FAITH AND FINANCES ‘ By Tom Kramer I. Importance of Faith and Finances In the Bible there are about: = 215 verses that speaks of faith = 218 verses that speaks of salvation = and about 2,350 verses that speaks of money stewardship and accountability = Why do you think there are around ten times more verses about money then with salvation or with faith? ~The reason is there is only one thing that competes with God for our love. = Malt. 6:24, “No one can serve two masters: for either he 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.” = Jesus wants us to learn about finances not from the world system but from principles found in the Word of God. For example: In the area of salvation we find in Romans 10:9-10 it says, 9 "...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” + With salvation the bible is very specific on what it means to be saved. What is Gods part with handling money? - Ownership - Ps 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains.” 1 Chronicles 29:11, “Everything in the heavens and the earth is yours, © Lord.” = Control - God is described with many names: Master, Almighty, Shepherd, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. As we examine these names is obvious who is in charge of the worlds fi- ances. 1 Chronicles 29:11, “...For all that is in heaven and in earth is yours; Yours is the kingdom, O lord and You are exalted as head over all.” Psalm 135:6, “Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth....” Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His pur- pose,’ +The Lord has ABSOLUTE CONTROL over every circumstance. = Provision - God is our provider. Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Philippines 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God doesn't need a prosperous economy to take care of His people. God uses predictable and unpredictable ways to provide for His people. God is totally reliable. What is our part in handling money? ~ Stewards - Faithful Stewards: | Corinthians ‘one be found faithful.” ‘Moreover it is required in stewards thatIL Principles of Faithfulness, Stewardship and Accountability Jesus taught 38 parables in the New Testament and 16 of them speak of finances. Let’s look at one them and learn some principles: ‘The parable of the talents: Matt, 25:14-30 (Read) This parable is about “Faithfulness” Some principles to learn from: = Stewardship or faithfulness over what the Lord has entrusted to you will yield multiplication. Kingdom finances require stewardship and accountability and we must have the faith to be- Jieve that it will multiply. - Faithfulness with small or few things equals multiplication. The talent does not only apply with money but also with whatever God has given to you. It could be your natural talents, skills, gifting and abilities. What matters with God is that you use them for His glory and = IfGod has gifted you in music and has called you to use your gift to worship Him that would be a good use of the talent God gave you. = Ifyou're talented is in carpentry and you use your gift in helping others or using your gift as your employment, then you're glorifying God. = God has given us all different talents, abilities and skills and He expects that we use them for His glory. This is being a good steward of what God gave you. = Inthe eyes of God, there’s no difference between a doctor who serves God as a doctor and a pastor who serves God as a pastor of a church or a missionary working in Africa. = There is no such thing as secular and holy work in the eyes of God. What is important is faithfulness and obedience to what God has called you to do. The highest calling in God is obedience. “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 15:22 Your future is determined by what you do NOW or your future is NOW. What you do today will im- pact your tomorrow. - If you are faithful in small things now, God has a greater future waiting for you. = God is looking to our everyday life to see if we're faithful. Checklist for Faithfulness: = How do you treat other people’s property? = Do you have the habit of taking or using other people’s things without permission? - Have you borrowed money from someone and you haven't paid it back on time? - Are you doing your work duty well even if no one is watching? = Do you keep your promises and your word? It’s not how much we do but it’s what we do with what we have. We are called to be faithful with what we have. Our reward will not be based in how much we do but in how faithful we are. I's not, “can I trust God?” But it’s, “ean God trust me?” Luke 16:10, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much, ‘The proof that we can handle big things is when we can handle the little things well.Sowing and reaping (multiplication) ~ You can’t ust put a seed anywhere. There’s a designed place for the seed. = With the man who had one talent he sowed it in the wrong place. He hid it in the ground. = We must sow what God has given us in a place where it could multiply David is a good example of someone who sowed and reaped well. (Give overview of David found in Samuel 16 and 17.) = Phillip Keller’s Book, “A Shepherd Look At The Lamb Of Go + After the anointing of David as King, He went back to care for his flocks + He learned how to be a faithful shepherd of sheep and the result was he became one of the greatest King’s Israel ever had. «He patiently waited for God’s timing in his life. This delay in God's promise helped build his trust in God’s faithfulness and also helped build his character. + In] Samuel 17:20, “So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him....” So before he left he prepared for someone to take care of the flocks. * Once he got to the battle it says in verse 22, “And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers.” This tells us that he was concerned with the