Such false belief does not lead to their benefit because they forego the purpose for which God created them and thus a level of blessing that God desired them to have and use for building His kingdom in the hearts of men. In addition, many have financial difficulties in this life that are brought on by their lack of understanding and acting on God’s will for their lives and finances.

Many people act on a desire to be rich that is produced by the fleshly worldview that surrounds us daily (mind, emotion, will, and body wanting to experience the comforts riches provide). Many times their actions lead to breaking marriages asunder, neglecting children, being a workaholic, forsaking service in a local church, and failing to evangelize and disciple other people. They are unwilling to change such behavior because in their hearts the most important thing is making it big or maintaining wealth, regardless of whether they ever say it with their mouths.

Let’s be clear, there’s a small percentage of people with wrong attitudes, motives, and actions that earn huge incomes and accumulate great riches. They are looked up to by men because of what they have; wealth, high status, and notoriety among men and worldly institutions. However, we must not automatically assume their earthly situation is evidence that God is pleased with them nor that they are living in God’s will for their lives or money management.  Most people in this category never become wealthy on earth and suffer many disappointments from unrealized dreams. The bible is clear that anyone and everyone that does not turn to Jesus Christ before they leave this earth will be disappointed eternally.

Few people pursue God’s purpose for their lives by maintaining an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit in order to hear His voice tell them which legitimate careers, business, and investment opportunities they should pursue. This group often has a few and sometimes many endeavors that appear to fail. Yet, they can be sure that what they do for Christ will last, they will accumulate all of the wealth they need on earth to help them accomplish their purpose, they will successfully achieve God’s purpose for their lives, and they will receive great recompense of eternal reward. Earthly failure is not really failure when it’s used to find out what you’re not fashioned for and to sharpen your skills and abilities so that future endeavors can be successful.

Recognizing and acting on the fact that God owns it all will keep you from seeking to obtain riches by engaging in immoral, illegal, criminal, and/or detrimental activities or simply activities not instructed or directed by God. It will also help you understand that eventually you will get caught on earth or at the judgment when you stand before God Almighty. Then, everything you thought was gain will suddenly become a huge loss. Finally, it will help you understand that being unsaved and judged morally bankrupt by God brings on an eternal state of judgment that cannot be overcome with the accolades of success that you might receive on earth.

Many of the other celebrities don’t have minimum salary tables. Their income is dependent on how many of some product, service, etc. their work or persona can sell. Yet, we’ve all seen the ‘Cribs’ shows that give us a glimpse into the opulent mansions and array of expensive cars they sport; at least the low percentage who have made it big. We also hear that they purchase clothes, jewelry, and other items that cost tens of thousands of dollars a whop.

Despite the high incomes many have earned for at least a few years and some for many years, we continue to see in our communities those who have returned and hear of a great number who are pretty much broke not many years after they reached the height of fame. What seems to be the greatest culprit is the fact that they stopped making the same amount of money.  

Other situations that seem to play a part are the average longevity for being on top in the entertainment arena is a few years and the fact that many of the industries either don’t have pension plans these former stars can draw upon when they are seniors or the plans pay a fraction of what they earned during their careers. This is exacerbated for those who spent many years in the industry and made the highest incomes. Finally, some don’t have much formal education or generally needed skills to fall back on once the high income has turned into much lower income.

However, all is not as it seems. What really caused them to go broke is the fact that they did not follow God’s universal instructions for managing money and resources that can be found in the bible. Instead, they chose to follow the path that they see so many of their comrades follow and that the world teaches and examples for them: the minimum salary makers trying to live like the icons taking on more debt than they receive in income. Sure there is a low percentage who never lose all the fame and the high incomes that go with it. Yet, there are many more that will only have their moment or few years of fame and then their incomes will drastically change. If there’s one thing history has shown us it is that even icons can fall and lose it all. 

