Speaker: Be Rich – 2022

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) 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.

How Do We Reap Our Harvest?

1. The first step to reaping your harvest is to rightly discern your harvest.

You need to discern:

• • • When your harvest is.
    • Where your harvest is.
    • How much your harvest is

A spiritual harvest is not discerned in the natural by looking at natural circumstances.

Peter almost missed out on his harvest because he did not rightly discern that it was time to harvest. He was looking at the natural circumstances. (Luke 5:1-11 Jesus said to let down the NETS. Peter agreed to let down the NET.)

You might not be able to explain it, but you have a knowing in your spirit.

• • • • A key indicator that harvest-time is near is joy in your spirit.

2. Make sure your harvest is ready by your worship, thanksgiving, and praise.

Worship, praise, and thanksgiving help things move along, since praise and thanksgiving are the language of faith.

3. Keep the weeds out of your garden!

(Genesis 2:15 AMPC) And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it.

Keep (HEB) = To watch over it; to guard, protect and safeguard

• • • Weeds include unforgiveness, bitterness, strife—anything to do with walking outside of love.
    • You pull up the “weeds” and cast them out with your words.

4. When you sense in your spirit that it is harvest time, you begin to call in your harvest.

(Isaiah 41:15 AMPC) Behold, I will make you to be a new, sharp, threshing instrument which has teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, and shall make the hills like chaff.

Teeth: (HEBREW) – means “double-edged”.

God says He will give us an instrument to harvest that is double- edged.

(Isaiah 49:2 NKJV) And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.”

(Hebrews 4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Make your words line up with your harvest.

• You will find that the Bible teaches in principles and precepts.

Principle: a fundamental truth that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.

Precept: a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.

(Isaiah 28:9-10 NKJV) “Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? (10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.”

Just implementing principles or precepts in your life will not always generate the results that we desire.

• We need a plan or strategy that is specifically designed by God FOR US.

(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Strategy: a plan, method, or series of maneuvers for obtaining a specific goal or result.

(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)  For I know the strategies I have for you,” declares the LORD, “strategies to prosper you and not to harm you, strategies to give you hope and a future.

• Very often, God will not use the same strategy when facing the same need.

(2 Samuel 5:17-25 NKJV) Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. (18) The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. (19) So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” (20) So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. (21) And they left their images there, and David and his men carried them away. (22) Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. (23) Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. (24) And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” (25) And David did so, as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.

5. Always remember, God is your Source and He has a strategy to get supply or harvest to you!

God is not limited to your paycheck that you receive on your job.

(Philippians 4:19 BBE) And my God will give you all you have need of from the wealth of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Don’t try and figure out how God is going to meet your needs or provide the harvest. He is not limited to just one channel or way of getting something to you.

(Matthew 17:24-27 NKJV) When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” (25) He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” (26) Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. (27) Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

“Piece of money” – (GREEK) “stater” which was the exact amount to pay the tax for two people.

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) 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.

Principles of Reaping

(Proverbs 10:5 NKJV) He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

(Proverbs 10:5 TLB) A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity.

(Ecclesiastes 11:4 NKJV) (4) He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Solomon is telling us that there is not going to be a convenient or opportune time to sow or to reap. If you are moved by the present conditions, you might not do anything.

(Ecclesiastes 11:4 TLB) If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.

Reasons Why We Don’t Reap A Harvest

• People do not reap a harvest because they have not sown.
• Some people do not reap because they quit and give up before they harvest.

(Galatians 6:9 MSG) So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up or quit.

• Some people don’t reap because they think the reaping is automatic.

(Mark 4:29 NKJV) (29) But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

• Another reason that some people do not reap their harvest is that they have forgotten that they have sown.

• • One reason for this is that we see it as a loss and not as an investment.

Don’t get legalistic with this but you should keep a record of what and where you have given just as you would with natural investments. We should give these things the same attention that we would natural investments.

How Do We Reap Our Harvest?

1. The first step to reaping your harvest is to rightly discern your harvest.

(John 4:35 MSG) As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!

Jesus was speaking to the disciples about THE harvest, but He needed to correct their thinking. They were thinking that the harvest would be in four months, but He said the harvest is ready now.

You need to discern:

• • • When your harvest is.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NLT) For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (2) A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.

• • • Where your harvest is.

(Genesis 26:1-3 NKJV) There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. (2) Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. (3) Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.

(Genesis 26:12-13 NKJV) Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. (13) The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous;

It is very important to sow where God leads us to sow and reap where he shows us to reap. So, how do we know where to go and reap our bounty?

Look for your harvest in great and new opportunities. Resist the temptation to predetermine where and how they will come. Just believe, and you will receive!

