I'll like to start tonight's teaching with a quote by Cindy Trimm. She said: "Your Purpose is determined by God, but your destiny is decided by you."
I will like to talk about something that is a crucial determinant in the fulfilment of destiny, and how much we impact and expand our sphere of influence. That is PROSPERITY.
One of the most important skills we can develop as individuals and families is Financial Intelligence.
I want you to ask yourself this question, and reflect in it before answering.
Are you a successful man or woman? Can people in your sphere of influence call you a successful man or woman?
The Christian Community has ambivalent attitude towards prosperity. Some persons believe it is a canal subject, and should not be talked about. Many people consider poverty as a virtue
They believe that all they need is a little blessing enough for themselves alone. We try to belittle the the subject of financial prosperity biblically using scriptures like:
Matthew 5:3, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1 Timothy 6:10, For the love of money is the root of all evil:
Luke 16:13, No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mark 10:25, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God
Just to mention but a few. But at the same time, it is important we realize that although the love of money is the root of all evil, the lack of money is the father of plenty troubles. That is why I like the book of Proverbs. It gives laudable qualities of a righteous man:
a) He feeds many, Proverbs 10:21. The lips of the righteous feed many.
b) He is established, Proverbs 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed.
c) He is Excellent, Proverbs 10:26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor
d) He enjoys Provisions, Proverbs 13:25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul:
but the belly of the wicked shall want.
e) He is Wealthy, Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure:
but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
How many of us are familiar with this song?
Abraham's blessings are mine......
I am blessed in the morning
I am blessed in the evening
Abraham blessings are mine
The issue is many of us are not conscious of the song when we sing it.
The blessedness of Abraham, is the birthright of every heir of Israel (including us). As a matter of fact, in the old Judaism, poverty is not a virtue. And the Bible is not unclear about financial provision for the believer and his family
Gen 12:1-3
God made a covenant with Abraham
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I Will Bless Thee, And Make Thy Name Great; And Thou Shalt Be A Blessing:
3. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: AND IN THEE SHALL ALL FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED.
There are two things to note from this verses
*God desires to bless us
*God wants us to be a blessing to those in our sphere of influence
Let's consider these two points one after the other.
First point, God desires to bless us. God desires that we dwell in prosperity and to be financially great. Prosperity is one of our redemption package in Christ Jesus
2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich
3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.
Second point. God wants us to be a blessing to those in our sphere of influence. God desires that we are blessed and that we be a blessing to people in our sphere of influence.
Our sphere of influence is not limited to just to our state or country
Our sphere of influence can cover all families on earth.
As families we are meant to impact our world. The MINIMUM impact of a couple is 10,000
Remember the scripture says: One will chase a thousands, two will put 10,000 to a flight....Deut 32:30
Ecclesiastes 4:9 also says: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
Our sphere of influence as families should cover at least 10,000 individuals. So imagine that you have to impact 10,000 lives financially, how much finances do you think you will need?
You definitely have to be very wealthy to influence 10,000 individuals
1. Redefining Prosperity
Quickly, let's examine what prosperity is not...
Prosperity is not having a good job, home or assets.
Prosperity is not measured by how much money you have?
Prosperity is not measured by what you have, but what God passes through you to others.
A Man of God - George Pearson once said: "True prosperity is the ability to use God's power to meet the needs of mankind in every realm of life".
A. Family Prosperity starts with providing the essential needs for your family.
B. Family Prosperity also involves understanding that your prosperity is to make you a great blessing to the body of Christ on Earth, and to the world.
C. Family Prosperity involves leaving financial legacy for your grandchildren, to startup their lives and careers.
When we look through church history till date, there were (are) many wealthy christians whose wealth was a blessed (blesses) many lives.
Examples are:
-David Green
-Henry Parson
-Strive Masiyiwa
-Rockefeller and others
Something peculiar about these people is that they don't joke with "giving and tithing". They also made sure they influenced their world with their wealth. They were a great blessing to the body of Christ and the world at large.
For someone like David Green, his life giving was estimated as $500 million making him the largest individual financier of evangelical cause in America.
Also the founder of Econet Wireless, Strive Masiyiwa, always tithes 10% of his annual income to his church. Together with his wife, he personally pays the school fees for over 22,000 Zimbabwean orphans.
The founder of the Standard Oil Company, John Rockefeller tithed 10% of all of his earnings to his church. His giving increased as his wealth grew with most of his giving going towards educational and public health.
2. Why you should be financially influential
1. Because it is God's command
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
One of the ways to shine as light is through financial influence
2. Because Its one of the ways to increase financially
Luke 6:38 says Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Giving is liking to sowing, when you sow a seed, you get a tree in return
3. Because we give people the opportunity to glorify God.
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
God’s intent wasn’t just to take care of one family but to be known and honored and worshiped by all families in the world.
3. How should we influence our world financially
1. You have to begin by renewing your mind about prosperity
The bible says "As a man thinks in his heart so is he." Proverbs 23:7
When you think on poverty, you become poor. When you think wealth, you will be wealthy
2. Identify your sphere of influence and Give, Give and Give
Comments
Post a Comment