Be relevant in your work place & be debt

KINGS MINISTRY

When God sent Christ to earth – He placed Him in the home of a business man (Joseph)

Jesus’ cousin ‘John the Baptist was placed in the home of a priest.

When Jesus called his team together, He did not go to the temple and choose people that where already priests or involved in the work of the temple.  Jesus chose business people from the community to impact their workplace and brings transformation to society.   

·      Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen. Jesus used their boats to travel in ministry, and their nets to catch food and pay taxes.

·      Mathew was a tax collector, when on His calling was immediately asked to bring his co-workers together for a meal. At this point they all heard the Message of Christ. Luke 5:29. 

·      Simon the Zealot was in all likelihood a mercenary, and had influence in the community.

·      Brothers of Jesus where carpenters in their fathers business.  Matt 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? Possibly their business where dedicated to God and used for the extension of the Kingdom.  

·      We know James was saved, and went on to leadership in the Jerusalem church (Gal. 1:19). 

Revelation 1:6   “and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-- to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”

Gen 14:18  “and Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High.”

Priests and Kings  -  not only the church leaders – but all the believers, have the anointing.

We refer to ones who called to business as Kings and the ones called to church and missions as priests.

Kings and Priests include all the body of Christ.

Generally Priests’ minister in the temple (Samuel)

Generally Kings finance the temple work (David)

Priests bring the vision; kings bring the provision.

Christ's statements on business

To balance our perspective on business, the Lord made a number of insightful remarks. 

1.     Business can make you too busy for the kingdom (Matt. 22:1-10) 

2.     When Jesus calls, you are to follow, whether taking it with you, or leaving it behind (Luke 14:12-24) 

3.     Repentance touches every part of your life, including your business. It caused Zacchaeus to repay all his fraudulent tax collections (Luke 19:1-10) 

4.     We are judged by our use of unrighteous mammon, and our handling of that determines our trustworthiness with spiritual authority (Luke 16:1-3)  

5.     Mammon is 'the least' thing, and true wealth is in heaven. We must be sure as we serve in the world, that we are not serving the world (Matt. 6:24)  

6.     Pay your taxes honestly. Render to the government what belongs to them, and render to God what belongs to him (Matt. 22:15-21) 

7.     Take what resources you have been given, and maximize your return from them.  Don't bury your talents (Matt. 25:14-30) 

8.     “Do business till I come" Luke 19:13

 

 

PROMISES of GOD for Business

1. 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.

2. Deuteronomy 8:18 But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day.

3. Proverbs 3:5-10 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths. Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones. Honour Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase: So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

4. Deuteronomy 28:1-6 It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to the voice of Yahweh your God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you this day, who Yahweh your God will set you on high above all the nations of the earth: and all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you shall listen to the voice of Yahweh your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your animals, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading-trough. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

5. Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers; But his delight is in Yahweh's law; On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
6. Proverbs 16:3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh, And your plans shall succeed.

7.  Proverbs 24:3-4 Through wisdom a house is built; By understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all rare and beautiful treasure.

8. Job 36:11 If they listen and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

9. Deuteronomy 28:8 Yahweh will command the blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you put your hand to; and he will bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.

10. Colossians 4:1 Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

11. Deuteronomy 28:11-13 Yahweh will make you plenteous for good, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers to give you. Yahweh will open to you his good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand: and you shall lend to many nations, and you shall not borrow. Yahweh will make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath; if you shall listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do [them],

12. Matthew 6:33 But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

13. 1 Kings 2:2-3 I am going the way of all the earth: be you strong therefore, and show yourself a man; and keep the charge of Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, [and] his commandments, and his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself.

14. 1 Chronicles 2:2-3 Dan, Joseph, and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The sons of Judah: Er, and Onan, and Shelah; which three were born to him of Shua's daughter the Canaanitess. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh; and he killed him.

15. Deuteronomy 11:14-15 that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, and your new wine, and your oil. I will give grass in your fields for your cattle, and you shall eat and be full.