• • • How much your harvest is

There is a harvest to reap from every single seed, so get your mind on the harvest. Part of reaping every harvest is believing it is coming to you. Don’t leave spiritual crops in the field. If you haven’t thought of yourself as a harvester until now, start thinking of yourself that way. Roll up your spiritual sleeves and get to work.

A spiritual harvest is not discerned in the natural by looking at natural circumstances.

Peter almost missed out on his harvest because he did not rightly discern his harvest. He was looking at the natural circumstances.

(Luke 5:1-11 NKJV) So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, (2) and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. (3) Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. (4) When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (5) But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (6) And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. (7) So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. (8) When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (9) For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; (10) and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” (11) So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

You will be able to tell by the witness of the Holy Spirit in your spirit. Learn to pay attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your spirit.

(1 John 2:20 NKJV) But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

You might not be able to explain it, but you have a knowing in your spirit.

• • A key indicator that harvest-time is near is joy in your spirit.

(Psalms 126:5-6 GNB) Let those who wept as they planted their crops, gather the harvest with joy! (6) Those who wept as they went out carrying the seed will come back singing for joy, as they bring in the harvest.

This man does not weep because he sees it as a loss.

Commentary: “The setting in Psalms 126:5-6 is agricultural. After the land had been neglected for so long, it was almost impossible to work it. The planting would be difficult, but persistence would doubtless bring a harvest. The sowing with tears comes from the agonizing work it would have taken to start the sowing process again.”

(Isaiah 9:3 NIV) You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

• • You sow in joy, you wait in joy, and you reap in joy.

2. Make sure your harvest is ready by your worship, thanksgiving, and praise.

(Psalms 67:5-6 NLT) May the nations praise You, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise You. (6) Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us.

Worship, thanksgiving, and praise help things move along, since they are the language of faith.

“The depth of your praise will determine the magnitude of your harvest.” — Dr. Jerry Savelle

Say things like:

• • • • “Praise God, my seed always produces a bumper crop.”
      • “Thank You, Lord, I am a tither and because I am a tither, the windows of Heaven are open over me and you protect my harvest”

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) 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.

Law of Sowing and Reaping

• God created the law of sowing and reaping.
• God created another law that says a seed will produce only after its own kind.
• Seeds are not always financial in nature.

(Galatians 6:7 TPT) Make no mistake about it, God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest.

• The Word of God is the most powerful seed we have available.

Giving someone a financial gift might change their life on the outside, but the Word of God can change someone’s life from the inside out and make an eternal difference.

How can money, a neutral thing become something that I can sow and have it produce a harvest? It is just like the brick; it is powerless to produce anything. Unless something is attached to it.

• Money can become seed only if the real seed is attached to it.

The basic plan for our finances:

• We receive income from our job, business, etc.
• We tithe (10%) honoring God, off the top.
• We save, pay our bills, and financial obligations.
• We sow seed out of our discretionary income (what is left over).

(2 Corinthians 9:10 AMPC) (10) And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. [Isa 55:10; Hos 10:12]  

Principles of Reaping

(Proverbs 10:5 NKJV) He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

(Proverbs 10:5 TLB) A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity.

(Ecclesiastes 11:1-4 NKJV) (1) Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. (2) Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth. (3) If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie. (4) He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Solomon is telling us that there is not going to be a convenient or opportune time to sow or to reap. If you are moved by the present conditions, you might not do anything.

(Ecclesiastes 11:4 TLB) If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.

Many times, when the Lord deals with us to sow, give, or do something above the norm, will not be a convenient time.

Reasons Why We Don’t Reap A Harvest

We want to reap harvests and reap big harvests!

Natural things oftentimes are patterned after spiritual things.

1. People do not reap a harvest because they have not sown.

A farmer cannot reap a harvest if he has not planted.

If you want to reap, you must sow.

Remember, if you have nothing, God will give you seed to sow, to get you started.

Remember when your harvest comes in:

• • • Honor God with the tithe of your increase.

Tithing is the key to your sowing being blessed. (Malachi 3:10-11) When you tithe, He will make sure that it rains on the seed that you have sown. God will rebuke the devourers, the bugs that want to steal your harvest. He will also make sure that the harvest is ready in its due season.

(Galatians 6:9 NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

(Galatians 6:9 MSG) So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up or quit.

2. Some people do not reap because they quit and give up before they harvest.

• • Due season or the right time is always later than you want it to be!

When you sow naturally, you do not sow today and reap tomorrow or even next week.

Reaping takes patience. You cannot rush the ground!

Faith works this way too! (Mark 11:23) Even the mountain dissolving and ending up in the water is the same as it jumping up and getting cast in the sea.

• • One of the keys to a constant harvest is to make sure that you are always sowing.
  • Look for “suddenly’s” but plan on realities.

