Living by God’s Economic Plan (Part III)

Session 3: Sow, Now What?

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

But this I say, He that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor: his righteousness remains forever. Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) (2 Corinthians 9:6-10)

Today we are continuing a series that I am calling “Living by God’s Economic Plan (a Christian Response to the Global Economic “Crisis”)”. We are discussing the foundational truths of the Economic Plan that God has established and documented in His instruction manual, the Bible. We will be looking at what we see out in the world, and comparing it to what we see in God’s Word, and then putting into action the steps that God gives us to establish a sound fiscal policy within our own lives. Our last lesson was called In God We Trust (or Do We?), and we discussed three key points:

1. Money is the least area, the starting point, of living by faith.


2. How you view riches reveals where your heart is.


3. Trust in the Lord, and He will be your God.

We said if you haven’t given God your wallet, you haven’t given Him your heart! And we are about to find out why this is important to our study. Today we are ready to begin delving into the details of God’s Economic Plan. And you might be surprised that we are not going to talk about budgeting. How does God’s Economic Plan work? It’s all about the seeds that we sow. Let’s look at our opening verses from 2 Corinthians chapter 9, one step at a time:

But this I say, He that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

In this chapter the Apostle Paul was writing about giving for the ministering to the saints. And what happens after we sow? We reap. And what we reap is a direct result of what we sow. Did you know that you don’t need to watch somebody planting the seeds to know what they planted? All you need to do is look at what grows! If you see carrots, you know that they planted carrot seeds. Did you also know that you don’t need to see how much seed they sow? You just need to see how much grows. If someone reaps bountifully, you know that they sowed bountifully. If you see someone reaping sparingly, you know that they have been sowing sparingly. Now, I’m NOT talking about amassing money – there are many un-Godly people accumulating wealth, but also receiving leanness to their souls. But when we are living by God’s Economic Plan, we will see that what and how much we reap is a result of what and how much we sow.

Today’s Key Point Number 1 comes from verse 6: God gives to Givers! Let’s take a look at something Jesus stated along these lines:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38)

Again, God gives to Givers – as you measure it out, it will be measured out back to you. Do you want abundance? Give abundantly. Do you want to see the economic flow stop? Start hoarding what you have. But as we seek to live this principle, we need to be very aware of our next key point, as illustrated in the next verse from 2 Corinthians 9:

Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Here’s today’s Key Point Number 2: Motive is Everything!

Are you giving grudgingly, or out of obligation? You might as well keep your money. We are going to be blessed according as we purpose in our heart. I remember reading a book by Billy Graham, who tells of a time when he was speaking at a church, and an offering was taken. He had two bills in his pocket, a one dollar bill and a fifty dollar bill. He reached into his pocket thinking that he had the one dollar bill, and he had already thrown it into the basket when he realized that it was actually the fifty! Not wanting to reach back in for it, he let it go and later told his wife “well, at least I’ll get a fifty dollar blessing”. His wife immediately corrected him – “no, you intended to put in one dollar, so you will only get a one dollar blessing”. And she was right – we will reap according to how we purpose in our heart. Let’s look at one more verse on this topic:

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (unconditional love), it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Motive is Everything – are you giving out of a sense of obligation? Are you giving in hopes of getting something in return? Either way, it profits you nothing! We need to be givers out of Love – out of our love for God, and our love for others. Then and only then will our giving profit us.

We need to understand that God’s Economic Plan is in many ways opposite to Man’s. How do earthly Governments generate income? We call it Taxation – we could also call it taking other people’s money by threat of force. God’s plan works on a volunteer basis – He encourages us to give money with His promise of blessing! You may find it hard to believe, but I guarantee that God’s plan works! Yet few people are willing to put this truth into action. Why is that? Let’s look at the next verse from 2 Corinthians 9:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Let’s talk about the idea of “enough”. From verse 8 we see the promise of always having all sufficiency in all things. God promises that as we sow abundantly, as we sow cheerfully, he will make sure that we will have all sufficiency in all things, abounding to every good work. Man’s mindset says that when I have “enough”, then I will give. God’s system reverses it – God tells us to give, and in response He will make sure that we always have “enough”

Here’s today’s Key Point Number 3: God is enough, and more than enough! Here’s some more proof:

Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:15-19)

Here we see the true context of the promise that “my God shall supply all your need” – it is not a global, blanket statement, it is a promise directly related to the Philippians giving! And this is not an isolated promise:

Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase: So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Let me share a quick Testimony: for the past couple of months my wife and I have been shifting our mindset to match this teaching. We have always been faithful in tithing (giving 10% of our income to our local church – more on this in a future lesson), but it had been out of a sense of obligation, from the sense that it was a requirement. I actually used to think of tithing as “God’s tax”. I have always maintained a budget (which included 10% for tithing), but it was always a struggle to make ends meet. Since we changed our mindset, and began giving out of our love of God and not out of obligation, the windows of heaven have opened up – there has been a steady increase in income, in spite of the fact that my salary has been frozen. In fact, after our basement flooded at the end of February, and we were hit with some unexpected (and unbudgeted) bills to restore it, we were able to pay off all of those bills with cash – no insurance money, no borrowed money – we just paid the bills as they came in out of the new income that God provided.

As we honor the Lord through our giving, then he will make sure that we have enough, and more than enough. He will make sure that we have enough for ourselves, and more seed to keep the economy growing – look at how our verses in 2 Corinthians 9 conclude:

(As it is written, He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor: his righteousness remains for ever. Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) (2 Corinthians 9:9-10)

So, let’s do our part in God’s Economic Plan, sowing out of our love for God, trusting Him to be the one that supplies our needs, knowing that as we are sowing, we will have plenty to eat, and our seed shall be multiplied!

Join us for our next step in Living by God’s Economic Plan: The J.O.B.

If you have been blessed by this lesson, and would like to sow where you have been fed, you can make a tax deductible donation to Cornerstone Church using any of these methods:

1. To make a one time donation through PayPal, click here.


2. To Partner with us through a regular $25/month subscription through PayPal, click here.


3. To send a donation by check, mail it to:

Cornerstone Church
1433 N. Main Street
Naperville, IL 60563

Visit our main site at http://www.sharethelemonade.net/

Living by God’s Economic Plan (Part II)

Session 2: In God We Trust (or Do We?)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Today we are continuing a series that I am calling “Living by God’s Economic Plan (a Christian Response to the Global Economic “Crisis”)”. We are discussing the foundational truths of the Economic Plan that God has established and documented in His instruction manual, the Bible. We will be looking at what we see out in the world, and comparing it to what we see in God’s Word, and then putting into action the steps that God gives us to establish a sound fiscal policy within our own lives. Last Week’s Lesson was called When A Nation Worships Money, and we discussed three key points:

1. The LOVE of money is the root of ALL evil.


2. Christians need to LEAD the change.


3. Our thoughts need to be GOD'S thoughts.

God didn’t create us to worship money. God created us to worship Him. So, let’s start in on today’s lesson - do we worship God, or do we worship money? Do we trust in Him, or do we trust in our money, our job, our stock portfolio? Our opening verses from Proverbs tell us that we need to trust in the Lord with ALL of our heart, and NOT trust in our own understanding. Face it – if we COULD trust in our money, most people would think that they didn’t NEED God. But God wants us to trust in Him:

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:38-39)

God created us to live by faith – faith in Him. God wants us to trust in Him, and in His provision for us. So, how do we begin to live by faith? How do we begin to trust in the Lord? Let’s start in Luke chapter 16:

And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of you? give an account of your stewardship; for you may be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord takes away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much do you owe unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take your bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much do you owe? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take your bill, and write eighty. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 16:1-13)

There is a lot we can discuss in these verses, but I want to focus on Jesus’ summary. Note what Jesus states as he summarizes this parable about the unjust steward – “He that is faithful in that which is least”. How we use money, how we manage money, the “unrighteous mammon”, is the least area – the starting point, for our faithfulness! If we are not faithful in money, “who will commit to your trust the true riches”? Have you given this any thought? Do you think that you are living by faith if you are not trusting God in the area of money?

Let’s consider Jesus’ statement regarding “the true riches”. Are you trying to minister to people in the area of healing? Are you trying to trust God for the salvation for family members? And yet you don’t trust God to provide for your financial needs? This is backwards – Jesus says that if you are not faithful in the area of money, in that which is least, God won’t commit to your trust the true riches. If you are trusting in money for satisfying your financial needs, you will be serving money – you can’t serve God if your trust is in your money.