16. Psalms 128:2 For you will eat the labour of your hands. You will be happy, and it will be well with you.

17. Job 22:24-25 Lay your treasure in the dust, The gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. The Almighty will be your treasure, Precious silver to you.

18. Isaiah 30:23 He will give the rain for your seed, with which you shall sow the ground; and bread of the increase of the ground, and it shall be fat and plenteous. In that day shall your cattle feed in large pastures;

19. Psalms 107:38 He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. He doesn't allow their cattle to decrease.

20. Isaiah 65:21-23 They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for calamity; for they are the seed of the blessed of Yahweh, and their offspring with them.

21. Psalms 112:3 Wealth and riches are in his house. His righteousness endures forever.

22. Proverbs 8:18-19 With me are riches, honour, Enduring wealth, and prosperity. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; My yield than choice silver.

REVIVAL THROUGH THE MARKET PLACE

Acts 6:8  “and Steven, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people”

Most of the revivals in the world were led by Kings.

• Moses            Exodus 32-33
• David              2 Sam. 6
• Jehosaphat   2 Chron. 20
• Hezekiah       2 Chron. 29-31
• Josiah                        2 Chron. 34-35
• Nehemiah     Neh. 8-10
• Stephen         Acts 6

Luke 19:13 “..do business till I come”

• Abraham        Business man,  cattle rancher, land owner, investor in silver & gold           - Gen.13
• Joseph           Successful & prosperous, second in command & ruler over all Egypt & manager of a vast ware housing system. Gen. 39:4, 41:40, 41:48
• Moses                        Business man, raised in royalty, shepherd, leader of Israel & strategist.  Ex. 2:5, 3:1, 3: 15
• Peter, James & John            Fishermen
• Paul                Tent Maker

Charles Wesley said:    “The world is my parish.”  

He was criticized for taking the message outside the church.

Your workplace is a place to honor God and serve the Lord.

KINGS BRING TRANSFORMATION

TO THEIR COMMUNITY..

REACHING THE CITY

THE METHOD OF JESUS REACHING THE CITY.

Luke 18:35 - 19:10  

The poor and the rich.

·      There was a crowd wanting to see Jesus.

·      Bartemaus cried out for Jesus.

·      The followers of Jesus told Bartemaus to be quite.  To the followers of Jesus, it was more important to keep the schedule, than to minister to a poor beggar.

·      The first priority is the poor.

o   1^st  person Jesus ministered to was blind Bartemaus.

o   When Jesus , said to the beggar ‘ what do you want ?’  -

o   The beggar did not ask for food or for money.

o   He wanted SIGHT.

o   IF YOU CAN SEE THE INVISABLE – YOU CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.

o   He received His sight and much more.

·      The second priority.

·      Second person Jesus ministered to was Zacchaeus.

·      The followers of Jesus where not happy when Jesus visited Zacchaeus.

·      Not much is recorded on their conversation – but Jesus said, Lk. 19:9 

 “Today salvation has come to this house, because he   also is a Son of Abraham”

·      Though Zacchaeus  was very rich was half the man he wanted  to be. 

·      Zacchaeus immediately responded to Jesus and became a full man.

·      He gave 50% of all to the poor.

·      He gave back 4 times whatever ha had taken by false accusation.

·      Possibly the first person to receive from Zacchaeus was Bartemaus.

While everyone was listening to Jesus, He told them how to take a city.

Jesus said      “Do business till I come.”

TAKING AUTHORITY OVER CITIES

To have authority over cities – you must have authority over your money.

Luke 19:12-17   

In this parable we have the story of a certain man who went into a far country.

• He called ten of servants together and gave them a mina to each one of them. 

(a mina = 3 months wages.)

• Money with a command is serious business.
• It is time to be creative and strategic.
• Invest in good soil.
• When God gives you the Grace to increase in money – he has a purpose for this!
• The plan of God is not just to make you rich, but to give you authority.

There tremendous authority in business.

The goal of Jesus for you is for you to have authority over your city.

When the poor of the inner cities and the CEO’s of the same cities come together, God will release His strategic plan for impacting the cities.

If you walk in authority, God will give you the ability.

