Begging or Believing – Secret 8
Turn to Romans 8:28-30
And we know…
Let us pray.. God I thank you for your word that promises that all things work together according to your will. Bless this time as we learn about money and your desire for us to be blessing here on earth. In your name we pray Amen.
For those of you new to Living Well. Welcome we are using the book Living Well, Spending Less as our group book study on the topic of money. I do not want anyone to confuse this series with a prosperity message or philosophy. This is more of a study of character.
Why are we discussing money? Well Ladies to be ladies who are living well we have to Live Well in every area of our lives. It is not just enough to say oh I pray well, I read my Bible well and yet we do not spend well or use the resources God has trusted us with well. Over the course of the next year we will continue to tackle subject areas that are relevant to our lives.
Our next study will be on your thought life…Yes what we tell ourselves as women in the inner man. Very exciting study and I am excited for what God will be revealing to us with that study. We will start in September the new study so be on the look out and invite a friend.
So today verse in Romans relates to our topic at hand – Begging or Believing? How do you view your money situation? I say situation because each of us has different circumstances as it relates to money.
Ruth shares in Secret 8 Saving is A State of Mind. So what is your mindset about money? If you were to inherit a windfall of $10,000 what would you do with it? According to a recent study that asked that same question many people responded paying off debt, paying current bills, and very few say to save it.
If you read this chapter you begin to understand the value of a simple concept called saving.
Let’s look again in depth at Romans 8:28
Many of us misquote this scripture and try to use it to justify God giving us all that we desire.
We know- What do you know about God during difficult financial times? What do we know about God during surplus and times of plenty?
One of the top reasons for suicide – is financial trouble. I was having lunch just this past week with a close friend who was sharing the story of her father’s friend who committed suicide. He had lost his job due to a physical injury and he was in a labor type position. The family was under terrible financial strain and he was falling into a state of depression. It is believed he killed himself over financial loss.
Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers…
This gentleman did not know to trust God and that God had his financial plans covered.
Do we know that our wealth, our financial stability, our hope is in God? How many of us during difficult financial times are begging instead of believing that God has us..
Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:27-34 Let us turn there.. Read
Jesus is reminding us that if God takes care of flowers - he will take care of us beyond even what Kings Solomon had.
Jesus is saying here don’t be afraid. Trust God. Know that God has you and your circumstances. Ladies if you have ever had financial troubles than you know how hard this verse is to practice.
It is hard to trust that “Your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” When you don’t know how you are going to pay this months bills.
It is hard to trust God is pleased when we struggle to meet our families needs. But God’s word is true.. our lifeline that says We ought to know….
Back to Romans 8 verse 28
“God works” - Wow… you mean to tell me that God allows my financial struggles. Yes he is in charge of the Good times and the bad times. I love that we say our proclamation in the church with each service because it reminds me that God designed me, God created me and God knows the plans that he has for my life.
So why would God have us go through tough times? We are reminded in scripture of tough times being a season to grow. You think of Joseph, Noah, even Mary..Jesus’ mother went through difficult times in order to grow.
How many of us realize that it is during the tough times that we grow. It is during the tough times that we trust God with all our heart.
I remember a time in my life that was very difficult for me and my family. I had just stepped out into private practice and was very excited about starting to see families. Within the same week I opened my doors I was in a car accident that injured my back and left me bedridden for weeks. I was devasted. I had two toddler children, bills and responsibilities for home and for a business to take care of and I was heartbroken.
Asking God why now? Why ? How many of you have been there? I wanted an answer and all I got was silence. Boy that is so hard when you reach out to God and he is silent. I continued to pray and trust and God provided during that time…not always in my timing but he provided in his timing. And His timing was perfect.
Ladies God wants me to tell you that your financial situation He knows.. For some of us I am reminded of
James 4:3 You asked and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Maybe God is not giving you more right now because you are not being faithful with what He has already given you. We talked last time about spending and how self discipline and control is what God is asking from us.
Or maybe some of you have not asked God for what we need. Some of us make huge assumptions like “Well God knows what I need if he wants to give it to me He will.” No it does not work like that. God is asking us to be obedience and with obedience comes blessing.
Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Ladies we have to Honor God with our wealth- big or small – honor God with your little change purse as much as you would with your big- carry on bag-– we have to honor him and He promises to fill our vats.
During that time I was hurt, we never went without food, we never had to borrow money- sure we had to live a very restricted life for awhile- but I learned to trust God with every dime that came into that business.
Everything happens according to God’s plan and you have to trust that even in the hard times. It is not just a tshirt slogan or a coffee mug saying- We really have to know that God works in all things…
In 1937 Napolean Hill wrote a book Think and Grow Rich. He identified the main fears that individuals have that keep them from being successful.
1. Poverty 2. Criticism 3. Ill Health 4. Loss of Love 5. Old Age 6. Death
Here are the symptons that Hill identified with the fear of poverty:
Indifference lack of ambition tolerance for poverty mental and physical laziness
· lack, self-control
Indecision
Doubt
· excuses to cover up, explain or apologize for own failures
· envy or criticism of the successful
Worry
· finding fault with others
· spending beyond earnings
· neglect of personal appearance
· frowning; nervousness; lack of poise
· self-consciousness
· excess use of alcohol or other drugs
Over-caution seeking out negatives
Procrastination
· putting off until tomorrow what should have been done last year
· working on excuses rather than finishing the work
· refusing to accept responsibility
· compromising
Now for those of you thinking but that was 1937 times have changed…
a recent groundbreaking Associate Press research from last year, which found that 4 out of 5 American adults are faced with economic insecurity at some point during their lives. This means that 80% of us have felt the worry and anxiety associated with losing a job, living on an income that's near the poverty level, or being reliant on some form of welfare.
80% have dealt with financial trouble that has taken over our minds. Jesus spoke more about money than anything else because he knew the power money had over our minds.
How many of you are happy going to the mailbox? I am officially calling mine the bill box. Really- think about it. I have a nice leisurely walk to the box, smelling the flowers, waving to the neighbors and then I hit the box. My total facial expression changes- almost like “what’s it going to be this time?”
Trust me- I am okay with the post office not working on weekends. One less day to be reminded of bills in life….
Jesus knew that Satan could control us and our minds in times of financial trouble and in times of financial bliss. This goes back to control of your mind and Ladies this is why we have to talk about money.
Are you begging or believing?
Do you know that the same God who takes care of the lilies is the same God that is taking care of you right now?
Back to romans V28 God works for the good
All of what we are going through here on earth is for God’s glory.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Ladies do we know..do we trust God that our current troubles are for His glory.
This week the Pastors’ message was Miracles out of Messes, and my devotion on Monday was Transformed through Trouble. I think God was trying to remind me of something.
But that is how good God is. He is working together through each situation to remind us of His promises and His grace.
He reminds us that He is sufficient to meet all of our needs and that we do not need to rely on the world, or our macy’s credit card, … but on Christ alone.
Ladies I do not know what your financial situation is but God does. Trust Him to keep you, trust Him to do what He says in his word,
Psalm 37:25
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Jesus spoke about money because He knew we would need it and that it has the power to change our mind. Ruth is right to talk about saving and making sure to have an emergency fund to fall back on.
One of the better theories on savings I have heard is from Dave Ramsey, author of Financial Peace University. He says to save up $1000 emergency fund- as most deductibles for insurances and most “minor emergencies” we can survive if we have at least $1000. How much peace would that bring to your life?
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
There is wisdom to be found in Scripture for every area of our life so that we can be women who are Living Well.
Ladies I do not want you to leave Bible study without an opportunity to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. First you have to admit you are a sinner and the Believe that God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and finally Commit yourself to His righteousness by confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior
Let us all bow our heads and if you have never prayed this prayer you can say it with me:
Father in Heaven, I’m sorry for the things I have done that are wrong, I am a sinner, forgive me. Thank you for loving me and sending your Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for my sin. Holy Spirit come into my heart, Jesus be my Lord and Savior. I give you my life Amen.
(Pray for the needs of the women in a second prayer continue praying)
Ladies I love you I am honored to serve you and I am praying for you. Have a blessed week. At this time you will be dismissed to a special panel discussion….