xxxxTHE FOOTSOLDIERxxxx
BREAKING THE SPIRIT OF POVERTY(One Dime at a Time)
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ADJUSTING YOUR INCOME TO MEET YOUR NEEDS!
Not many sights disturb us any more than the sight of a child without proper food, health care, clothing and shelter; or to multiply that, the sight of a family….living on the bare necessities of life, burdened with worry, with the thoughts of the unknowns of tomorrow imbedding themselves into their everyday thinking.
Thank God, this problem which literally covers our globe; has an answer in the pages of your bible. When Jesus stood in his hometown church and proclaimed the purpose of his coming; poverty was on the top of the list. He read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor….(Luke 4:18 KJV)
We know that the gospel is “good news” and that good news to the poor is money to buy what they need.
When Jesus climbed the mountainside with the multitudes giving ear to his voice booming across the land, around the world and throughout eternity; He proclaimed, “Blessed are the poor…..”(Mat. 5:3 KJV) He looked rich men in the eye and challenged them to “…Sell everything you have and give the money to the poor…” (Mat. 19:21)
God loves the poor but seems to have problems with the rich. Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say unto you, 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. (Mat. 19:23 & 24 KJV)
Yet we all need money. It isn’t whether you have money; it is whether you have money or “money has you.” Too many times the latter seems to be the case; even when there is not a lot of wealth involved.
One of the largest diamonds in the scriptures is found in Luke 6:38. Jesus said, “For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and
overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.”
“…Whatever measure you use to give…large or small…will be used to measure what is given back to you.” (Luke 6:38 Liv. Bible.)
This is one more humongous, earth changing, life changing, super promise and it is here, right before our eyes in our bibles; God’s inerrant Holy Word.
To me, there is no better way to increase our faith than by stretching our giving. Super sizing our outgo to the Lord one dime at a time or whatever it takes to stretch your gut. Our challenge is to set a giving goal, maybe just beyond our comfort zone….making a sacrifice, something you feel when you let it go. Just choose your own level and get on with the growth. If you are needing a fifteen percent income; start giving that fifteen percent of your future income.
This may sound bad to some, but at one time in my life I loved to gamble; had a lot of fun, wasted a lot of time, won some money, lost some money and over the long haul; I lost.
When I found Jesus, I had to leave the poker game and many of my friends; but the inclination to bet kinda stuck with me.
Then I ran across this “Prove Me” scripture. (Malachi 3:10 KJV)
More to come on this one..keep reading.
God has the richest most secure business on earth and every time you put anything of value in it, the interest begins returning in many forms. Usually in the form of the one you need most, and it sure isn’t always money!
This verse of scripture mixed with some good righteous living will load our lives with the blessings of Heaven that will continue on until we exit this place for Glory Land.On my first preaching mission to the Philippines, coming from the US, I was shocked, dismayed, overwhelmed or whatever adjective you may use at the amount of poverty….so many wonderful beautiful families….without enough, in the material realm.
As I was thinking of this dilemma and praying about answers I feel the Holy Spirit spoke these words to me, “The spirit of giving will break the spirit of poverty.”
From that day to this day, I have tried to remember those words and to act on them. I started giving of what I have in both money, time, labor or whatever and telling every Filipino I know to do the same. On the money part, I forgot about giving ten percent of what I have and started giving ten percent of what I want! I challenge you as you read these words to take a tenth of what you are wanting to make each week. This means time, love, material goods and money….everyone has something to give! Give it to Jesus. This may be a neighbor down the road, your church, someone less fortunate than yourself and the list can go on and on. Ask the Lord to help you with this, and he will.
Then, we keep a sharp spiritual eye on the miracles coming over the hill to which our generosity is giving birth. Waiting on His resources to come in from whatever source he sees fit…..It will happen! You can increase your income of money, love and God’s favor by giving and then receiving God’s everyday blessings. Giving faith will slap the poverty, loneliness and negative poison right out of our lives! If this doesn’t bring resources into your life then take some scissors and cut Luke 6:38 out of your bible.
But wait a minute, you may have to cut out some more. Let me see, what does Proverb 3:9 & 10 say? “Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns with wheat and barley and overflow your wine vats with the finest wines.” (Prov. 3:9 & 10 Liv. Bible)
And there is more. “Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later. Divide your gifts among many, for in days ahead you yourself may need much help.” (Ecc. 11: 1 & 2 Liv. Bible)
Here is another, which is very sobering: “You have robbed me of the tithes and offerings due to me. And so the awesome curse of God is cursing you, for your whole nation has been robbing me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of Heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in.”
