To trust God is to totally lean on Him. It means to be sure or confident of the Lord’s ability to bring a good end.

Christ is Risen!

“Very early Sunday morning, the women came to the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. They brought the sweet-smelling spices they had prepared. They saw that the heavy stone that covered the entrance had been rolled away. They went in, but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.”
Luke 24:1‭-‬3 ERV

We often receive with amazement news about humans rescued alive after being trapped for days underneath split rocks from volcanic eruptions or collapsed buildings. We also hear with marvel accounts of men of God doing mighty miracles for Jesus, including raising dead people to life! So as I read the Bible’s account of Peter’s reaction to the testimony of the resurrection of a man he watched killed and buried, I can identify with Peter’s confusion.

“But Peter got up and ran to the tomb to see. He looked in, but he saw only the cloth that Jesus’ body had been wrapped in. It was just lying there. Peter went away to be alone, WONDERING WHAT HAD HAPPENED“
Luke 24:12 ERV

The story of the Lord’s resurrection as narrated by Joanna, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and the ‘other women’ in Luke 24: 1-12, sounded too good to be true, it sounded like an idle tale. Unlike Peter, the other disciples didn’t exercise much control, their reaction easily fits a fair definition of unbelief.

“These women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, the mother of James, and some others. They told the apostles everything that happened. But the apostles did not believe what they said. It sounded like nonsense.“
Luke 24:10‭-‬11 ERV

How would you have reacted? Imagine that you witnessed the gruesome murder of your spiritual leader and while you and his other followers were still trying to come to terms with his death, someone storms into your mourning room and announces that your leader is alive! Three kinds of feelings are likely to rush through your entire frame at once;

• FEAR (that a ghost may be lurking around)
• cautious EXCITEMENT (while you ascertain the mental state of the news bearer)
• CONFUSION…

It seems to me that the disciples displayed all 3 reactions. Those that felt the women had lost it, were right. It all seemed like an idle tale and only a self-righteous being would fault their unbelief. Jesus died, was buried and they saw it!

Probably the most exciting part for me in all of this, is the believe of the 2 Marys and Joanna. They became so convinced of a resurrection to the point of sharing the news with the others. Luke 24:8, tells us why…..they remembered what Jesus said!

“Jesus is not here. He has risen from death. Do you remember what he said in Galilee? He said the Son of Man must be handed over to the control of sinful men, be killed on a cross, and rise from death on the third day.” Then the women REMEMBERED WHAT JESUS HAD SAID.“
Luke 24:6‭-‬8 ERV

What has the Lord said concerning that baffling situation you are faced with today? Don’t be afraid or confused, believe the Word of the Lord.

The tomb was empty when the women got there, and remained empty till Peter got his peep of it. So all the display of bewilderment, confusion, unbelief or excitement by the apostles did NOT change the reality that the tomb was empty.

He is risen! Just as He said He would. What the Lord says is what matters, not what we see or how we feel.

Christ is Risen! This is NOT an Idle Tale but Reality. The Tomb is EMPTY! Christ IS Risen Indeed.

…………

Subscribe to have all our study series delivered to your inbox. Thank you for your love gift and partnership, they help us continue to spread the good news of the gospel of Christ.

God will do all He can to reach you, however He needs your faith (and cooperation) to save, deliver, prosper and heal you.

This is Part 9 of the study series; The Road to Financial Sufficiency In Christ. In this part, we consider what Jesus said about money. What Exactly were Jesus’ stand on money? Find links to previous part at the end of this article.

First let’s do an overview of scriptural view on money………..

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ I Timothy 6:10 NKJV

“As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labour—this is the gift of God. ‘ Ecclesiastes 5:19 NKJV.

• Money is not evil, it is the love of money that leads to evil
• Money is not the only root of evil, it is ‘A’ root of evil
• Excessive craving for money derails a believer and steals his faith
• Greediness for money leads to self-destruction
• God gives riches and wealth for someone to enjoy and have a good life.

