Preamble
Contentment
is crucial if you must stay out of debt. Jesus does not gather people to use
them, but rather to bless them. He is not an opportunist taking advantage of
people. No matter what debt you are in right now, God has the resources to
bring you out of it within a twinkle of an eye. The truth is truth for all ages
and all times. The day you get addicted to following the truth, you have committed
the author of life to take charge of your affairs.
Debt has
become an acceptable way of life for most people. Unfortunately, due to this mind-set,
they will remain in bondage to it. To eliminate debt from your life, you must
change the way you think about it. God does not want anyone to be in debt;
however, if you are in over your head,
He has a way out to deliver you out of
it once and for all.
There are
two ways to get out of debt. You can use
the world’s system or the kingdom of God system. World in the bible doesn’t necessary
refer to the physical world, but a way of doing things. In 1Corinthians
7:31, the Greek definition for world is “worldly affairs”, which include the
whole circle of earthly goods and riches, while although fleeting, stir desire,
seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ”.
The world’s
system is influenced by Satan and is designed to keep you in bondage. Methods
of debt reduction include bankruptcy, second mortgages and ways to “manage”
debt, such as consolidation and signature loans. These options may look good at
first, they often lead to a dead-end.
It is
disheartening to see people develop
great faith for something like healing but quickly charge or obtain loans for
the items they desire, not the items they need. Often they don’t even consider trusting God for the increase necessary to purchase whatever it is that they want. Instead,
people continually fall back on the things they can see and touch. Others
attempt to do things God’s way, but stop when it does not seem to be working. They have not implemented certain requirements – such as checking their
hearts for unforgiveness or offense, tithing
or showing love towards others, for God to be able to work in their lives.
God has
proved Himself time and again throughout the Bible. He is not a respecter of
persons (Romans 2 :11). If He delivered one person from debt, He’ll do it for
you as well. Rest assured that God has a way out for you, but it is up to you
to take the time to hear from Him and then follow His instructions.
GOD’S WAY
OR THE HIGHWAY
Matthew
3:33 (AMP) says, “But see first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His
way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be
given you besides.” Your aim, or focus, should be directed towards God’s way of doing and being right. According to
the scripture, if you follow God’s way, then the things that you don’t have
will be given to you. These includes things such as money, promotion and
favour.
What does
the Bible mean by “God’s way”, when it
concerns money? The parable of the sower, or farmer, in Mark 4 : 11 – 29
reveals the answer to this question.
Basically,
a farmer sows seed to produce a crop that will ultimately be sold. From the
proceeds of the sale, he is then able to pay his bills and feed his family. You
could say that he has to sow to make a living. Likewise, a sower (one who gives
to the kingdom of God above his or her tithe) sows seed for a living. I encourage you to become a
sower who gives to live and lives to give.
Many people
look at their jobs as their only source
of income. How well does it sustain you? Does it meet all of your needs,
including everything God asks you to do? Probably not. Your job alone won’t get
the job done. It is therefore an avenue whereby you can collect seed. It is
therefore an avenue whereby you can
collect seed.
Before you
sow any type of financial seed, you must sow the word into your heart. The
Bible calls the Word of God an incorruptible seed (1Peter 1:23). In other
words, the Word will always produce a harvest. You should not consider sowing
money if you have not first sown the Word into your heart. Why? You must have a
clear understanding of the purpose for the blessings of sowing before you can
become a willing and cheerful giver.
After the word
is sown in your heart, it must be cultivated. In following the farmer’s
example, he waters and fertilizes the seed after it is planted. He can’t afford
to lie around and neglect his crops. Likewise, you can’t neglect the things of
God, such as reading your Bible, praying and living a life that is pleasing to
Him. A quick way to keep your seed from growing is to get caught up in sin.
This could range from bitterness and gossip to lying, fornication or adultery.
Sin of any type will block your harvest from manifesting.
Mark 4:2
says “…so is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground”.
Combining this scripture with Matthew 6:33, the verse could read, “seek ye first (seed time and
harvest time)… and these things shall be added unto you”. This is God’s way of
doing things. Before a farmer can harvest a crop, he first has to sow seeds.
Likewise, before you can receive, you must give.
If you want to get out of debt, stop looking at the
world’s way of debt cancellation. Look to God’s way of seed, time and harvest.
Sowing into
the kingdom of GOD unleashes an awesome
force. You may not start off giving large amount of money, but the $5, $10 or
$20 you sow will release God’s unlimited power towards your debt reduction.
Giving is loading your cloud and when your cloud is full, God turns it into
showers. (Joel 2:23) (Eccl 11:1-3). These showers come in the forms of favour,
breakthrough, divine ideas, etc.
Some Covenant Channels of Giving
·
Worship
Offerings We are admonish not to appear before the Lord empty
handed. Our worship offering is not complete without our seeds being
involved.
·
Project
offerings Deuteronomy
16:16-17).
·
* Giving
to the poor He that gives to the poor shall not lack. Proverbs
19:17, Proverbs 28:27, Psalm 41:1-3
·
* Giving
to charity: This is giving
for the common good. Job 38:3-18, 2Corinthian 9:8, Matthew 25:31-44
·
* Giving
to parents: Genesis 27:1-end
· * Kingdom Investment: Investing
towards the expansion of the kingdom. Haggai 1:3-11. Exodus 35:4,16,22.
·
* Tithing
·
* Prophet offerings
YOU REAP
WHAT YOU SOW Luke 6:38
Giving
provokes the release of blessings and blessing is the cure to curses. Looking also at Luke 6:13, “And as ye would
that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise”. If you want to be
released from debts, start by releasing those who owe you. Verses 32-35 explain
how easy it is to do things for the people you like. But anybody can do that!
You will receive a greater reward, however, if you do this for those you don’t see
as your friends.
Giving is not enriching the church but
empowering the giver. Give to those who don’t give in return. The law of seed-time and harvest will never cease as long as the earth remains (Genesis
8:22).
Whatever
you sow will produce a harvest (Luke 6:36-38). When someone treats you badly,
don’t sow the same seed, instead, sow a good seed. You will reap a good harvest
while the opportunity to sow “do-good” seeds instead of do-bad seeds.
Jesus said
that when you give, it would be returned to you. The word promises that your
harvest will be pressed down, shaken together and running over. If you help one
person get out of debt, God will use
someone else to help you get out of debt.
As you follow God’s way today, I see unusual
favour from God flowing your way. (Genesis 7:11)
Finally,
know that in this kingdom, it is either you
are a giver or a beggar.
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