Money Can Never Satisfy Your Soul

We can list many things that money can do. But money most certainly cannot satisfy the soul.

Finding Financial Freedom

Economic empowerment is an equalizer.

Let that sink in.

Soak it in for a moment.

Empowering people can change their perspective.  Empowering people can change their prospects in life.  Like I said earlier, economic empowerment is an equalizer.

I plan on sharing some realistic economic options for people here.  I say that's my plan because I had started on a similar journey not so long ago with a blog series starter on Money Makeovers.  Much like John Lennon stated: "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

My mother passed away during the Christmas holidays.  She had fought cancer for a few years but the disease spread and required a different level of care that chemo could not address.  A few months after that my stepmother passed away, and then my close cousin died as well,  

My cousin's passing hit me hard since we were the same age and spoke of plans to travel and conduct some business together in the near future.  His passing jarred me a little bit.  I took it bad.  

Living with these recent losses and having to step in to take care of my mother's affairs in her latter days helped put some things in perspective.  I had to adjust my viewpoints on how I prepared for the present and the future.  I needed to organize some things for my family so that they do not have to search and find what was what when I have my time to go to the Lord.

I strive to place an emphasis on empowering others to find financial freedom here and via my other work online.  Please join me for a journey to engage in a discourse that we rarely tackle in low-income, minority and faith-based settings.  In all honestly, it helps with the healing and my prayer is that it helps others as well.

Let's get started.

Money Makeover Mindset

2018 might just be the year when you get started with a money makeover mindset.

"The most important decision about your goals is not what you are willing to do to achieve them, but what you are willing to give up." - Dave Ramsey

Reflect on 2017 Thoughtfully and Thoroughly

Think about where you were in 2017.  You made it through the year to get here today.

Now think about the highs and lows of 2017.  Reflect on the progress and pitfalls of the past year.

What do you want to relive in 2017? 

What do you want to change in 2018?

If you are anything like most of us, your personal finances are up in there somewhere.  

Remain thoughtful about what you need to eliminate or add, even what you could improve upon in 2018.  Keep that at the forefront of your entry into 2018.  Commit to doing better in 2018.

Total Money Makeover in 2018

Dave Ramsey is one of many voices in the realm of personal finance that says it straight and makes it plain.  The Total Money Makeover was a gift to me some years ago and I have read it again and again.  It has helped me through job transitions and escaping the pressure of an auto loan.  I consider it more of a reference tool than a read nowadays.  I refer to it when I get beside myself with what Dave calls "stinkin' thinkin'" about my personal finances.

I suggest checking out what Dave has to offer in 2018:

• His books are simple, straightforward reads about complex matters.
• His classes like Financial Peace University are available at local churches and other sites.
• The Dave Ramsey Show comes in a variety of formats. I listen on iHeart  myself.
• There is plenty more tools and other items to explore on his site and at his online store

Why Endorse Dave Ramsey and the Total Money Makeover

In all honesty, Dave Ramsey is an extraordinary resource for staying on top of your personal finances.  Like I said,  he incorporates plain talk for plain folks.  He is frank and candid about his own financial journey.  In essence, Dave wants us all to learn from his mistakes and not repeat them.

Get started with the Baby Steps or simply check out the show.  Visit the New to Dave section of his site.  My hope is that you discover that financial peace is attainable.  My desire is that you would use this or any other resource to reclaim control over your financial life, career and livelihood, even your lifestyle.

It is more than money.  It is a mindset.

Money Monday Messages and More 

Look for more on financial freedom and economic empowerment with Life Path Multimedia Ministries as we start off 2018.  We want to post biblical and practical information and resources to strengthen your stewardship.  Our Inbox Inspirations e-newsletter is a great place to start, too.  

Meanwhile, get plenty of stewardship support via our upcoming blog posts on the following themes:

• Money Monday Messages
• Wealth & Wisdom On Wednesday
• Friday's Financial Freedom 

More is bound to come as we move forward in faith, but I trust that this start will help us to help others discover what God has to offer them in 2018 and beyond.

What Money Means to Ministry

"Money follows the ministry." - Timothy J. Winters

Money is a means for ministry.  We make things happen in ministry with the aid of money.  It can happen in the form of charitable donations, offerings, tithes and other ways that people give to the ministry.  Money helps the ministry.

Wise Words from Winters

When Pastor Timothy J. Winters shared his insights on money following the ministry with me, he was speaking on preparation for a minister to discover his own personal calling.  He stated that some wanted to wait on the money to begin their ministry, an approach that did not signify a high level of faith.  We are to build the ministry, and the money and other resources needed will follow the ministry's work being initiated.

