The Adventure of Faith and Finances

Sunday a.m. Service:  July 16,

                         Position

The Lord created everything. Adam sinned and turned his dominion over to satan,          (Luke 4:6-7)

 Jesus came and defeated satan and turned the dominion back to the triumphant church, (Colossians 2:13-15, and Matthew 16:19).

a.     Psalm 50:10,12  “the world is mine” (God’s)

b.    Psalm 24:1 “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof”

c.     Haggai 2:8 “The silver, and gold is mine” (Lord of Hosts)

d.    Colossians 1:12-13 “ Hath translated us in His kingdom”

e.     I John 4:4 “have overcome them” (powers of darkness)

                 Proof through Practice

*If you get any revelation from God, check it in line with the Word. Share your revelation with those over you who are more mature. Then put it into practice for yourself before you start presenting it to others.

a.      James 1:22 “be doers of the word, not hearers only”

b.     Colossians 1:27 “Christ in you”

c.     I Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things”

d.     Isaiah 1:19 “willing and obedient… eat the good of the land’

                           Prosperity

*the Greek word translated “prosper” or “prospereth” in 3 John 2 and I Corinthians 16:2 is “euodoo”. It literally means a good road or a good journey. In this text it means to have a good and prosperous journey.

a.      Psalm 118:25 “O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity”

b.     Psalm 1:3 “whatsoever he doeth shall prosper”

c.     2 Chronicles 26:5 “ as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper”

d.     3 John 2 “that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”

                          Priorities

*Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you, (Matthew 6:33). It is God’s will for those who do His will to have abundance or more than enough! Our focus must be on the Lord and giving, (Luke 6:38).

      a.      Malachi 3:10-12 “ the whole  tithe into the storehouse, that there be meat in my house”

1.     Tithing is linked to prosperity.

2.     Tithing began by faith (Abraham: Genesis 14:20 to Melchizedek, a type of Christ) 400 years before the law.

3.     An abundance of increase. The open windows of heaven.

4.     Protecting our goods. He rebukes the devourer

5.     Meat (provision) in God’s storehouse. Tithing to the local church.

6.     The local church is the base for caring for the saints (Galatians 6:6, I Corinthians 16:1-2) and for other outreaches.

7.     Other ministries should be supported by offerings and other forms of financial support that come from individuals and churches.

                Partnership with God

*We should live in expectancy, believing God to honor His word and to bless us and prosper us!

1.     Luke 6:38 “give and it shall be given to you”.

2.     I Corinthians 13:3 “having agape”. Motives are important.

3.      2 Corinthians 9:6 He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”

4.     Wealth alone is not a sign of spirituality. Other blessings are peace, godliness, the fear of the Lord, family and health. See Proverbs 10:22, 15:16, 16:8 and 28:6. Balance and sound teaching are needed.