STOP WORRYING ABOUT FINANCES

STOP WORRYING ABOUT FINANCES

Proverbs 10:22-24, (NKJV)
 

22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.

23 To do evil is like sport to a fool,
But a man of understanding has wisdom.

24 The fear of the wicked will come upon him,
And the desire of the righteous will be granted

I used to worry about lack and fear its impending and "expected" visits everytime "money" runs out or everytime payments exceeds income. However, the journey to freedom in this area does not just stem with money issues but anxieties and fears of tomorrow. Face it, we were schooled so that we will be able to get a good job. The wages from that good job will support me, my wife and my kids plus those that need our support.We are taught to fear lack, fear having no food on the table and being bankrupted by the banks. Therefore all of our lives we live to prevent that from happening. Fear keeps us in bondage to the need to survive and stay alive ! ..

How did God lead me to breakthroughs? Well what I can say is ...its not just about having more money but He helped me believe in HIM and rely on Him more than I rely on self or others.

I am pastor and pioneering my own Church and financial freedom is very important to emotional and physical well being. So I need such breakthroughs. Here are some steps that God put me through towards breakthrough...

1. I need to live by faith not fear (Heb 11:1,6). Its the only thing that matters to God..It is that I trust Him and not myself. This eventually broke my reliance on others. Nobody owes me a living and neither do I owe anyone that. You see, if you live on others and on that monthly wage, you become obligated to that person or persons. You eventually develop a slave mentality. You will get a job for the money not a career. What happened to your dreams and God's call on your life ? (Mt 6:33)

2. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom 10:17). Faith is not just hearing but believing that all Jesus did on the cross for us is good enough. In Him alone, God provides for us. So when I first started pioneering work, finances was a huge demand on me. I need to feed my family, buy diapers and milk powder above all others things. So I prayed and asked God , should I work part time or something ? The logical thing to do right ?..God told me NO...not once but thrice (3 times). He said my work is His work for me...the Church. God's work for you may differ..what is it ?

3. He then tells me...to "GO FORWARD". You see humanly, when we lack security in this case, money..we rarely go forward in anything less we lose everything.But God showed me that blessings and provisions have a lifespan and seasons. This season's provisions are not for tomorrow. To see and receive all that God has for us tomorrow, we need to GO FORWARD. You do need a job to have income. Whatever you do, focus and be faithful serving God and loving people. Dreamers don't always get the job done. Its doers that do.

4. Money does not solve everything.  Proverbs 13:23 says " much food is in the fallow (shallow) ground of the poor..." Yet why is he still poor ?..It all lies in the word "fallow" or "shallow".Our minds are not renewed. God's creativity juices flows through us when we seek Him for ideas for "works". Sometimes its not you that solves your problem other you solving other people's problems...remember the boy with the 2 fishes and 5 loaves...he had little..but in God's hands it fed thousands that day ! God gave us a brain..so we can think. "NOTHING IS BEYOND SOLVING". Saying that you do still need money unless you living in a world where the only currency of exchange is something else.

5. Know the state of your flocks. That's what God told me. It was a Rhema word..but it mattered as it helped me to begin having good records of my expenditure and incomes. If I know where my expenses are, I can plan and budget. 

6. Tithing and giving. We are mere stewards in Gods kingdom. When God can trust you with little..He can trust you with alot. Tithing helps us to obey. How many struggle with 10%? MANY ! they say they give more than 10% to Church...but all God wants is 10% . Why 10%?Obedience friends. Faithfulness is key in God's kingdom. You see you can dream..but if you have no character you will falter midway. Sometimes all that is left in why we do what we do its because God said so !..not be cause you feel so. Tithing and giving teaches us one thing too...look to the needs of others too. Be kind..be generous...lift someone up this day. Teach them to fish yes..but sometimes they need to eat before they have energy for work.. Giving is God's way..should be ours too.  (1 Cor 8-9). There was a time when I struggled too in tithing. Not because I didn't want to but I could not. So God taught me to pray and ask Him to enable me to tithe. Even tithing does not have to start with big amounts..Remember its your obedience that counts not the amount. So that's how I started with the little I tithe. Giving is the best measure of your character...Check it out on what you do with it when you have little and when you have alot. An influencer knows how to give till it hurts. Giving is spiritual investmenting. God will surely bring it back to you overflowing.

7. Pray your way forward. In 2012, I asked God for a life changing financial breakthrough. Monthly income that is from ministry that I "work" in..God gave it to me in 2013. What are you facing today ? don't ask God for manna..manna is for desert (the arid sand one not the ice cream one)..In the promise land its endless providence and satisfaction. By the way, the salary that comes from your job is usually the one that is used the most. Learn to grow what you've got. Save-up, fixed deposits, shares, investments, property..learn how to make your money work hard for you. All these will give you additional income periodically.

8. Don't get into debt anymore. Debt is sin. Sin is the I wants to play GOd and take control again. Sometimes we spend because our flesh lusts. We don't really need alot to survive. Simplify. No need to live the life of others. You just live yours. If there's anything you need, ask God for it and then wait.  Many people think asking God is trusting..OH NO ! WAITING IS TRUSTING ! ..Nothing is impossible with Daddy God ! Just keep believing people and don't leave God's presence..NOT EVER ! GOd Bless YOU !

25/2/14

(C) Pastor Edwin Koh Boon Leng.