21 Day Fast Encouragements - GIVE TO THE POOR- ADAM MILLER - 01/24/16 - New Life Coevnant Cincinnati

GIVE TO THE POOR

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD — and He will repay you! (Proverbs 19:17, NIV & NLT)

Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. 2 The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. 3 The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. (Psalm 41:1-3)

Now, in our 15th day of the Daniel Fast, I hope that we're having a "Turn the Corner" experience, spiritually and physically.  One day, I was looking into my closet for something and the Holy Spirit turned my focus to the right side...seeing all the slacks, shirts and sweaters I had out-grown, but was holding onto.  I was hoping one day, to be able to fit them again. 

Huh! Fat chance!  I believe God focused my attention on the clothing, so as to fulfill Matthew 25:36a.  "I was naked and you did not clothe me..." 
Let's face it.  Fasting is not only the shedding of some body weight, but the inward shedding of those weights and sins that have continued to trip us up, slow us down and at times, bring us face to face with seemingly insurmountable "walls" in our lives (Heb. 12:1)

I began to hear in the Spirit, the joys of those, as they received the clothing I was willing to part with.  "Ahh!  Ohhh!  I'm so happy!  Thank you, Lord for the blessing!"  See, we may not have money to feed or house others, but I believe we all have clothing we can "give away" even now. 

This is our season, brothers and sisters; this is our time.  Let's give to those, who have need, as unto the Lord!
- Adam Miller

21 Day Fast Encouragements - STEWARDSHIP - 01/22/16 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

STEWARDSHIP

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.  The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. Matthew 25:14-17 (read 14-30)

A steward is a person appointed or employed to manage another person’s property, especially a large house or estate. Stewards are entrusted and given responsibility to take care of that that is anothers.  On Day One of our Daily Encouragements, we established that everything we have ultimately belongs to God.  God owns it all.  We have been given the job or the role of managing or stewarding the Lord’s business.  This parable parallels the handling of finance to the weightier matter of handling the Kingdom of God (its ways, statutes, principles and people).  The servant who gave the Master the greatest return on His investment received a double portion AND the portion of the one who hid his talent of money in the ground.

 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.  And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “ (Matthew 25:28-30)

Isn’t God too nice for that? Would he really do that? First He's only giving them what they can really handle. Then, He's giving out this pretty steep punishment if they don't!  The parable is about money…but there’s more to it than just that.   In Luke 16:1-14 the parable of the Shrewd Manager/Steward you see Jesus give us the parallel and the bottom line:

10“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?
12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

It matters how we steward God’s money, because it reflects His ability to trust us with true riches.  It matters how trustworthy we are with the money, home, car, ministry, relationships, opportunities of others as a precursor to having our own.  We want power with God. We want to flourish and be successful in life, in business, and in ministry, but we ignore the importance of good stewardship as a pre-requisite for God to believe that we are ready to handle our own and other people’s lives.

Luke 12:42-48 details that stewardship is not just about money but about relationships.  We must treat other servants of the Lord with the same care as the Master does.  They are His true gift.  If we do not handle His treasured possessions the way He does, we will be ‘beaten with many blows’ (vs 47)… for “from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (VS. 48b)  Good stewardship is important to God.

Sadell

21 Day Fast Encouragements - DON'T CO-SIGN - 01/21/16- Crystal Holliday - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

DON’T CO-SIGN

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest!  Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. Proverbs 6:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

CO-SIGN is the act of signing for another person's debt and becoming legally obligated to make payment should the debtor default and not repay the obligation.  You’d think…“Who’d want to do that, Christian or not?”  However, I’m quickly reminded of a time when I asked my mother to co-sign a loan for me to obtain a vehicle. She told me no. I was offended and resented the fact that she wouldn't help me. She always referenced the bible about giving and helping the poor; surely this would fall into that category right??? Making a decision to co-sign for another individual is so difficult because the person making the request is usually in a position of need…but is your help the thing that they really need the most?

