Systematic Giving

READINGS: 2 Corinthians 9:5-11; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
TEXT: .... . enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth
through us thanksgiving to God (9:11).

Introduction
Can a Christian give sacrificially and save money? This subject is of utmost importance to all Christians. Have you ever stopped to consider how many hours you spend in a day in the business of making money? What we do with it, our approach and attitude to it, is a top priority. Our concern here relates to the ministry of giving.

I. The Motive in Giving (9:11)
1) Pleasing God (Heb. 13:16)
2) Honoring God (Prov. 3:9)

II. The Method in Giving (Mal. 3:10)
1) Tithes (Mal. 3:10)
2) Offerings (9:11)
3) Savings (2 Cor. 12:14)
4) Expenses (Rom. 12:17; 13:7-8)

III. The Miracle in Giving (9:8)
1) Materially (9:8-11)
2) Spiritually (Gal. 6:7-8)

Conclusion
Remember the motive in giving: to please and honor God. As to the method, remember He demands the tithe, He deserves the offering, He defends the savings, and He directs the expenses. The miracle is that God will prosper you sufficiently for you to be content. He may even make you the steward of great wealth. Certainly He will bless you, spiritually.

Source:  http://www.preacherscorner.org/olford2a.htm

The Beauty of A Thankful Heart

 TEXT: Luke 17:11-19
11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

INTRODUCTION:
This is the time of the year that we focus especially on the matter of giving thanks. Thanksgiving Day, national holiday in the U.S. commemorating the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony in 1621. The first national Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed by Pres. Washington for Nov. 26, 1789. Pres. Lincoln revived the custom in 1863. In 1941 Congress decreed that Thanksgiving should fall on the fourth Thursday of November. The customary turkey dinner is a reminder of the four wild turkeys served at the PILGRIMS' first thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving should be a way of life for the child of God.
It should not be a once a year matter, but a daily sending up of thanks to God out of a heart grateful for the blessings of God.

In our Scripture, we find Jesus on the border line between Galilee and Samaria.
There was a band of ten lepers that met him there. Normally the Jews had no dealing with the Samaritans at all but in this group of ten lepers, there had to be at least one Samaritan among the group.

SAMARITANS :
So the Samaritans were a "mixed race" contaminated by foreign blood and false worship. The Jewish historian Josephus indicates that the Samaritans were also opportunists. When the Jews enjoyed prosperity, the Samaritans were quick to acknowledge their blood relationship. But when the Jews suffered hard times, the Samaritans disowned any such kinship, declaring that they were descendants of Assyrian immigrants.

When a group of Jews, led by Zerubbabel, returned from the Babylonian Captivity, the Samaritans offered to help Zerubbabel rebuild the Temple. When their offer was rejected, they tried to prevent the Jews from finishing their project (Ezra 4:1-10).

When Nehemiah attempted to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, he was opposed by Arabic and Samaritan groups (Neh. 2:10--6:14). The breach between the Samaritans and the Jews widened even further when Ezra, in his zeal for racial purity, pressured all Israelite men who married during the Captivity to divorce their pagan wives (Ezra 10:18-44).

The final break between the two groups occurred when the Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim, claiming Shechem rather than Zion (Jerusalem) as the true Beth-el (house of God), the site traditionally chosen and blessed by the Lord.

There is a beautiful picture here. Thought animosity existed between the Jews and the Samaritans, Jesus saw that they were men in need. He was touched by their needs.

THE LEPERS STOOD AFAR OFF

Why? We do not know for sure how much of a distance that was to exist between them and normally healthy people. One authority said, if the leper was windward of a healthy person, that he was to stand at least 50 yards away. The lepers had to live in isolation, for it was felt that leprosy was a highly communicable disease. The leper had to wear "mourning" clothes, leave his hair unkept, kept his beard covered, and cry,"Unclean, unclean" to give folks warning.

He was to make it clear that everyone was to avoid him. He was an outcast from society as long as he lived.
No account in the gospels so clearly shows an ungrateful heart.

The lepers came to Jesus for a cure-- he healed them, and one came back to give thanks.
That is not a very high percentage- that is one out of ten or only 10%.

THAT IS THE WAY THAT MEN ARE MOST OF THE TIME. THEY GET WHAT THEY WANT AND THEY TEND TO NOT COME BACK AFTER THAT.

WE ARE SO UNGRATEFUL IN OUR GENERATION.

