Kingdom Finance Series | Practical Business Advice from the CEO of the Universe
As we have explored throughout this Kingdom Finance Series, there are principals that work toward our favor in the Kingdom of God. The number one concern for those who call our prayer ministry, is finances. This began a serious look at how the Body of Christ needs to operate out of a generous spirit, as well as the need to use abilities, talents and resources wisely.
A Safe Place…
It is a tremendous blessing to live debt free. However, as our world is today, it is almost impossible for most to be debt free AND to live safely.
In a practical sense, we borrow money for a safe home and mode of transportation. It is important to be and feel safe as you live your day-to-day lives. For this reason, borrowing money for a safe place to live and a safe way to get around is responsible. However, there are some rules surrounding this borrowing of funds….
- Do not borrow money that would disrupt love in your home or business.
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law.”
—Romans 13:8
- Do not be controlled by the one who lends you money.
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
—Proverbs 22:7
- Do not let lending and borrowing money cause stress and emotional instability. If this is happening, an analysis of living within your means should be done. This also indicates that the above two points are not in alignment.
- Do enjoy what the Lord has given you. If you are in alignment with the above points and are living within your means, rejoice in the blessing!
Pray about ALL financial decisions and take Godly counsel. Review your budget and numbers. If you are married, it’s key to discuss decisions with your spouse. Financial stress in a marriage proves to be a wedge against intimacy and openness. This is against God’s design.
Plan on everything you do every year to grow. Your life is always growing and expanding. Count on God to bless and to grow you.
Budgeting…
Living on a budget sounds like something that people who are struggling do. This is a fallacy. The truth is, we should all be living within a budget, or plan if you will. A budget for a Believer is a planned, purposeful, and prayerful response to the possessions the Lord has given you, that you might be a good steward of His resources.
When it comes to budgeting, you must get the numbers down on paper and make a sober assessment of your finances. Sit down with your spouse, and/or Godly counsel to examine the household income and incoming bills.
The next piece of advice some do not want to do is to prayerfully ask God where He wants you to give, and where He wants you to prune. There may be some expenditures that are producing guilt, shame, and bitterness. These must be dealt with.
We must cancel the spirit of poverty in our lives and remember that we are children of the King who owns the entire universe! He saw you as being so valuable that He exchanged His most precious possession to secure your future.
Investing…
Investing is a subject that can generate differing opinions. The key is to know what you are sowing your seed into. Never sow because someone else is emotionally invested and wants you to do the same.
As with giving, investing is not an emotional response, but rather a prayerfully, thought out plan.
“The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.”
—Matthew 25:16
Giving…
As discussed in the previous articles about the details of giving [Click here for tithing, firstfruits, feast offerings and alms] here are basic guidelines…
- Give because the Holy Spirit prompts you to.
- Don’t emotionally give. Allowing emotions to sow a panic or crisis seed is against God’s Word.
- Don’t give beyond what you have, don’t go into debt to sow a seed.
“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.”
—Deuteronomy 16:17
The Currency of Heaven…
Honor is the currency of Heaven.
“It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
—Proverbs 3:8-10
Honoring our mother and father releases life in the land. The same applies to our heavenly Father. He tells us to honor each other and Him. Don’t expect to receive from the Lord what you are dishonoring.
If you are operating out of a spirit of jealousy, this is dishonoring the blessing that God provided to someone else. Instead, repent of the dishonor, and ask Him to renew a word of praise within you for their fortune. When the dishonoring in your heart and mind is cutoff you will be excited to see others prosper, clearing the way for blessings to flow to you.
It is a foundation of the faith to understand that things do not define who you are… God does! Your ups and downs, and the haves and have nots do not change the way God thinks, acts, or loves you. Don’t come into agreement with the spirits of envy and jealousy. This is key…. Don’t let the enemy, through these spirits of strife, steal your honor toward anyone else because that will cut off your blessings. Choose honor. Love God, and love your neighbor. Its not natural… but we will be happy and blessed because ours is coming around the corner.
Our responsibility…
We have a responsibility with our finances. We must take care of parents and family. Honoring them with time, prayer and love. This effects our finances biblically. Even if you are not losing money because of dishonor, you lose order in your household. Confusion and chaos emerge when there is dishonor. When you follow the Word, you follow God… and fruit and finances will follow.
“If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
—1 Timothy 5:8
We also have a responsibility with our time. When we fellowship, spending time together, it is all about honoring each other. When we fellowship and worship it also says this is a set apart time to honor my King.
Sowing seeds into our children also require time. Where we spend our time, or children will take notice and follow suit.
Giving; be it time, money, or talents, is a personal matter to God. He knows where your heart is when you give.
“Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
—Luke 21:3-4
Giving out of what the Lord has provided is a form of worship and thankfulness! The best way to show love to the Lord is to give and to meet the needs of others. If you have trouble with a situation, pray into it, bless your enemies, and sow a seed. Blessing others attracts peace and prosperity.
Stay with us as we conclude this powerful series on Kingdom Finance. Look for a conclusion of the entire series and how to put your money where your mouth is.