So, here’s today’s Key Point Number 1: Money is the LEAST AREA, the STARTING POINT, of living by faith. I am thinking of today’s lesson as “God’s Economics 101” – the simple introduction to God’s Economic Plan - , and this point is the first necessary concept that we need to understand and embrace before we can really get into the details of Living by God’s Economic Plan. Now let’s go a little deeper by looking at an experience from Jesus’ life:

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and said unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them said, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:17-27)

Let me start by clarifying something – Jesus wasn’t telling all of us that we need to sell all that we have in order to follow him. This was a specific instruction to reveal the state of this person’s heart. He went away grieved – and note that Jesus didn’t go running after him to apologize for offending him. The man made a choice – he trusted in his riches more than he was willing to trust in God. And we know this because this is how Jesus explained it - “how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God”. Again, the problem isn’t that he had riches – the problem was that riches had him! And it was his trust in riches that prevented him from entering in to the kingdom!

Here’s today’s Key Point Number 2: How you view riches REVEALS where your HEART is! Do you want proof of this? Let’s read what Jesus taught:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Where your treasure is, what you desire, what you store up, reveals where your heart is. It reveals who your God is – it is either God, or it is money, but it can’t be both. Let’s put it another way – if you haven’t given God your wallet, you haven’t given Him your heart! Just like we discussed last week, the problem is covetousness:

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. (Luke 12:15)

Let me summarize today’s lesson in this manner: God isn’t really interested in your money, He’s interested in your heart! Why? Because when He has your heart, He knows that you’ll have faith to trust in His promises for you. In the coming weeks we will be looking at the specific details of God’s Economic Plan, and you will see that all of it requires faith in Him – it is not going to line up with your natural understanding! Let’s take one last look at today’s opening verses, in their complete context:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones. Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase: So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine. (Proverbs 3:5-10)

Trust in the Lord with all your Heart – Honor the Lord with your substance, and your barns will be filled to overflowing. Key Point Number 3: TRUST in the Lord, and He will be your GOD!

Join us in the next lesson as we look at the next step: Sow, Now What?

Visit our main site at http://www.sharethelemonade.net

Living by God’s Economic Plan (Part I)

Session 1: When a Nation Worships Money

Today we are starting a series that I am calling “Living by God’s Economic Plan (a Christian Response to the Global Economic “Crisis”)”. In the coming weeks we will discuss the foundational truths of the Economic Plan that God has established and documented in His instruction manual, the Bible. We will be looking at what we see out in the world, and comparing it to what we see in God’s Word, and then putting into action the steps that God gives us to establish a sound fiscal policy within our own lives.

For starters, I want to discuss the current situation that our world is in today. Looking at the state of the U.S. economy today, one can easily wonder: “what happened?” America was prosperous, the stock market was climbing, and people were filling their garages with new cars, their homes with new high definition televisions, and other new “toys” and luxuries. Then it seemed like overnight the bottom dropped out. How could this drastic change take place? Well, let’s take a look at one of God’s truths:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7-8)

So, we see that we simply reap what we sow – a simple law of cause and effect. What can we expect when a nation is focused on seeking, acquiring, consuming, and accumulating “stuff”? What happens when a nation worships money? Let’s try this scenario out for size:

• People, seeking ways to accumulate large amounts of money quickly, start using the stock market like a slot machine, seeking to hit it big on the new hot stock. Instead of “investing” in the stock market, diversifying and seeking long term growth, they start buying and selling stocks based on every tip, whim, or news event that comes along.


• Companies, seeking to please the fickle “investors”, need to turn a quick profit and start buying from the lowest cost suppliers (i.e., from overseas) without concern for what the impact might be on their nation as a whole. As a result, their manufacturing jobs have been sent to fuel another nation’s economy, at the expense of their own.


• The resulting short term profits please the “investors”, stock prices begin to rise, and people are encouraged to borrow money at low interest rates to invest in more stocks, since they are told that the stock market returns will more than make up for the rate of interest they need to pay.