1- Ungrateful to parents
In the early years of a child, there was a time when a day or weeks neglect would have meant our death. There were years that we were totally dependent on our parents, yet the day can come when an aged parent becomes a nuisance. Many young folks are unwilling to repay the debt that they owe for the nurture and care by their parents in those early years.

One said "How sharper it is than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child."
Children should show gratitude to parents. Best way is to listen to them--cherish their advice.

2- Ungrateful toward one other
We owe much to those who have been a blessing to us and nurtured us in the Lord. Provided encouragement and strength.

SOMETIMES WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO APPRECIATE THOSE WHO SHOW THEIR LOVE TOWARD US.

3- Ungrateful to God
In the time of bitter need we cry out to God for help, and then when things are going good we many times do not even say thanks before our meals.

Ps.103:2 "Bless the Lord O My Soul, and forget not all His benefits."

Let’s look at some things from this passage that we can be thankful for in life:

I. I AM THANKFUL FOR GOD’S LOVE
===================
There was nothing at all in society that said the Lord had to pay any attention to these men crying for help. No one could force the hand of God. Though he did not have to care, he did care.

His love was manifest toward a vile, dirty , wretched looking person.

The lepers were an unkept people. Their bodies stank due to the putrefying sores that would appear all over their bodies. No one was to touch them and was to keep their distance from the stricken people.

The Pharisees did not prompt Jesus to action. They were better than the lepers, or at least they thought so.

Society did not prompt Jesus to action, because they were in favor of segregating the lepers and keeping them totally separate.

The Jews did not encourage him to do anything, for they had no dealings with the Samaritans. Wanted nothing to do with the half-breeds.
What is it that moved the Lord?
Something called compassion. It came out of a heart full of divine love.
Jesus cared so much for the stricken men, that he was moved when they came to him.
ILL
====
Could you imagine those lepers coming to someone like Stalin or Hitler and begging the for mercy due to their disease? They would have been dragged out of the building and shot or executed in some fashion almost immediately.

What a wonderful thing is the love of the Lord Jesus Christ!!
ILL.
---
Years ago a person visited a camp of gypsies. The Christian lady found a dying boy in one of the tents. She knelt by his side, and quoted slowly Jn. 3:16, three times. The dying eyes opened up and the words feebly came out--"Tell it again."

She read the words again and the feeble voice said, " I never heard that before. You mean God loves me, a poor gypsy boy? God gave his Son. Whosoever, that is men. I love him for that! Then with his last voice the young boy whispered,

"Tell it to the rest", and he went out into eternity.

I. I AM THANKFUL FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST

II. I AM THANKFUL FOR THE CLEANSING POWER OF CHRIST
=========================================================
These men had a very serious problem.
Leprosy was an incurable disease.
In the days of Christ, only the Lord could do anything with leprosy.
Leprosy is a picture of sin.

A. It was incurable
There was no medicine at all that could touch it.
When a person had the disease they would die with it.
All efforts to provide a cure were in vain.
If they possessed a box car load of LYE SOAP they could not wash it away.

Ill.
It was much like the HIV virus of our day-there is no known cure.
Sin is much the same way.
There is no cure for it in anything that man can do.

Not by works of righteous which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.
SOME TRY JOINING THE CHURCH AND THINK THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF SIN. Being a part of the zoo does not make you an animal.

OTHERS TRY TO WASH IT AWAY IN THE BAPTISTERY WATERS, BUT THAT WILL NOT WORK EITHER. It is Christ’s blood that washes away sin, not water. I am not a "dunk em’ and save em’ preacher." Blood salvation is the only kind.

SOME TRY TO REVERSE THE EFFECT OF SIN BY BEING A MORE RESPECTABLE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

There was no cure for sin until Jesus came our way.
He took care of every single one of them through the cross.
There is no sin left unforgiven.. Calvary took care of it all...
Sin can be cured, but it takes Christ’s blood to take care of it.
Thank God he provided the cure for an incurable disease.
CAN YOU IMAGINE IF YOU HAD AN INCURABLE DISEASE AND SOMEONE CAME UP WITH A CURE FOR IT AFTER MANY YEARS?
You would love to meet with that man and thank Him, no doubt.
There is nothing hardly that you would not do for Him.
Well, that is what Jesus did for you. He cleansed you and took away the sins that so defiled and corrupted your life.
Ill
---
William Cowper wrote in that great hymn, There is a Fountain---
"Dear dying lamb, thy precious blood, shall never lose it’s power, till all the ransomed church of God,
be saved to sin no more."

