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Holes in My Moneybag

  • Holes in My Moneybag from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

    There are many things in scripture that have been misunderstood or blown out of proportion over the centuries. Two of them are prosperity and abundance. There are many promises of God concerning these, but it's a bit deeper than "name it and claim it" or "blab it and grab it." We have to be submissive to Him and obedient for His promises to come to pass.

    (Psalm 1:1–3 NKJV)  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

    Notice the progression of slowing movement: He walks, stands, then sits. The opposite was the one who meditated on the scriptures and kept moving. They were like a tree planted by a river that has no lack of water. They have everything they need.

    In the Bible, "to prosper" means to succeed in what the Lord has given you to do. To prosper conveys "a successful venture." While having "an abundance" means that you have all your needs taken care of, and some left to help others. This is the Kingdom way.

    Jesus Christ had a prosperous ministry and an abundance of everything He needed to accomplish the task given Him, though He had no earthly possessions to speak of. In the same way, the Lord provides what we need to complete the assignment given while we do the work.

    The Lord's provision comes as it is needed. Jesus couldn't have carried 10,000 pounds of gold around with Him, so it appeared when there was a need for it. Like on the day they needed to pay a tax, Peter caught a fish carrying the tax money in its mouth (Matthew 17:27). There was never a shortage or lack, yet Jesus didn't have pockets full of gold with Him.

    God never has a money crisis. Never. Poverty is a curse, and being flat broke isn't "Godly." Deuteronomy 28 lists great blessings that come on the obedient, and great curses that come on the disobedient. You may say, "Oh, but that's the Old Testament." But it's dangerous to pretend His word doesn't apply to us. Jesus said, "Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). Sure we are under a better covenant, and many things have changed, but our obedience isn't optional. We need to rightly divide the word of truth.

    During the Middle Ages, monasteries required monks to take vows of poverty and chastity. Soon all clergy were expected to take these vows to demonstrate their high spirituality. But poverty and chastity have never been biblical, ever. God's chosen people like Abraham, Moses, and David all married, had many children and were wealthy. David left Solomon 7,500,000 pounds of gold to build the temple from his personal treasury. And Solomon's kingdom, wealth, and wisdom are nearly beyond our comprehension today.

    Poverty and lack are a curse. The Kingdom way is having an abundance: Meaning you have all your needs met, and some to help others. And prosperity: being successful in what He has given you to do. This is the way.

    The Apostle Paul had a prosperous journey to Rome, but he traveled there as a prisoner, was shipwrecked on the isle of Malta, and bitten by a snake. Yet, he accomplished the will of God for him at that time. Prosperous doesn't mean easy street, and abundance doesn't mean rich.

    The Lord has used financial pressure to correct our course in the past. For example, to push me into ministry, He first dried up our computer business. Typically, when there is a season of lack, I find there is something we need to change. We should seek the Lord and inquire as to why it's happening instead of ignoring it.   

    God is honest and speaks very plainly, but mankind can be spiritually deaf and blind. One of the clearest curses in the Bible came on those who refused to tithe, meaning, giving 10% of all your increase to God's work:

    (Malachi 3:8–11 NKJV) "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts;

     When the Lord's temple sat unfinished, and the people lived in their comfortable houses and ignored His, the prophet Haggai told them this:

    (Haggai 1:3–9 NKJV)  Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways! "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."

    Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the LORD. "You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the LORD of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house."

    There should be no long-term lack at your house. The Lord is more than able to provide all that is needed, but sometimes He wants to get our attention. As in the verses above, He can put a hole in the bottom of our money bag. It's far less expensive to tithe than to pay endless repair bills because things keep breaking, almost like they are cursed...imagine that.

    "Oh, but that's the Old Testament!" Jesus said:

    (Luke 6:38 NKJV)  Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

    The Apostle Paul said:

    (2 Corinthians 9:6–7 NKJV)  But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

    The Lord wants His children to prosper and have an abundance, as outlined in this message. To prosper means to be successful in what He has given you to do. You do the work, and He provides what is needed. An abundance means enough for your own needs, and some to help others. There should be no poverty at your house. If there is, we need to seek the Lord and ask what we need to change.

    You can pray this with me if you like:

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for the life You have given me. Please guide me and help me make the right decisions. Help me understand Your word, and protect me from deception. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!


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21 comments
  • 0
Kevin J. Eck
Kevin J. Eck Thank you Father!
November 22, 2021
  • 0
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Thank you for today devotional! Praise the Lord Hallelujah! ❤️
November 22, 2021
  • 1
David Fabillaran
David Fabillaran

Thank You Lord, amen!

November 22, 2021
  • 2
Pranoti  Kumar
Pranoti Kumar

Thank you for this important n often ignored act of tithing Pastor ..

God bless

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Virggie  Donel
Virggie Donel

"GOD PROVIDES"

When we do our part what is required of us, God will supply our every need! I will continue to stand on The Word Of God and His Promises, not be wavered, yet like a tree planted by the rivers of water! I Shall Not Be Moved! LuvuAllWithTheLuvOfChristJesus, "There Is, "No Greater Love!" Hallelujah Jesus! LuvuAll2LifeEternal 

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Amen Lord 

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

Amen! Thank You for this Good inspirational teaching!

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Sharon Leonard
Sharon Leonard

I BELIEVE GOD SUPPLIES ALL OF OUR NEEDS...WE JUST HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO ALL THE LITTLE THINGS HE DOES FOR US, PLUS THE BIG THINGS THAT JUST BLOW US AWAY...

ONE DAY HE GAVE ME 72 ROSE BUSHES AND ALL THE STUFF TO TAKE CARE OF THEM...MY HUSBAND THOUGHT I'D SPENT ABOUT $5,000.00 BUT IN REALITY THE LORD GAVE IT TO ME BECAUSE IT WAS MY HEARTS DESIRE TO FIX MY YARD WITH BEAUTY. HE EVEN GAVE ME A WOODEN NICKEL, THAT I FLIPPED TO MY HUSBAND, TO SAY I DIDN'T EVEN SPEND A WOODEN NICKEL..SO MANY TIMES HE HAS HELPED ME DO THINGS...XO

SHARON

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen Father

November 22, 2021
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen. Heavenly Father,  I Thank You for Your abundant blessings in my life. You are so gracious Lord.  Amen

November 22, 2021
  • 2
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Thanks to everyone for RHM family.Blessings to everyone. Amen 

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Thank You Father For Everything Good Morning Everyone 

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Amen.  Thank you Lord Jesus for blessing my household.  

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Amen

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father I thank You for all Your blessings and care for You has shown me that You are my rock, help me to understand Your word and to follow Your will. Praise be to Your Holy name, Amen. 

Truthful and clear message Pastor, God bless you and Sylvia, Amen. 

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Jesus name I ask this, Amen. 

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen ❣️

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Great Sunday message thank you very much pastor Dion and Sylvia, 

November 22, 2021
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

November 23, 2021
  • 1
Paul Boore
Paul Boore

Amen,  thank you Lord!

November 27, 2021