• Companies now need new ways to please the fickle “investors” and start sending their engineering and technology based jobs overseas, again fueling those nations’ economy instead of their own.


• More and more people start finding themselves either out of work or taking lower paying jobs than they had, and start spending less money, making the economy “nervous”.


• Fortunately (or so it seems at the time), the nation’s government can step in and “encourage” banks and other financial institutions to make it easier for people to borrow more money, through higher interest credit cards and through borrowing more money on their homes than the people can afford to pay back.


• Banks profit from this for a while, as people are paying them interest on the loans and credit cards. But eventually reality sets in, and people without enough income start reaching the point that they can’t pay off their debt. And then what happens?


• Lawyers start encouraging people that are buried in debt to declare bankruptcy – after all, they deserve a new start, they were only victims of the big bad credit card companies and banks. After all, bankruptcy laws have made it legal for people not to pay for the things that they have acquired (a.k.a. stealing).


• Debt relief companies start encouraging people that are buried in debt to hire them to re-negotiate a lower settlement for them, because they “know the rules that the credit card companies don’t want you to know”. After all, you can often negotiate a lower payment to a company if you threaten to declare bankruptcy (a.k.a. extortion).


• Banks are then left with either no money in return for their loan, less money in return for their loan, or having to foreclose on mortgages on homes that people are unable to pay for. The result is a banking industry in distress, and unable to extend more credit, the same credit that was artificially fueling this nation’s economy in the first place.


• With no new credit, people have no choice but to stop buying, so the housing market is flooded with mortgaged homes that people can’t or won’t buy. The automobile market has more inventory than buyers, so their suppliers suddenly have no demand for their supplies. And all other industries take a hit, as people are forced to stop spending money.


• Companies that were able to use the tool of short term cost cutting to produce the profit that the fickle “investors” were seeking are now hit with a double whammy – they hit the limit of what costs they can cut, AND they no longer have buyers for their goods and services.


• And the stock market that was riding high during the boom that was artificially and temporarily fueled by the exporting of jobs and the infusion of borrowed money is going to have to take a nose dive as borrowed money can no longer support it.

Have I over simplified all of this? Probably. Do I have the benefit of 20/20 hindsight on this? Definitely. But I believe that it is easy to see that as this nation continues to worship money, this nation will continue to reap economic troubles. When people worship money, they seek self gratification, even at the expense of, or without any regard for, what the impact on their neighbors is. When a nation worships money, you have a nation out of control. Every man does what seems right in his own eyes.

This nation’s economy has been one fueled by covetousness – a lust to “get it all, and get it now” – borrow money now, get your stuff now, and don’t worry about the fact that you’ll end up paying for the stuff two or three time over as you make your interest payments. Do you know what covetousness really is? Let’s read what the Bible calls it:

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: (Colossians 3:4-6)

Covetousness, which is idolatry! Covetousness takes our eyes off of God. Covetousness results in us worshipping money, worshipping stuff, and sometimes even worshipping the jobs we have that produce the money and the things. What does that Bible tell us that the root of all evil is? The Bible starts its discussion on this as it discusses godliness - let’s read:

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 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 6:3-10)

So let’s summarize this as today’s Key Point Number 1: The LOVE of money is the root of ALL evil. Note that money in itself is neither good nor evil. It is simply a tool, available to be used in any manner. But when we let the love of money rule our lives, it is this covetousness that will produce all evil. Coveting after money, not money itself, will cause us to err from the faith, and produce many sorrows.

There is an answer for this nation, and that answer isn’t going to come from Congress. That answer isn’t going to come from the Supreme Court. And that answer isn’t going to come from the White House, or from some gathering of world economic leaders. After all, what solutions do you hear offered up in the news each day? “Let’s bail out the banking industry so that people can borrow more money again.” Let’s keep throwing money at the problem (money that we as a nation have to borrow), in hopes that it will get people spending again.

No, the real answer to this and every other situation that human beings will ever find themselves in has to come from the original source: the God who created us humans, the God who created this world in the first place. We are going to have to start living according to God’s Economic Plan, if we are going to have a healthy, prosperous nation. And where does this change need to start?

