Issues of wealth & prosperity

I realize this is a very big issue in the body of Christ. Not only among Christians, but actually everyone to be honest. The issue of wealth and prosperity. The issue of money. I've been doing some studies on the issue of money. As it really incorporates a big aspect of my life and my outlook on life. Even the bible talks really a lot about money, and a huge chunk of the word of God is on money.

And I have to say, that I've been struggling with it for a very very long while now. But I believe God is renewing not only my mind but also my heart in this area.

The problem about money, is like even the term economics mean. It's the management of scarce resources, and I should know better considering I'm an economics student. According to the world's point of view, resources is scarce, and hence based on the law of demand and supply, whatever that is in demand is worth more, and what has ample supply is worth less. Money is the mediator between commodities.

Money moves the world. Or so the world says.

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I have an issue with money. Simple as that. How do I know that? Because I get jealous. I find it a very disturbing notion, but it's simple enough to understand once you just wrap your brain around it.

I remember the other night, a really good friend of mine was telling about her trip to England. She was telling me about how she ended up eating chinese food everynight haha, but she really enjoyed the sights and the views. And just loved travelling around London and stuff. Of course, like the mature man I try to be, I act to be happy. I smile, I laugh, I chit chat and inquire more. But deep down in my heart, I can feel that there is something brewing. Something ugly, a lack of peace for better words. A absence of joy, that I can rejoice in my fellow sister in Christ for her happiness. My rejoicing was empty, it was fake, it was doing it because that seemed like the right thing to do, not because I was truly happy for her. And I should be, but I just can't.

This really troubled me. I had to seek the Lord about it. Because how I've been handling this situation has always been the way the world tells me to. "Grow up John, so what if people are richer, Grow up, stop whining". Although that helped me to some extent, it only covers up the gaping wound that is pulsing of pus, and if left unresolved, it would eventually grow rancid and the spirit of bitterness would creep in. Hence the world is a cruel place out there. People are willing to stab each other in the back for their own advancement in society. People are cruel and ruthless. There is no love, only for themselves. "Grow up" Doesn't work! The best people can hope for is that maybe some day they will be rich. But then again, there are very very rich people who are still bitter, and always wanting to hoard and hoard and hoard more.

The issue of being rich, wealthy and prosperity is not one of the physical presence of money. But it is an issue of the heart.. Unresolved issues of the heart will only hinder me from receiving the grace of God that he has in store for me. I believe the jealousy that I hold deep down in my heart when I hear someone tells me something great that happens in their life is because I am partnering with a spirit of unbelief.

I remember a while back, the second week of February 2007. I was praising and worshipping God. Singing Planetshakers - Big. And I was just worshipping, screaming to the top of my lungs. And I felt as if God was telling me, "John you are rich". And I just broke down crying. I was just worshipping and just thanking God, rejoicing with all my heart for his goodness in my life. And I believed, from this day onward "I am Rich". From that day onwards, I started changing my thoughts, no longer will I ever say "I am poor", rather "I am Rich" let it be a confession of my mouth.

And soon after that, during our Planetshakers Baptism service, I had a word from God, he was telling me that He wanted me to be the same, before and after he releases the blessings on me. That I would not be turned from him. I would not be moved. The blessings of God is so good, that it will not destroy us but we in turn, should attempt to prepare ourselves to receive. That I would not be swayed when the outpouring comes.

Deuteronomy 8:17And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
18But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

And we although Gentiles are of the promise of Abraham. For it says in Galatians 3:14 -That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

It is by Jesus, his Grace poured out to me, paid by His blood, that he will give me the power to get wealth.

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The issue about wealth, and being rich amongst Christians, is always the very misquoted verses of 1st Timothy Chapter 6. I used to debate it to no end, but I thank God that also God has been revealing to me the entirity of this verse in its context, the meaning of it.

1 Timothy 6:3-10

3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The problem with money, like I said, is the issue of it in the heart not the physical presence of wealth. 1st Timothy 6:5 is the clearest meaning to the entirity of what its all about.

"who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

We live under Grace, and not under the law. The law says, that if you do good, God will prosper you. If you do bad and not follow God's commandments, the curse will fall on you which is sickness, destruction, and poverty. Thus, like the in John 9. When they asked Jesus why is the man blind, was it His sins or his parents sins. When people become rich, they believe it is by their good works that brought them the wealth. It is by THEIR WORKS that they boast in.

