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Brandon Bracey's Seed Devotions!
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| Oct 03, 2008 4:55 pm |
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Brandon Bracey's Seed Devotion: Finances. |
Brandon Bracey
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Seed Devotion: Finances
Scripture NKJV Matthew 6:24," No one can serve two masters; for he either will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
Financial Stability is a big issue going on in today's economy. With the spike in gas prices and people losing their jobs, many people are living from paycheck to paycheck. I just read online in a article someone talking about financial debt. They said that if we just cut up all the credit cards, that would erase debt. Some people would agree and say that getting rid of credit cards would help people not spend money they do not have. While others would say that credit cards are definitely still needed for emergency situations. Also in this election season people are hoping that Barack Obama or John McCain would bring change to our economy. That may happen, but still that cannot replace morality and personal responsibility.
I am totally convinced that the world has it all wrong about finances. People are trusting in other people and a failed economy to get out of debt and make ends meet. But as a Christian, I know that the best economy to put my trust in is God's economy.
I often hear Christians talking about how we need someone new in office so that they can finally get out of debt. Please! You do not even have a budget and you are talking about getting out of debt? You go out to eat at a restaurant four times a week and you are talking about getting out of debt? You never tithe or give and you actually want to get out of living from paycheck to paycheck??? Are you serious????
The world's system says serve your money by being paranoid about it and desiring it more than anything. The world's system says step on as many people as you can to make more money and be #1. Often the world's definition of personal responsibility is storing and collecting your money and looking out for your own self-serving desires, interests, and goals.
Here are some ways to get financial stability God's way below:
A) You Can Only Have One Master: Is God or money your master? Which one occupies your thoughts, time, and efforts? You cannot serve God and money.
B) Tithe and Give: Storing up treasures in heaven is not limited to tithing, but tithing is a important act of obedience to God. There is a sense that giving to God's wonderful work is actually making an investment in heaven. Through the tithe we seek the fulfillment of God's purpose through the local church(the storehouse). When you do not tithe you rob God( Malachi 3:8). What we have is God's anyway. We are just stewards over what he has given us. A tithe is ten percent of your income. Some ministers teach giving from your net pay, but I teach giving off the gross of your income. If you can't even give God back ten percent of what he has already given you, then you will be living under a curse. It's amazing how many people withhold the tithe from God and then expect to be blessed financially! That's ridiculous! God promises to pour you out a blessing that you will not have room to receive when you tithe!( Malachi 3:10). Also giving financially softens your heart towards giving for kingdom purposes and helps eliminate greed from your life.
C) Have Spiritual Vision: You must see the world through God's eyes. You must see things from God's point of view. That's why you need to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and show you things. If you dont, your spiritual insight can be clouded by carnal desires. "Good Eyes" are fixed on God.
D) Seek eternal value: Never get to attached to your possessions, lest they possess you. Those things will soon fade away, but only things with eternal value will last.
E) Do Not Worry: I am concerned about the economy, but not worried. See, worried means I can't sleep, it's consuming my thoughts, and reducing my ability to trust God. I pray and then move on.
F) Live Below Your Means: Learn to save some of your paycheck and cut back on eating out or getting your hair and nails done twice a week. Seriously. Consider putting aside ten percent of your paycheck for the tithe, 20 percent for emergency spending, and 20 percent for saving. Then use the rest for bills and a little change for play.
G) Put God First: This sums it all up. People, objects, goals, and desires all compete to bump God out of first place. But what is really important to you? You must actively choose to put and keep God first place in your life every day.
When you do these things above, you are acting responsibily to get on the right track financially. People will start to wonder why you have some much peace in troubled times. Then you can just smile and say," Because I live according to the principles of a different economy". Amen!
Heavenly Father,
I am not worried and have no fear regarding the world's economy because I live by your economy. Your ecomony is the only one that can bring me true peace and financial stability. I pray that this nation and world will grasp your love, peace, and morality and truly be healed. This I pray in Jesus name, Amen.
Permission To Distribute With Full Recognition Given To Author.
If you would like to make Jesus Lord of your life please pray this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I repent of my sins and ask you Jesus to come into my heart. Wash me clean and give me a new life. Thank you Lord for saving me, Amen. If you have just prayed this prayer congratulations! You are now saved and apart of the Family of God! The next step is to get into a good bible based church where the Word of God is proclaimed! Please email me at : brandon_bracey00@yahoo.com so I can assist you in your new beginning!
Brandon Bracey Ministries:
Celebrating Five Years Of Online Ministry!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrandonBraceyMinistries
and
Brandon Bracey's Seed Devotions On Ryze!
http://brandonbracey-network.ryze.com
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