Authority is linked to Anointing.

It is not your inability  - but God’s ability working through you.

Those who walk in the authority of God will lead in the coming marketplace revival.

There will always be those who have more anointing or ability than you. 

When you walk in your authority of God – nothing can stop you from taking the city.

When God sais   “THIS IS WHAT I WILLDO ….”

• God will call you.
• God will put His authority on you.
• God will anoint you.
• God will remove your inability and place it with His ability.
• You must worship the Lord above all things.
• Be obedient to God, irrespective the circumstance.
• Pay your Tax & owe no man anything.
• GIVE – GIVE – GIVE.

THE ROLE OF A KING

The Primary role of a king is use the capital and asset base that God has given to that king for two purposes.

1. To be a good father and to be good grandfather.
1. The first care and call of any man is to his wife.  (Personally: if I can’t take care of my own wife, then that is my disqualification from ministering to others.
2. We are called to examples of Christ to the Church as fathers to our family. The Word says ‘a wise man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.’
2. Disaster and social relief.
1. With Kingdom mentality we appropriate Is. 61:1-8,  not for self gain or local ministry syndrome.
2. The systems of the world will crash and the righteous will be established.

Psalm 97:10 Let those who love the LORD, hate evil: He preserves the souls of his saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Where are the Kings like the king of Nineveh?              Jonah 3.

The King of Nineveh heard the decree of judgment against his country, immediately he cries out for repentance.

The role of a King is :

·      Remove violence.

·      Remove plunder.

·      Remove poverty.

·      Stop disposing His people.

·      Execute judgment and righteousness.

·      Implement honesty and integrity.

·      Do justice and righteousness.

·      Relieve oppression, racial and sexual discrimination.

·      Alleviate poverty.

·      Disaster Relief.

The Lord is saying that we must remove violence and plundering and stop dispossessing His people. God is very concerned about honesty and integrity, and is calling for moral excellence and high character in the kings. In God’s economy, the bottom line is not financial success, but the operation of righteousness and removal of all operation.

Jer. 22: 1-5 

Ezek. 45: 9 

2 Chron. 9:8   

1 Kings 10:9

The Kings business is the kings ministry. 

Kings are not content with just working.

The weapons of the Kings warfare is:

• Intimacy with God.
• Intercession.
• Integrity and Moral Character.
• Passion for the lost.
• Compassion for the hurting.
• Financing Ministry.

As Kings we bring transformation and social reformation:

·      Passion for the presence of God.

·      Freedom from debt.

Deut.: 8;18

Isa 61:1  - 8   

Overlapping Callings – Priest and Kings

It is important to know that there are two callings and both callings will be evident in a believer’s life. Yet one calling will predominate itself over the other calling.  The church needs to stand as a Kingdom of Priests and rule in the God given responsibility. All Christians are called to be priests and Kings.

What so often happens in the church is that the focus is placed on training the priests and neglecting the kings.

As long as the church offers members only “church positions” for ministry, the community will at large miss out on what God has planned for them.

What we need today is for the kings to rise in their God given responsibility and be trained to rule as kings of the Kingdom. Like King David we too need to discover our calling. King David scaling was to build the temple, but rather to finance the building of the temple. God is re-aligning His church and many of the professional business people (kings) are entering into their calling and fulfilling God’s plan for their life. When Kings and priests are doing what they are called to do they will receive an anointing from God for their position and responsibility.

The craftsman was Anointed as an interior decorator for the building of the temple. Duet.  He had a Kingly anointing 

Aaron was Anointed Priest as priest to stand alongside Moses.

David discovered that His calling was not to be a priest, and serve in the temple – but rather to be a King and Finance the building of the temple.

• Some people have a Priestly calling with a Kingly anointing.
• Some people have a Kingly calling with a Priestly anointing.
• Some people have both equal a priestly calling and a Kingly anointing.

A KINGS ANOINTING

The Kingly anointing is the Presence of God made visible through the life of the business person.

The reason for the Kingly anointing is for empowering Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  

This producers:

• Stability – “He establishers us and blesses the works of our hands”
• The seal of the Holy Spirit – The guarantee of the Father to bless us and lead us.

