart to pay this month but I need to pay this or I could end up in trouble".
however now my view is different and more practical:
I view my Tithes like its my most important payement, more important than my bills. Because, God dosent personally write to me with a "last demand for payment letter" for my unpaid tithes or personally scold me If I miss it, dosent mean i should take the liberties of spending money that belongs to God and his house.
The bible says: "God owns everything including my money earned and he has just put me in charge as an oversear of his money". See, I like to view God as my business partner whose grace allows me to have a job and get paid every month. So as a business partner I pay him his 10% every time; WE get paid. Lastly we live in the UK where you CAN juggle bills, Utility companies and creditors are always understanding and do offer us the benefit of making part payements towards are bills so its not impossible to miss a full bill payement every now and then as long as you make sure you pay something and promise to pay a certain amount next month......
and inconclusion without trying to be controversial Tithes means you are investing in God, so maybe you should invest in God by making sure you never miss Tithes and offerings and INVEST in yourself by bettering yourself and thereby giving yourself an opportunity to seek a better paid job which pays you more money..... Trust and pray in God and INVEST in yourself and he WILL grant that wish. God bless us amen!
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Permalink Reply by Jinae di Nisci on -
No, you talk yo your service providers (mortgage, gas etc) to pay smaller amounts over a longer period for a while or instead of paying a gas bill all in one go, make an arrangement to pay in two or three instalments instead and what's left, give to someone who NEEDS and QUALIFIES for that help. Eg Your gas bill is £150. You have £150. You ask the gas board to let you pay half now and half on another date. That leaves you with £75 to give to someone (or several people in need). OR to spend to buy something someone needs eg shoes, a warm coat etc. Trust me when i tell you that by doing this, it will be returned to you several times over BUT only if you are giving for giving's sake not because you want the multiplication or you will lose. By the way, tithing is what you owe God anyway so it is not "special" as such. Giving extra on top of the standard tithe is what will also bring in great rewards as you're not giving him 10% of what is yours. you're keeping 90% of what is his. It may also be an idea to look at your bills and think of ways you can economise. One help is to line the wall behind radiators with foil so they reflect the heat back into the room and instead of having heating up high for short bursts, have it on a low heat continuously. I Hope this helps. x
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Permalink Reply by Kurt on -
Pray and Prioritize!
I have friends and family that occasionally come to me concerned about their financial situation and I remind them they still have cable in their house or apartment. When we continuously strive to prioritize, we spend our time doing more important things and find we can live without things like cable television and other trivial things in our lives.
Blessings and Prayers!
Kurt
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