We are cured and clean through what Christ has done for us.
That is something to be thankful for in daily living!!

B. It Was Defiling
The person who had the disease had to wear a covering over his mouth and cry out "Unclean, Unclean." He had to be shut outside the camp and could not enjoy time with others in society.
There was the time we were shut out of the society of heaven.

Now that saved, our citizenship is in heaven.
We have a right to enter in now in prayer, and will have a right on day to pass through the gates of the New Jerusalem, the eternal city that Jesus has gone to prepare.
The Bible says that in heaven, "Nothing can enter that defiles."
But as they say in Mexico," No problem."
Jesus simply took care of it all when he saved us.
These men in Luke’s gospel simply did what Jesus said, and as they were on their way to the priest’s house, they were healed.
THANKFUL FOR GOD’S LOVE
THANKFUL FOR CLEANSING POWER OF CHRIST

III.. I AM THANKFUL FOR CHRIST’S DESIRE FOR FELLOWSHIP
=========================================================
Why did Jesus say what he did about the nine not coming back?

It was not just a conversation piece for there was much more than he could have talked about. He could have talked about the weather, about the events what was said on the Galilee evening news, but he chose to reveal the longing of his heart.

What did Jesus long for? For all of the men to come back and fellowship with Him by giving thanks. One of best ways to fellowship with Christ is to give thanks for the things that He has done for us.

Are you amazed that Christ would want to fellowship with you?
If not you certainly should be.
He wants us to spend time at His feet.
Who would think that a king would want a beggar to come and spend time around his feet? Most ancient kings would have a beggar taken off somewhere out of his sight. He would not have wanted to be bothered by a low life.

Heb 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)
Come with confidence that God wants us to come into his presence with our needs. Not only with needs but to tell Him how much we love Him.
Note
===
You like to hear that from those who love you, even when you know of their love
on your behalf. Spend time talking to God about how much He means to you--
then make sure to back it up with your daily life!!!!!

IV. I AM THANKFUL FOR THE CHANGE THAT HE HAS MADE
========================================================
The lepers looked different-- no longer repulsive
They smelled different--- No more festering sores.
They walked different--Because they were healthy.
They talked different--Not having to cry,"unclean" any longer.
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought,
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Not all we want to be, but thank God not what we were.
Ill
===
One of men in evangelism class this morning talked about wanting to be a positive influence and win his loved ones to Lord over thanksgiving holidays. I told him that family was harder to witness to than anyone else. He said,"They should see the change in me--I was a whoremonger--a bartender--fooled with dope and drugs, but what a changed now.
Jesus can totally transform a life.
THANKFUL FOR GOD’S LOVE
THANKFUL FOR CLEANSING POWER
THANKFUL FOR A DESIRE FOR FELLOWSHIP
THANKFUL FOR THE CHANGE THAT HAS BEEN MADE

V. I AM THANKFUL FOR COMPANY OF THE SAVED
===============================================
Those men before they met Jesus, did not know how to really enjoy one another’s company. They were in so much misery, that they did not know how to communicate.
Thank God for the saints.
Encourage
Help mature
Point us to God.
Remind us of a better country.
Conclusion:
=========
Whatever you do, do not fail to be thankful to God.
For spiritual blessings and for everything.

Source :

http://www.preacherscorner.org/tom-thanks1.htm

How to Get Rich God's Way

There are many ‘get rich’ schemes around. Most of them concentrate on “positive thinking” and focus on building one’s personal esteem, while others involve investment plans and lessons on how to make a small amount of money grow into a large amount.

Many of these schemes work, many don’t. The problem with most of the get rich plans is their emphasis on personal development, to the exclusion of almost everything else, and their total neglect of “values”. By this we mean the client often works towards the goal of increasing personal wealth and material possessions, but does not consider whether wealth is really a good goal by itself, or what effect this drive to get wealth has on his life, his wife, or his family.

To illustrate this, look at what Jesus said about a certain rich man:

“The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. And he thought . . . what shall I do?

And he said, “This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there will I store all my increase”.

But God said to him, “You fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have stored?”

Luke 12:15-21

Jesus told this story to highlight one thing: greed. In verse 15 and 21 the meaning of the story is given. It is wrong to be greedy. Aiming at personal riches is a sin, and (perhaps) God will take the life of a greedy person if they persist long enough in their rampant drive to hoard wealth for themselves.

And again:

“And seek not what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after, but your Father knows that you need them. But rather seek first the kingdom of God (and His righteousness), and all these things shall be added (or given) to you.” Luke 12:29 and Matthew 6:19-34. Please read both passages carefully because they are crucial to this essay. They come from the lips of the Son of God. They are a contract between God and Man, and the only condition is total submission to God – not in the mechanical sense, but one motivated by love and gratitude.

Here is one of the greatest promises in the Bible. If we understand it correctly, it tells us that IF we put God and His requirements first, we shall receive all the things we need – food, clothes, money, material needs and so on. All the things which most people consider to be priorities, God promises to provide if we make these things NOT priorities.

This is the exact opposite order of priority taught by most ‘get rich’ schemes.

But does God want people to be wealthy?

Some people think God is so ‘spiritual’, He doesn’t actually like wealth, and would prefer it if everyone was poor and needy, because, in some strange way this is seen to be a part of being ’spiritual’, or ‘holy’. But this is not what the Bible says. Here are some references from the Bible about wealth:

“But you shall remember the LORD your God: for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which he promised to your fathers (ancestors), as it is this day”. Deuteronomy 8:18

“And God said to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of your enemies, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king:

Wisdom and knowledge is granted to you, and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like”. 2 Chronicles 1:11,12

This promise, and the one before it to Israel, are very similar. God promised wealth to the nation of Israel if they obeyed Him. And Solomon was rewarded with wealth and other things BECAUSE he put God first rather than wealth. In both cases it is clear that God requires us to put Him first, and then, if He so chooses, wealth will follow. Solomon’s priority was not what most people consider priorities: riches, wealth, honour (prestige, stardom, fame), security, power, authority or longer life. Many of the ‘get rich’ schemes aim at these very things, but Solomon was commended for not aiming at these things.

“Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endures for ever”. Psalms 112:3 The whole Psalm is about “the man that fears the Lord” and the result is a long list of blessings.

“Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God”. Ecclesiastes 5:19

“Length of days is in her (Wisdom’s) right hand; and in her left hand are riches and honour”. Proverbs 3:16

“Riches and honour are with me (Wisdom); yea, durable riches and righteousness”. Proverbs 8:18

“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life”. Proverbs 22:4

“And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches”. Proverbs 24:4

All these verses and many more teach that wealth is a blessing from God, and something which He enjoys giving to people who live in a way that pleases Him.

So what is the order of priority?

First of all God wants us to put Him first, then He may bless us with material wealth. There is no absolute guarantee that He will, because there are times when poverty or adversity may be part of God’s character-building process, but we can say that in most cases, and for most people, wealth is a part of the blessing of being a Christian.

Here is the right perspective concerning the two aspects of wealth = spiritual wealth and material wealth. Usually the ‘get rich’ schemes make no mention of duty or obedience to God. Instead, they usually stress self-reliance and self-improvement. They encourage their clients to do everything themselves, through ‘positive thinking’ or ‘re-programming’, or ‘self-development’, instilling into one’s thoughts certain slogans and proverbs which alter one’s daily habits.

But it is possible to be rich and godless.

Well yes, it is not only possible, it is also quite common.

“Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness”. Psalms 52:7 (This Psalm is about the self-made, wicked but wealthy man)

“Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches”. Psalms 73:12 Asaph, the writer of the Psalm goes into some detail, listing many of the characteristics of the wealthy but godless man, and then adds: “I went into the sanctuary of God, and then I understood their end. Surely God sets these people in slippery places, and casts them down to destruction.”

“There is the person who makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is the person who makes himself poor, yet hath great riches”. Proverbs 13:7

And there are some who become wealthy apparently by luck.

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all”. Ecclesiastes 9:11

Life is not a simple thing. It is full of subtleties, unexpected twists and turns, seemingly crazy events and surprising reverses. There are people like Joseph, who was betrayed into the hands of traders and ended up in Egypt as a slave, but who soon became second in command of the whole Egyptian nation; and there are times when even being a king is not enough to prevent eviction from one’s on castle by one’s own son – as in the case of David and Absalom. One cannot dogmatically say that if someone obeys God they will become rich. Neither can one say that rich, non-Christian people will be brought to poverty. But Christians can say that they have a wealth in another dimension, whereas non-Christians have nothing but poverty in the spiritual realm.

