
Diminishing Returns or Divine Blessings? [podcast]
The Reason Your Bag has Holes in it [podcast]
Our diminishing returns could be due to our refusal to put God first which would mean we are putting His work, His agenda, His stated mission – the Great Commission.
“The beginning of Haggai’s prophecy finds Israel returning to the land after 70 years under Babylonian oppression (God’s punishment for the sins of Israel’s leaders). Now, a new and younger generation of God’s people are working to rebuild God’s earthly dwelling place, the temple. Long before Haggai’s prophetic ministry, God had promised that when his own presence dwelled among his people, the life-giving power of God would flow from him into their land (Deut. 28:1-14, Haggai 1:1-4). So, in hopes of experiencing God’s promises after a long season of exile, the people begin to rebuild.
Unfortunately, the temple rebuilders quickly become distracted from the project at hand. They stop working on the temple to build their own houses (Hag. 1:1-4). Meeting their immediate needs takes priority over rebuilding God’s temple. But this priority doesn’t work out well for them in the end. Haggai points out that no matter how much they sow in their fields, the returned exiles are reaping less and less. Every day, their rations get thinner, and they feel just a little thirstier (Hag. 1:5-6). Haggai says their diminishing returns are a result of their failure to prioritize rebuilding the temple, the place of God’s presence (Hag. 1:10-11). But he also promises that if they recommit themselves to the temple project, all the blessings and life they hope for will return (Hag. 2:7-8, 18-19). This new generation listens to Haggai and starts making plans for the project’s next phase.”
The rebuilding of the temple in the days of Haggai the prophet is equivalent to the Great Commission work Christ sent us, His “ambassadors” to accomplish as we look for His soon return (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Who is it that gives men the “power to get wealth”? The LORD. Why does He do such? – “that he may establish his covenant.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 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. 19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 8:17-20
Does God still keep His Word to bless those who put Him first with what He grants them the ability to bring in?
If a person chooses to repent of poor stewardship and conform to God’s Word, will the LORD not give that person grace to do the impossible? (Proverbs 3:9-10; Mark 10:27) Are you on your own with your finances? Or, are you dying to human reasoning and excuses and simply obeying the LORD? When we do simply obey Him, we can expect that He will undertake the cause and begin to do things that are miraculous. We see this throughout history, especially as recorded in Holy Writ. Remember the widow who had only a handful of food left to feed herself and her son? Remember who when she obeying the LORD that she was abundantly blessed? (1 Kings 17:10-16) The fact that some wolves have utilized this passage to garner gains for themselves, in no way negates the divine authority in and of this passage of truth. Will the LORD still bless? Has He changed or is our sin hindering His blessings? (Isaiah 59:1-2; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:9)
“Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” Haggai 1:9
The people of God were experiencing diminishing returns due to their refusal to simply put God first in their finances. The LORD blew on their finances and scattered them because they were not putting His work first. Read Haggai 1. It’s a very revealing chapter.
The LORD’s Plan to Feed, Protect, and Bless His Saints and to Spread His Good News
It’s interesting and telling to compare the distribution of goods/resources/funds among the earliest believers and the way things are done today. Read Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. Today, as was so often foretold, the merchandising wolves are living ‘high off the hog’ when the Bible clearly instructs leaders never to “greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”(Deuteronomy 17:17)
Of course, the Bible teaches that those whom God has called out are to be provided for (1 Cor. 9:1-14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18) and yet, today we have lavish wolves flaunting their multi-million dollar homes in gated communities (insulated from the little guys/the poor). This has nothing to do with and blatantly contradicts the lifestyles of Jesus and His holy apostles. This makes you wonder if those who enable these wolves have even read the Gospels! A second grader knows this is wrong.
Most of us have funded wolves only later to see the light of their greed later. So, should we stop obeying God by giving to further His work? Is it time we understand the LORD’s balance in these things?
Does the Almighty have or need American money in Heaven? No.
The LORD has a plan and following that plan (instead of our own) will result in glorifying Him and seeing many blessed.
***The true disciple of Jesus is not looking for the next trinket to waste his money on, but rather is about His Father’s business of putting that money toward God’s eternal kingdom! (Matthew 6:19-24)
Some who are greedy in heart, serving the god of mammon, do not like biblical teachings on stewardship. They will lash out against the messenger, when those demons that control them are enraged. There are more than 2,500 verses on stewardship in God’s Word and over half of Jesus parables are on stewardship so anyone endeavoring to disclose/teach the full counsel of God cannot dodge that topic.
Many today who name Christ as their Savior are saying in their hearts: “I have more important things to fund than YOUR work LORD! After all, the things in my life, to make me feel more comfortable in this fleeting world, are very important. Jesus, please don’t bother me any more concerning funding YOUR work. I have vacations to go on. I have to get a bigger, nicer car so that I, I, I, look better to mere men. I HAVE to run out and see the newest movies, buy the latest fashions, subscribe to magazines from the world to help me me me be in the know, eat out 20 times monthly, put more money in the bank for MY security, get a bigger house to make myself feel better …”
Which World are You Rich In?
“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7
Praise God for those who give to the work of Christ! It is regrettable though that many of those who see God’s work and receive of Him through it as they see those workers of the LORD doing HIS work, do not contribute and do not agree with God that HIS workers “ARE worthy”of financial reward so they can be sustained and furthered in doing HIS HIS HIS work. Many are saying with their inaction that Christ’s workers are NOT worthy of their hire. They are saying “LORD, I know You said that Your servants ARE due financial reward so they can keep doing YOUR work, but I am too busy to take a moment to help, I am too strapped financially, after all, I have the cable TV bill to pay, I have to pay my mortgage, my rent, for food, daily coffee, golf, and for many other essential things. I really don’t think that Your work is important. Winning souls to Your eternal kingdom for who You bled and rose again is not important to me. I am too busy being entrenched in and loving this present sinful world. So, Your kingdom, Your work, and Your people will have to wait till I have so much money that I can keep doing these important things that are important to ME in this life and also throw a token tip your way.”
When is the last time you read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18? Do you know what the LORD is teaching us in these important passages? How can we expect to be blessed of Him if we ignore His instructions?
It is clear that God will bless those who agree with Him – in heart, mind, and in action. We will find amazing, supernatural blessings in our lives if we will put Jesus “first” in our stewardship, in our finances (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Proverbs 3:10-11). Did He not promise to bless us if we put Him first which means putting His work as a top priority?
The “double honour” financial reward is due to called out Gospel workers and that’s the instruction of the One who has called out and set those workers apart to do (1 Timothy 5:17-18). That money should be there and that’s why God says that those who labor in His Word – learning and feeding His sheep – are to receive “double honour” so that they do not have to be interrupted in doing HIS work.
Jesus says that what we do with our monies is a direct reflection of who we truly love, worship, and serve – self or the Savior. “For where your treasure is THERE will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-24)
Who has God put in your life to feed you HIS Word? What does the Bible say to do to those who feed you God’s Word? (Galatians 6:6)
Is God calling you to get into agreement with His revealed mind? Is He calling you to count His work as a high priority in your life? Will He not open His windows of blessings upon your life? (Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11) Will His kingdom blessings now be added to your life if you truly and practically put Him first? (Matthew 6:33) Will your barns not be “filled with plenty”?
“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
If you are upset, I am sorry. I sure hope this never has to be said again other than in the general teaching of the full-counsel of God which includes the important topic of stewardship.
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And 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: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Do you begin to realize what is at stake here? Do we begin to understand the implications of sinful omission? Do we begin to realize what great rewards we are forfeiting?
Aren’t the bank accounts that are connected to the work of the LORD worthy to be filled in order to supply for His work to be done?
Are you doing your part to fund those who are truly fulfilling a New Testament purpose?
Is the feeding of the LORD’s people important to you? Do unreached precious souls for whom Christ bled and rose again matter?
Jesus says “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) Are you personally interested in Christ and His sheep? Are you concerned that His sheep will be fed (nourished) and that more souls will be won to Him before it’s too late? What work or labor in this fleeting, sinful world could possibly be more important than that of the LORD’s business? Are you prayer for His laborers and supporting the work of Jesus? (Matthew 9:35-38)
Do we fit into that last day’s prophetic category of those who have a mere “form of godliness” yet deny the power, the divine authority of God to reign in our daily lives? Are we “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” and are we those who are “lovers of their own selves, covetous …”? May the LORD rebuke and change us now! (2 Timothy 3:1-8)
God is able!
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Articles
Video Update Mission Mexico [video]

You can help us minister to the people of Mexico. Your prayers and financial support is needed. It’s a grand evangelism opportunity. | Support Mission Mexico
Mission Mexico – See more here.
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Abiding
Laying Up Treasure in Heaven 60 second video #shorts

“but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” 1 Samuel 30:24
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 – everybody wins, all the time, forever. King Jesus reigns forever!
“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
“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.” Luke 6:38
Paul was not coveting any man’s money – “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” (Acts 20:33) No! He wanted God’s people to invest in Christ’s eternal kingdom – into eternal souls – and by doing so fill their “account” in Heaven. – “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:17)
God gives the increase of lost souls as “For we are labourers together with God.”
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
Gospel train rolling. Team Jesus! We must obey our LORD Jesus’ Great Command saints. You are not alone – God is with you, and us!
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20
Stewardship of God’s Resources
See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.
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Articles
The Essential of Forgiveness: Are Your Hands Around Someone Else’s Throat? [podcast]

Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.
GOD SAW IT ALL – HE SAW ALL YOUR SIN AND YET YOU HOLD UNFORGIVENESS TOWARD ANOTHER. IF you want to be forgiven, you MUST forgive. Do it now (Mark 11:25-26). Begin by admitting aloud to God what He already knows – that you are pure evil and have sinned against Him innumerable times! cry out to Him for mercy and declare aloud that no one needs Jesus more than you do!
“Harboring unforgiveness against someone else is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” unknown
The reason people have a hard time forgiving, is that they’ve not yet been brought to the place in God to realize just how wicked THEY themselves are – and how merciful God was when He sent His only begotten Son to die for them “WHILE we (they) were yet sinners.” (Romans 5:6-8)
Outside of Christ’s righteousness, YOU are utterly wicked and depraved in the eyes of a holy God (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3, 7). When this finally sinks down into your heart, you will immediately and freely forgive all you’ve harbored ill will against – in utter forgiveness. This breaking all begins when we repent (Acts 3:19).
The sins that should concern us the most, are our own!
People who don’t forgive simply do not realize just how wicked they themselves are.
God will not forgive the sins of any person who refuses to forgive all others – from their heart (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26, etc.). Unforgiveness is non-negotiably, irrefutably, soul damning sin.
ANYone who doesn’t forgive EVERYone is going to hell irrevocably! Matthew 18:21-35
GOD mercifully forgive each of us, His children, not on our own merit or behalf, but rather on the perfect behalf of Christ Jesus! He now requires us to freely forgive all others as He mercifully forgave us. Non-negotiably saints.
We shall not receive divine mercy unless we freely show it to others (Mark 11:25-26). And anyone who denies this calls the son of God a liar.
Father, please forgive my hardness of heart, my obstinance, my heart rebellion. Please forgive my gross sins and grant this heart to be a heart of flesh dear LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Unforgiveness is poison to your soul. I see many who think by holding hatred and anger they are hurting the person they are mad at! But it damns their own soul! And will destroy you from the inside out! That is God’s judgment if we choose not to forgive.” Karen Cochran
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: A Parable is Simple an Earthly Story with a Heavenly Meaning. Matthew 18:21-35
Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth (furious), and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Forgiving others is essential to answered prayer. It’s a non-negotiable, divinely required condition.
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, FORGIVE, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:24-26
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