3. Some people don’t reap because they think the reaping is automatic.

(Mark 4:26-29 NKJV) And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, (27) and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. (28) For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. (29) But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Who planted the seed? The man did.

Who caused it to grow? The earth. (God’s responsibility)

Who did the reaping? The man did.

Reaping is no more automatic than sowing is. You make a decision to reap.

Think about this: even with spectacular, supernatural provision, the Children of Israel still had to gather the manna that fell from Heaven. They also had to gather the quail that God caused to fly into the camp for them.

When the spectacular provision stopped in the Promised Land, they had to sow, the earth brought the fruit, and they had to harvest.

• You sow by faith, and you reap by faith.
• Reaping will require us to learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Not only will he lead us to sow, but He will show us when to reap.

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) 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.

(2 Corinthians 9:11 MSG) (11) wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way…

• The tithe belongs to God. (Leviticus 27:30)
• The tithe is about your heart and not your money.
• The tithe is about honoring God first!
• Giving the first tenth causes the rest to be blessed by God.
• Tithing is not sowing. Tithing is returning what belongs to God to Him.

Law of Sowing and Reaping

• God created the law of sowing and reaping.

(Genesis 8:22 NKJV) “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”

This is both a natural law and a spiritual law. Jesus said the Kingdom of God operates based upon this law.

(Mark 4:26-29 TPT) Jesus also told them this parable: “God’s kingdom realm is like someone spreading seed on the ground. (27) He goes to bed and gets up, day after day, and the seed sprouts and grows tall, though he knows not how. (28) All by itself it sprouts, and the soil produces a crop; first the green stem, then the head on the stalk, and then the fully developed grain in the head. (29) Then, when the grain is ripe, he immediately puts the sickle to the grain, because harvest time has come.”

• God created another law that says a seed will produce only after its own kind.

(Genesis 1:11 NKJV) Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.

(Genesis 1:21 NKJV) So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

(Genesis 1:24 NKJV) Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so.

• Seeds are not always financial in nature.

(Galatians 6:7 TPT) Make no mistake about it, God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest.

• The Word of God is the most powerful seed we have available.

Giving someone a financial gift might change their life on the outside, but the Word of God can change someone’s life from the inside out and make an eternal difference.

(Mark 4:14-20 NKJV) The sower sows the word. (15) And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. (16) These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; (17) and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. (18) Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, (19) and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (20) But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

How can money, a neutral thing become something that I can sow and have it produce a harvest? It is just like the brick; it is powerless to produce anything. Unless something is attached to it.

• Money can become seed only if the real seed is attached to it.

(Mark 4:14 NKJV) The sower sows the word.

The Word is the true seed, and it needs to be sown into the hearts of men. So, if we want our money to become seed, then we must attach it to the true seed of God’s Word.

Money cannot be sown into the hearts of men, but the Word can be sown into the hearts of men. So, our money must be attached to what gets sown into the hearts of men so that it can produce an eternal harvest.

The Law of Multiplication

Multiplication in Action

(Luke 9:12-17 NKJV) When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” (13) But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” (14) For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” (15) And they did so, and made them all sit down. (16) Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. (17) So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.

There were 5000 men in verse 14. They counted heads of households (Matthew 14:21). In other words, there were 5000 families or households represented here. There could have easily been 15,000 to 20,000 people there.

Four Principles of Multiplication:

1. What you have must be blessed before it can multiply.

Tithing is what causes the whole amount to be blessed.

2. Only what you give over your tithe is seed and can be multiplied.

This principle only applies to the finances that you give over and above the tithe.

3. It is the blessing of Jesus that gives it the potential to multiply.

Luke 9:16 NKJV Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them…

He blessed the loaves, He broke the loaves and He gave the loaves back to the disciples.

4. Once it is blessed, what you have has to be given away before it can multiply.

Jesus received the bread, blessed it, and then gave it back to the disciples for distribution. If they had eaten it when Jesus gave it back to them, it never would have multiplied.

Remember, the tithe causes the rest to be blessed and redeemed but it does not cause the rest to multiply.

The food did not multiply when Jesus prayed over the loaves and fishes.

5. The miracle of multiplication did not happen in the Master’s hands – it happened in the disciples’ hands.

Notice, that there was not enough to meet the need to start with. But once the Master blessed it and multiplied it, there was more than enough to meet the need and there was some left over.

If you are lacking seed at this point, then there is still hope for you!

(2 Corinthians 9:6-11 AMPC) [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.  (7)  Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. [Pro 22:9]  (8)  And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].  (9)  As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever! [Psa 112:9]  (10)  And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. [Isa 55:10; Hos 10:12]  (11)  Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) 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.