True thanksgiving can certainly take place in the family interaction that occurs. In order to be so, you need to openly communicate that the meal and favors provided and that have previously been provided are made possible due to the bounty that proceeds from the grace of God almighty. True thanksgiving also needs to take place throughout each year in the giving of our resources to help those outside of our family who are truly in need.

All of us have something to give to help others out and sometimes to simply bless someone else. Even when we don’t seem to have much, we have more than we are aware of. We truly signal that we’re thankful when even in adversity and poverty we give to spread the gospel and help those in need. Those who are not suffering adversity and poverty should do the same to a greater degree.

Scripture signifies that those whose hearts are fixed upon Christ and truly thankful will give abundantly above what it appears they are able to give. Their thankful hearts will abound in overwhelming generosity in both physical service and monetary giving to truly help others on Earth and so that others may know they can have their names written in the book of Life in Heaven. This is the real root of Thanksgiving and when it is truly present it abounds before God and man in a great display of Thanksliving.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:10-12, Philippians 4:4-7, 14-17,Colossians 4:2-4

Don't put all your effort in accumulating money and goods for earthly purposes. They decay, lose value, and have no eternal worth. Rather, build treasure in heaven by giving abundantly to spread the gospel. The value of this treasure increases throughout eternity and where your treasure is your heart will be also.

God’s highest desire is that you seek a more intimate relationship with Him. Through this fellowship He is likely to provide you with many material blessings. Bible accounts of patriarch/matriarchs with great wealth clearly show that their wealth came from intimacy with God and obedience to His will.

Earthly assets have true worth and eternal value only when they are used to spread the gospel and build the kingdom of God in the hearts of men. So take your cue from these leaders. Engage an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Understand that He owns everything ever created and thus has the right to decide its purpose and direct its use. Be wise in acting this out by making sure that everything you do is pleasing to God and every resource you receive is used to serve others, your family, and yourself according to His will. Then your assets will truly have worth.

A relationship with Christ allows you to bypass the righteous wrath of God that would otherwise judge you as worthy of punishment in Hell because of your sinful nature and sins you’ve committed. Sin produces negative results in your life and renders you unable to achieve lasting inner peace and joy in good and bad times. The wages of continual un-repented sin is eternal damnation but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. He is the only person by whom you can be saved!!!

You cannot enter heaven without publicly confessing that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord. All you have to do is confess Him now, if you haven’t already done so. Then, you will receive the gift of eternal life and the Holy Spirit will begin to lead you and guide you into truth. He will help you live in a manner that is pleasing to Father God and help you use money and resources in a way that bear much fruit on earth that cannot be corrupted or stolen.

One reward for such a life is that many friends will meet you in Heaven because you played your God-given part in helping them see their need for Christ. Another reward is that you don’t let money entrusted to you become corrupted and moth eaten on earth. Instead, your faith-led acts of worship and service store up meaningful treasures in Heaven that awaits you.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Acts 4:10-12, John 3:16-17, 2Peter 3:9-18, Revelation 12:10-12

Money is not evil even though some people have sought and used it to fund immoral lifestyles and endeavors. Just as many people have used it to fund endeavors that truly help people and make this world a better place to live. Money is simply a magnifying glass because more of it causes you to live on a larger scale where more people can better see your character through the way you spend it, save it, and give it away.

In the hands of truly godly people, it magnifies the fact that they are continually seeking to evangelize and disciple many people to lead them to Christ. In the hands of ungodly people, it magnifies the fact that they encourage, support, and engage ungodly activities that negatively affect the lives of many others.

Most people in the United States are rich in comparison to most people that live in other parts of the world. That is why it is best for everyone to understand that deceitfulness of riches does not affect only those you believe have the big bucks. It is at play in your life when you do not pursue God directed endeavors and use money in ways that glorify Him and lead people to Jesus Christ.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Ecclesiastes 10:19, Luke 12:13-21, I Timothy 6:6-12, Revelation 3:17-18

The historical track record of each fund compared against funds with similar investments will help you determine which funds to choose. Invest in funds that historically meet or exceed the industry earnings average. Mutual funds come as stock funds, bond funds, low risk investment funds, and hybrids containing a percentage of all three types of investment vehicles as well as other types of investment holdings such as real estate.

Choosing a no-load fund (one without a sales fee) is generally a better choice than choosing one with a sales fee up-front or at the time you cash out. Choose funds that charge accountholders less than 1% in total expenses annually. Finally, browse financial magazines and articles periodically to learn the current market jargon used by financial advisors to become familiar with the different types of investments, so you can make good investments in the right vehicles.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Proverbs 11:14, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Luke 19:13, Acts 6:2-3

He is pleased when you invest to increase your income because this allows you to support the spread of the gospel to a greater degree. Investing in stock mutual funds is a great way to increase income because the stock market has earned far more than the bond market over every 20-year investment horizon. This information should help you get over the queasy feeling you get from day-to-day stock market swings and cause you to invest in these vehicles for the long-term returns they produce.

Then, use investment growth to help the church witness to and disciple people to influence them to accept Christ as Savior and live according to His standards. Following this spiritual and biblical money management roadmap and the purpose for which He made you will bring eternal blessing upon you and other people in your sphere of influence.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Proverbs 11:14, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Matthew 25:14-15, Luke 19:13, Acts 6:2-3

If you can’t or don't wish to use this option, you should quickly save the required amount to invest in a mutual fund with a good reputation, good historical returns, and low expense ratio. Checking these items is less difficult for mutual funds than for individual stocks, bonds, and other investments. Your state securities regulator can let you know if a fund is reputable and the fund’s prospectus will display one-year, five-year, ten-year, and lifetime average annual returns and the expense ratio.

Large, medium, and small cap index funds are great choices when you aren’t sure how to identify acceptable returns or select funds based on the credentials of the portfolio manager. Index funds will provide you with a long-term average annual return that is commensurate with overall stock market returns for these categories of businesses.

As you learn more about investing, in an attempt to obtain higher returns, you could choose to invest in funds whose portfolio of stocks and/or bonds is based on a non-index fund objective and manager’s stock selection preferences.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Proverbs 11:14, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Luke 19:13, Acts 6:2-3

These accounts generally include an array of choices such as fixed interest vehicles and stock and bond investments that automatically diversify your investment holdings. Some employers provide a matching percentage. This is free money that you won’t get until you invest through these plans.

It’s costly to withdraw money from the plan permanently until you're age 59 and a half. This keeps you from squandering all your money in your peak earning years so you have a chance at building wealth you’ll need to maintain comfort in later years. If taken before then, except through a loan from the plan administrator that you pay back on schedule, you must pay income taxes on the money and a 10% penalty to the IRS. In addition, you’ll pay the loan in after tax dollars that will be taxed again when you withdraw it in later years. If money is taken due to a qualified hardship or on an equal annual payout basis over your projected life expectancy, no penalty is due.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Proverbs 11:14, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Joshua 24:13, Luke 19:13, Acts 6:2-3

I believe these scriptures are trying to let us know that the Holy Spirit encourages, motivates, and guides each person to diversity his/her talent, mind, time, and money in order to get the most out of them and to help protect against inevitable emergencies and catastrophes that will take place during his/her life. Jesus diversified by choosing twelve very different men with different traits and talents who would work together to share Jesus with the world. Except for one, who chose to follow the tempting of satan to become the inevitable catastrophe / emergency that tried to derail the investment God made in the salvation of human souls, the remainder went on to become apostles investing gospel seeds in every region of the world they knew about. The plan was not derailed and all we need do is look at the return that continues to be harvested. It started with Jesus investment in twelve different men and now almost half the people on earth name Jesus Christ as their Savior.

This principle flows into the stewardship arena of your life leading you to invest with different financial institutions, brokerage houses, financial counselors, etc. Seven represents completion and is a good number of different types of investment vehicles/accounts to aim for. You will likely start investing with one but hopefully in a vehicle that holds more than one type of investment (a mutual fund, etc.). However, you will shortly invest extra money with another brokerage house as you continue to correctly manage your income, plan your spending, eliminate debt, save, and realize additional disposable.

This minimum level of diversification will give you peace because it greatly enhances the ability of your money to increase with the markets over the long haul and greatly reduces the risk that you might lose a large portion of your investment to unscrupulous counselors or short-term market declines.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Proverbs 11:14, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Matthew 25:15, Luke 19:13, Acts 6:2-3

Please forward these bondage breaking articles to other people who can use helpful insight!!!

This concept makes the diversification principle in scripture a most worthwhile principle to include in your wealth building plan. The bible identifies the most important features as giving a portion to seven or eight and using a multitude of counselors to help you manage your life and resources. Yet, many people foolishly put all their savings and investments in one vehicle in one person’s or institution’s control instead of spreading the risk. They risk the loss of their entire life savings if that one vehicle goes bankrupt or they lose a lot of purchasing power if the value of that one investment vehicle drops substantially.

By diversifying your investments among a variety of counselors (advisors and saving/investment accounts), you drastically reduce the chance that you will lose your entire savings or much purchasing power. So, for future financial protection, invest your money with at least several reputable counselors and accounts. The accounts can hold investments ranging from stocks to bonds to fixed income government guaranteed investments. Some risk of loss should be considered an acceptable risk, especially if you are young and starting without a multi-million dollar inheritance.

You can further minimize your risk by:

Saving for short-term and emergency needs.

Investing for the long-haul (10+ years).

Thoroughly researching and intricately learning the vehicles you choose to invest in.

Choosing investment vehicles with positive long-term historical track records.

While diversification has not stop investment markets from going up and down and negatively affecting your investments in some short-term periods, it limits the size of such swings on your assets so they won’t be anywhere near those for people who had all of their money in the most risky investments. It also allows you to obtain greater overall long-term return than those who put all their money in risk less accounts. In addition, it definitely stops the ability of one person to Madoff with all your money.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Proverbs 11:14, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Luke 19:13, Acts 6:2-3

In the meantime, in between time, and when you get the promotion, use biblical financial principles such as working hard, respecting the authorities that supervise you, and completing assignments well and on time in order to help others see it is in everyone’s best interest to make other opportunities and responsibilities available to you. This attitude and course of action helps you build treasures on earth and in heaven in a manner that help you obtain access to the treasury in Heaven when God knows you need money and resources to complete steps toward your destiny.

Almighty God is totally reliable and has the master plan for your life. When you use His plan it additionally generates more peace, joy, and right-standing from which to receive even greater blessing. You must recognize this building block and order your life in such a way that you utilize it to move you ever forward. In the financial arena, biblical money management principles are what make up His plan.

Sometimes, people have been promoted but fail to recognize their promotion because it didn’t seem to show up in the form of more money or a more prestigious title. However, God is also able to promote you by causing people to give you things free that you otherwise would have to pay for. He also can cause events to take place that can reduce your expenses. These scenarios give you more disposable income to give for ministry and care for your family. Everyone committed to working as unto the LORD throughout life will see numerous promotions over time. So, don’t let satan blind you to the reality of your promotions and don’t be envious of promotions that others receive. Keep working effectively and God is sure to order your promotions from His throne when the time is right.

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Psalms 75:6-10, Proverbs 3:31-35, Daniel 4:28-35, 1Peter 5:6-7

Work in a legitimate field and ministry. Man shall live by the sweat of his brow (caused by the work of his hands). If a man does not work, he also should not eat. Work exercises Christ's command to serve others and properly care for yourself, family, others in need, and the church (local and global). It also gives you a vital mission field in which you can glorify Jesus Christ, find witty ways to evangelize the lost, and disciple (build up) other believers in the workplace. Of all the get-rich-quick schemes this is the only sure-fire method to start and continue making money!!!

Tithe and give abundant offerings. This honors God and opens the door for Him to move mightily to rebuke the devourer on your behalf and to pour blessings you don't have room to receive. Even though His authorities (churches/church leaders) receive your tithes and offering on earth, it is witness that the One Who lives receives them in heaven. This means not only will you receive an abundant supply but others will receive many benefits through you as well. In addition, faithfully adhering to this cornerstone teaches you to live beneath your income and helps discipline you so you can adhere to the other cornerstones.

Budget your income and spending. What man would first build a house without counting the cost! You must know the state of your flocks and herds otherwise you wealth will not last through your generation. This is a very important principle that most people do not want to follow. However, all sound businesses and wealthy people (most have grown to such abundance over many years) adhere to a budget. There are several different method used but they all amount to the same thing - live well beneath your income. As your income grows your comforts grow.

Sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term financial soundness. Delayed gratification now (because you need to employ it) results in great benefits accruing to you in the long-run. I buffet (beat my body into submission) lest having told others about the way I myself become a castaway (do not get to receive the benefits of following the principles I've told others about). And Barnabas sold land that he owned and gave it to the Apostles for the work of the ministry!!!

Stay out of debt and eliminate the debt you have. God desires that you prosper and that you be in the position of a lender and not a borrower. He does not desire that you be a slave. But you will be if your eyes and heart are on borrowing to get what you think you need and want. I'm convinced He desires that we live debt-free lives and only use credit as a short-term convenience that we can immediately pay off next month and that He is prepared to guide us to live that way and make it happen. However, you must plan to live this way and budget income and spending to make it happen.

Save a reasonable portion of your income each pay period. There is much tillage in field of a poor man, but it is all wasted for lack of judgment. There's oil and wine in the dwelling of the wise but a foolish man spends all his income. I believe saving 10% and growing from there is a reasonable starting point. However, start wherever you can immediately (2%, 5%, etc.) by building an emergency fund of 3 to 6 months of income (longer if you're self-employed or your job is not stable). God will help you do this as you adhere to the cornerstones above.

Diversifying your money and resources. Give a portion to seven or eight for you do not know what troubles you'll face. There is safety in a multitude of counselors. This means you don't have to be an expert at picking the right stock, bond, or other investment. While you should educate yourself to how these asset building/wealth management tools work, you only have to remember not to put all your eggs into one basket but over time into seven or eight types as well as seven or eight brokers/financial institutions as well as learn short and long-term investing basics for these tools as well as the histories of the types of returns they have produced over short (1-3 year), medium(4-10 years), and long (11-30 year) periods of time. Putting all your eggs in one basket results in all or a huge portion of your assets getting spoiled in market downturns, whereas putting your eggs in seven baskets results in a very small portion of your assets getting spoiled when the market dives or people attempt to snare you in fraudulent investment schemes.

Invest your excess savings. The Master gave His servants talents. The one He gave five talents went about trading (investing) and increased the talents to ten. The one He gave two traded and produced four. The lazy/wicked servant who received one talent hid it in the ground and brought no increase for the Master. On another occasion the Master gave each servant one mina. One of them traded and produced ten minas. Another traded and produced five. The lazy/wicked servant hid it in a napkin and brought no increase for the Master. The Master gave the wicked servants’ talent and mina to others who produced using kingdom principles and cast the wicked servant into outer darkness. God through the discipline of His financial plan and guidance of the Holy Spirit brings you to the point of investing when you use the above principles as the cornerstone of your finances.

I hope these eight cornerstones (principles) help you get on the road that God prepared for His people that together we may do His will and serve His people!!!

Please pray for this ministry and email any questions. May God bless you richly as you follow His plan!!!

Deuteronomy 28:12, Proverbs 21:20, 22:7, Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 6:38, 14:28-30, Hebrews 7:8, Acts 4:36,