What Jesus Thought About Money

“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.” Matthew 6:24 NKJV

“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. 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. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? “No servant 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.” Luke 16:9-11,13 NKJV

From Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:9-11, we can deduce some of Jesus’ thoughts on money…….

1. Money Is A Master

In some Bible translations, the word ‘mammon‘ is used interchangeably with money, deceitful riches, possessions. In both verses of Matthew and Luke shared above, Jesus uses the Word mammon in a personified sense; He attributes a personal or human character to it. In both accounts, ‘mammon’ is described as a master and Jesus mentions 2 masters in our texts- God and mammon.

A master is someone who has servants or slaves working for him. According to Jesus, a master demands to be ‘served’ in love and loyalty.

Child of God, here’s the good news; Jesus gave 2 options- God or Money. Meaning, you have a choice. God doesn’t impose Himself on anyone, money doesn’t either. However if you choose to serve God, then you must reduce money to what it is- a tool for intermediating the exchange of goods of services. Don’t let the love of money drive you to ruin.

2. Money Will Fail

“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), so that when it fails, they [those you have favoured] may receive and welcome you into the everlasting habitations (dwellings).” Luke 16:9 AMPC

“Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” Luke 16:9 NLT

“I tell you, use the worldly things you have now to make ‘friends’ for later. Then, when those things are gone, you will be welcomed into a home that lasts forever.” Luke 16:9 ERV

Money/riches/possessions don’t last forever. Unfortunately, Luke 16:9 says ‘when’ your possessions are gone‘, not ‘if‘ your possessions are gone‘!

The security that money gives is transient. The list of ‘Top 10 Richest Persons in The World’ has never remained constant.

Money does not satisfy …….

“He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance with gain. This also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 AMPC

See what Proverbs 23:4-5 says…

“‘Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.’ Proverbs 23:4-5 NKJV

Riches CERTAINLY make themselves wings (and fly off).

Inspite of Luke 16:9 and Proverbs 23:4-5, Jesus tells us there is a way to give money an eternal security (see #4 below).

3. Money Can Buy Influence

“The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’ “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. ‘ Luke 16:3-4,8 NLT

………..”I know how to ensure that I’ll have PLENTY OF FRIENDS who will give me a home when I am fired“……..

Jesus’ Parable of The Unjust Steward in Luke 16:1-12 which we have been referencing in this study, narrates the story of a manager who was mismanaging his master’s money. And when his master asked him to give an account of his stewardship, sensing he might be sacked, he decided to first settle himself. He bought influence for himself with his master’s money!

While this man’s action may not totally seem like a good thing, see what Jesus said in verses 8-9;

“So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.“
Luke 16:8‭-‬9 NKJV

……”make friends for yourself by the unrighteous mammon“…….

Money can buy Influence; use it to kingdom advantage.

Influence is about People.

4. Money Is Not TRUE Riches

“Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” Luke 16:9-11 NLT

Money (in itself) has very low significance in Heaven. Jesus referred to money as ‘least’ or ‘little’.

Money is Not True Riches. Heaven’s True Riches are PEOPLE. If Jesus said we should invest money in people, then I choose to believe that people are Heaven’s True Riches.

Investing money in Kingdom work gives it eternal security. The more people we influence and win over to God the richer our heavenly treasure store (Luke 12:33, Matthew 6:19‭-‬20).

Little wonder God would give His Son to save PEOPLE.

Jesus put People above Money. Don’t reverse it!

5. You Are Worth Much More Than Money

“And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.”
Luke 12:15 AMPC

………..a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance………..

Don’t reduce your worth to money, riches and possessions. Your worth is not defined by money or your possessions… You were BOUGHT by the PRECIOUS blood of Jesus……

“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter 1:18-19 NLT

Dear friends, we are stewards of God’s possessions in our care. Our possessions are gifts from God. We must learn to enjoy these gifts as well as put them to other good use-especially, Kingdom work.