(2 Corinthians 9:11 MSG) (11) wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way…

Review from Last Week:

• The tithe belongs to God.
• The tithe is about your heart and not your money.
• The tithe is about honoring God first!

• Tithing is an act of faith. It is a corresponding action.

(James 2:17 AMPC)  So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).

God is not an extortionist, like the mafia. We are not buying His protection when we tithe. We are honoring Him and tithing is an act of our faith to say I trust You and believe Your Word.

We tithe because we love God, are thankful for what Jesus has done for us, and we trust Him. We do not tithe out of fear of punishment.

We do not tithe to get God to do something for us. We cannot buy what Jesus has already paid for.

Our faith and trust is what activates the blessing in our lives. The money is not what activates the blessing.

(Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV) I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

As believers, we have a choice as to whether we live under the blessings or under the curse. Both are available to us.

Obedience is what opens the door and positions us for the blessing of God and disobedience is what opens the door and positions us for the curse.

(Malachi 3:8-9 NKJV) “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. (9) You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.

If we are stealing what belongs to God, wouldn’t that be considered disobedience?

As of around 1998, Christians in the United States earned an estimated $5.2 trillion of income and the total amount given to all ministry related causes, including churches, missions, etc. was $92 billion. The amount given is 1.7 percent of the amount earned. The same statistic for the whole world was 1.8 percent. In the US, we gave less than the other nations of the world (including poor third world nations).

Could you image what we could do if that number went to 10 percent?

We are not teaching these things because God needs your money. We are teaching this for your sake.

God doesn’t need you to give – you need to be blessed. Remember, God wants your heart! If you are not tithing, you are robbing God of your full heart.

Benefits of Tithing

(Malachi 3:10-12 NKJV) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. (11) “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; (12) And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.

1. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My House…

1. 1. Bring all your tithes into the “storehouse.”
      1. “Depository”
      2. “Treasure house”
      3. “Magazine of weapons in God’s armory”

1. 2. “Food” is spiritual revelation of the Word.
      1. Your tithe goes where the Lord has stored up wisdom and revelation for you.
      2. Don’t dine and dash!

1. 3. God reinvests your tithe for your spiritual benefit.
      1. “You can never out-give God! He always gives back His 10 percent to see to it that you are perfected, equipped and edified.” —Kenneth Copeland, WOFSB

“And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts,

2. “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven…

1. 1. Windows (HEB) = Floodgates. “Floodgates” mean:
      1. Google online dictionary = “A last restraint holding back an outpouring of something powerful or substantial”
      2. Merriam-Webster = “Something serving to restrain an outburst”
   2. It is the same word used when the earth was flooded in Genesis 7:11.

(Genesis 7:11 NKJV) …on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

(Malachi 3:10b CEV) Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.

(Malachi 3:10b NIV) …and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

1. 1. 1. For the tither, it is a great flood of every kind of provision.
      2. Pour (HEB) = Empty out

3. …And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

(Malachi 3:10b ESV) …And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

(Malachi 3:10b NASB) “…if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

(Malachi 3:10b ISV) “…[I will] Pour out on you blessing without measure.”

(Malachi 3:11 NKJV) “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts;

4. “I will rebuke the devourer.”
   1. Rebuke (HEB) = Cripple, paralyze, stop
   2. Devourer (HEB) = To eat, seed eater, crop-destroying pest, consumed of fire, to burn up, to be wasted
      1. The tither has rights, and one of those rights is protection from the devourer and his attempts to devour any area of your life.
      2. One thing that is revealed in this scripture is that Satan is attracted to fruit.

“Satan would like to destroy the increase God brings into your life. Look at the things in your life that are growing or increasing—your family, your ministry, your business, and your relationship with God. These are some of the fruits or increase that are in your life. God promised us that Satan will not destroy our fruit and that He would give us divine protection.”

—Pastor Bill Winston, The Power of the Tithe

5. “He shall not destroy the fruits of your ground…”

(Malachi 3:11a NIV) I will prevent pests from devouring your crops…

(Malachi 3:11a MSG) For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers.”

6. “Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field.”

(Malachi 3:11 NLT) Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

(Malachi 3:11 TLB) Your crops will be large, for I will guard them from insects and plagues. Your grapes won’t shrivel away before they ripen,” says the Lord Almighty.

(Malachi 3:12 NKJV) And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.

7. “And all the nations shall call you blessed…”

(Genesis 12:3 GNB) I will bless those who bless you, But I will curse those who curse you. And through you I will bless all the nations.”

• 1. One fifth of 1 percent of the world’s population is Jewish.
  2. Yet, the Jews have been at the center of most of the world’s creative, scientific, innovative and cultural achievements.
  3. They make up 23 percent of the Nobel Prize recipients.
  4. Israel has the third highest entrepreneurship rate in the world.
  5. Highest rated entrepreneurship among women in the world!
  6. Highest entrepreneurship among those 55 and above in the world!