This anointing is open to all professions and lines of employment that do not discredit the Kingdom of God.

E.G.

• School teacher – Business Mentor
• Politician – Govt. worker
• Doctor – House cleaner
• Student – retired pension worker.

John 2:27  “the anointing that you have received from Him abides in you”

Rom. 12: 6-8

Kingly (business) anointing allows you to make money by means of the empowering of the Holy Spirit. It allows you to think creatively and strategically, and to receive insight directly from the Lord.

The Kingly anointing gives you:

·      Establishers you in your field.

·      Increases your territory. – Authority – City, National & International Influence.

·      Insider trading - Advantage over your competitors.

·      Makes you a trend setter.

·      Gives you a platform for ministry.

The business anointing allows you to make money by means of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

It allows you to think creatively and strategically, and to receive insight directly form the Lord.

The business anointing gives you the edge above your completion.

The business anointing empowers you to minister in the market place, causing signs and wonders to follow you.

           

ORDAINING KINGS 

Acts 6

5  PRINCIPALS  for ORDAINING KINGS

1. Seek them out from among you. – under direct spiritual authority
2. Of good reputation.  -  reputation extends all boundaries
3. Full of the Holy Spirit.  -  Not just carnal Christians.
4. Full of Wisdom. – Walk in the Fear of God.
5. Full of Faith. – Ability to trust God despite the circumstances.

COMITMENT for ORDINATION.

Public declaration by candidates. 

1. I commit to God, that I will pursue intimacy with God.
2. I commit to God my support to the local church.
3. I commit to God my support to ministries and missionaries.
4. I commit to God true transformation of your society.

THE CALL OF GOD FOR A KING 

Exodus 31:1-6  

• The call of God is not only for preaching but also for business.
• God fills you with the Spirit for the purpose of Anointed workmanship.
• God has an equal call on His servants.

1 Corinthians 7:17   “Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.”

• Every Christian is called of God for a specific task.
• God does not have a cast system.
• We are called to follow God and we are called to go into all the world to preach the Gospel.

God is raising up teams to collectively do the work of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.

It is important to note that only on one occasion did Jesus tell someone to sell every thing he had and give it to the poor.        The reason for this is that, that one person’s heart was where their treasure was.  Jesus told His disciples to follow him and seek first the Kingdom of God, then all these things would follow after you.   

God is raising up Kings today, people like you who like King David will pay for the building of the temple. In modern day understanding these anointed, empowered business people will raise finances so that the messengers will be supported.  

·      Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's chief steward supported the ministry of Jesus 

Luke 8:3

·      Joseph of Arimethea, a prominent businessman, council member and leader paid for  the tomb of Christ and asked for His body Mark 15:43

·      Dr. Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Luke gave a detailed account of this to Theophilus.  Col. 4:14  

·      Saul who had his name changed to Paul was trained as a teacher / lecturer and also made a living from part time tent making. Acts 20:34, 35

·      Priscilla and Aquilla who preached itinerantly and also made tents Acts 18:3

·      Simon the tanner supported and hosted Peter and others. He too was anointed to preach and do business. Acts 10:5,6 

·      Lydia was one of the ladies involved in Paul's work. Her business was to trade in purple cloth. She hosted an evangelism event at which the slave girl was delivered. Acts 16:14

·      Cornelius of the Italian Regiment was a devout man, still in service as an acting soldier.  Acts 10:1

God is calling you.

Amos 7:14-15  

• You are called of the Lord to do His work.
• You might be a king and also be called to be a priest
• You might be a priest and also be called to be a king.

Do not let your circumstances or your past hold you back.

Mark 10:20-22   

• Do not blame things from you going forward:
• Your past.
• Your present.
• Your circumstances.
• People around you.

THE POWER OF OBEDIANCE

What is the most important thing that you have heard from the Lord?

The last thing that God spoke to you, is the most important thing from the Lord.