1st Timothy 6:10 - For the LOVE OF MONEY. Not money. But the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. And they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

They seek after Money, they do not seek God. I like what Pastor Brad was saying the other day in DNA. That the Love of Money can be seen in everywhere. Even in porn, why do people degrade themselves? Money, because it's such a exploding industry. There is just so much money inside it that people are willing to do all things to themselves for money. The world loves money, even Jesus says, that Matthew 6:24 "You cannot serve God and Mammon".

The issue of the heart, is that when you are poor, you can still be going crazy over money, desiring more and more. But a man who trusts in God when he is rich, he is cool, not running after money, but after the One who gives you power to get wealth.

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I never quite understood the verse 1 Timothy 6:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain". Until now, but still not in full revelation. To me, contentment especially financially is like a abberation and contradiction to the verses of us asking to ask God for more.

Like in

1 John 5:14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Matthew 21:22 - 22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Christians do not ask for finances as they believe money is evil, which is wrong. There is no difference in asking God to bless your family, bless your finances, bless even your dog. For the blessings of God is health, and wealth, and favor. Just see Deuteronomy 28. Even Jabez prayed and asked God to bless him, and he received it. (1 chronicles 4:10).

What is the issue? Godly contentment but okay to ask for more. Doesn't make sense does it? Not without the issue of the heart. It is not the physical presence of money, but the heart. You can ask God for money because your heart is right with God.

How do you know that your heart is right with God?

Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

It is not so much the physical presence of money. But the willingness and utter submission to Christ, that if God pops up to you right now, and asks you to give everything you have and follow him. Will you do it? Jesus LOVED THE RICH YOUNG RULER! And all he asks, is for us to pick up our cross and follow him.

The issue of the heart of Godliness with contentment, can be further exampled in the ability to give your tithes. Acts 4:32-35. The people of the church of Acts sold EVERYTHING that they had. They were willing to give it all up for Jesus.

Why are they willing to give up all? Because, God is worth it and he shall provide all our needs according to his riches in Grace. Does it mean that we are meant to give up everything to our church? No.

1st Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

It is not how much money, but the issue of submission. If you tithe generously without any remorse or feeling of lack, it shows that you are in line with living in Grace, living in the Spirit, your HEART is in the right place, not in Money but in God. That you know deep in your heart that God is able to make all Grace abound toward you. That YOU WILL ALWAYS BE SUFFICIENT IN ALL THINGS, THAT YOU CAN DO GREAT WORKS!!!!!!

Hence. I believe "I am Rich". Seriously. I am so Rich. So So So Rich. Why? Because God's Grace which is more than super awesome will abound to me.

Phillipians 4:19 - But my God shall supply ALL YOUR NEEDS according to HIS RICHES in glory by Christ Jesus.

When Jesus died. Was it a poor death? Was his sacrifice worth so little? No. All the universe from the beginning of time till now, all the riches, all the gold, everything put together will not weigh a inch near Jesus. And he shall supply all my Needs according to HIS RICHES.

Ephesians 3:20 - Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Anything that I can think of. He is going to do better. He is going to do more! He is seriously going to blow my mind away with what he is going to do in my life.

Hence, "I AM RICH", I AM SOO SOOO SOOOOOOO SOOOOO RICH!!! It is not only the issue physical presence of money, it is the issue of the heart!

"when you believe that you are rich in Christ, it manifests inward out. Like a River it flows into us and out changing atmospheres, manifesting into reality the Kingdom of Heaven, the will of God of the fourth dimension into our third dimension " - Pastor Russel Evans.

I used to know this in head, but not in heart. That when you Believe that you are Rich in Christ, your circumstances will change. It will not stay the same as it was. But it WILL INCREASE. Because Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11), Through faith, the worlds were framed by the WORD OF GOD. SPEAK OUT THAT YOU ARE RICH in faith.

I don't know how to put this best till Pastor Bill Johnson put it down in awesome words. "For we are to crucify ourselves in Christ, submitting our personal desires and dreams and putting ourselves on the Cross and follow Jesus. But the problem of the church is that we not only crucify the old self, we crucify the resurrected spirit!!!, When you are born of God, God will put in you new dreams, new desires, new passions. And by pursuing your dreams, desires and passions with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost(Romans 14:17)"

If you believe you are rich, you will have more than enough, more than you'll dream of. You are rich. It is not whether you have a million, a billion or a trillion dollars. It is MORE THAN ENOUGH, and not only in money, but in all aspects of your life, concerning friends, family and all your circumstance in life. Everyone around you shall be blessed because of you. And God will command the increase.

Like the story of the servants with the talents (Matt 25:14). If you follow the Kingdom of God in Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, God WILL command the increase of everything that you have, doubling, tripling AND YOUR MONEY AS WELL.