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) 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.

(2 Corinthians 9:11 MSG) (11) wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way…

God’s Economy vs. the World’s Economy

• God has a way to bring us out of lack and into abundance!
• Sometimes God’s ways do not make sense to the natural mind and seem like they are opposite of what seems “normal”.

(1 Corinthians 1:27 AMPC) [No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.

(1 Corinthians 2:14 CEV) That’s why only someone who has God’s Spirit can understand spiritual blessings. Anyone who doesn’t have God’s Spirit thinks these blessings are foolish.

Introduction From The Blessed Life by Pastor Robert Morris:

“I can say with absolute confidence that Satan does not want you to read this book. Without a doubt, the enemy of your soul would do anything to keep you from discovering God’s principles governing financial stewardship, giving, and blessing. Why? Because once you do, it will transform your life for the better. But it will do more than that: it will impact the Kingdom of God.

If every believer understood and applied the simple principles we are about to present, it would literally bring revival to the world. Every needed church facility could be built. Every missionary with a divine call and a willing heart could be sent and abundantly supplied. The Gospel could saturate every culture on the planet. Yes, as God’s people prospered, money would come into the kingdom; but much more important, our hearts would be changed!”

Tithing is the First Step!

• The tithe belongs to God.

(Leviticus 27:30 NLT) “One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to Him as holy.

Tithing is an investment that God will use for our spiritual growth and development.

• The tithe is not about your money! It is about your heart!

(Malachi 3:6-8 GNB) “I am the LORD, and I do not change. And so you, the descendants of Jacob, are not yet completely lost. (7) You, like your ancestors before you, have turned away from my laws and have not kept them. Turn back to me, and I will turn to you. But you ask, ‘What must we do to turn back to you?’ (8) I ask you, is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are cheating me. ‘How?’ you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings.

(Matthew 6:21 NKJV) (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

• The tithe is about honoring God first!

(Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV) Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; (10) So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Common arguments about Tithing:

• Tithing is under the law.

Tithing pre-dates the law by 500 years.

Genesis 14:18-20 NKJV Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. (19) And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; (20) And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.

• Tithing is under the law and as a believer I am not under the law but under grace.

Under the Old Testament we are told, “Do not steal”. Because we are under grace, does that mean that we can now steal anytime we want? NO!

Under the Old Testament, we are told, “Do not commit adultery”. Because we are under grace, does that mean that we can now commit adultery anytime we want? NO!

New Testament – “Generosity” – Under grace we always do more than what was expected under the law.

• I can’t afford to tithe.

You will never be able to afford to tithe until you begin to tithe. Remember, this is God’s economic system. It is going to be counter intuitive to the world’s way.

• If Jesus said to you, “You should tithe,” would you do it?

Matthew 23:23 NLT “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law–justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

How do we tithe?

1. We present our tithes to Jesus, our High Priest.

(Hebrews 3:1 NKJV) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

(Deuteronomy 26:1-3 NKJV) (1) “And it shall be, when you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, (2) that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide. (3) And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him, ‘I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to the country which the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.’

(Hebrews 7:8 NKJV) Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

2. We give our tithes in faith believing God’s Word.

Tithe believing that when you tithe, God rebukes the devourer for your sake, He will open the windows of Heaven, and pour out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.

3. We tithe our tithes with words.

(Deuteronomy 26:3 NKJV) (3) And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him…

4. Make tithing an act of worship!

(Deuteronomy 26:1-4 NKJV) (1) “And it shall be, when you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, (2) that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide. (3) And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him, ‘I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to the country which the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.’ (4) “Then the priest shall take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God.

We tithe because God is Good and we love Him and it becomes an expression of that love.

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) 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.

(2 Corinthians 9:11 MSG) (11) wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way…

• Prosperity – is the ability to use the power and ability of God to meet the needs of mankind in every realm of life: spirit, soul, body, financially, and socially.

Say this: My motivation for accumulation is distribution. I am a source of THE BLESSING to others, and I love to give.

(Psalms 35:27 NKJV) Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity (peace, security, things to go well for) of His servant.”

• Poverty – the state of being inferior in quality or insufficient in amount. (a lack of the common needs of life)

From “God is My Source” by Gloria Copeland and Pastor George Pearsons:

Many people are facing overwhelming financial and provisional challenges. Most often, they approach their problems from a purely natural standpoint.

Here’s how it usually goes:

They look at their paycheck.

Then, they look at their need.

Impossible.

They look at their paycheck.

And then, they look back at their need.

Still impossible.

The more people engage in that vicious cycle, the more discouraged they become. That exercise in futility is usually followed by a series of questions:

“How are we ever going to pay for this?”

