Stolen Peace

I received a call from a furniture company for which I have no account. When I answered it the lady called me by name and asked me to have a certain person I know to call them back. I said I would try and I did. The problem with this situation is first, I didn't ask to be the hall monitor in life for another person's finances. So I am calling bull on this business practice. But in being a disciple the best thing in this situation that I can do is teach the person that used me as a phone number contact... wherein the problem lies.

The problem is that first you went into debt in the first place. It is better to sit on the floor than be in debt and become a slave to such as this. In the Bible we are told to owe no man (Roman's 13.8). Why do you want to owe someone money? That in essence makes you a slave to them. If you are late on a payment it not only brings harassment and your peace being destroyed, but also in common business practices, it brings  harassment and disturbed peace of the person who you used as a "number to call".

I do want you to have the things in life that you desire. However, I do hope that you know the difference between a want and a need. Sometimes a want feels like a need but most times it is not. I learned this when I dug myself out of debt. I had to retrain my mind on the difference but as time went by it became easier and easier. Now I can discern the difference rather quickly, much to my granddaughters displeasure.

Now, since I said I want you to have your heart's desires, I will redirect you to the how-to. Tithe.

Simple but so hard for many to grasp. You can afford to tithe. It is the opposite that you cannot afford to do. You receive God's abundance when you tithe, otherwise...you are on your own. In the scenario you see above, being on your own is resulting in me being called regarding your lack of abundance in monetary matters. Look at Galatians 6:38(b)...for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. So how/when do you plant so you can sow what God expects? See 1Cor 16:2  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. Also, look at Luke 6:38 for when you give to God: 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.

Now, look in Malachi to see the blessings of tithing when you do as God as instructed: Malachi 3:7-12
   7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept [them]. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. [Mal 3:7-12 KJV]

So giving to God will open the windows of heaven. :). Genesis 14:19...the tithe of Abraham was one-tenth of all Abraham possessed. This set the standard. I have proven this (10%) works! I strongly urge you to do this as well. Prospering is a GOOD THING!

 III John 2: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. [KJV]

Prospering

Prospering
Here's a short take on a biblical teaching I listened to recently:
Wisdom, 

• Proverbs 1:1-6, see the description of a "wise" man in verse 5. 
• King Solomon was very wise (see why here: I Kings 3: 5-9; and because King Solomon believed and trusted in his heart note the "good fruit": I Kings 3:10-14 (now those are some tremendous good fruits!)). Solomon was very wise because with right knowledge he rightly applied the knowledge to the situation at hand and was renowned for it (I King 4: 29-34).

More about wisdom, 

• in the Proverbs of Solomon we can learn what God says about wisdom: KJV Proverbs 8:10-11: Receive my [God's] instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Need some of that wisdom? 

• Look here: James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (see I King 3:9 Solomon asked God for a understanding (i.e. a hearing) heart).

• In James 3:17 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.

Remember the good fruits that Solomon was given? Solomon trusted in God and prospered mightly! God giveth to all men liberally so this is attainable to you and I as well. 

Thanks for reading. Now go out and prosper! 

Bible references accessed via Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 2 Feb, 2014. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jam&c=1&p=0&rl=0&ss=0&t=KJV