What Money Means to Ministry

We do not need money to operate ministry.  

That's a fact.

There is no doubt that money helps churches, parachurches, faith-based nonprofits and countless coalitions and associations doing good works.  However, money is not the main resource for ministry.  There are other resources incorporated in the anatomy of ministry that keep it going beyond money.

Money helps ministry.

Money helps us help others beyond what we are already doing for people.

Expanding the Ministry

We can expand the ministry from what it has been or who it has been helping, even where it has been operating.  Imagine the vision it took for Robert Schuller to see the possibilities of an empty drive-in movie theatre in Orange County.  It took vision, but it also took money to build the Crystal Cathedral, to produce the longstanding Sunday TV broadcast The Hour of Power, and publish a wide array of books.  With financial support, along with patience and dedication, the ministry was able to expand beyond its origin to world-renowned standing.

Life Path Gear & Accessories

The money did not make the ministry.  The money only served the purpose of helping to expand the ministry.

Money can help us serve more people.  It can help us produce and sell more products like gear and accessories.  It can help us provide more goods and services to the poor and needy.  It can help us take our ministry further than the current borders of our service.

Money can help with expanding the ministry.

Enhancing the Ministry

Money is a means for enhancing the ministry.

In other words, the ministry can grow in a different way and to a different level with the help of money.  You can enhance the ministry with additional elements.  You might change the selection of available items at your food pantry.  You might be able to provide your volunteers t-shirts or buttons to wear while serving.  You could enhance your ministry with more money.

You just have to be careful with sponsorships and donations.  These should help you do what you do, not direct and determine what you do.  You do not want money to inhibit or limit the ministry's ability to do good for others.

Money can help enhance the ministry.

Just keep it all in mind.  Money has a place in ministry, but money only follows the ministry.  Follow your heart first.  Find your calling.  Focus on that calling and its work.  You will be overwhelmed and amazed at the world of supporters out there, especially those who have more to offer than money- a willingness to pitch in and do some of the work with you.

Read more from Rev. Bruce on the Calling to Serve:

• Called Out and Counted On
• Shepherding is Serving
• Serving as Ministers

@Prayer is designed to stir up inspiration
by Lifepath08

The Real Deal on the Love of Money

Some people got to have it 
Some people really need it 
Listen to me y'all, do things, do things, do bad things with it

-For the Love of Money

The O'Jays

For 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.

- 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

The Truth About Money

Money tends to get a bad rap.  Search the Internet.  The truth is that money is not evil.  It is not "of the devil" as some believers have come to attest and profess.  Money is an inanimate object.  It has no feelings.  It has no intention, either good or bad.

Money is simply a means.  Money is a medium of exchange.

Money is not the problem.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. . .

The Real Problem Beyond Money

The real problem with money is our perspective on money.  Many of us as believers have a flawed perspective of money and what it can do for us.  Some see money as a problem-solver.  Some see money as a cure-all and a fix to all of their problems and issues in life.  

That perspective is full of trouble.

With a flawed perspective, we can never put money in its proper place within our lives.  It will always seem to have more power than it warrants if we believe it to be an all-powerful solution to our circumstances.

. . . If riches increase, Do not set your heart on them. - Psalm 62:10 (NKJV)

He who trusts in his riches will fall. . . - Proverbs 11:28 (NKJV)

 For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. 

-Proverbs 23:5 (NKJV)

The Real Deal Perspective on Money

Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith 

and pierced themselves with many griefs

-1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

Do not approach money like these folks that Paul describes to Timothy.  Their desire and eagerness for money caused them to "have wandered from the faith." They found themselves plagued with "many griefs." Money is not worth it when it rips apart your faith and causes you grief upon grief.

Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; 

They increase in riches. 

- Psalm 73:12 (NKJV)

You will see some who prosper in spite of their misdeeds.  There will be those who seem to get ahead no matter what comes up.  Yes, "they increase in riches." They seem to have it easy, but you are not guaranteed to see their demise and destruction.  Just as the verses above mention, earthly riches are fleeting.  You can be on top today, and then at rock bottom tomorrow.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, 

Loving favor rather than silver and gold. 

- Proverbs 22:1 (NKJV)

Discover what it means to truly be rich.  Look at the Lord's words in Luke 16:11: If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (ESV).  There are those "true riches" that the Lord has set aside for us that far outweigh silver and gold, even hard currency and cold cash.

Read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover or his Complete Guide to Money.  Other Christian authors such as Ron Blue or Larry Burkett, even Steve Marr's Business Proverbs, can also give you some insights and inspiration on handling the Lord's blessing of riches.