“Where will the money come from?”

“What are we going to do?”

Then comes the “bright idea” phase of the cycle:

“What family member will loan us the money?”

“Where can we get another job?”

“Have we maxed out our credit cards?”

This madness must stop, right now! We must get our eyes off our limited resources and re-focus them on the real Source of our unlimited supply: ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS WORD!

In 2010, the Lord gave a powerful word to Kenneth Copeland. Make this word personal as you hear it—as if it were spoken directly to you:

“Don’t look to the government for your supply. Don’t look to other people for your supply. Pastors don’t look to your congregation for your supply. Jesus is our Source, and The WORD is our supply.”

• We need to renew our minds and become fully convinced that God is our Source for everything we need.

(Romans 4:21 NKJV) and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

The Goodness of God

• The more we realize how good God is, the easier it will be to see Him as our ultimate Provider and Source.

(Psalms 31:19 NLT) How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.

Great (HEB) = Abounding, abundant, exceedingly

Goodness (HEB) = Prosperity, good things, goods, property, supply, provision; Good in the widest sense of the word; good to the furthest extreme

Stored Up (HEB) = hoarded, reserved, protected

(Psalms 31:19 TPT) Lord, how wonderful you are! You have stored up so many good things for us, like a treasure chest heaped up and spilling over with blessings—all for those who honor and worship you! Everybody knows what you can do for those who turn and hide themselves in you.

(Psalms 31:19 CEV) You are wonderful, and while everyone watches, you store up blessings for all who honor and trust you.

• God is good to the furthest extreme and the widest sense of the word.

Remember in Genesis where God would create something and then remark that it was “good”. He had His man in mind when He was commenting on His creation and that what He had made for His man was “good to the farthest extreme.”

(Psalms 145:5-9 NLT) I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. (6) Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. (7) Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. (8) The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. (9) The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.

(Psalms 34:8-10 NKJV) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (9) Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. (10) The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (Italicized – added by translators)

Lack (HEB) = what is needed because of deficiency or lack, or what is required to meet a need.

(Psalms 16:2 NLT) I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”

(Ephesians 3:20 AMPC) Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]–

• Think about the greatest thing God could do in your life – and His goodness is greater still.

(Psalms 23:6 NKJV) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Follow (HEB) = to pursue, chase after with the full intention of overcoming someone.

• God is pursuing and chasing after us with His goodness which is His provision and supply.

(Psalms 119:68 CEV) You are kindhearted, and you do good things, so teach me your laws.

(Matthew 7:11 NKJV) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

(Romans 2:4 NKJV) Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Can we now see why the devil has sought to keep men from finding out how good God really is? If mankind truly understood the goodness of God, repentance would be an easy thing.

(Exodus 33:18-23 NKJV) (18) And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” (19) Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (20) But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” (21) And the LORD said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. (22) So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. (23) Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

Glory (HEB) = weightiness in a good sense

Gracious (HEB) = disposed to show favor, to stoop in kindness to an inferior

(Exodus 34:6 NKJV) And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

God invites Moses to come back up the mountain and inscribes the new tablets and then when Moses come down off the mountain, he had to veil his face because of the light of God’s glory and goodness.

• If we would acknowledge and praise God for His goodness, perhaps we would see greater demonstrations of His power and provision!

(2 Chronicles 5:13-14 NKJV) (13) indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, (14) so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) 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.

NOT SHOWN – (2 Corinthians 9:11 MSG) (11) wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way…

• Prosperity – is the ability to use the power and ability of God to meet the needs of mankind in every realm of life: spirit, soul, body, financially, and socially.

Say this: My motivation for accumulation is distribution. I am a source of THE BLESSING to others, and I love to give.

(Psalms 35:27 NKJV) Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity (peace, security, things to go well for) of His servant.”

From “God is My Source” by Gloria Copeland and Pastor George Pearsons:

Many people are facing overwhelming financial and provisional challenges. Most often, they approach their problems from a purely natural standpoint.

Here’s how it usually goes:

They look at their paycheck.

Then, they look at their need.

Impossible.

They look at their paycheck.

And then, they look back at their need.

Still impossible.

The more people engage in that vicious cycle, the more discouraged they become. That exercise in futility is usually followed by a series of questions:

“How are we ever going to pay for this?”

“Where will the money come from?”

“What are we going to do?”

Then comes the “bright idea” phase of the cycle:

“What family member will loan us the money?”

“Where can we get another job?”

“Have we maxed out our credit cards?”

This madness must stop, right now! We must get our eyes off our limited resources and re-focus them on the real Source of our unlimited supply: ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS WORD!