And here comes our challenge: “Try it! Let me prove it to you! Your crops will be large, for I will guard them from insects and plagues. Your grapes won’t shrivel away before they ripen,” says the Lord Almighty, and all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land sparkling with happiness. These are the promises of the Lord Almighty. (Mal. 3: 8 thru 12 Liv. Bible)
This one is the “Poker Player Special.” Bet that ten percent and raise it five percent! He will call your hand and you will win the pot!
Let us not stop here, here is another:
“But remember this…if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who 8plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much. Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don’t force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes. God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more, so that there will be not only enough for your own needs, but plenty left over to cheerfully give to others. It is as the scriptures say, “The Godly man gives generously to the poor. His good deeds will be an honor to him forever. For God, who gives seed for the farmer to plant, and later on, good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest.
Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much, and when you take your gifts to those who need them they will break out into thanksgiving and praise for your help.
So two good things happen as a result of your gifts….those in need are helped, and they overflow with thanks to God. Those you help will be glad not only because of your generous gifts to them and to others, but they will praise God for this proof that your deeds are as good as your doctrine. And they will pray for you with deep fervor and feeling because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you.” (2 Cor. 9;6 thru 14 Liv. Bible)
There you have it, but don‘t use those scissors. These scriptures are promises from God’s eternal word; these words that guide us into the pathway of forgiveness, salvation and an abundant and fulfilling life are what we and our world need in our every waking moment.
Giving is contagious, fulfilling, joyful, profitable, wonderful, a blessing, a win win, a way out of poverty, a way into prosperity and a whole lot of fun while doing it all. It brings a satisfying that is indescribable and has a size that fits all. It puts the church in the community, the gospel in the hearts of men, good jobs for good people, food on tables,clothes on backs, shoes on feet and beautiful homes to live in and beautiful vehicles in which to ride. It is God using the lives and the hands of men to distribute God’s wealth…and he has plenty. I believe there is untold wealth buried under the7,000 plus islands called the Philippines and I also believe that when a few of God’s people turn loose and turn into crazy givers and start trying to outgive God that the wealth will be exposed and the prosperity of Heaven will fill the lives of the people. This is God’s way of curing lack.
The challenge is before us. The giver in the bible that got more attention from the Lord than any other was a two peso, two penny or a two mite widow woman, and you can bet the farm that this is
one fine lady that never, never, never ever lacked for the rest of her days. The story goes like this, “As he (Jesus) stood in the Temple, he was watching the rich tossing their gifts into the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small copper coins.
“Really“, he remarked, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them combined. For they have given a little of what they didn’t need, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21:1 thru 4 Liv. Bible)
When we give like she did, a hundred percent giver, all that she had and out of her want; it raises the eyebrows of God. God wants me and he wants you…to have more and to give more. All of the rock star concerts, all of the governments and charities of the world and the gifts of the millionaires and the billionaires of our world has not broken this spirit of poverty….but God’s people doing Godly giving is the weapon that will do the job. God is bigger than our poverty and our faith and giving can spread like a gas fed forest fire.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, our world seems to be controlled by greed. Please use me as your weapon
of giving to bring hope and help to the poverty stricken…guide my steps and use my hands to give as you would have me. Give me seed to plant and wisdom as to where you would have me plant them. At this moment I surrender my resources to you and to your work….what I have is so small and what you have for me is much more than enough; so at this moment I surrender my poverty for your wealth….my way…for your way…my sins for your forgiveness….my hell for your Heaven. Please mold and make me as you would have me to be. Amen
I confess and speak wealth to build God’s Kingdom.
I confess wealth to feed and cloth my family.
I confess wealth to buy a house in which my family may live.
I confess wealth that my family may have dependable and safe transportation.
I confess wealth that I may feed & cloth those less fortunate than myself.
I proclaim thankfulness for every dime that I have ever possessed.
I proclaim thankfulness for every dime that is presently in my possession.
I proclaim thankfulness for every dime that my God has stored for all of my future needs.
I proclaim from this day forward that I will repeat these confessions and proclamations for the next ninety mornings of my life. My confessions and proclamations will then become a habit and I will continue this habit daily as God builds my faith and opens the windows of Heaven and honors my speaking of His promises.
Signed______________________________________
Email Jim Hobby [email protected]
Text: 863 510 6950
Website <footsoldierministries.org>
<https://www.facebook.com/jim.hobby.3>
Contact me if this message has been of any help.
I promise to pray for you…everyday!
Jim