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Do you see this? We need to realize that if we want our land, our nation, to be healed, we as God’s people must turn from our wicked ways. The reason this nation has been able to get as far away from God’s Economic Plan as it has is because God’s people have not been living by it. So how will it turn around? Here’s today’s Key Point Number 2: Christians need to lead the change.

And this is the primary reason that we are embarking on this series on Living by God’s Economic Plan. Pointing out what God’s Economic Plan IS NOT is quite easy – all we need to do is watch or listen to the world’s media to see what isn’t working. Turning it around is going to be a bit more difficult. Why? Because it is going to require us to think and live in a way that goes counter to the natural way of thinking:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

The world’s ways and the world’s will are the things that we need to be transformed from. God’s good, and acceptable and perfect will is what we truly need. And God’s will is that we DO prosper, and the Bible is His primary tool for teaching this to us:

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Here is today’s Key Point Number 3: Our thoughts need to be God’s thoughts. And God’s thoughts are for our prosperity!

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. (Isaiah 55:6-13)

Today’s lesson has been simply an introduction. In the coming weeks we will look at specific aspects and instructions from God’s Word that we all can apply to our lives as we endeavor to live by God’s economic plan. So, let’s spend this coming week renewing our mind, and searching our hearts to see who we are worshipping – are we seeking money, or are we seeking God? Are we making decisions based on human, natural logic, or are we making them based on God’s truths? Realize that the first step in Living by God’s Economic Plan it that you will have to accept and live the plan!

Join us next week as we take the next step: “In God We Trust (or Do We?)”.

Visit our main site at http://www.sharethelemonade.net

That Settles It!

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: (Hebrews 6:17-18)

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it”? I believe that we all need to be a little careful about the middle part of that phrase. I prefer to state it this way: “God said it, and that settles it”! Whether or not we believe it has no bearing on the truth of anything God says. If God said it, then it is true, end of discussion. The Bible tells us that it is impossible for God to lie, so that really needs to be the most important step in everything that we think and do – what did God say about it? Let’s take a look at Abraham for a moment:

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (Romans 4:20-21)

So then, how does our belief fit in? Our belief doesn’t affect the truth of what God has stated, but it will affect whether or not we walk in and prosper from His truth. Consider gravity for a moment. Whether or not you believe in gravity has no effect on whether or not gravity works. Let me ask a question: if someone sincerely believes that there is no such thing as gravity, will they start floating around? Of course not – gravity still has its hold on you whether you believe it or not. However, if you allow your belief that there is no gravity to lead you into stepping off of a mountain, your belief WILL have a major impact in your life (or in ending it).

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32)

Face it – the world is full of lies. Our adversary is the father of lies. If we don’t immerse ourselves in God’s truth we will fall prey to the deceiver. Keep in mind – it’s not just knowledge. It’s not just belief. It’s having that one on one personal relationship with God through Jesus that gives us abundant life.

You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19)

So what is the main point for today’s lesson? God has given us an entire Bible full of promises and truths for how he works and for how we can be blessed. The more we get those truths into our belief system, the better chance we have of walking in God’s blessings. Or let’s put it another way – the more we get our belief system synchronized with God’s truths, the better off we will be. So let’s start renewing our mind by learning or reminding ourselves of some of God’s promises: So, what do ya need?

Wisdom:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given to him. (James 1:5)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: I will guide you with my eye. (Psalms 32:8)

For God gives to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. (Proverbs 2:6-7)

Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom. (Psalms 51:6)

Finances:

But you shall remember the LORD your God: for it is he that gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore unto your fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)

For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. (Psalms 9:18)

He that trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. (Proverbs 11:28)

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent. (Proverbs 28:20)

Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. (Psalms 41:1)

Healing:

For I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds, says the LORD; (Jeremiah 30:17)

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

And you shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless your bread, and your water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of you. (Exodus 23:25)

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:14-16)

Deliverance from Sin:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. (Romans 6:6-7)

Likewise reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11)

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Help:

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all. (Psalms 34:19)

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me: you shall stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand shall save me. (Psalms 138:7)

There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. (Psalms 91:10-11)

Well, that’s enough for today. Let’s get and keep God’s word in our minds, in our hearts, and active in our lives. Let’s continue to get our belief systems in sync with God’s truth.

Visit our main site at http://www.sharethelemonade.net

Visit Our Christian Resource Store