Deuteronomy 5:29  

Deuteronomy 12:28

1 Samuel 15:1-23  

• King Saul was anointed by Samuel the prophet to be king.
• He started of well and was made King by God .
• Instructed to totally annihilate the enemy.
• He took prisoners and plunder.
• He was going to in part offer a gift o the plunder to God as a sacrifice.
• This act of false sacrifice was a cover up for the disobedience to accumulate wealth.
• He lied to Samuel the prophet of what he did.
• He was rejected as king by the Lord.

Obedience is better than sacrifice.

DAVID was an obedient submissive King to the Lord.

1 Samuel 16:1 – 23

• David is anointed King by Samuel
• David became King while Saul was still on the throne.
• The anointing ushered David into the presence of Saul.
• Like Joseph, David suffered rebuke at the hands of his brothers, His leaders, and the enemy - 
• When David took food to His brothers – they undermined and mocked him.
• Saul tried to Kill him and mocked him.
• Goliath mocked him.
• 1 Samuel 18:14 In everything he did he had great success, {or he was very wise} because the LORD was with him.

David kept his humility and refused to push his way to the top.

Because David humbled himself before God -  God lifted David up.

EQUIPPING THE KINGS

Matthew 6:33   ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Isaiah 6:1   Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.

If you can see the invisible you can do the impossible.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4  

• Your talent is your weapon.  Your gifting to release finances – relieve poverty and empower the work of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
• As a king of the Lord you can change the physical and spiritual climate in your community and in the world.
• Luke 10 – Jesus sends the workers out as sheep among the wolves.
• Defeat the enemy – through blessing others.
• Set people free and break the chains of darkness.
• Faith without works is dead. – Speak blessing and give blessing.
• Luke 6:28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

• Blessing is your weapon.

• Use your authority.
• Jeremiah speaks to the king to stop the abortion issue – Jer. 22:4
• Learn how to integrate your ministry in your work place.
• Eliminate the thinking that separates the secular and sacred.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

One of the greatest schemes of the enemy is to polarise the church and business.

Ephesians 4:11-13   

·      God strategically places these people in society.

·      They arrive through divine providence of God.

God is raising up ministries in the Market Place to impact society.

NEW TESTAMENT ACCOUNTS OF CONFLICT BETWEEN THE KINGODOM OF GOD AND BUSINESS

IDOL MAKERS.      Believers saw how dramatically the kingdom of God came into conflict with the kingdom darkness and this had a direct impact on the idol makers. The silversmiths making idols of Diana were put out of business in Ephesus (Acts 19:24). and to compound their problem of loosing business, the priesthood of Zeus affected by conversions in Lystra.  So Demetrius a prominent leader in Lystra started a riot against the apostles to stop the negative impact they had on the business of Idol making.

SIMON THE SORCERER, who had made quite a living from hushing the crowds with his magic, tried to purchase power from the apostles. In a dramatic encounter, he lost his sight (ministry) and his income. (Acts 8:9).  This lead to the owners of the girl who prophesied by  spirit of divination. When she encountered the apostles, and received deliverance, the girl was no longer able to predict events and so put her 'managers' out of pocket! (Acts 16:16-18).

The Lord was not ashamed to run His 'business' for 30 years and do 'ministry' for 3, to Him it was all service rendered unto his Father. He laid his family enterprise down to minister, and yet seemingly did not ask that of his disciples. Though he asked them to follow him, he continued to use their business. He blessed them upon the call, and blessed them after his resurrection. However not all business faired this well with Christ.

A certain young man came to the Lord asking what he must do to get to heaven. Having fulfilled the law and its obligations, he still felt empty. Scripture does not tell us how he came to be wealthy, or a ruler, but along the way he had evidently collected a vast array of 'stuff'. The Lord simply and directly told him to sell it all and give the proceeds to the poor. He endorsed Peters' business, but dismantled this young man's business... why the difference? The young mans' response makes it clear who his Lord was. He did not yield his business into the hands of the Lord, it had become his Lord (Luke 18:18-30).