We just have to get the right perspective on money.  Once we have the right perspective on money, we can make money and truly keep money in its proper place.  That is when we can make room for the true riches that the Lord has for us.

From Eden to Egypt- Day 30

7Altogether, Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. 8Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. 9His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, 10the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites.There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah.- Genesis 25:7-10 (NIV)

In the end, "Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac' according to Genesis 25:5 (NIV).  This same chapters says that he gave other gifts to his other sons, the sons of his concubines, but he left his personal possessions to the son of promise, Isaac.  The other sons received something from Abraham, but the one son received everything that was considered Abraham.

Think about it like this: Abraham had an estate, including herds, property, and servants.  Before he died, he had already given gifts to his sons and sent them away from the son of promise.  When he died, he left everything that he had in his possession to Isaac.  It is peculiar because Ishmael, the firstborn son, is not mentioned by name until the burial of Abraham.  It may be assumed that Ishmael was included in the earlier verse where Abraham's other sons were given "gifts." However, he is not mentioned by name prior to the burial of his father.

It is Issac, "the beloved son" as called by J. Vernon McGee, who gains all of his father's possessions.  imagine the uproar that could have started if Abraham had not blessed the other brothers before his death.  Think of all of the ruckus that would have gone down if each brother sat around the house after laying Daddy to rest, only to find out that every single thing went to Isaac.  I can just picture the depths of discontent and the wealth of woeful feelings that would emerge as every sheep and goat, every acre of land, and every single slave went to Issac.

Parents need to make provisions for their passing on to the next life.  Be sure to deal with your children accordingly in the case of your death.  Let them know what provisions have been made for them and their children.  Do all that you can to leave a legacy that lives on beyond you.  Don't let your burial become a battle of Daddy's favorites versus the black sheep flock.  Be sure to handle your business and order your affairs while you have time and a sound mind.

Right Your Wrongs

8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

-Luke 19:8-10

Zacchaeus was short, small, nothing much... that is to say physically, socially and spiritually.  Physically, he needed to climb a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus.  Yet, he climbed a tree, keeping himself at a distance from the rest of the crowd, just as the society would have it.  He sought a bird's eye view of theLord and Savior because even one such as he was rich in earthly treasure but very poor in spiritual matters.  Brother Z was a brother in need...whether he knew it or not, it didn't matter because there was going to be one to come by that day who was going to get real up close and personal with him.

• Recognition: Jesus sees Zacchaeus, calls him by name, & pronounces that He will dine with him at his house(v. 5)...despite how insignificant we may be in the eyes of others we are important enough for Jesus to call us out by name. He knows each and every one of us from the lowest to highest, from the best to the worst, He knows us all

• Reception: "So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully" (v. 6)...We ought to receive Jesus with urgency. It's not everyday that He who is worthy makes a personal visit to the unworthy. Brother Z made it his business to get busy...whatever needed to be done to receive Jesus into his home he put a rush on it. He knew it was not a casual affair...Many of ought to look again at what happens here. We might know Jesus but are we still in the know enough to know that He still wants to be received by us daily as Lord & Savior? Lord for the office of prominence that He holds and Saviour for the offer of salvation that comes only through Him.
• Restoration: Somewhere in the midst of glasses clinking for toasts and people talking in fellowship Brother Z said he would restore what he had wrongly taken w/o any provocation from Jesus (v. 8)...Jesus recognizes His change and restores Him based upon his change of heart (v. 9)

We need to the right the wrongs of our past.  Write them down and make things right with those you have wronged.  Be sure to go down the list and face the shame and admit the guilt, and then simply offer to make things right.  Share that you have honestly been changed and live differently now.  Right your wrongs by making things right with the ones you have wronged.

From Rebuke to Rewards

8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.- Malachi 3:8-12(NIV)

Often as misunderstood as it has been misinterpreted, the words of God in the third chapter of Malachi have been used to convict and compel men, women and even children regarding tithes and offerings for years. Most of us, as believers, have heard some part of this passage utilize to manipulate and persuade people with the fear that they could be "cursed with a curse," as the King James Version reads, if they were to "rob God" in tithes and offerings per se. Yet, when we read this final prophecy of the Old Testament, we gain new insight to what the Lord offered His people through His words in the third chapter.

Malachi paints a picture of priestly corruption that leads to a very dark period in the history of the children of Israel. What was offered to God as a sacrifice and offering was not up to par. It got so bad that the people became reluctant to give at first, and then they refused to give at all. That's when God finally steps in and shares what he has to say about the entire matter. God offers a way to move from rebuke, being cursed with a curse, to rewards, receiving an outpouring from heaven's open window. The believer is offered a reward for his or her obedience. Disobedience leads to rebuke. God wants our faithful obedience, not our opinion about who shouldn't do what or who should be able to do this or that. He wants us to live lives full of obedience. Follow His Word and receive the rewards that He has for you.