Let’s go back to the story about the vehicle loan. I had to provide a larger down payment to secure the loan without a co-signer. My interest rate was 24.99% (extremely high) due to poor credit and the monthly car note took almost one whole pay check. All that money could have been saved if mom had only said “yes”. Well, not even half way into the 60 month term life happened. I could no longer pay and the car was repossessed. My mom would've been stuck with my debt if she had co-signed for me. What’s worse, if she wasn't able to pay both of us would have been dodging creditors and both of our credit histories would've been negatively impacted.  
    I guess mom knew better…
           

The bible warns us not only against taking on debt for ourselves, but also against taking on debt for others. Co-signing is a promise to the lender, but also to the borrower that you will not let their possessions be taken; you have their back. However, if you can’t guarantee that promise then you are lying to yourself, the borrower and the lender. “Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.“ (Proverbs 22:26-17, NIV)
When a person co-signs they become a slave not only to the lender, but also to their neighbor. The co-signer willingly hands over power to their neighbor for their reputation (credit), assets (what will be used to repay the debt) and livelihood (some employers will not hire you because of negative credit history). During Biblical times the co-signer could even lose their freedom!   





Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe. (Proverbs 11:15 NIV).

If your family or friends need a co-signer it’s probably because they did not manage their other debts appropriately. There is a high risk that they will default again….only this time dragging you down with them. One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. (Proverbs 17:18)

So, what do you do when your friend or neighbor is in need and asks you to co-sign? Explain that it is too much of a risk; ask the Lord for the words to say. Help them by exploring other financial options and resources available, or by creating a budget, goals and savings plan. Have an honest conversation about why they need a co-signer in the first place.  Pray with them about their circumstances. They may not like the answer and may take offense, but at least “your very bed will not be snatched from under you”.

If you have already co-signed for someone explore every option to amend the contract and come from under that debt obligation. Do not feel guilty for following the advice of the word. For more tips on co-signing check out 6 ways to get removed as a co-signer.
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/get-removed-from-cosigned-credit-card-loan/

Crystal




 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - COMPARTMENTALIZE - 01/20/16 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

To COMPARTMENTALIZE means to divide into categories. A compartment is a section of a container in which certain items can be kept separate or in isolation from others. Mentally, compartmentalization can be a coping strategy or a defense mechanism that helps us through life. We work from 9-5, then devote our thinking toward family in the evenings. Police officers, fire-fighters, surgeons, soldiers and trauma victims compartmentalize multiple difficult and even horrific situations in order to continue with their lives and duties. Pastors and counselors separate their roles as care-givers from their personal lives...or the sheer number of hospital visits, funerals, and therapy sessions would take their toll.  Sometimes we need to compartmentalize.

Paul, had to compartmentalize his life as a born again Believer in Jesus away from his former identity as a persecutor and killer of Christians. To forget what lay behind and press forward to his higher call, he had to shelve both the accolades and the shameful tragedy of his past. (Phil 3) To be a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), David had to filter out his victories and his worshipful life before God, from the blood he'd shed and the crimes he'd committed. Moses had to lift himself away from the guilt of his murderous past to become the Deliverer God chose to rescue Israel from Pharaoh. (Exodus 3-4) Peter had to detach himself from his betrayals of Jesus in order to display his loyalty and go on to shepherd the Church. (John 21) Joseph compartmentalized the treachery of his brothers away from his call to save them. (Genesis 50)  

I was not taught compartmentalization, though I sometimes do it. I've been a spaghetti person - every incident was emotionally and mentally mushed together. You can't take a bite out of one part without tasting the others. The book, "Men are like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti." by Bill and Pam Farrel, surmises that this is a gender difference, but I've seen men and women on both sides. There are times when spaghetti thinking has been beneficial, helping me to empathize and understand the inter-related nature of things and people. However compartmentalization would have yielded better results on other occasions. It's easy for flooding, overwhelm, bitterness and confusion to ensue when we try to address every issue at once. Might it be time to compartmentalize a part of your life that's been plaguing you? to shelve it and let God deal with it and pick up later...or not?

For the next few Sundays, January 24th & 31st Pastor Jackie Jackson will be our guest speaker at New Life Covenant for both our Bible Study at 10:00 AM and our Service at 11:00 AM at Urban Artifact 1660 Blue Rock Street, 45223. The topic is Breaking the Spirit of Poverty: Financial Prosperity. If you are struggling in this area, please come! The LORD wants to deliver, instruct with Biblical wisdom, and set you free.

21 Day Fast Encouragments - STAY OUT OF DEBT - 01/20/16 - Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

STAY OUT OF DEBT

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously… Psalm 37:22

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.  Romans 13:8

The borrower is slave to the lender…what a statement!  I recall gasping at historical documentaries on the Slavery and Reconstruction era, where unwitting and uneducated slaves or sharecroppers were tricked into putting their X (signature) on a document that sold them or their family into servitude for an additional number of years to salivating plantation owners.  I wonder how we would respond today, if we thought of every credit card receipt, student loan, car or installment loan, same as cash agreement, cell phone contract, or mortgage in the same way.  Because we’re signing our lives away…

When we sign these documents, we are literally exchanging 6-72 months or more of our labor and assigning percentages of our income to a particular bank, loan company or retail establishment. No wonder Scripture encourages us to avoid doing that if at all possible, or at least to be aware of what we’re doing when we decide to sign on dotted lines and engage debt. One of the signs of Israel’s blessing was that they as a people would lend to many nations and not borrow. (Deuteronomy 28:12)

Even when we make agreements with close friends or family to borrow or lend money, we have spiritually entered into an up/down, master/servant relationship with a moral obligation to repay.  These relationships are not really righted until the debt is paid in full…or it is forgiven. You know when you see that person, how much they owe you/you owe them is in the back or forefront of your mind!  It creates an unexplainable distance.  While the debt is unpaid, we explain, want to work off, avoid, or cut off relationships because of the discomfort of the outstanding debt.  It binds our ability to freely love.

Many Christians who love Jesus, attend church weekly and even lead ministries are ignoring creditor’s phone calls, have defaulted on student loans, owe child support, and are behind on utility bills and various other payments.  Yet I’ve never once heard anyone in the church call themselves “wicked” when they borrowed and did not repay.  Most want to go on with their lives, dreams and aspirations as if there were no debt outstanding. If we are in this situation, it is crucial to the full blessing of the Lord on our lives, to right the wrong and do all we can to make arrangements to pay the debt. As a Christian, not only your reputation, but the Lord’s is at stake.

Is your debt too great to pay on your own? God sees and understands, but you have to be truthful about your wickedness, and cry out to Him for help. If you read Deuteronomy 15, and Leviticus 25, you’ll see that the Lord didn’t intend for his people to be perpetually indebted and enslaved.  In 2 Kings 6:1-7, you’ll find that He will do a miracle that defies the laws of nature to see His people avoid the consequences of debt. In 2 Kings 4, the story of the Shunamite widow, you’ll watch as God helps start an entrepreneurial business for a woman who was going to have to sell her sons as slaves to pay off her creditors. If God can do it for them…He can surely do it for us! 

Sadell

21 Day Fast Encouragements - Day 10 - SAVING MONEY - 01/18/16- LUNDON JOHNSON - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Today is the 10th Day of New Life Covenant's 21-Day Fast.  We are fasting and praying for many things...one of them is self-control and discipline in our financial lives.  To that end, members of the church and its pastors are writing daily encouragements.  Thought we'd share them with you.  Be blessed!

Day 9 SAVING MONEY

The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. (Proverbs 21:20, NLT)

The Bible teaches that saving money is a wise practice for many reasons. God is our source and provider for everything we need. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). One of the main ways God provides for us is through money, and it is our job to steward that money well. (Matthew 25:14–27).

We are accountable to God for how we use everything He gives us in this life, including money. Saving money demonstrates good stewardship of the resources God gives us. Saving allows us to be prepared for the future, and being prepared for the future is good! Proverbs 6:6–8 shows us that this principle is lived out even in nature: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and its food at harvest.” Planning ahead and saving money makes it easier to accomplish goals.
We are even to plan ahead for our weekly giving to the ministry.  "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." (1 Corinthians 16:2).

When we don’t plan ahead and save money, we are more prone to go into debt, which the Bible tells us is unwise. "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." (Proverbs 22:7) When emergencies arise, which they will, saving ensures that you are able to meet the challenge without going into the bondage of debt, or ruining your good name by avoiding creditors. We want to represent the Lord well in all areas.

Of course, there are plenty of wrong motives for saving money. If we’re saving money out of fear of the future, it shows we’re not really trusting God to provide (see Luke 12:7; 2 Timothy 1:7). Miserliness is sin, and it’s foolish and arrogant to make money our security. “The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale” (Proverbs 18:11); yet riches “will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle” (Proverbs 23:5). First Timothy 6:10 warns against greed,“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

To fully understand the value of saving money, we must remember what the Bible says about giving. God desires His people to be cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7). It’s impossible to out-give God whether in forgiveness or in finance! “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). Saving prepares you to be generous when giving opportunities arise.

Sometimes the things God gives, whether money or something else, are intended for us to give away.  At other times, He gives us things that are meant for us to keep for ourselves and use in His service and for His glory. It’s wise to hold everything God gives us loosely so that we can give it away if He asked us to.

Here are some charts that you can use if you like, to start saving - or you can make your own. Some of these charts may not be realistic for some to achieve, but do what you are able to do. Make sure while you're saving money, you are also paying your tithes and offerings  : )

Lundon Johnson

21 DAY FAST ENCOURAGEMENTS DAY 9 - CONTENTMENT VS. LOVE OF MONEY - David Baker - 01/18/16 -New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Today is the 9th Day of New Life Covenant's 21-Day Fast.  We are fasting and praying for many things...one of them is self-control and discipline in our financial lives.  To that end, members of the church and its pastors are writing daily encouragements.  Thought we'd share them with you.  Be blessed!

CONTENTMENT VS. LOVE OF MONEY

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.   (1Timothy 6:6-10)   
       
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. (Pro 11:28)

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 16:13) 

There is a video from the Skit Guys on greed (look it up if you have a chance)  that depicts several individuals who have lost sight of focusing/investing in the truly important things in life (like relationships, looking outside of ourselves and our selfish desires to be focused on others). These folks simply try to buy more stuff and do more (empty) things, but never truly find contentment.  Contentment eludes them because they are not seeking it. Instead, they are always looking for more and more and more and more….engaging in futile acts, attempting to apply bandages to their deep inner wounds.

Contentment by it’s dictionary definition means satisfaction; satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else. On the surface, this definition may sound like settling or giving up on dreams, hopes or ambition and certainly not anything that is in line with our Christian beliefs….

After all, the Bible says in Deuteronomy 28:13a “…And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath.” Reading that scripture, one would ask.. “Why would God ever want me to be content with what I have, not wanting more or anything else?”  Are these statements mutually exclusive? Can both be true at the same time?

Spiritually, the question is not one of “not wanting more or anything else” so much as it is an issue of the heart....Can I appreciate and show gratefulness for what God has provided for me right now, or does my heart fail to acknowledge  God’s goodness and provision and thank Him for where I am at this moment.

God’s focus is always on the greater things and He wants those greater things for us, but He wants us to be Heavenly focused and not distracted by ungratefulness, greed, fear, envy, worry and doubt.

…But rather seek ye FIRST he kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:31, 32) 

God, help us to be content  in our hearts with the place that you have us at this time, while EXPECTING the greater that you have in store for us as we turn the corner in 2016!

-David Baker

21 Day Fast Encouragements - PROSPERITY - 01/18/16- Robert Johnson - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Today is the 8th Day of New Life Covenant's 21-Day Fast.  We are fasting and praying for many things...one of them is self-control and discipline in our financial lives.  To that end, members of the church and its pastors are writing daily encouragements.  Thought we'd share them with you.  Be blessed!

PROSPERITY - The Covenant Blessing

"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Gen 12:1-3)


The Covenant Blessing is the promise God made to Abram in Genesis Chapter 12. The theme is that once we follow the commands of God, He will bless us. God told Abram to get up and go to a land He would show Him. We all know this required faith on Abram's part, but what was more important was obedience. We always want to justify, rationalize, analyze, and question the command. Instead of remembering God and His promise, we focus on what we might miss out on. I believe we must begin to believe in The Covenantal Blessing and act now on God’s commands.

“Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 8:1)

Right now we are turning the corner as individuals, families, and a church body. God has promised us some things and we must exercise our faith with obedience.

God is NOT to be forgotten. In my mind, I don’t forget God…in my actions, I do!  My money, time and words will tell on me every time. “You may say to yourself, my power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord Your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His Covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” (Deuteronomy 28:17-18) Did you know that you had just about nothing to do with how you acquired wealth? It is true, God gave you the ability to acquire it, more important to know is why He did it:

“…and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”

The focal point of the Covenantal Blessing is that you be a blessing to others. He says that all the people of the earth will be blessed by us. Let’s make sure remember to God with our time, money, and other resources!

We are to be diligent in acquiring wisdom, knowledge, and Godly discernment in daily walk on this earth. Proverbs 8:11-12 says that these things are more precious than rubies. That means I need to be that person who delights in the Law of The Lord and meditates in it day and night. (Psalms 1:2) For in doing this I gain wisdom and understanding. When it comes to financial stewardship, it is important to understand the need for Godly wisdom and discernment; like when to purchase a vehicle, whether to rent an apartment or buy a home, etc. When we make these decisions with prudence, we position ourselves to have the ability to give more to God. The more we obey the better God’s Covenant promise can be a reality. Remember, The Covenantal Blessing required activation from Abram. God basically is saying “Do this, and I promise you this.”

We must begin to position ourselves so we can actually look like the people God called us to be. Stop being afraid of not having enough, but instead looking forward to handling what God will bless us with if we obey the way He intends. We will see and experience ourselves as wealthy people, while remembering God in everything as we continue to turn the corner.  As we seek and utilize our creativity and gifts, we will see that God has freely given to us as power to produce wealth.

We give/sow seeds in the ground out of obedience, knowing that rain will come.  RAIN ONLY MATTERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEED IN THE GROUND. RAIN IS COMING, WILL IT MATTER TO YOU?

Robert

21 Days of Fasting Encouragement Day 7-TREASURES IN HEAVEN VS. ON EARTH - Jackie Smith 01/16/16- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Today is the 7th Day of New Life Covenant's 21-Day Fast.  We are fasting and praying for many things...one of them is self-control and discipline in our financial lives.  To that end, members of the church and its pastors are writing daily encouragements.  Thought we'd share them with you.  Be blessed!


TREASURES IN HEAVEN VS. ON EARTH

Money is just one part of the larger topic of stewardship: the wise management of all the time, abilities, and resources entrusted to us by God. But money usually winds up being the main focus, and for good reason. Solomon said, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. “Ecclesiastes 5:10  (NASB).  Jesus instructed the disciples:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal… Matthew 6:19-20  (NASB)

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. "Colossians 3:1-3 (NASB)

The following is excerpted from Treasures in Heaven by Andy Stanley:

"Treasures in heaven" is not a vaporous reference to kindly thoughts in God's heart or some such platitude. God's kingdom will ultimately rule on earth. "Treasures in heaven" are things of worth in God's coming Kingdom, such as justice, opportunity for everyone to be productive, provision for everyone's needs, and respect for the dignity of every person. The implication is that we would do better to invest our money in activities that transform the world, than in securities that protect our accumulated surplus.

Is it wrong, then, to have a retirement portfolio or even to care about the material things of this world for ourselves or for others? The answer is again both no and yes. The no comes from the fact that this passage is not the only one in the Bible speaking to questions of wealth and provision for those who are dependent on us. Other passages counsel prudence and forethought, such as, "Those who gather little by little will increase [wealth]" (Proverbs 13:11b), and, "The good leave an inheritance to their children's children" (Proverbs 13:22). God guides Joseph to store up food for seven years in advance of a famine (Genesis 41:25-36), and Jesus speaks favorably in the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30, which will be discussed later) of investing money. In light of the rest of Scripture, Matthew 6:19-34 cannot be a blanket prohibition.

But the yes part of the answer is a warning, summed up beautifully in verse 21, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." We might expect this sentence to run the other way, "Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also." But Jesus' actual words are more profound. Money changes the heart more than the heart decides how to handle money. Jesus' point is not "You tend to put your money into things that matter to you," but, "the possessions you own will change you so that you care more about them than about other things." Choose carefully what you own, for you will inevitably begin to value and protect it, to the potential detriment of everything else.

We may call this the "Treasure Principle," namely, that treasure transforms. Those who invest their deepest treasure in the things of this world will find they are no longer serving God but money (Matt. 6:24). That can lead to anxiety coming from the uncertainties of money (Matt. 6:25-34). Will it be eroded by inflation? Will the stock market crash? Will the bonds default? Will the bank fail? Can I be sure that what I've saved will be enough to handle anything that could possibly happen?

The question, then, is what kind of attention you should pay to material needs and the accumulation of resources? If you pay anxious attention, you are foolish. If you let them displace your trust in God, you are becoming unfaithful. If you pay excessive attention to them, you will become greedy. If you acquire them at the expense of other people, you are becoming the kind of oppressor against whom God's kingdom is pitched.

How are we to discern the line between appropriate and inappropriate attention to wealth? Jesus answers, "Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you" (Matt. 6:33). First things first. Despite our large capacity for self-deception, this question can help us observe carefully where our treasure is. That will tell us something about our hearts.

Jackie

21 DAY FAST ENCOURAGEMENTS - GIVE TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL - 01/15/16 - Sadell Bradley- New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Today is the 6th Day of New Life Covenant's 21-Day Fast.  We are fasting and praying for many things...one of them is self-control and discipline in our financial lives.  To that end, members of the church and its pastors are writing daily encouragements.  Thought we'd share them with you.  Be blessed!

GIVE TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL
(Read 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 in their ENTIRETY if you can)

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, NLT)

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. (2 Corinthians 9:10-13, NLT)

Giving is ministry. It is aid or service rendered from one person to another for the Glory of God. People who understand this are SUCH a tremendous blessing to the Body of Christ, the unsaved, and those who are called to preach and teach the Gospel! Givers grasp that to do the work of sharing the Word, shepherding and caring for a flock, going overseas for foreign missions, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners, and seeing captives set free is intensive labor.  They realize that many have laid down the possibility of much more lucrative opportunities and pursuits for the sake of the Call, and that God has blessed them specifically to be a blessing. Ministries constantly require funding to be able to present the Gospel in various ways to an ever-expanding audience if we’re going to take the Good News to the ends of the earth. Our giving is an important part of fulfilling the Great Commission.

Individuals who are really generous care as much about the spread of the Gospel and people’s discipleship as any leader.  They know that for quality ministry to take place entails radical generosity, just like any other pursuit in the natural that builds, develops and heals.  We don’t struggle with funding schools and universities, or getting capital for businesses. We know that doctor and hospital bills must be paid, because we see the benefit in all of these things.  I pray that one day, we will see the value of souls being saved and lives being transformed by Christ, and that it will manifest in more consistent giving to the Gospel. Even the poorer churches in Macedonia were so committed to the spread of Christ’s Word to the world, that they gave both of themselves and of their very limited resources to see it happen.

Those who sow bountifully into the Kingdom will reap bountifully. (2 Cor 9:6) They are fixated on loving Jesus and others as conduits of God’s blessings.  Paul said they will themselves be cared for in their time of need, will reap eternal rewards, and their giving will bring expressions of praise and thanksgiving to God. If New Life Covenant has been a blessing to you in any way…give glory and thanks to the LORD for a few generous souls.  Without them, we would NOT be here.

Sadell

21 DAY FAST ENCOURAGEMENTS - Day 5- CARE FOR MINISTERS - 01/14/16- Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

Today is the 5th Day of New Life Covenant's 21-Day Fast.  We are fasting and praying for many things...one of them is self-control and discipline in our financial lives.  To that end, members of the church and its pastors are writing daily encouragements.  Thought we'd share them with you.  Be blessed!

CARE FOR MINISTERS

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour. especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.  And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.  1 Timothy 5:17-18 KJV

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.  For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”  1 Timothy 5:17-18 (NLT)

What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the  right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of it’s milk?…In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 1 Corinthians 9:7, 14 (READ WHOLE CHAPTER NLT)

The last couple of days have been crazy…in a great way.  At the Cincinnati Mosaix meeting of pastors who are planting or interested in becoming multi-ethnic churches, the Lord used me to prophetically speak on race, and God’s heart for the poor in the City, who are disproportionately African-American.  Tears ran down my face as I plead that we would live out the Gospel, put off the political speech, consider the poor in our territory, and start by loving and helping ONE ANOTHER. 

I expressed how difficult it has been for Sherman, as a native of Cincinnati and me, to plant a multi-ethnic church in a racially polarized City.  Oneya Okuwobi shared statistics from her PhD research about the resistance of Caucasians to follow African-American leadership. So I asked them for help.  Something broke in the atmosphere and people began to offer their assistance. They said, “Sherman and Sadell can be our prototype that we’re committed to helping see this vision come to pass.”  Glory to God! I then went to visit one of our pastors recovering from surgery.  It turned into a pastors meeting! We all care so much for those God has entrusted to us! 

Overnight the thoughts of what our needs were and what I’d write swirled in my head.  I had little sleep -Sherman had a meeting with a donor in the morning.  So at 4am I crafted a list of Spiritual, Physical, and Personnel needs for him to present along with a year in review Keynote presentation I'd made.  Then I sent out the daily encouragements, the Wednesday’s Word, and more teaching on Fasting through social media. God told me not to just be a pastor in the City, but a pastor TO the City.

Then I went to the hospital and prayed with another parishioner before surgery, and returned home for my first meal on the Daniel portion of the fast. I sent out 1099 tax forms to our contractors, and then took a break, whew!  I cooked for Sherman, straitened the house, and interacted via email with a visitor to our service who was thinking of coming to our Bible Study.  She said her daughter thought our service was AWESOME! and that she really liked seeing a woman preacher. ;)  Then I had a music meeting with our Worship Leader and a brief Lead Team meeting before Bible Study.

I was very nervous about this week's Bible Study from Emotional Healthy Spirituality - Peter Scarzerro.  My legs were shaking. The Lord wanted me to dig deeply and Biblically into the issue of receiving full resurrection, restoration and recovery from grief and loss.  To do that I would have to be really vulnerable on the birthday of one of my closest friends who’d passed a few years ago, and share on how Sherman and I had grieved poorly in various situations.  There needed to be a strong compassion for the hurt of those gathered, a Holy Spirit flow, and a precise use of Scripture that would cut like surgeon into the deepest recesses of pain that had been there for years.  Glory to God! He did it! and it was beautiful! The peace and relief that was in that room you could physically feel…then I was knocked out.

I am called as a 5-Fold minister to shepherd and care for God’s people, to teach and preach His Word, and to equip others for ministry.  It is what God created me for and I take it seriously. I work hard at it in the same way a teacher, lawyer or doctor does.  There is not another job I want to do, though like Paul, I have to tent-make (work bi-vocationally) sometimes. The result of what I do brings significant life change for those who receive that my gift comes from God.  It is amazing to watch as He literally removes shackles and burdens off of people through what He gives me to share.

I’m not sure what you think we do…but it’s very significant to me and it’s even more significant to God!  If you have an elder who rules well, I hope you will consider them worthy of double honor!




Sadell