One Idea from God can turn Your Financial Situation Around

(Gen 30:31,32 NLT)  “What wages do you want?” Laban asked again.  Jacob replied, “Don’t give me anything. Just do this one thing, and I’ll continue to tend and watch over your flocks. Let me inspect your flocks today and remove all the sheep and goats that are speckled or spotted, along with all the black sheep. Give these to me as my wages.

This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!”  Yesterday I mentioned to you that Jacob’s father-in-law was getting rich off of the blessing on his life, but Laban was not properly compensating Jacob.  Laban changed Jacob’s pay 10 times in 20 years and Jacob was financially wed to Laban.  When Jacob told Laban that he wanted to leave Laban obviously did not want the blessing to leave his house (and business).  Laban offered Jacob money to stay, but Jacob had a better idea, an idea he received through an encounter with God.  This faith-based idea would change his financial situation drastically.

Jacob had a dream about spotted and speckled animals and he was visited by the angel of the Lord (31:10-13).  After this dream and visitation Jacob told Laban, “I don’t want you to pay me anything.  Just do one thing, and I’ll take care of your sheep and goats.  Let me go through your flocks and herds and take the sheep and goats that are either spotted or speckled and the black lambs.  That’s all you need to give me.”  This accomplished a few of things: (1) it put Jacob’s money in animals instead of the salary he was receiving from Laban, (2) it was a move that lined up with the direction the Lord was leading him in and it required much faith, because it was risky, and (3) the color of the animals made them easily identifiable.  Laban accepted quickly because there were few animals that fit this strange category (spotted, speckled, and black).  Laban thought he was getting over on Jacob again, thinking he made a business error.  However, this was a move of faith.

With his money now in lambs and goats, Jacob devised a plan.  He cut branches from poplar, almond, and evergreen trees.  He then peeled off part of the bark and made the branches look spotted and speckled.  Then he put the branches where the animals would see them while they were drinking from the water trough.  Why?  Because they mated in that area.  Jacob believed that if the sheep and goats were looking at the spotted and speckled branches while they mated, that their offspring would come out spotted and speckled.  The spiritual principle being that what you see impacts what you produce.  Talk about expanding your capacity to believe!  Jacob was IN FAITH!  Additionally, since he already had spotted and specked animals, he put those animals in front of the other animals that were mating – for the same reason.  Furthermore, he was wise enough not to do this for all animals, but only for the strong ones.  When the weak ones were mating, he never showed them the spotted and speckled branches or animals.  Guess what?  It worked.  After a period of time Jacob had all the strong and healthy animals and Laban got what was left.  So Jacob become rich, he acquired huge flocks, and lots of servants (see Genesis 30:32-43).

So what does this mean to you today?  A few things:

1.  If you are frustrated with your financial situation you must do something to change it.

2.  God is not against financial stability.

3.  One idea (or Word) from God can turn any situation around.

4.  God’s ideas will not always make sense, but they will require faith.

5.  We must always remember to honor God in every area of our lives – to include our finances.  Jacob was blessed, but Jacob had already made a vow (Gen 28:22) to honor God with a tenth of everything he received.

Closing Confession:  Father, I thank You for Your wisdom operating in my life in every area.  My paycheck is not my source.  You are my source.  I am not on a fixed income.  You can give me a million-dollar idea at any time.  By faith I say that when You give me creative ideas and financial strategies I have the faith to step out in order to see them come to pass.  Use me Father to help finance Your Kingdom plans and purposes in the earth.  I never give up on anything, much less my financial outlook.  I shall leave and inheritance for my children’s children and I shall be a financial supporter of my local church, of ministries that are feeding me spiritually, and of charities that are making a difference in the earth.  I declare this by faith.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

This is Today’s Word!  Apply it and Prosper!