Greed, Covetousness and the Love of Money are killers. Godliness with Contentment is great gain (Proverbs 1:18‭-‬19, 1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Praise God!

Well, thank you for joining me on this very enlightening study.

Remember you can access previous parts of this study as follows; 

I covered 9 key subtopics on biblical financial management in this series. You can start with the part that interests you most,

Part 1: The Road To Financial Sufficiency In Christ: Introduction

Part 2:The Purpose of Money from The Bible

Part 3 : We Have Been Delivered from Poverty. 

Part 4: Benefits of Being An Heir of the Father.

Part 5: Did Jesus Really Have Any Needs?  

Part 6: How Jesus Met Needs In The Bible.

Part 7: How Did Jesus Meet Needs?

Part 8: 5 Biblical Principles for Enjoying Financial Sufficiency In Christ.

Subscribe to have all our study series delivered to your inbox. Thank you for your love gift and partnership, they help us continue to spread the good news of the gospel of Christ.

Friends, God Shall supply, He shall supply generously and liberally, God shall supply from the abundance of His riches. He may work through extraordinary means to deliver our supply to us or He shall cause men to give back to us. Expect a truckload of supplies, they are coming. Indeed they are here (at your doorstep), receive them. When you get a call about a delivery, do not say; ‘but I did not order anything, go sign off your supplies… sent by Your Father.

God wants us prosperous. One of the benefits of Jesus’ death and resurrection, is that poverty was taken away from us, and in exchange we have riches. In this article, I share 5 principles for enjoying financial sufficiency in Christ. This is Part 8, of the series; The Road to Financial Sufficiency in Christ. Find links to previous parts at the end of this article.

Principle #1: Faith

Faith is the Christian currency, it is the prerequisite for receiving anything from God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is a way of life for the believer (Hebrews 10:38). It is at the base of anything we can receive from God. We need faith to enjoy financial sufficiency in Christ.

Mark 11:24 says;

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.“
Mark 11:24 NKJV

The time to receive is when we pray or ask. Not when we see the physical manifestation of our prayer but at the very time we pray, we believe that we receive, then we shall have it.

So when you ask, believe that you receive. Believe that the response to your need is yours when you call it forth. Receive your harvest when you sow. Believe and be fully persuaded that the Father will take care of you. Believe, receive and you shall have.

Principle #2: Generosity

We established in Part 6 that there’s a blessing in giving (Luke 6:38). And we said that if we can commit to a lifestyle of always giving, fully utilizing every opportunity the Father sends to us to give, we can set in motion (for ourselves) unending seasons of harvest and blessing.

First Timothy 6:18, charges us to be RICH in Good works, liberal and generous in heart…

“[Charge them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share [with others],”
1 Timothy 6:18 AMPC

Friends, we can enjoy full supply when we make ourselves a source of supply for others.

Amen!

Principle #3: Stewardship

A steward is someone who manages and looks after another’s property or one who administers something as an agent of another.

We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ. All that the Father has belongs to us. Therefore all that we have came from Him. We are God’s stewards chosen to manage, administer and properly dispense of every resource in our care. We should do this in a way that honors God and blesses humanity.

In Luke 16:1‭-‬12, Jesus shares on the shrewd steward. This guy was mismanaging his master’s money. And when his master asked him to give an account of his stewardship, sensing he might be sacked, he decided to first settle himself. He bought influence for himself with his master’s money! While this may not totally seem like a good thing, see what Jesus said in verses 8-9;

“So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.“
Luke 16:8‭-‬9 NKJV

Money has value, however, we are not to be driven by a selfish desire to accumulate or use money for our personal gain only. We should also give money a value that enhances the Father’s Business. To enjoy financial sufficiency in Christ, we must be a good steward of what God has freely given to us.