details. This is faithfulness in small things. = Faithfulness became his habit and his lifestyle even when he became king. = Remember, the unwanted tests that come into our lives are a part of our character de- velopment and our destiny if we remain faithful through it all. = There are no overnight successes in the kingdom of God. = The lessons of faithfulness must be learned because it will also affect how we handle money. IIL What Hinders the Release of our Finances? Living under the influence of mammon. Luke 16: 13 & Matt. 6:24, “No servant can serve two mas- ters; for either he 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.” *** (get definition of mammon) Jesus talks about mammon because it influences us and wants us to make our decisions based on if wwe have or don’t have money. ~ Mammon causes us to have a ‘poverty mentality’ = The poverty mentality takes on a form of bondage that hinders us to live by faith in our fi- ances. = Signs of poverty mentality a) Constantly saying we are poor and because we're poor we: Can't serve God in missions + Can't do what God is calling me to do = Can't be generous b)_ Blaming our failures on others ©) Coveting others peoples possessions 4d) Jealous of others€) Sense of being cursed 1) Greediness 2) Pattern of borrowing as a lifestyle h) Trusting resources rather then God j) Looking to others for your needs {). Stealing k) Lack of gratitude 1) Working hard only when under supervision m) Continued financial problems that is not normal n) Gambling * Is there any sign of poverty spirit in your life? - Mammon is weak and it gains its power through the people who loves money. - Mammon influences us to be in debt which is bondage. = 2 things mammon wants us to do: Love money Serve money - Its so important to understand the spirit of mammon because it affects our hearts and our en- fe. = When we are under the influence of mammon, our hands are tied up and it’s hard for us to have an open hands to receive God’s blessings in our finances. Ex. Give an illustration of both hands tied up and trying to receive or give something. It’s so difficult to receive and give. - ” Mammon tells us that without money we can’t do anything and before we could do something for God we must have money first. = Are you under the influence of mammon? - Living under the influence of mammon is the opposite of living in the Kingdom of God. In the Kingdom of God, obedience to God’s word first and then comes the provision. * Example: In YWAM we hear the word of God, make the project and then ask God for the provision, We don’t raise money first and then come up with a project. Bank Motto: “Money never starts a vision; it’s always a vision that starts the money.” = Paul says in Phil. 4:12-13, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have leamed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. = The context of this scripture is about finances. Removing Road Blocks of a Poverty Mentality: = Worry and anxiety: Matt. 6:25-34 a) Worry isa sin. It’s a lack of trusting God that He can provide our needs. b) Worrying is faith in the devil. ¢) We are commanded not to worry but, “seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt. 6:33, 4) In Phil. 4:6 we are commanded not to be anxious of anything but to pray in everything. ¢) Worrying wears us down in our spirit, soul and ultimately wears our body down. Prov. 12:25, “anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.” = Laziness: 2 Thes. 3:6-10 a) In the area of working for the Lord.b) Also in the area of building and cultivating relationships and communication. ©) Jesus said the worker is worthy of his wages. - Sin - Unbelief - Greed = Lifestyle of borrowing = Not being a good steward = Un-forgiveness + Fear - Disobedience = Not tithing or being generous IV. Generosity Mark 10:17-21, “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? So Jesus said to him, why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, Do not bear false witness, do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother. And he answered and said to Him, Teacher, all these things T have kept from my youth. Then Jesus looking at him, oved him, and said to him, one thing you lack; go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me. But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” + Vs. 21, you lack one thing; very important, sell everything and give it to the poor. «© Ifyou’re under the influence of mammon then to be generous is an unthinkable and an impossible thing to do. But if you're freed from the spirit of mammon then it’s easy to be generous. + Jesus’ principle to break the spirit of mammon is to: + Sell everything you have and give it to the poor. This way you'll have treasures in heaven. + Prov. 19:17, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” Prov. 28:27, “He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses.” God’s answer to greed is generosity. + Vs, 22, Mammon is holding him even though he had obeyed the laws of God. + Vs. 23, We must keep our lives free from the love of money. + When we give and are generous we destroy the power of mammon in our lives +** The Principle: Every time we give in accordance to what God wants you to give, you're heaping up treasures in heaven! + Giving with Proper Attitude: 1 Corinthians 13:2, “If T give all my possessions to feed the poor...But do not have love, it profits me nothing.” The Lord sets the example of giving motivated by love. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son.” Because He loved He gave. The only way to give with love it to give each gift to Jesus Christ. We can express our gratefulness and love by giving our gifts to Him. We need to examine our motivation in our giving, is it done out of duty or delight? Is there joy in generosity in giving to the Lord,Matt. 6:19-21, 24, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” + Treasures in these verses refer to finances. It tells us not to store up treasures on earth for your heart will be with it. Luke 6:38, “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.” + How does this giving work? + Every time you give you're depositing in your heavenly account, credits. = Every time you're in need you have something to withdraw and God will release His provi- sion to you. = Ifyou do not make any deposit then it will be difficult to trust God for your needs. = When being generous we must be aware of our motive when we give, We need to have pure motives in generosity = Try notto go around giving to people with the motive of getting back because God loves a cheerful giver. And itis more blessed to give than to receive, = Giving means letting go without any strings attached and expecting to be paid back. Get your motive right. 2 Cor. 9:6-8, “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 love a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” V. Biblical Prosperity Joshua 1:6-8, “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you, do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but ‘you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Obedience to the Word of God brings real prosperity ‘One definition of prosperity: “Is the ability to use God’s Word and power to reach or to meet the needs of man in every realm of life.” If you're going to meet these needs you must have something to give. Prosperity in different realms of life: = Prosperity in the Spiritual realm (our spirit is eternal) a) God wants to prosper us in the Spirit so that we can impart it to others. bb) Every person who is a born again Christian and walking in the Sj pered = _ Prosperity in our Soul — The Soul is made up of Mind, Will & Emotion (our choices) 4) Our mind must be renewed from our old way of thinking,Rom, 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” b) Ourwill is to be free, free to choose and to be obedient to the Word of God. ©) Our emotions are to be the shock-absorber of our lives and God wants us to prosper in our emotion. God wants to heal and cleanse our emotions. Our emotions are not lead us but should always follow our mind and our will. Emotions are the fruit of our mind. As we think so we are, as we think so we feel. If our thoughts are pure then our emotions can be good and helpful for us to live life well. = Prosperity in our Body (our body is temporary) a) Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit b) We are to take care of our bodies and to trust God for healing as we get sick. We must do our part in taking care of ourselves by exercising and eating well. - Prosperity in our Relationships a) God wants us to prosper in this area because He said in His Word that we are to be at peace with all men, We are to love everyone God brings into our lives. The world will know we are Christians by how we love and treat people. ~ Prosperity in our Finances a) God wants us to prosper in this area so that our needs will be met and we will have over- flowing to bless others. He wants to meet our needs because we are His children. God’s covenant with Abraham was that he and his descendants were to be blessed in every part of life. Gen. 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” And we are the offspring of Abraham. Gal. 3:29, “And if you are Chris seed, and heirs according to the promise.” God wants to prosper us financially because: - Weare His children. God doesn’t want us to manage by lack but He wants to bless us. - It frees us from the care of things. There are two extremes a) There are people who care too much about their things and they put themselves in bondage and are unable to do the work of the Lord: (Those who go into debt and love houses, lands, cars, work, etc.) b) There are people who don’t have enough who will say, “I don’t have money to do mis- sions or to do God's work”. ***God doesn’t want us to go to these extremes. = So we can go into all the world to preach the gospel - We can use money and things to spread the work of the Kingdom of God - So we can be generous Why is generosity better than buying and selling? Because giving involves relationship. When we give we establish relationship and God wants us to do His work with the partnership of His people. s, then you are Abrahain’sVI. Friendship Reach out in friendship with many people. Keep your motive pure (rich or poor, treat everyone equally with God’s love). Keep up relationship with those that the Lord is bonding you with. Communicate your life and ministry with them through e-mail, letters, facebook, visiting them, phone calls, etc. Friends tend to pray for you and might be the one’s who will support you. It’s better to not ask for financial support through your newsletter. The opinion of some is when you put your needs in your newsletter it becomes impersonal. Most people are bombarded by request for money and your request through newsletters maybe ignored. If God tells you to ask through newsletters then be obedient, VII. Budgeting What is a budget? plan for spending money. When you receive any money from anyone what do you normally do with it? For some they spend it on whatever is grabbing their attention the most, such as family needs, outings with friends, clothes, needs of other missionaries or whoever shouts the loudest. There are three major priorities when it comes to money: (Crisis budget. When your needs are more then your income) + First priority: Tithing / Generosity. 