Does Your Financial Vision Seem Dead?
ByA few years ago, back when the economy was rolling right along, most Christians seemed to be excited about bringing in wealth and finances to advance the Kingdom. Believers were excited about the prospect of the transfer of wealth.
But, fast forward to the present, and I’ve seen that excitement wane in most Christians. Is the vision dead?
Personally, as with many of you, the Lord has used these times to help us get our priorities in line, as you’ve seen me write about on this blog in the recent past.
But for kingdom-minded believers, is Deuteronomy 8:18 now declared “null and void” just because of this bump in the road of the world economy?
Maybe we’ve seen all the greed on Wall Street and in corporations and we want to be removed from that as far as possible, so we shy away from the very idea of obtaining wealth.
But actually the opposite is true. Because now, more than ever, we need righteous believers sitting in the seats of power on Wall Street and Main Street! Imagine all the major financial decision-makers having the mind of Christ and using that wea.lth for His Glory! We can’t back down now - we need to advance in the area of business and investment, and not retreat.
Forgive me if this sounds a little preachy, but this has been on my heart for a few weeks now, and I have to get this message out. Consider this the beginning of a new series over the next few weeks, where I will share what the Lord has been showing me lately in this area of business and investment.
Stay tuned!
Mark
6 Comments
June 16th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I’ve been reading Mark Batterson’s book “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day” and I fully believe that now is the time to be chasing down our lions!
Here are a few “gold nuggets” from the book:
“Lion chasers don’t let their fears or doubts keep them from doing what God has called them to do.”
“Maybe God wants to stack the odds against us so we can experience a miracle of divine proportions. Maybe faith is trusting God no matter how impossible the odds are. May our impossible situations are opportunities to experience a new dimension of God’s glory.”
“Maybe we should stop asking God to get us out of difficult circumstances and start asking Him what He wants us to get out of those difficult circumstances.”
June 16th, 2009 at 8:09 am
I think a lot of Believers feel dismayed, disappointed and “let down” by the Lord as regards to his promises and are, therefore, discouraged as regards their giving and stewardship. Many didn’t expect to become as caught up in the financial maelstrom as they have been and it has been a shock to their system.
I know that God is still at work and his promises will come to pass. We also have to remember that the Lord transfers wealth in order to advance His kingdom. We are to give at higher levels instead of only striving to live at higher levels.
We just have to stop and be reminded sometimes that He is still in control. Be encouraged!
June 16th, 2009 at 9:39 am
“It was the Best of Times. It was the Worst of Times.”
How we see these times really is a measure of our Faith, isn’t it?
Our Father created each of us with Talents, and Scripture instructs us to us them. In fact, to hide them out of fear places us in the category of the “wicked” servant.But by putting them to work, we are richly blessed.
Jesus expressed it best…We reap what we sow. If we sow fear and doubt and worry in our lives, what can we expect?
On the other hand, by being a living example of our Faith, putting our talents to work, and seeking His will in our lives, what can ewe then expect?
He has better plans for us then we can imagine. (Certainly better than politicians or mainstream media would have us believe)
The catch is… we need to do the work, take the action, live our Faith.
These are the best of times
June 16th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
That’s amazing timing, I was going over some of this stuff a few nights ago. Check out my blog post at http://www.100toughquestionsforgod.com/wordpress/
Great stuff Mark!
June 16th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Mark, God does seem to most always give you good insight. However, I feel the time is just about to come full time for the harvests many have been promised - and I mean all kinds of harvests. It seems slow in coming. but we are the anxious ones. God is not. He has a set time for each one of His and for the whole body together. I think the reason it seems slower is we are not ready for it and what He wants us to do with it. We need to be better stewards of all the things He’s given us. Time is one of these commodities. I’ve heard of a pastor recently who fasts 3 days of each month. I’ve also seen some congregations observing the Jewish Feast of First Fruits each month. Perhaps all these should have a place in our lives because they are set apart times God has said He wants us to celebrate Him. A tithe of time is not unreasonable for each month. And, acknowledging His gift of each new month just a thanksgiving for our existence. I’ve seen tithing of time bring more revelation upon everyday circumstances. These circumstances are not always what they seem to be either. Some are just to “rush” our emotions so mistakes are made more easily. We need to be more patient with ourselves and stop and think - we need not react but respond thoughtfully. He is about to turn more wealth into His children’s hands than any one knows. The wealth is not just money too.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I am looking forward to all the insights you recieve and share from God. I believe we are living in exciting times for Christians.Thanks.
In Jesus Name, Opal