When we recognize that all that the Father has actually belongs to us to manage, we will not be anxious about money/wealth, but rather grateful and accountable to God for all that we have.

Principle #4: Contentment

Contentment is a state of being happy and satisfied. An attitude of gratitude is a strong driver for operating in contentment. If we would pray, ask, request, etc, from a heart of thanksgiving, we would express more contentment (Philippians 4:6). However if we are always focused on the things we don’t physically have, we will be in a perpetual state of discontentment, leading to dissatisfaction and gradually eroding into unbelief.

Therefore keeping the right focus in life encourages contentment (Luke 12:22). An uncontrolled desire for riches, wealth, power, etc, will always keep someone sad, dissatisfied and discontented. An unmoderated focus on money will drive someone straight into the enemy’s snare (I Timothy 6:6‭-‬10). Silver does not satisfy, riches are fleeting, a selfish drive for abundance is an effort in futility, the Father doesn’t give such (Ecclesiastes 5:10, Proverbs 23:4‭-‬5). If we would regularly ask ourselves ‘why do I want more?’, we are more likely to be more contented than greedy and unthankful.

And having the right definition of personal worth, will keep someone confident, satisfied and content. We are not defined by what we have or do not have, we were bought by the precious blood of Jesus and that’s worth more than enough (Luke 12:15). We are God’s sons, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, we are not beggars or servants, we are God’s priced possession. Having a revelation of the fatherly heart of God will keep us settled and free from anxiety because the Father is fully committed to taking care of us (Matthew 6:25‭-‬34).

Godliness with Contentment is great gain (I Timothy 6:6). A Christian who is not content will never have a sense of sufficiency.

Now I am not quite sure if the 5th point is a principle per se, however I think it is a very important one.. …?

When we are generous, we position ourselves to enjoy all financial sufficiency in Christ.

Principle #5: WORK

"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 2 Thessalonians 3:10‭-‬12 NKJV

If you don’t work, you should not eat.

Sometimes Christians are lazy because they claim to be working in faith. It is a lot of faith to expect to be rewarded from working.
God put Adam in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. God expects us to work. Proverbs 6 shares the way ants work hard in order to have regular supply of food. The bible admonishes us to learn from the ants.
Work doesn’t just bring financial reward, it’s also a way to discover and utilize God’s giftings.

Friend, work so you’ll always have enough for yourself and others.

Well, thank you for joining me again today.

Remember you can access previous parts of this study as follows; 

Part 1: The Road To Financial Sufficiency In Christ: Introduction

Part 2:The Purpose of Money from The Bible

Part 3 : We Have Been Delivered from Poverty. 

Part 4: Benefits of Being An Heir of the Father.

Part 5: Did Jesus Really Have Any Needs?  

Part 6: How Jesus Met Needs In The Bible.

Part 7: How Did Jesus Meet Needs?

Subscribe to have all our study series delivered to your inbox. Thank you for your love gift and partnership, they help us continue to spread the good news of the gospel of Christ.

There are 2 other kinds of ONE mentioned in 1 Corinthuans 6- When someone confesses Jesus as Lord and Saviour, he  becomes One spirit with Christ (verse 17) and his body is becomes a member of Christ (verse 15). 

Child of God, you are the righteous, you are as bold as the lion. You are courageous, confident, fierce in spirit, not easily intimidated, in-charge, in control, strong (in the power of the Holy Ghost).

According to Romans 8:14, if you are a son of God, you should never lack direction, never be confused, never be unsure of the will of God for any situation, because God leads His sons. Are you at crossroads? Do you need to make a critical life decision about where to live, who to marry, what schools to send your kids to, your next steps, your purpose in life? You have the Spirit of Christ. You are God’s son. And God leads His sons.

When we reach out to God for help from the place of oppression, bondage, depression or captivity, we find that all along He’s been waiting to help us. Indeed Jesus already delivered us and by the wisdom of God we become privy to steps/actions to take in order to have more pleasant experiences in life.