In 2010, the Lord gave a powerful word to Kenneth Copeland. Make this word personal as you hear it—as if it were spoken directly to you:

“Don’t look to the government for your supply. Don’t look to other people for your supply. Pastors don’t look to your congregation for your supply. Jesus is our Source, and The WORD is our supply.”

• We need to renew our minds and become fully convinced that God is our Source for everything we need.

(Romans 4:21 NKJV) and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

(1 Corinthians 8:6 TPT) yet for us there is only one God—the Father. He is the source of all things, and our lives are lived for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus, the Anointed One, through whom we and all things exist.

(Philippians 4:19 NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to (in proportion to) His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:19 GNB) And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.

(Philippians 4:19 JBP) My God will supply all that you need from his glorious resources in Christ Jesus. And may glory be to our God and our Father for ever and ever, amen!

(James 1:17 AMPC) Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

(James 1:17 JBP) But every good endowment that we possess and every complete gift that we have received must come from above, from the Father of all lights, with whom there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency.

(Deuteronomy 28:12 AMPC) The Lord shall open to you His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

(Deuteronomy 28:12 BBE) Opening his store-house in heaven, the Lord will send rain on your land at the right time, blessing all the work of your hands: other nations will make use of your wealth, and you will have no need of theirs.

(Psalms 50:10-11 NLT) For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. (11) I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.

(Haggai 2:6-9 NKJV) “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; (7) and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. (8) ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. (9) ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

(Psalms 121:1-2 NLT) I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? (2) My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!

1. As our Source, God will use established channels to bring provision into our lives.

Money flows through pipelines. An example of this is your job is a channel through which money can flow to you. Your electricity, water, gas all come to you through pipes and established channels.

2. God does not give us money directly but gives us the ability to obtain it.

(Deuteronomy 8:17-18 NIV) (17) You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” (18) 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 forefathers, as it is today.

3. Channels are not equal to the Source. They are simply a means whereby God can bring provision into our lives.

(1 Kings 17:1-7 NKJV) And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” (2) Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, (3) “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. (4) And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” (5) So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. (6) The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. (7) And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.

4. Channels can change over time and with changes in the circumstances of life.

(1 Kings 17:8-16 NKJV) Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, (9) “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” (10) So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” (11) And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” (12) So she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” (13) And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. (14) For thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.’ ” (15) So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. (16) The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.

5. Our eyes must look to the Source and not the channel.

Get your eyes off of your lack and need, and get them on to God, Who is our source and our supply.

Say this over your life and household:

Father, Your Word is alive and active and full of power. I believe the Word of God is renewing my mind and feeding my faith. I see You as THE Source of my supply.

I believe that every need I have completely met, every outstanding bill is paid in full, every debt is totally paid and re­moved, and I am financially liberated. I have so much left over that I am able to bless others.

Thank You for demonstrating pro­visional miracles in my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen, so be it!

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NLT) 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.

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 MSG) (10) This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, (11) wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

Why teach a series on Biblical Prosperity?

(Philippians 4:17 TPT) I mention this not because I’m requesting a gift, but so that the fruit of your generosity may bring you an abundant reward.

• There is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money.

(Matthew 6:21 TPT) For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.

• Prosperity – is the ability to use the power and ability of God to meet the needs of mankind in every realm of life: spirit, soul, body, financially, and socially.

Say this: My motivation for accumulation is distribution. I am a source of THE BLESSING to others, and I love to give.

(Psalms 25:12-13 TPT) Who are they that live in the holy fear of God? You will show them the right path to take. (13) Then prosperity and favor will be their portion, and their descendants will inherit all that is good.

(Psalms 35:27 NKJV) Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity (peace, secure, things go well for) of His servant.”

• Poverty – the state of being inferior in quality or insufficient in amount. (a lack of the common needs of life)
• Materialism – Trying to solve spiritual needs or problems with material things.

God has no problem with us having things. He just doesn’t want things having us!

God’s Economy vs. the World’s Economy

Economy – the wealth and resources of a country or region, including production and distribution

(John 17:14-17 NKJV) I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (15) I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. (16) They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

• We are in this world, but we are not of this world.

World – (Gk) “Kosmos” – the order or arrangement

(Galatians 1:4 AMPC) Who gave (yielded) Himself up [to atone] for our sins [and to save and sanctify us], in order to rescue and deliver us from this present wicked age and world order, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father—

• There are three kingdoms at work in the earth today.

(John 18:36 NKJV) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

(Colossians 1:11-14 NLT) We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, (12) always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. (13) For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, (14) who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

• We belong to the Kingdom of God, of which Jesus is Lord because we belong to Him.
• We have the choice to function in God’s economy or in the world’s economy.

(Matthew 6:33 AMPC) But seek (aim at and strive after) 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.

