Our Brief Stewardship Window

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

“Neither was there any Among them that Lacked” Acts 4:34

We have been given a blessed window through which we can view just how true Christianity manifests itself in the lives of those who truly have it. Among the earliest believers, the saints of Christ, there was not one of them that had lack. They gave liberally, not counting their own lives dear to themselves (Acts 20:24). They were truly losing their lives in this world and therefore gaining eternal treasure in eternal glory (John 12:23-25).

Are we living this?

“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:34-35

Why was there no lack among the earliest saints who walked in perfect union with Jesus?

“And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2:44-45

If you are unduly holding on to your money, it reveals you are preserving your own life which means you will “lose” it (Proverbs 11:24-26; John 12:23-25).

We each have a small window – this brief life – to abandon our lives in true worship and obedience to our LORD who gave all for our sins and the sins of the whole world. He commanded us to give all or lose out in the end (Luke 14:33; 19:27).

According to the Son of God, the way we steward money is a clear measurement tool of how much or how little we have given up our lives in this fleeting world (Matthew 6:19-24; Luke 12, 16). Jesus is coming – Are you ready to meet Him, being found faithful with what He has given you? Remember Jesus’ parable of the talents? (Matthew 25:13-29)

WHEN we choose to freely give out of what God has put into our hands – “God loveth a cheerful giver” – we are sending it before us – laying up treasure in Heavenly places where it’s safe – forever (2 Corinthians 9:7).

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Those who don’t supply GOD’s work prove that they valued everything else they spend money on above God and His work.

Our brief window of opportunity to obey the LORD by laying down our lives and therefore our riches hastens to a close. Will we be found faithful or will we be found wanting?

***THIS IS INTERESTING: THERE WAS an orderly discipline of gathering and giving among the earliest saints – “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)

Things to Observe:

1. There was a collection weekly “for the saints” who had need.
2. Paul had “given order to the churches” to do such.
3. The apostle’s instruction to “do ye” means all Christians should do such.
4. “let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him” – The LORD instructs us to set aside to give of what we have, as He has allowed us to get (Deut. 6:17; 2 Corinthians 8:12).

How much and with what heart posture we give is what the LORD looks at. Our giving to the LORD proves how much He means to. It is shown in how we give to His kingdom people and work – the heart and the percentage (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Mark 12:41-44). He gave us the ability to earn money that we may have to give – which is an integral part of our worship of Him.

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28

“But 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.” Deuteronomy 8:18

~STEWARDSHIP FEST: Examining Ourselves Honestly | “Depart in Peace, be ye Warmed and Filled” | 1 Timothy 6 | Wealth Wasted on the Worship of Self! | Token Tips

Money, Material Wealth, and Riches

“Hath nothing” vs “Hath great riches” “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7 Who is the man who has “nothing” though he appears to have much in this world? Who is the man who has nothing in this world yet “great riches” awaiting him in glory? The clear proof that God is working in our lives, that we are truly following Jesus, is that we are becoming less and less vested in this fleeting, fallen world and gaining an eternal perspective (James 4:4; 1 John […]

Stewardship Quotes [podcast]

“This is an excellent sermon on God’s view of stewardship.” Barbara “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10 The World’s Economy vs Christ’s Kingdom Economy? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 How much and with what heart posture we give is what the LORD looks at. Our giving to the LORD proves how much He means to us. It is […]

Dollar Dialogue [podcast]

Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] Curing the Dilemma of Diminishing Returns. If we want to see Heaven’s floodgates opened, we must examine what compliance, what agreement, what obedience the LORD may be leading us to render. The Reason Your Bag has Holes in it [podcast] (below) YOUR own bank statement tells you exactly who you are. Matt 6:21 A financial investor takes your money and multiplies it for your last few years in this temporal life, right? In contrast, laborers for Christ take your support and multiply it for Christ and themselves for all eternity. In Christ’s eternal kingdom […]

Abiding

Safety in Wise Counsel [podcast]

“Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” Proverbs 20:18

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12

“Safety” in wise counsel from God’s wisdom, Word, and including at times with the help of His beloved saints.

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31

“For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 24:6

Caprice means a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:13-18

The Power and Blessings of God's Wisdom [podcast]

Proverbs 3:13-23 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy […]

Judgment to Come Necessitates the Crucified Life [podcast]

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 In light of “eternal judgment” (Hebrews 6:2), the apostle speaks here of his preparation for it. Paul knew that eternal damnation awaited him if he dared not keep under his body, to crucify the deeds of the body to “bring it into subjection” by the daily crucified life. Keeping under our bodies speaks of a continual essential. Keeping under means subduing the old man by crucifying it daily. “For […]

Articles

“Let Brotherly Love Continue” [podcast]

“Let Brotherly Love Continue.” Hebrews 13:1

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2

1 John 4

God Is Love

“7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

1 Corinthians 13

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

The Cardinal Characteristic of Knowing God [podcast]

The word “love” appears 311 times in God’s Word. It’s one thing to know the Bible. It’s another thing to know the God of the Bible. “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 This is why He created you – to know Him. “And this is life eternal (the whole purpose for it), that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3 The disciple has nothing more important […]

13 Times the Bible Commands Us to "Love One Another" [podcast]

“Love One Another” “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE ONE ANOTHER; as I have loved you, that ye also LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” John 13:34 “This is my commandment, That ye LOVE ONE ANOTHER, as I have loved you.” John 15:12 “These things I command you, that ye LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” John 15:17 “Owe no man any thing, but to LOVE ONE ANOTHER: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to LOVE ONE […]

Articles

5 Aspects of the Mind of Christ [podcast]

5 Components of the Mind of Christ from Philippians 2

Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation.
He took upon Him the form of a servant.
He was made in the likeness of men.
He humbled Himself.
He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:2-10

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

At Gethsemane the death before the cross, before His death on the cross occurred.

“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

“He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8

Living in the mind, the disposition of Christ means you are truly following Him.

As Christ’s disciple, your devotion, your love is first to Him, then to your neighbor, not self (Matthew 22:37-39). You are commanded by the Savior to set self aside and to lift others above yourself—to prefer, to put God and others first. Those who do so, experience true freedom, liberty.

Being one with Christ, who gave all to save you, means your life is over—you now live to serve the LORD and others, not self (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3).

Have you poured prayerfully over Philippians 2:3-5 today? If you will begin every day this week pouring prayerfully over this passage, asking the LORD to internalize it in your heart, God will begin to deeply instill the very “mind of Christ” into your innermost disposition.

Part of the dying…. IS GOD calling us to Himself, to forsake this world, including the attempt to save an unrepentant nation long in rebellion against Him – America?

Prayer: LORD, I want to walk in the disposition You walked in on earth. I will esteem You and others above myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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The Mind of Christ [podcast]

ARE YOU WALKING IN THE MIND OF CHRIST? WHAT IS THE MIND OF CHRIST? “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 The Messiah, the Man and His mind we are blessed to know, to be known by, and to follow is seen in Philippians 2. Read it in the morning beloved of God. Life change! Father, please bless Your beloved children with “the mind of Christ.” In Jesus’ name, amen! Jesus left His world with the Father in the pristine and glorious perfection of Heaven to come this is fallen world and show […]

The Cardinal Characteristic of Knowing God [podcast]