Settling The Money Issue

This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, by continuing to walk through the parable of the sower.  Jesus said:

“The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people.  Sometimes the teaching falls on the path.  That is like some people who hear the teaching of God.  As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.

Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground.  They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it.  But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives.  They keep it only a short time.  As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.

Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds.  They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want.  This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.

And others are like the seed planted on the good ground.  They hear the teaching and accept it.  Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.”  (Mark 4:13-20 ERV)

In this parable Jesus teaches us to receive His Word and to allow it be settled in our hearts.  God’s Word is settled in heaven, but if it is going to produce in our lives, it must be settled in our hearts.  One of the issues that competes with the Word, especially as it relates to be settled or at peace, is the issue of money.  Jesus said the love the money competes with the Word.  If your heart is focused on money, it is because you are not at rest in your heart concerning God and His commitment to provide for you.  For the next few days we will discuss a topic that is uncomfortable for some believers: money.

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

1.  For the Word to work in your life your heart needs to be at rest.  When you enter into God’s rest concerning any area of your life, you are showing God your are in-faith.  You are not concerned, you trust God, you know He will make His Word good, so you don’t take on any care concerning the situation.  You know the issue is settled in heaven and it is only a matter of time before it is settled in the earth.

2.  If you want to maximize your purpose and potential, you must get to the point where you enter God’s rest where your money is concerned.

3.  If your heart is open to take on care, fear, doubt or unbelief concerning money, then the anxiety will keep you out-of-faith.  When you are in-faith concerning your finances, you know God is your source, you have peace, you have entered God’s rest, and the issue of money is settled in your heart.

4.  You must get to the point where you are convinced God is your source.

a)  Everything you need for your divine assignment has already been provided.

b)  God called you to His divine purpose and, along with the purpose, God already stored up everything you will ever need to get it done.

c)  When you are pursuing money instead of pursuing God, it is because you don’t trust God where your finances are concerned.

d)  You will never enter into rest where your money is concerned, until you believe what God believes about your provision.

e)  When you know God is your source and you believe He already prepared everything you will need for your success, you are not concerned about money.  God has millions of ways to get you millions of dollars.  Keep your focus, trust and confidence in Him.

We will discuss this further in the days to come.

Closing Confession:  Father, this is a season of refined focus for me.  I bring my life into focus in 2016 by making You my #1 priority.  I pursue You every day of my life.  I choose to pursue You instead of pursuing things, and when I pursue You over things, things wind up pursuing me.  You are my source.  You are my supply.  I never have fear of running out.  I have faith in running over!  Everything I need has already been prepared for me.  You bless me abundantly.  You give me all things richly to enjoy.  I declare: money is not an issue for me.  I enter into Your rest where my money is concerned.  You bless me to give, save and spend.  You give me bread for eating and seed for sowing, and I never run out!  I declare this by faith!  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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