• When we choose to function in God’s Kingdom, we can receive the protections that God provides in His Kingdom.

(Psalms 27:1,5 NKJV) The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (5) For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

(Psalms 32:7 NKJV) You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

Money is like a brick.

A brick is absolutely and completely neutral.

The brick has no ability to hurt or help anyone on its own.

In the hands of a person, it can build a church, school, or hospital or it can destroy, hurt, and bring ruin, or even death.

The brick did not do it, it is the individual that had the brick.

• Money is absolutely and completely neutral.

The brick is a revealer of the heart of the one whose hands it is in.

• Money is a revealer of the heart of the one whose hands it is in.

(Matthew 6:21 CEV) Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

Religion would tell us that God does not want you to have a lot of bricks because those bricks will corrupt you and lead you to sin.

Religion also says that “bricks are the root of all evil.”

The brick does not generate the corruption, the man that has the bricks generates the corruption which leads to his downfall.

It is only when I fall in love with bricks and begin to lust after them that they become the root of all kinds of evil.

• It is only when I fall in love with money and begin to lust after it that it becomes the root of all kinds of evil.

(1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness,  and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

We must know and understand that God does not have any problem with you and me having plenty of money just like He has no problem with me having a lot of bricks.

We have all made a series of decisions in our lives that have positioned us where we don’t have any bricks. We are up to our ears in debt in that we owe a lot of bricks to a lot of people.

(Proverbs 22:7 NKJV) The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

God never intended for us to become servants to bricks.

• God never intended for us to become servants to money.

It has always been the plan of God for bricks to serve us.

• It has always been the plan of God for money to serve us and His purposes.

So, we need to learn to make the right decisions that can begin to change the course of our lives and start causing our bricks to serve us instead of us serving our bricks.

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV) (10) Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. (11) You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

(2 Corinthians 9:11 ERV) (11) God will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. And your giving through us will make people give thanks to God.

(2 Corinthians 9:11 BBE) (11) Your wealth being increased in everything, with a simple mind, causing praise to God through us.

Notice this verse says that God wants you to be enriched in every area of your life – not just money.

Money is such an important topic in the Bible that it is the main subject of nearly half of the parables Jesus told. In addition, one in every seven verses in the New Testament deals with this topic. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 verses on faith, and more than 2,000 verses on money. Ok, so the Bible is full of verses about money. This begs the question “why?” The answer:

Why teach a series on Biblical Prosperity?

(Philippians 4:17 AMPC) Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account].

(Philippians 4:17 CEV) I am not trying to get something from you, but I want you to receive the blessings that come from giving.

(Philippians 4:17 GNB) It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account.

(Philippians 4:17 TPT) I mention this not because I’m requesting a gift, but so that the fruit of your generosity may bring you an abundant reward.

• There is a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money.

(Matthew 6:21 NKJV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

(Matthew 6:21 TPT) For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.

• Prosperity – is the ability to use the power and ability of God to meet the needs of mankind in every realm of life: spirit, soul, body, financially, and socially.

Say this: My motivation for accumulation is distribution. I am a source of THE BLESSING to others, and I love to give.

(Psalms 25:12-13 TPT) Who are they that live in the holy fear of God? You will show them the right path to take. (13) Then prosperity and favor will be their portion, and their descendants will inherit all that is good.

(Psalms 35:27 NKJV) Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

(Psalms 35:27 CEV) Let all who want me to win be happy and joyful. From now on let them say, “The LORD is wonderful! God is glad when all goes well for his servant.”

(Psalms 35:27 GNB) May those who want to see me acquitted shout for joy and say again and again, “How great is the LORD! He is pleased with the success of his servant.”

(3 John 1:2 NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

(2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Poor – (Greek) – to be poor and helpless and therefore to beg

Rich – (Greek) – to be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively): – be increased with goods, (be made) rich.

• Poverty – the state of being inferior in quality or insufficient in amount. (a lack of the common needs of life)

(Proverbs 6:10-11 NKJV) A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep– (11) So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.

• • • Whatever you tolerate, God cannot set you free from it!

(Proverbs 13:18 NKJV) Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

• Materialism – Trying to solve spiritual needs or problems with material things.

God has no problem with us having things. He just doesn’t want things having us!

Things I want you to know about Biblical Prosperity:

1. Prosperity is not a bad word!
2. Poverty is not a blessing!
3. To choose poverty is actually selfish.
4. Your level of prosperity has more to do with purpose than anything else.
5. Prosperity in the Kingdom of God works God’s way and not the world’s way.
6. Heaven has never had a down day or been affected by worldly economics.
7. These principles will work everywhere and for anyone who will believe God and stand on His Word.
8. Prosperity is more about minimizing you and making God bigger!

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11 MSG) (10) This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, (11) wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.