Seeds of Promise Series by Shenica Graham

Maximizing Ministry Part IV

Money Matters

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Parent Series	Current Series	Part	Title	Tools
Seeds of Promise	Maximizing Ministry	IV	Money Matters	Audio

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Though Jesus cleared the sanctuary of those whom He said made it “a den of thieves.” God knows that sometimes ministry costs more than time. You may need financing for some of the things that you will do. Be careful not to allow the pursuit of money to become your primary focus.

There are costs associated with building churches, supporting missions, conducting outreaches, and keeping doors open. God knew what your cost would be in time, effort and finance before He asked you to step up to the plate. He does have a plan for financial management. Before you begin, you can count up the cost; but the most important element is trust in Him, then weigh other factors.

Whatever finance you have, use a ten, ten, ten, seventy rule: 1.) tithe ten percent; 2.) save ten percent; 3.) pay yourself ten percent; 4.) use the remaining seventy percent wisely. If you have no financial background, take a class on money management. Learn how to properly balance a checkbook. Learn how to reconcile your own bank statement. Get trusted professional help if needed. Keep receipts when you make purchases. Understand how the money flow works.

Educate your children and family about money. Many youth graduate high school without knowing how to balance a checkbook. Many also ruin their credit worthiness with credit cards and other financial tools simply because they are uneducated. Take charge of your family’s financial well-being. Understand also that God’s balance sheet is never out of balance. He can get wealth to you when He needs you to have it. Remember to trust in God. All wealth actually belongs to Him.

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18

If you are called to some area of ministry, learn about ministry finance. Most importantly, be a student of God’s plan. Be sure that you are supporting ministry. You reap what you sow. Do not sow sparingly and expect a bountiful harvest. Learn to be a cheerful giver in whom the Lord can delight. Remember, how you give is what you are teaching others to do – others who may later be making a decision whether or not to give. Develop a giving spirit from the heart.

Read Matthew 6:24-34. When you have sown, have faith. Sometimes, God pays your bill for you. There may be times when you will be redeemed, without money, and without price. God can do more with what the world counts as nothing, than any one can do with all the world’s wealth. So do not be afraid of giving liberally. God knows all things – including the ways of your heart.

What Is Tithing?

A tithe (plural tithes) is literally, one from profit. Sounds simple enough. So what is all the hype about? Bible scholars disagree. In Christianity, proponents of tithing affirm that it is an exhortation supported by Old Testament scripture and is not an out of date practice as opponents purport. Opponents of tithing argue that while tithing is expounded in the Old Testament, it is not a topic of exhortation in the New Testament – nor is it so much as mentioned at all. With no definitive answer on the question of tithing today, how do you determine whether or not you should participate? No doubt you have heard the words of Malachi 3:10-12 in support of tithing. Remember?

“10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:10-12 KJV

Now, ask yourself if you believe the Bible. If you answered, “Yes,” keep reading. If you answered, “No,” keep reading because I already cashed the bonus! (If you did not smile, rinse and repeat). A perhaps less quoted, yet precious insight is in the single verse, II Timothy 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)

Whether you believe the New Testament is “missing something” for lack of reitterating an Old Testament truth, or you think the Old Testament is a history lesson to be learned and not forgotten, if you believe the Bible, you may agree with II Timothy 3:16.

Now, ask yourself if you believe God. Exactly. Whether you answered, “Yes,” or, “No,” you have your heart’s reply to the “do” or “don’t” question. If all scripture is profitable, it follows that if you partake in tithing with the mindset that you are fulfilling the Gospel according to Malachi 3:10, it is neither a question of the Old or New Testament, nor of the person receiving the tithe, as to whether it is a necessary practice. The “…Prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts,…” should be enough to get your motor running! One of the benefits of faith in God, is the ability to stand on His promises. Even if the skeptics are right about tithing not being mentioned in the new Testament, God made a promise. You can take it to the bank.

WHOSE MONEY IS IT?

Finally, an easy question. When the Bible says, “…Saith the Lord,” Just say, Amen. If you tithe with the proper heart condition (cheerful giving), understanding that God is the only one who can give you a return of 30, 60, and 100 fold (Mark 4:20) more than you gave, you will understand that the important question is not who gets the (seed) money – the important question is who gave the seed? Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 KJV

If we want God to be King in our lives, we can not place limits on the topics and places that He should reign. If there are habits, acquaintances, or other areas of our lives that cause us to neglect, ignore, or water down our relationship with Christ, we need to make it our prayer that God will help us to steer those areas to His will.

“There hath no temptation you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 1:13 KJV

The unction to use our tithes for anything other than a token of obedience to God’s instruction in Malachi 3:10, is a type of temptation that we must resist. When some people think of tithing, they may feel that it takes away from the income they have to do things such as pay bills. God is challenging us to consider that “window” of heaven that He promises to open.

Did you know that in the original Hebrew translation of the Holy Bible, the context of the “window” in Malachi 3:10 is not exactly like the window that we have come to know in houses and business offices?This prophetic window, from which the blessing so great that we will not have the capacity to reap all of its benefits, is more like a flood gate. Now, think about that. A window is really to let something in – sunshine; fresh air; etc. A flood gate is to hold something back, lest it overtake, or completely flood what lies beyond the gate. Therefore, when we tithe as God commands us, we are “proving” to God that we believe He is able to open the flood gate of blessing upon us, that we shall be overtaken of His blessings and good favor!

NOW THAT’s GOOD NEWS!

And do not forget… when God promises to rebuke the devourer for our sakes, He is speaking only of what He knows He can do, not what He thinks will happen. Do not allow circumstances and other people to tell you what they think you should do other than to be obedient to God. God is able to do more than we can ask or even think. And He understands that choosing His will is not always the popular thing to do – but it is not for the people, it is for God. He said that if we love Him, we would keep His commandments. When he prepares the blessing for those who keep His commandments, He will not pass you by.

If we do not follow God’s plan of salvation, we will not be saved. If we do not follow His financial plan, we should not expect wealth either. To an audience complaining of hearing a “repeated” sermon, a pastor responded, “When you get that one, we’ll move on to something else.” (unknown)