10% (10% is a good starting point) Principles on How to Tithe and to be Generous = Deut. 26:11-13, “So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you. When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me. a) Your tithe goes to people such as Levites or those doing the work of the Lord, strangers, the fatherless and widows. b) They also go to the storehouse or the temple. For us as Chi to the church since we're spiritually fed there. ©) Inverse 11 we're to rejoice for all that the Lord has given to ws. = Inthe New Testament Jesus taught us to be generous. The Old Testament gives us a sampling of where we should give: Those in the ministry, strangers, fatherless and widows. He didn’t limit it to these areas only. There are the poor and those in need among others. We are to re~ ‘main sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit where we can show generosit + Second priority: Your livelihood such as rent, food, electricity and water. 80% + Third priority: Your personal needs such as soap, shampoo, transportation, offerings etc. 10% ians we can give our tithes When you receive money, it’s not up to the most urgent want or need that you are facing but should be used according to your budget. Most working people around the world have a budget so as not to get kicked out of their home or to starve. If you receive any amount of money and it’s now in your pocket and you come across a need such as missionary needing to travel, you shouldn't give from the 90% budgeted for tithe oryour livelihood. If you wish to give outside your budget then you can give from the 10% personal needs ‘budget since it’s your money to use as you wish, ‘Once you start to receive more money then your most basic needs, you will then change the 10%, 80%, 10% budget. Depending on the amount of extra money you can change your budget to 10% tithe, 70% livelihood, 10% personal needs and the other 10% for whatever you wish (such as supporting your family or missionary, travel or car savings, etc.) As your support grows then you continue to change your budget. Do your best to never go into debt. Don’t buy things knowing you don’t have enough money. Once you go into debt, you're now the slave of that person you owe. | know people who borrow money to go on mission trips hoping that while on their trip they will receive ‘money. This is not called faith but presumption. True faith is waiting for the money then going on your trip ‘or buying what you need. Also with ministry money never borrow from other funds to pay for something else. These other funds are designated for something other then what you want to spend it on. The trap is ‘you start to live in the past by borrowing. The goal is when you receive money it’s to be used for your present and future VII. Raising Support 3 Models in Support Raising 1. “George Muller — Prayer Alone. 2. Hudson Taylor — Prayer and Information, but no solicitation. 3. D.L. Moody — Prayer, information, and solicitation, Which model for support raising does scripture teaches exclusively? ANSWER: All three models!!! ‘The difference is that God spoke to them on how to trust Him in their ministry and personal needs. Testimonies of provisior + Thun Camacho’s Rs.100,000 debt - fasted and God provided all the money within 2 weeks! + Thun Camacho’s Food angel - God used an ange! to provide food «Give my testimony of how God in 1986 changed my life in the area of finances ‘The principles earned from that time Pray if'you should ask others for support or not. IfGod says don’t ask then don’t. Keep looking to God and trust in Him, If God says yes to ask, then ask Him whom you should ask. If He gives you one or ten names then write a personal letter to each of them explaining your situation (your ministry, financial needs) and then ask them exactly how much you are re- «questing of them and how often. ‘Once you do this then it’s up to them to pray and see if' God is leading them to support you. If ‘they don’t support you then you were still obedient to what God told you to do. + Ifyou are still lacking support then start the process over again until you are sure that you've done all that God has told you to do. Be faithful to thank your supporters regularly and to update them on your ministry.‘What are some negative emotions in support raising? + Fear of being rejected + Pear of being misunderstood + Begging + Pride Pear of being criticized + Fear of loosing our reputation Shyness + Fear of feeling of not being able to trust Go How do we handle these negative emotions? Know God + Know what the scriptures says + Relying on the Word of God + Have conviction of your call + Talk to your pastor and spiritual leader + Build and develop relationships with Godly people + Interdependence on others, - Luke 8:2-3, “...and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. - Jesus had many people supporting him during his 3 years in the ministry. ~The disciples were commanded by Jesus in Matt. 10:5-11 that as they went into villages to stay with the “man of peace” and that this household will provide for their needs. He said that the worker is worthy of his food. Common Mistakes in Support Raising Harvard Business Review did a study of forms of commun + Relying on mail appeals for monthly support Failure to cultivate relationships Failure to ask or assuming money always follows ministry Multiple appeals (every time you communicate you are asking for money) ation and ranked them according to effective- ness in the following order. 1 Thi 2 3 4 5 6 1 8 ree 1. 2. a One on one . Small group discussion Large group Telephone Handwritten ‘Typed letter . Newsletter Brochure Secrets of Fund Raising See people personally See people personally See people personallyAsk God about your vision. What is your goal? It’s easier for friends to support you if they know your vi- sion. Pray for the right tool to use in support raising. By putting God in the middle of your support raising, you will have the faith and confidence to do all that the Lord is calling you to do. You will have joy when you're in need and when you have much. “But see first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you, Matt. 6:33,