No, you don’t have to carry a physical 110pound wood just like Jesus did, however, whether you like it or not, if you are going to accomplish anything meaningful in/for God, you have a cross to bear. Apostle Paul had thorns in his flesh- annoying and irritating people who worked under satan’s influence to taunt him. Identify your own cross and like Paul, deal with it by grace (2 Corinthians 12:9).

There is no Grace without a Cross/Thorn and there is no Cross/Thorn without Grace! If you believe that you are graced, then there’s a cross you must bear.

But could it be that the manifestation of your long awaited hope is starring at you and yet you do not see it as such? We know that God is faithful; He will always come through. That’s how we know that the hope that is rested on Christ does not disappoint. We just need to LOOK with our spiritual eyes in order SEE it and then take it by faith

Israel lacked spiritual sensitivity and understanding as to the exact description and role of the Messiah. They missed the who, when and how of their expectation. Hence they didn’t recognize the time of their visitation, and so couldn’t engage their faith to seize and embrace their long awaited Messianic Hope. Thankfully it wasn’t all of Israel that was spiritually insensitive at the time. The Bible speaks of  Simeone’s relationship with the Holy Spirit and how this sharpened his spiritual sensitivity, helping him recognize the Messiah even at A Baby, INFANTILE stage….

Sometimes all you require to surmount a persistent health challenge is the wisdom of God delivered to you through a divine instruction. And sometimes a divine instruction can help you stand out from a pack of equally qualified folks, colleagues or schoolmates.

I started this study series last Friday (22/04/22) which centres on us (believers) taking advantage of and enjoying everything Jesus got for us.

You can read up on Part 1 here.

Some key things mentioned then were:
▪️God wants the best for us and He has provided it all in Christ.
▪️God will not take away the giants (troubles, challenges, difficulties, opposition) we encounter as we move to possess our inheritance in Christ. Tackling them ourselves helps us build patience, character and hope which equip us for the future.
▪️Just like, Caleb, we must stir up the spirit of faith in us and also commit to following God fully.

Today we answer the question…….

How Do You Take The Land?

1. Trust and Obey

Of the 12 spies sent to spy out Canaan, only Joshua and Caleb made it to the promised land. God specifically distinguised Caleb as having a different spirit and of following Him fully/wholeheartedly.

“But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.” Numbers 14:24 NKJV

What exactly did Caleb do?
While majority of the spies conveniently presented a fact-file of their visit with some added negativity (Numbers 13:32-33), Joshua and Caleb had a different perspective.

We see the conclusion of Caleb’s report in Numbers 13:30

“And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30 KJV

–Let us GO UP AT ONCE, and possess it–

Why do you think Caleb took this stand?
He trusted in God’s faithfulness and was willing to obey, heed and follow God completely. Make no mistake about it, that just like the rest of the spies, Caleb saw the good fruits of the land, saw it’s inhabitants but he refused to see himself as grasshopper against giants. No! Not when the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is his God!

At some point in your Christian walk, to take the land and enjoy all of God’s promises in Christ Jesus, you must answer the question of whether you truly trust God? Do you really trust in His ability, strength, faithfulness? Can you take certain ‘risks’ based on God’s Word to you? Do you trust God enough to get off that sick bed simply because His Word says you are healed or are you seeing yourself worse? Do you trust God enough to make that career move in the midst of uncertainties or do you fear a possibly transient (but impactful) loss of income? Do you trust God enough to let Him sort out your marriage or children as you keep speaking His Word over them? Can you start that ministry or business simply because God spoke to you to do so?

When you trust God, you will Obey and Act on His Word.

Caleb said, let’s GO Up At Once, Abraham had to MOVE from Ur towards an unknown promised land because God said to go. Moses led Israel from Egypt towards an unknown promised land because God said to ‘move’.

You have to MOVE in order to take the land.

2. Fight Your Fight of Faith

Now, you have just trusted the Lord’s command and MOVED. Congratulations! You just initiated your Change process! However, wake up because you have just landed yourself in the midst of giants.

As said earlier, apart from Joshua and Caleb, the other 10 spies presented a bad report. But really they presented what they saw with their physical eyes (well, with some twists). Apart from the milk and honey, there were indeed giants in the land, the cities were fortified and very large, the inhabitants seemed obviously stronger than the Israelites (Numbers 13:27-29). So there were problems, troubles, challenges. However Joshua and Caleb chose to see a victory. They focused on God’s promises.

Sometimes I listen to people talk about all the unpleasant experiences in thier lives, family, marriage, etc. They narrate these experiences with much detail and accuracy. I listen, listen and listen again, waiting to hear just one faith word come out of their mouth, but then they link another problem and start reinforcing all the enemy is doing with their words.

Some persons who know me pick an offense with me because they see me as mostly keeping to myself. They think I don’t ‘mingle’ much. Well try engaging me with some good bible study time, you’ll be amazed?. Otherwise, sorry, I will not spend my precious time reinforcing what the enemy is trying to do. Tell me some good news about what God is doing. Halleluyah! And let’s search the scriptures together to fix that mess the enemy is trying to create around you. Praise God!!

Do you know that apart from Joshua and Caleb, the other 10 spies died in the wilderness alongside the rest of Israel? Why? They became experts at grumbling, complaining, recounting their unpleasant experiences. They died in the wilderness as a result of unbelief and disobedience (Numbers 14:20-24).
Dear friend, sometimes just ignore the facts and instead, plug yourself into God’s system by speaking His truth.

Anything threatening the actualization of God’s promises in your life can be likened to a giant (opposition, trouble, challenge, difficulty). When you find yourself among unfriendly and dangerous giants, you fight to live. And the weapon of this fight is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).

To take the land and enjoy all of God’s promises, you must fight to overcome the giants and strong people in the land. Align yourself with God by continually confessing and acting on His Word. Caleb started aligning himself with what God said concerning the land by saying “we are well able to take the land“. David when up againts Goliath sent forth words of victory even before the actual physical fight.

Dear friends, possess the land, take your trust in God a step further; MOVE. And as you move, keep the Word of God relevant for your individual situation always in your mouth.

………..

Well, thank you for joining me again today. I hope this study is inspiring you to boldly step into God’s plan and destiny for you. Please join me next Friday as I share the concluding part.

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You become stronger and wiser and better equipped with every opposition, challenge or difficulty you overcome. Do not fear the gaints, focus on the land, on your God-given vision, dream, ministry. Focus on what God is focusing on; Take The Land. Focus on God’s promises, keep your eyes on the blessing.

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.