The only person that didn't double his wealth was the man who hid his talent in the sand. Why? Because he said this

Matt 25:24 "Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. "

That man didn't believe that
1) God is a generous God.
2) God commands the blessing, it is God who gives us the power to get wealth.
3) He was afraid of money (like so many in the Christian circles), and hid it in the earth.

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Whahahahaahahah. I'm so happy right now.

Back to the introduction. The world believes in Scarcity of resources. God believes in multiplication of loves and fishes.

The world believes Money moves the world. No, Christians that is empowered by the Holy Spirit that moves the world.

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1 Timothy 6:17 - 17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

God wants to give us RICHLY ALL THINGS. RICHLY ALL THINGS, RICHLY ALL THINGS for us to enjoy. But put your trust not in money, neither be proud. And if you are so bloody rich in physical wealth, you will do great works. Always Ready to distribute and communicate with others to bless the nations. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come. That Christ is number 1 in my life. Not money.

I am rich. I don't have that much money yet. But I am rich, and God will command the increase in my life.

Being rich is not only what you can do for yourself. But what you can do for everyone around you. With what little that you have, you are rich when you can bless others. I am able to buy Assam Laksa for my urban life. I can give 10% of my tithes to church. I can spend more on my friends. I am rich because I don't have to strive and stay back till crazy hours at work. I am rich because I don't have people chasing after my possessions because I cannot pay them back. I am rich because I have friends and family who love me and I am able to spend quality time with them.

I am so super rich. And the best part? God is going to command the increase NOW.

God is setting me free in this area. I don't know if I've been fully redeemed yet. But I feel the way to overcome jealousy over other peoples blessings is to know. That I am rich. It is the issue of the heart, not the physical presence of money. And God will command the increase.

Praise - Empowered to push on. (selah)

Have you ever had the feeling of being down? Out? and just depressed?

Well I do tend to get that from time to time, as my mind haven't been totally renewed from my life circumstances. I'm continuing to believe in God, asking him to help change my mind, to walk not in sight, but in faith as he change me slowly. Changing my perspective on the world. As I believe from the springs of faith inside me, shall swell up and change atmospheres all around me.

In times like these when it seems most dark, I'm learning how to praise. Praise God like there is no tomorrow, learning like David, to praise God despite all circumstances, like Josiah when the enemies surround him from all sides, he praised God. There is something very powerful in praise. Praise You in the valleys and praising You in the mountains. Planetshakers acknowledges it, I even have the bible verses to back it, but right now feeling abit too lazy to find for it. Maybe I will meditate on them tonight before I sleep.

But yeah, at the moment right now, my situation feels very dark. But once I start to praise, The atmosphere changes. Fear turns to faith, and I am no more partnering with a spirit of unbelief, but with the spirit of God who sees all things are possible in Christ Jesus.

"Every story that has lasting effect in your life, has been when the impossibilities of life bend its knees to the name of Jesus" - Pastor Bill Johnson.

I have an impossibility right in front of me right now. But I shall not be afraid. Neither should I be jealous of those who don't suffer the same life's challenges as me. But I shall rejoice, until the ones who come against me flee 7 ways. I shall not foster or develop offense towards God by legitimizing my own unbelief.

Rather I shall rejoice again. That the victory is in the here and now, and all his provisions come equipped for me to say to the mountain be removed, and it shall.

Joel 2:25And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

26And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

Lifehouse - Everything Skit

True Relationships

Just got back from Planetshakers "True Relationships" seminar. I have to say it's been really great and a real blessing. I felt I learned a lot of things in the seminar. And I thank God it's to some extent as what I expected it to be and even more.

What I love and I felt most important, is the culture of freedom and choice in relationships. That there is no control, no subjugation, but freedom in relationships. Freedom with discipleship.

The problems about a lot of churches is that they put rules and regulations when coming into relationships. Like no kissing, cannot do this, cannot do that, have to wait for a certain time period and so what not. Although it may sounds good, but it is still legalism. Boundaries, or in IT, it's hard systems approach hahaha, where you need soft-systems approach as everyone is different, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. :P

Planetshakers doesn't want that. Rather it is with prayer and supplication and having a friend who has the Holy Spirit to encourage and make sure that what you are thinking and saying is in line with the Spirit and not the flesh. That we may learn to continually walk in the spirit together in partners with Christ the third party in a relationship that it may be holy and acceptable unto God. Not with rules and regulations but with the Spirit.

I think thats the biggest thing that strikes me. It put a big big big big grin on my face throughout the entire session. :)