Welcome to God's Lemonade Stand

It is my hope that by reading this daily you will grow in your walk with Christ and knowledge of scriptures and be set free from any struggles in your life that are weighing you down. Be blessed to be a blessing.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

FINANCIAL CALMNESS

In our country today there is much talk about raising the debt ceiling and fear the United States is going to financially collapse because of poor financial management by leadership in the White House and elsewhere. Even with the fear mongers out there we know where our real hope and trust is. It is not in riches. Yes this is a vitally important time and the stupidity and selfishness of a few men and women could get us into a huge amount of trouble but our ultimate trust is not in man but in God. Our current leadership is trying to pit the classes of people in society against each other in an attempt to say it is not fair for rich people to keep their money. Tyrants are the ones who do things like this not a democracy where we are supposed to have freedom. Never the less it is God who is ultimately in control of everything. We may have to go through some difficult times to make up for our ignoring Him for so long, who knows. I hope not but we will see.

Proverbs 23:5 says "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." 1 Timothy 6:17 continues and says "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." Then there is Proverbs 27:24 which says "for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations." There may be evil in this present world trying to destroy the purse strings of the greatest nation on earth in order to disable our economy and way of life but God is on the throne. He is really in charge anyway. Do not let your heart fear.

Fear will defeat you. It is from the enemy Satan. The devil would love us to be weak and pitiful and powerless. Fear, lies, discouragement, and worry are from the enemy not from God. The Lord is our hope and strength. He will not let the righteous be forsaken or our seed beg bread. (see Psalm 37:25). In John 14:1 tells us to 'not be afraid.'

Money is spoken of lots in the Bible. People can get mad at preachers for talking too much about money or get mad at those preachers who seems to preach what folks call 'prosperity' preaching. But the money we have is all really God's anyway. We are not supposed to squander it, gamble it, get in debt, borrow needlessly and use it for ill gotten gain but we are to share it with others and take care of our family.  We are not ever to trust in wealth. It can be gone in an instant.God is not pleased with the evil men who are doing things to hurt us but sometimes he may allow things to happen to wake us up as a nation too. Psalm 52:7 says "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!" God will ultimately take care of the evil man in this world. Our job is to keep praying and trusting.

Money can make us or destroy us. Do you share the things God blesses you with or do you hoard things? Share what you have with others. Proverbs 11:25 says " A  generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Do not be greedy. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Do you hold on to what you have too tight? It is all God's anyway. We are only stewards of what he has blessed us with. Ecclesiastes 5:19 says "Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. "

So when you earn more money in the stock market or get that bonus check at work do not place your hope in that. Psalm 62:10 says "Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase,  do not set your heart on them." Your wealth is only temporary. When we leave this earth someday we do not take a Wells Fargo bank truck with us to the cemetery. What good would it do?

So you are worried about what is going on in Washington DC right now? These mere men and women are messing with our lives you say. Just remember Proverbs 11:8 says "The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead." Also remember in Proverbs 11:28 it says "Those who trust in their riches will fall,  but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Do not let human fear of financial failure ruin your day. God is not going anywhere.

PRAYER: Father this world will one day pass away but your word will never pass away. Men may fail us, bank accounts may fail us, humans may fail us but your word is our strength and in it we trust. We know we need not fear what mere men can do to us. Father thank you that you are watching over us and protecting  us. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Here is a song I attached which may help encourage your heart today.

http://youtu.be/_mX6Ez5wFJM

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