Hey Cornerstone!
I usually give a hand out when I share the Word with you, but today's message was so packed with notes that it would have taken 2 full pages. So, here they are! May God bless you and give you wisdom as you follow His plan!
GOD'S PLAN FOR FINANCIAL BLESSING
TWO STATEMENTS FROM JESUS
“Jesus said, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’” Luke 12:15 (NIV)
“‘I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain eternal friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and Money.’” Luke 16:9-13 (NIV)
MONEY IS A TOOL AND A TEST
MANAGING MONEY IS A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
8 HABITS FOR FINANCIAL BLESSING
1. I must trust God as my source and supply
“Everything comes from God; everything exists by his power; and everything is intended for his glory.” Rom. 11:36 (NLT)
“Always remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability TO PRODUCE WEALTH.” Deut. 8:18 (NIV)
“Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed.” Pr. 16:3 (NLT)
2. I must do my work as an act of worship
God blesses planning.“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” Pr. 21:5 (NLT)
God blesses initiative.“Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Pr. 10:4 (NIV)
God blesses integrity.“The Lord demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard.” Pr. 16:11 (NLT)
God blesses focus.“Hard work brings prosperity; only fools waste time chasing fantasies.” Pr. 12:11 (NLT)
God blesses persistence.“Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; but wealth from hard work grows.” Pr. 13:11 (NLT)
3. Keep good records.
“Riches can disappear fast... so watch your business interests closely. Know the state of your flocks and herds.” Pr. 27:23-24 (LB)
“On the first day of every week put aside some of what you have earned during the week, and use it for the offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn.” 1 Cor. 16:2 (LB)
4. Give the first ten percent back to God.
“Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns … to overflow!” Pr. 3:9-10 (LB)
“The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.” Deut. 14:23 (LB)
“‘Bring to My Storehouse a full tenth of what you earn... Test me in this,’ says the Lord. ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the blessings you need.’” Mal. 3:10 (NCV)
5. Save and invest for the future
“The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.” Pr. 21:20 (LB)
“Money that comes easily disappears quickly, but money that is gathered little by little will grow.” Pr. 13:11 (NCV)
“Develop your business first before building your house.” Pr. 24:27 (NLT)
6. You set up a repayment plan to get yourself out of debt
“Don't withhold repayment of your debts.” Pr. 3:27 (LB)
“Let no debt remain outstanding.” Rom. 13:8 (NIV)
7. Budget your spending.
“Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough.” Pr. 21:5 (TEV)
“The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.” Pr. 10:16 (NLT)
“... stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.” Pr. 21:20b (TEV)
8. I must enjoy what I have
“It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to always be wanting something else.” Eccl. 6:9 (TEV)
“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them.” 1 Tim. 6:18 (NLT)
What most people do: The order God blesses:
1. Spend it 1. Dedicate it to God
2. Worry about it 2. Tithe it
3. Repay it 3. Save & Invest it
4. Save it 4. Repay it
5. Give it 5. Enjoy it
“Don’t worry…Your heavenly Father already knows what you need, and He will give it to you IF you give him first place in your life AND live as he wants you to.” Mt. 6:31-33 (LB)