The temple court encounter. Imagine a giant market square. A rectangle, 650 metres long and 400 metres wide (that's almost seven city blocks). In the centre of this, imagine a small rectangular building 250 metres wide and 70 metres long. This little building in the middle is the temple containing: the Holy of Holies, the Holy Place and the court of the priests, where slaughtering was done. The Levitical assembly area led into the court of women just before you left the building to go out into the court of the Gentiles. 

That court was everything else. Down one long side ran Solomon's Porch, and at the front the royal porch. The Court of the Gentiles was at least 242,500 square metres of open space. That's five and a half football fields. Into this court comes Jesus to confront the business people who were there to service the "sacrifice market". They made money from selling unblemished doves, sheep and cattle to wayfarers; wood and unleavened bread; leaven and wine; herbs and lamb; spices, anointing oil and prayer shawls. There were also money changers, who profited from exchanging 'worldly currency' for temple coins used in the offerings. 

Acres and acres of booths "under one roof", a veritable "world expo" at the Court of the Gentiles. Scripture says He "would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts" (Mark 11:16). He "made a whip out of 

cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered 

the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables" What authority! To those who sold doves he said, "Take these things away! Do not make my Father's house a house of merchandise!" (John 2:15,16 NKJV).

That's fair warning to those of us who would turn the temple of the Lord (now 

living stones, not temple courts) into a house of merchandise... who would 'use' His bride in the feathering of our nest, and abuse his Church in the making of our business.

A kingly warning.

2 Samuel 11:1  In the spring time the kings went to war ….

• Historically the kings went to war in the spring time.
• King David, was not doing what Kings do.
• He was preoccupied and decided to stay in his palace. 
• This brought him tremendous trouble and caused others to suffer because he abdicated his responsibilities through fornication, illicit relationships, murder and theft.
•  Had he gone to war none of this would have happened. 
• So often we like King David do neglect to war over our destiny, and put down what we supposed to do to take up other things that we are not called to do.
• This caused himself and others great pain.
• We set ourselves up for trouble when we are out of our calling.

BLESSINGS & CURSES REGARDING FINANCES

THE YOKE.

Either you will be yoked to blessing or you will be yoked to curses. This truth is applicable to all people weather they are Christians or not.  The principal of applying this truth is simple – the power of association will pick you up or cause you to fall. 

 ‘Choose this day who you will serve …’.  

As well as ‘a man cannot serve two masters..’

Many people claim to have given their lives to the Lord, but still go on living for themselves.  Making each decision they make being ruled by how much they have or have not.

Romans 12:2  ‘Do not be confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.. .’

2 Cor. 6:17 Paul says ‘come out and be separate from the world…’

This transforming and coming out of the world system is being taken out of sin and slavery into freedom spiritually, financially and in every other area.

Proverbs 22:7 ‘Because the borrower is a slave to the lender...’

Debt is a yoke of slavery that binds us and causes us not to act in obedience to God.

The number one reasons, Christians are not free today is because the spirit of mammon has control of them and dictates to them when to bow and when to rise.   This restricts Christians and stops them from being obedient to the call of God on their life.  So often, I have heard Christians say, ‘I will go as soon as I have sorted out my finances’ or ‘as soon as I am debt free, I will do what the Lord has called me to do.’

Do not make decisions based on money – Make decisions based on what God says.  

In the last 20 years, credit is more accessible and debt is more evident.  Credit for believers is not from God, it is a snare of the devil to entrap Christians and cause them to become immobile and unable to go into the entire world to preach the good news of the Kingdom.  Nearly every retailer and wholesaler has credit facilities to allow you to purchase items and pay later. 

God principal is that you work first and then pay.  The spirit of mammon says, ‘enjoy the item now and pay later’.

The church is called to be the light of the world.  Christians say, ‘How can we speak into adverse circumstances, if we are in debt ourselves like everyone else’

We as Christians have a responsibility. The responsibility is to call the things that are not as though they are and then to put into practice what we speak.  There is a saying that goes like this ‘money talks’.  

Matthew 6:21 ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ As the Bride of Christ we need to have our heart singularly focused on Christ as our priority.  Then in being good stewards of the Lords money we will see the blessings of God come to our finances.

