FINANCES
Wealth is a gift of God. Even if we work hard, we may not become wealthy. We will not be relieved of the debts if there are no blessings in the financial sphere. There will not be any surplus funds and even if there is anything, it will be borrowed by somebody or will be squandered away. Or else, huge amounts will be spent for treatment, in spite of which, cure will not be obtained and it will all end in a big financial loss. If we squander the money away once, we may not become rich again. For God hates squandering and stinginess. Wealth amassed through unjust means is likely to be lost. "Better is a little that the righteous person has than the abundance of many wicked" - Psalm 37: 16. "Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it" - Prov 15: 16.
God wants us to multiply our wealth. Jesus praised him who increased the five talents to ten - Matt 25:20. But it is wrong to multiply wealth by unjust means. "One who loves gold will not be justified; one who pursues money will be led astray by it. Many have come to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has met them face-to-face. It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it, and every fool will be taken captive by it. Blessed is the rich person who is found blameless and who does not go after gold" - Sirach 31:5-8. We must generate wealth and utilize it according to the commandments of God. "Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High, and it will profit you more than gold" - Sirach 29:11. Riches must be earned through just means. "One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest gathers it for another who is kind to the poor" - Prov 28:8.
Idolatry means giving first place to wealth in life - Col.3:5. It is wrong to live only for worldly matters and amassing wealth without any time for God. Leading a life, without finding time for worshiping God, giving first place to worldly matters, will cause loss of even the wealth one has. Nobody should say that he has no time for prayer after finishing his job. Everyone has only 24 hours a day. Everyone must find time to worship God, to glorify God and to study the Word. If we utilize even the time of prayer for amassing worldly wealth, it will amount to an unjust wealth. That wealth will not come handy in times of need.
If we are hospitalized due to illness, how will we work to make wealth? From where do we get time to rest and money for treatment? It is not right to say we have no time for prayers. God wants us to give the first place to God and to earn wealth through just means.
What should we do to avoid problems in the financial area? (Remedies)
a. Admit that wealth is a gift of God.
"The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow to it" - Prov 10:22. We are only the keepers of it. "He said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" - Job 1: 21.
b. Do not give first place to wealth.
It is selfish and idolatrous to give first place to wealth, worldly comforts or to power and position - Col 3:5.
c. Give tithes and offerings.
"Will any one rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, 'How are we robbing you?' In your tithes and offerings! You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me - the whole nation of you! Bring the full tithe into the store house, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. I will rebuke the locust for you, so that it will not destroy the produce of your soil; and your vine in the field shall not be barren, says the Lord of hosts" - Malachi 3: 8-12.
It is breaking of the commandment if we do not give one tenth of the amount we have, after meeting the expenses. It is not one tenth of the gross income that is to be given. If one has no net income, one need not tithe. But he has to give love offerings. Giving to the utmost we can for Gospel work is a love offering. Only then shall we be delivered from bondage in the financial sphere. Give half of the tithes for Gospel work. Either we must do the Gospel work ourselves or we must entrust the amount to Gospel workers. The remaining half of the tithe must be given to the poor. We must give either directly to the poor or to those who serve the poor. As for love offering, it is better to give it directly to the churches and to missionary work. The amount given for church activities, retreat centers, helping the poor and for social work may be considered as tithe.
d. Do not squander.
We should be good stewards when we live - 1 Peter 4:10. The master rejects and punishes the servant who does not use properly the talent given him by the master - Matt 25:30. Wealth should not be handled irresponsibly.
e. Do not use your wealth to hurt others.
Wealth and abilities given to us by God are for others also. We should use them to do good; not for hurting or causing pain to others.
Prayer for Financial Blessings
Lord Jesus, come into my worldly affairs and financial situations. I offer all my financial problems big and small, to you. Let the satanic bondages and influences on them are broken in the name of Jesus. Give me the grace to use wealth for the glory of God. Teach me to utilize the material things according to the will of God. Give me the prudence to give to God and Caesar. Teach me to handle the material prosperity that is given to me in the sense of true responsibility. Bless me to be faithful in big and small matters. Let me realize that I am only a keeper of wealth entrusted to me, by you. Forgive me my sins in the financial sphere. Forgive me all my sins of squandering, not repaying borrowed money, collecting exorbitant interest, making exorbitant profit, black marketing, hoarding, financial pride, destruction of other's property, adulteration, amassing wealth by unjust means, tax evasion, and not giving tithes and offerings. Pour out your precious blood on these areas and deliver me from all problems. Thank you Jesus, Praise you Jesus, Hallelujah.
(Through such a prayer, all the bondage in this area will be broken. Obstacles in getting a job and repaying debts will be removed.)