Wealth is not always a good thing.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful”. Matthew 13:22

In this parable, Jesus condemned wealth, because it was the one factor which prevented someone from becoming a Christian. It is all too easy for people to get their priorities round the wrong way. They think they ought to aim at that better job, or new car, or promotion, or whatever the world offers, and they set the call of Jesus aside. Thus they lose the very thing they need most.

“And Jesus looked round about, and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those that have riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said to them, “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” Mark 10:23,24

By qualifying himself, Jesus made it clear that there has to be a line drawn between our love for God and our love for the good things of this world. He did not condemn riches as evil, but as an unacceptable priority.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:19

Needs are not wants. God promises to provide the things we need if we are ‘tuned in’ to Jesus. This means that a Christian should expect to have all the necessary things, the basic needs of life, the daily provisions . . . not luxuries, and not indulgent extras. God places things into Christian’s lives and expects them to be wise and faithful stewards with what they have. This logically rules out stupidity, waste, gambling and so on. (And having food and raiment (clothes) let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:8) Contentment with the basics is a Christian ideal. ‘Get rich’ schemes NEVER suggest that people be content with the basics.

“Charge (or warn) them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded (proud), nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives to us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17

“Esteeming (or considering) the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect to the recompence of the reward.” Hebrews 11:26

What this verse means is that Moses, who had every right to enjoy the high life of wealth, prestige and power as an adopted son of the king of Egypt, preferred rather to identify with the Hebrew slave people. Moses decided it was better to be a son of God the King, than a son of Pharaoh the king. Moses aimed at pleasing God rather than pleasing himself. He valued God’s reward above Man’s reward. In other words he sought first the kingdom of God and His righteousness . . . and as a consequence all the things he needed were added to his life.

So what about the “think positive” line?

First of there is nothing wrong with thinking positive, or being optimistic, or looking for the good in life. God also sees the great potential which all people have, and He wants to help us reach the highest ability and purpose we can with what He has given us. This means that our physical and mental abilities, our circumstances and our material means are all potentially powerful tools in His Hands. But He does not tell us to concentrate on ourselves, or to look inwards for this power. He tells us to look outward, to Him. This is where the two paths of self-improvement diverge in totally opposite directions.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (or understand, or know) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

In this verse we see that God does not want us to be conformed to some ‘get rich’ scheme, but to conform our lives and our way of thinking to something approximating Jesus. God does want us to change our mode of thinking, and to be changed. He wants our daily habits to alter, and our ‘programmed’ reactions to daily problems to be changed too. But this is by a process of spiritual transformation – the Greek is the same as metamorphosis – changing from one thing into another. ‘Get rich’ schemes seldom if ever suggest that the client’s mind should be made to change towards God.

Practical wealth-building techniques.

The Bible teaches several clear, universal principles, which all lead to prosperity if put into practice. By universal we mean that there is no person, or culture or nation which cannot reap the rewards of practicing these principles. They apply to all people, of all nationalities and religions. They are principles which many people have discovered, often independently of reading the Bible, and some have built them into their lives, or businesses, with great success. Some even peddle these Biblical principles in ‘get rich’ schemes, or build them into normal business practice as part of the training.

In a similar way, Christian ethics are also universal – all people and cultures can benefit from such things as kindness, justice, generosity, care, help and hospitality. We do not need to be Christians to enjoy the blessings of these things, and nobody ‘owns’ these things either. In a curious sort of way many of the ‘get rich’ schemes actually sell such things as ‘diligence’ and ‘hard work’ as if they are some sort of Manmade invention. I was told, by an insurance trainee, that most of the agent-to-client work was based directly on the Bible book of Proverbs. I have also seen repeated examples of businesses flourishing, due almost entirely to the fact that they are based on the Biblical principles of hard work, diligence, courtesy, honesty and so on.

It would take a small book to cover these Biblical principles thoroughly, so we will look briefly at only one of them: Diligence.

“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful (lazy, indolent) shall be under tribute”. Proverbs 12:24

“The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious”. Proverbs 12:27 (This means that some people are too lazy to cook what they catch, whereas the diligent person processes and does plenty with his opportunities.

“The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat”. (prosperous) Proverbs 13:4 This means that some people just sit around and dream about what they would like to do, but diligent people get busy and work towards their goals.