The Bible does not argue that money is right or wrong.  What is strongly emphasized is that the love of money is the root of evil.  Money is one of the gifts that God has given to us richly to enjoy.

1 Tim. 6:17. If money is the goal, being a positive goal or in a negative context, then you have a major problem.  

Matt.6:33 ‘seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, then all these things will be added to you. 

C.S. Lewis said, ‘once we miss a turn and start down the wrong road, it will never become the right road. The only way we can get back on the right road is to go back to where we missed that original turn.’

Go back and find out what is your rightful inheritance and heritage.  You are called to rule as a KING.  The plan of God is that you rule over what He has entrusted to you.  The realm of finances – the plan of God is to take His church from a minus bank balance to out of debt and then to have more than enough.

The secret is:

Never make a decision based on Money.

Only make decisions based on obedience to God’s Word.

THE OBEDIENCE PRINCIPLE.

There are essentially three principals of obedience regarding finances.

1. The first principle is to become free from the yoke that binds you to the spirit of mammon, and to become yoked to Christ.  In becoming yoked to Christ, you become a bond slave to Christ and therefore transfer all ownership of wealth and possession over to Him.  This includes debt.  Though there will be the consequences of your slavery that you need to rid yourself of – this can be done through good steward-ship and obedience to the obedience principles of God’s Word.
2. The second principle is to experience healing.  To apply this and bring healing to pass is forgive yourself and then forgive others that have robed from you, abused you or even miss-used you. Also another way experience financial healing is to give instead of to get. Giving is done in different ways.
1. First fruits – Tarumah.
2. Tithes.
3. Offerings.
4. Love gifts.

God does not need your money, your vehicle, your house, your clothing or your food.  God wants you heart.

3. The third principle is to avoid the four traps of financial bondage.
1. Impulse buying. 

Eccl. 4:8 ‘The eye is never satisfied with riches....’

Eccl. 5:10 ‘He that loves silver will not be satisfied with it. Nor he that loves abundance of increase.’

2. Dissatisfaction and discontentment of what you have.  All ways wanting more.  Never enough and lusting for what others have.
3. Laziness.  The bible says a little folding of the arms brings poverty. 
4. Words that bind.  Prov. 18:21 ‘The power of life and death are on the tongue and those that love it will eat its fruit.’

THE LAW OF PHYSICS AND WEALTH.

Isaac Newton said that the law of physics is that energy is never destroyed, it simply changes form.

The same is true for wealth.  Wealth is never destroyed.  It only changes form and changes ownership.

Eg. The great depression: ‘people lost great wealth, while some people who where not slaves to debt gained great wealth from those who over extended themselves with debt.’

We are heading for a greater economic collapse than that of the great depression or that of the Asian flu crisis.

Most Christians in the church are in so much debt, that they can not respond to the call of God and when the next economic crisis hits us we will be in a worse place than people where during the great depression.

We need to change the negative situation to a positive situation and to do this we need a strategy from God.

2 Kings 4: the we read that the wife of a deceased servant to Elisha the prophet, cried out. ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.’

So Elisha responds ‘What can I do.., and what do you have in your house?’

She replies’ nothing except a little oil.’

The principal here is ‘TRADE SECRETS’

There are two points of this principal;

• ‘FLOWING WEALTH’
• ‘GAINING WEALTH’

Flowing Wealth.

To have wealth flow through you:

·      You need to do it with a joyful heart.

·      You need to do it unto the Lord.

·      You need to do it according to your faith.

Gaining Wealth – To have wealth come to you, you can not give what you do not have.

·      You need to gather some empty vessels.

·      Pour what you have into the lives of empty vessels.

·      Close the doors to unbelief and create some wealth.

·      Sell the oil, and make enough to pay the debt and live on the rest.

·      She had to become a business person – ‘God will give you the ability to generate wealth with the work of your hands’

What is your TRADE SECRET?

·      What can you give your life to 10% for the rest of your life?

·      What does everyone want from you?

·      What is the talent that God has given to you?

GOD WANTS TO TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL.