Discipleship and Money

Hi, Hi, Hi loves! Welp as you can tell from the length of time between my last post and this post, I am still a procrastinator, but that is ok! I am working on it, seriously. . . Anywho, as many of you know and if you are not in the know, I am constantly growing closer to God. This year, I was really all up in his business like, “what in the world is in that room, what you got in that room?”

Maybe Rollout by Ludacris is not the best song reference to use considering the lyrics, but the analogy of how I was all up in his business and asking him questions is what I am trying to get at.

As I learn more about my Father and genuinely spend time with him, the more he leads me, but more importantly the more he corrects and mold me into his likeness. As I was planning a challenge for December, actually I had it all planned out, “No Debt December” (I LOVE wordplay), God politely wrecked my plans. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails", Proverbs 19:21 and LORD did his purpose prevail lol. He presented to me, “Discipleship December” and I was looking like

because what the heck does that even mean Lord and what does that have to do with finances? At least he kept the wordplay. After studying, him directing me, and allowing my pastor, Dwaine Duncan II, to pour knowledge into me (If you are looking to increase your study in the Word of God get his books!) I realized how money and being a follower of Christ very much intertwines and the Lord wanted me to share.

If you're shocked, I am too cause chile, ME? I just sinned two seconds ago, I barely know the bible, and so many other things I can bring up, yet he still saw me fit. Lord thank you for your GRACE! I will be covering 4 main "bigger picture" points when it comes to managing “your” money God’s way. Let’s get into it:

First and foremost, know that it is It’s God’s Money:

Everything was created from God and exist by his power. In the very beginning Genesis 1:1, God created. "For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever. Amen!", Romans 11:36. Money is no exception. Our money belongs to God and is intended to be used for his purpose.

Stewardship:

In Genesis 1:26, God gave us dominion over the Earth, which means he gave us management over the earth and everything in it, including money. So, the money we have is just for us to manage and take care of for the Lord. If you did not know God was financially conscious and expect a return on his investment, read the parable of the bags of Gold (Matthews 25:14-30). God is the owner, and we are the stewards or managers over his resources, which we must be good at. Money is one of God’s resources. How we spend it, save it, grow it, and give it should bring honor to him first and foremost. That’s good stewardship because we are intentionally caring about how we use it and bringing glory to his name. Project Rise will continue to discuss in 2022 how to be a better steward over your money!

Advancing The Kingdom:

As believers we should be doing the works of Jesus and even greater, John 14:22. Whatever gift God planted in us should be used to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms, 1 Peter 4:10. As stated before, we should be honoring him first and foremost. Tithing into your church home, donating to nonprofits or organizations, giving your time to serve others, or spreading kindness. All these acts are advancing the Kingdom. Let me reiterate, your money too should be used to further his purpose and glorify his name. That is why we must be good stewards with our money, making financially sound decisions so we can be intentional with our money to do what? Use it for his purpose, because its what? HIS MONEY and we are his what? Stewards. I hope your seeing the intertwine here. . . Your church home and your favorite nonprofit or organization cannot do good without the resources, i.e. money, time, and effort. Whatever gift God planted in you, should be used to serve others. When you worship with your wealth, you are delivering out his purpose and glorifying his name!

Generational Wealth:

God is forward thinking. Just look at the family tree of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the promise that God made to Abraham and David. Considering it took 42 generations after Abraham for Jesus to even pull up shows us how generational God was thinking. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” We must position ourselves to win and pass down head starts. As we pass down our legacies, we must also pass down the moral teachings and scriptures to sustain it, Psalms 49:20.

There you have it! As much as we try to separate our talks about money and God, the truth is we can't and we shouldn't. Money is not evil, I have no idea why that scripture do not get quoted right, but it is "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. As simple as I can put it, at the end of the day money is a resource/tool that can be used to deliver out his purpose, advance the Kingdom and glorify his name. It is deeper than these churches going on mission trips or taking tithes from their congregation to build a church across seas - that's a different rant, a much needed rant, but I will break that down later as I strengthen my studies more. I really want to just give thanks to God and the vessel he used to really show me the true gospel, my pastor Dwaine Duncan II. If you have any questions or feedback please email me at info@projectrise.net. I am very open to knowledge! Happy New Year loves & I cannot wait to continue to advance the Kingdom in 2022 with my fellow brothers and sisters! With much love and wealth - Si