“The thoughts of the (steadily) diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty (impatient, impetuous) only to want”. Proverbs 21:5

“See that man who is man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean (lowly or poor) men”. Proverbs 22:29

“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds”. Proverbs 27:23 This means that whatever you have responsibility over, do your best to tend it and supervise it thoroughly.

He also that is slothful (lazy or indolent) in his work is brother to him that is a great waster”. Proverbs 18:9

“Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house”. Proverbs 24:27 This means to start a project at the right end, and do the most important things first, then work towards the least important things. In some businesses this might be called ‘preparing the infrastructure’.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men”. Colossians 3:23 Heartily means enthusiastically, or with zest. God wants Christians to tackle anything and everything they do with enthusiasm. It is often this principle of enthusiasm which makes all the difference between success and failure.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap”. Galatians 6:7

Much more could be written on this subject. The Bible is full of material on the subject of wealth, either by direct teaching, or by examples. If one reads the Bible, it becomes apparent that it is not in God’s plan that the Earth should be impoverished, or that any human should be deprived of all needful things – but Mankind continually rebels against God and as a consequence brings in wars, famines, sickness, poverty and other hardships. Greed, pride and envy are powerful forces within the heart, and not many people are willing to abandon their worldly goals and, by faith, follow Jesus.

But the promise still stands. Jesus promises to provide all the necessary things to those who put God’s Kingdom, and God’s righteousness first. With this kind of promise, who needs a ‘get rich’ scheme?

(All Bible verses quoted are from the King James, with some alterations to improve the sense and meaning. Readers are encouraged to read the Bible and check all references for themselves. I recommend that all references be looked up and the context found.)

Resources: Christian Essay

Children In Our Church During Our Thanksgiving Celebration On December 28, 2014

Children In Our Church During Our Thanksgiving Celebration On December 28, 2014.

This is the first time that I uploaded a video on youtube. This video was taken by one of our young people who have borrowed the camera. She wanted to record what she had taught to perform this action dance by his Sunday School Students (children) in just 1 one day practice.

The Free Pictures Or Photos Online That You Can Download For Your Blogs

It has been a quite time I have no post for the Philippines Christians Journal and in my other blogs, for the reason that we are very busy in the month of November and December.

And beside that, we are now building the Sunday school department for children here in our church property. We thank the Lord for the long desire and prayer that we could build this building - and now it is already to be fulfilled.

Since, the front area of our church building have been occupied by the provincial road, our children's Sunday school department was transferred beside or nearest the pulpit where I am preaching during Sunday worship service, and at the same time having children's Sunday School - very difficult because of the disturbance.

Now the new building is in a distance where we can have two departments - for Junior and the primary.

We have a few photos for this building while I was putting some coconut lumber for roofing. Only two of us working for this building, a carpenter from our church building and me. Thanks God for the other members who help to finish the roofing this week.

We were able to borrow a camera to picture for this. Look at the photos below.

To tell the truth about the pictures I used to post in this blog, mostly taken from the special occasions when can borrow a camera, because we do not have a good quality camera. We have a camera that is built-in with the cheapest cellphone that takes a bad photo.

I have my other blogs which I used to download photos from online. You can try see my other blogs in the links:
1. http://asiatravelpromo.blogspot.com
2. http://isabel-illustrations.blogspot.com/
3. http://your-making-money-online.blogspot.com
4. http://alrenpages.com

The Free Pictures Or Photos Online That You Can Download For Your Blogs

We thank God for the free downloads of Photos online. I will post here some of the websites that you can download pictures whatever you want, they are for free.

1. Big Foto - this websites has all kinds of photos around the globe, from continents to continents, nations to nations. Visit the website and you can see for yourself. They have the good quality photos and you can download them for free.

2. Dreams Time - you can download here the abstract images from animals, natures, architectures, holidays, industries, clip arts and etc.

3. Free Photos Bank - Every photo you need is found here. Thousands of photos from around the world; transportation, life, objects, natures, fruits and foods, computers and technology, architectures, abstract and miscellaneous.

4. SXC.hu it has thousands of high quality images taken around the world by amateur photographers. You can have various searching options and over 350,000 images.

5. Flickr.com gives you the privilege to share, store and search. It has plenty of images available for you to use. Flickr is free, the only thing you must do is to register if you want to upload and edit your own images.