Reminders.

America has an abundance of wealth in nearly every form. I can't help but be disgusted when I see the billions upon billions of dollars that are spent on making the American people forever in a cycle of dissatisfaction. One of the biggest lies of our culture is that your success and quality of life is in direct relation with your money. Since America thrives off of this deceit we have the natural temptation to continuously "build bigger and better barns" within our lives.

Jesus has called us to something better.

There is a quality of life that is obtained when you have an abundance, and you give it away.

Your quality of life does not consist in the abundance of your stuff.

His Response.

I've been learning so much these last few weeks. I see how God has divinely placed me at a church that is going through a series about generosity and finances. He is building me up in wisdom before I go back home.

His hands are indeed leaving lasting imprints in my mind.

Through all of these amazing teachings what I am really seeing is that your finances are a big deal to God. The fact that you aren't stingy and rather you being abundantly generous is so important to God. It is a big deal and it does matter; incredibly. Many stories throughout the Bible exemplify this truth.

The story of Cornelius was brought up in church today. Cornelius gave to the poor and needy in abundance and God saw it. His generosity moved the heart of God and the Lord showered Cornelius with great favor. Acts chapter 10.

Bottom line :: when you are generous God responds.

I am in absolute awe looking at the promises God has given us. These are promises that we are encouraged to test and indeed anticipate the mighty hand of our faithful God.

Malachi 3:10

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

It's not just about gaining God's favor and it's not just about receiving His blessings either. God says that He blesses our generosity so that we in turn can continue to be a blessing.

He will make us rich in every way so that we can be overflowing with His richness and His truth to pour out onto others.

2 Corinthians 9:11

" You will made rich in every way so that you can be generous in every occasion and thru us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. "

It's awesome to think that our Father desires to make us rich in every single way. In all we are. In all we do. In all we desire. In all things. In relationships. In our health. In our clarity for the future. He wants to give us that. . . so we can be that much more His hands and feet in a world of ignorance.

Generous in Every Occasion.

Proverbs 11:24

" One man gives freely, yet gains even more. Another holds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper. He who refreshes others, he himself with be refreshed. "

2 Corinthians 9:11
" Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. "

There is a spiritual principle I am learning to love and live out.A crazy promise; God wants to richly bless us so that we can be generous in EVERY occasion.

A lot of us believe things in theory. Do we believe a generous man actually prospers ? Look at your bank account and it will reflect whether or not you believe this. Our generosity is richly blessed.

Proverbs 21:20 "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil ( your finances in biblical times ) but a foolish man devours all he has."

God has been showing me through pastors teachings and reading in His word that priorities in your finances are necessary. Pastor Peter Haas gave a great sermon about how your financial priorities determine it's capacity. Wealth has little to do with income, rather it has to do with how you prioritize your finances.

Mark 4:18 :: Some people are like seed sewn along thorns.

There are so many things that we must deal with every single day that choke out our capacity for the kingdom. The deceitfulness of wealth will leave you never satisfied and you will never be rich enough. The love for things and the priority for them in your life will rob you of what God desires to bless your life with.

Proverbs 3:9-10

" If you honor the Lord with your wealth with the first fruits of all your crops then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will be brimming over with new wine. "

God enables you to do far more with your remaining 90 percent when you can give him His 10 percent.

Prioritize God and stop robbing yourself.

Monies.

As many of my close friends know, I am here in Minnesota working my bum off to get out of debt. I've been learning much while traveling on this busy road...

I've thought for the longest time that my financial life was just doomed. I've been in countless situations in which I have failed miserably with my finances. I've been given opportunity after opportunity to get out of debt while my other bills were being paid for and I still did not hop on board.

So, now the time has come in which I pay for everything ... and yet i still have my credit card to be paid off. I'm actually seeing for the first time how being in debt can hinder so much in your life. I had no reason to be in debt in the first place either which is such a shame.

I'm surely doing it though. I'm halfway out of debt and still going strong. I've had no choice but to learn how to balance my budget. God is showing me much favor in this because I see His fingerprints all over new thoughts and the new mindset I have towards where and how my money is being used.

Mike Erre once asked all of us to look at our bank accounts... and look at where our money was being spent. It is indeed a direct reflection of where our hearts are at. I look at where most of my money is going now... and it is indeed exactly where God wants it to go. God doesn't want this debt hanging over my head as I finish my last year of college. He wants me to be financially free. I am well on my way.

On a deeper note, I have felt Gods hands shaping my heart while going through this time of financial learning. I don't need much. Nearly everything I have isn't anything I actually need. Holy crap.

Proverbs 23:4

"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone. They will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. "

Matthew 6:19

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "