How one woman’s courage saved a nation
Continue readingEsther 4:14
What Is A Financial Windfall?
And how do you steward it?
Continue readingHave We Entered A Golden Age?
Last week, I was chatting with a friend who said, “We’re entering a Golden Age of Wealth, but the trick is… will we hold on to it?”
I’ve talked about this before, but the Test of Wealth is not for the faint of heart.
The Test of Wealth happens when we experience unexpected increase. The amount doesn’t have to be massive, but it is unexpected. For instance…
… Someone living on bread crumbs could see $1,000 as a life-changing windfall.
The test is: How do we handle these blessings? Do we squander God’s gifts, or do we steward them well?
I’ve mentioned this before: 70% of one generation’s wealth is lost between the first and second generations. That number jumps to 90% in the hands of the third generation.
Knowing this, how will you increase what God gives you? Will you hand anything to the next generation? And the one after that?
Joseph as an Example
As I write this, I can’t help but think of Joseph. For those unfamiliar, Joseph was a Hebrew who became second-in-command of Egypt, serving directly under Pharaoh.
Through a vision God gave him, Joseph knew a famine was coming. He even had the timeline:
seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.
Joseph had seven years to steward the nation’s wealth and prepare for survival. He immediately set to work, collecting grain from all the Egyptians.
What happened? Joseph saved so much grain that he not only preserved Egypt but also most of the known world, including the Hebrew people.
Now, let’s assume these next four years are Golden. That’s exciting! But…
… what will you do to steward like Joseph?
- How much will you save?
- Who will you pour into?
- Where will you invest?
It’s possible we’re heading into a season of prosperity. But it’s also plausible we face some shakeups in the economy.
I’m not predicting doom and gloom, but I am saying:
Keep your eyes open. Stay alert.
God is opening up a new season of possibility. But will we increase what He gives us?
That’s the Test of Wealth.
I pray that ALL OF US pass it.
The Bible and Giving
There’s a lot to unpack.
Continue readingMoney Is Not Evil
Jesus taught His followers that money was a powerful tool. Stewarded well, it could accomplish great deeds. But used poorly, it could result in colossal damage.
Because of how harmful wealth can be, many Christians shy away from it. They see wealth as a necessary evil, a resource that must be managed for survival, nothing more.
It’s understandable to view money with caution because so many people, ministries, and countries have been destroyed by it. But Prosperous Souls realize that money is not the problem. Our hearts toward it is. Consider this verse:
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. — 1 Timothy 6:10 (CWS)
Notice that this passage warns about the love of money, not money itself. Wealth in itself is not bad. Used righteously, it can serve God’s purposes. The goal is to keep money out of a place of idolatry, where it becomes a stumbling block.
The Importance of Stewardship
In Luke 16:11, Jesus said, “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” God desires to entrust us with eternal riches, but the precursor test comes in the form of physical riches. Will we pass this exam and receive God’s superior blessings?
Your homework
Recognize that money is not evil, only the worship of it is. God is the Giver of all wealth, so don’t be shy or intimidated when He blesses you. Use money as a resource to serve His vision. Increase what He has given you and believe that He will entrust you with more. Pray this over yourself:
Father, please shower Your favor and blessings upon me, more than I can contain. Let me steward well the excess and overflow You are entrusting to me. And in whatever season I find myself, let me walk humbly before Your eyes always. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.