Here I Stand

I stand upon what I know and understand, especially what I believe.

I learned to love more since Marley was born as I learned to let go of my grandmother.

I lived within means and then below my means in order to keep things afloat.

My wife shared her grief and frustration, and I offered the best that I could offer her with a hug.

I cried in the dark. I prayed out in the open air.

My heart was filled with joy and my gas tank has rarely been full.

MANY would say that this is oxymoronic, but I am still standing.

I am still standing in spite of storms in my life.

I am still standing.

Here I am.

Here I stand.

*****************************

A simple solution: When You Desire to Give

Luke 21:1-3 offers a simple solution for when you desire to give and do not have much to give. The widow observed by Jesus gave out of what little she had to live on to begin with, a quite honorable act. She trusted God through her actions, not by mere words.

Trust God with what you have and give out of that. Praying for more to give makes you earnest. Giving out of what you already have makes you wise and faithful.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

-Matthew 6:21

Where have you placed your "treasure?" Have you laid your treasure up in heaven as directed by the Lord? Or, like many others, have you stored up "treasures on earth?" (v. 19) It's a serious question that serves as a barometer of our stewardship and servanthood. Where is your treasure?

As stewards, we understand that all of what we have is from God and by the grace of God. Thus, the true owner of what we have is actually God Himself. We are to simply care for what has been bestowed upon us as wise stewards and servants, following the lead of our Master and fulfilling His wishes. It is unwise for a steward and servant to do what is opposite of the Master's will and desire. In essence, such simple things can become complex when we venture outside of God's guidance and rely upon our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). A wise steward does as the Master instructs him or her to do, for he serves the Lord and seeks to please Him.

Keep tabs of where your treasure is directed. Identify what you do with your "treasure" from day to day in order to be certain that God is first and foremost when it comes to your livelihood. Living under grace, we should be more than available and able to understand that a tithe is not all that is required of us. Paul shares it by simply saying: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6, NIV).

Make it your business to know where your treasure goes. Track your spending habits by reviewing your bank statements and checkbook register monthly. Are you giving to God first? How often do you give to charity for the poor and needy? Is there a special program you support for the underprivileged in your community? Check out where your treasure is going.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Let us long to be used in the onversion of sinners."-C.H. Spurgeon

I have found it necessary to say some things to church leaders and laity from time to time with regards to evangelism. My heart's desire is that the body of Christ would become more engaged in evangelizing, sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ with others. Whether it is passing out tracts or door-to-door evangelism, I believe that the church must take this matter to heart and make some serious moves to spread the Word throughout local communities. Naturally, a debate tends to rise from such a suggestion as to whether we should evangelize locally or send forth missionaries to the uttermost parts of the world. My viewpoint is rather simple but strategic when it comes to this debate. There really should be no debate about it. There is work to do on both fronts, but you must sincerely look at where and how God has blessed your congregation with spiritual gifts among the people. You'll have very little impact in South America if you can't even get started in South Central. Your words will fall short on foreign soil when you haven't even shared the Word in your neighborhood. Look at how God used people to influence and impact their immediate surroundings as well as people far and wide. Prayer is essential for guidance with such matters. The Holy Spirit will reveal where you need to start, and then you need to get started there first. the harvest is truly plentiful and we need more laborers to tend to this harvest, but we need people in the right places where they can be effective as led by the Spirit.

Wisdom for Today

Wisdom is the principal thing. . . - Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)

These days we can see where lack of wisdom can get someone into a little bit of trouble. From Chris Brown to T.I., we find young brothers facing charges for everything from assault and battery to weapons violations. Would I rather have wealth or wisdom? It appears that wealth does not guarantee wisdom. With wisdom, I can at least manage my wealth. I say so because we see how the Bernie Madoff scandal and other economic turmoils have caused a major stress and strain among baby boomers and others. To exercise wisdom in such times, we have to be careful enough to use discretion and discernment beyond dollars and cents. Pray to the Lord for wisdom, much like Solomon did before he even made an executive decision.

BEYOND BELIEF:
I can''t believe how some folks can be in church so long but have so little faith. My soul grows weary of people who have been in the building but don't feel a part of the Body. I recently read Chuck Colson's The Body and still feel excited about what the Lord has to say about ministry. Let us not lose hope. Our work is not in vain.