Daily Devotional

LETTING GO OF WEALTH TO GAIN GREATER RICHES

April 3

hild of God, do you have an unhealthy attachment to money? Here's how to discover this. When it comes time to give to the Lord, do you panic? You seem to pay most all your bills, but still it is very hard to turn loose of your money, not only to the Lord, but to anybody. Then, you have an unhealthy attachment to money. Remember, the word warns you "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Timothy 6:10 NKJV) If you read this passage of scripture carefully, you will see how very serious making an idol out of money really can become. Don't think that you are alone in this problem. Sometimes it is more "fear" based than just pure greed. People are afraid because they remember hard times in the past, so they hold tight to money. Others learned to be selfish and stingy as children, and have never really understood the meaning of trusting themselves to their Heavenly Father for their daily bread. What's your problem? Whatever it is all have the same solutions: Confession and repentance, and changing your mind and lifestyle about giving to the Lord and His Kingdom's work. If you are a woman, and your husband controls the money and angrily or stubbornly refuses to give freely to the Kingdom, you can do something about it. Take whatever is yours personally and give a portion to a designated work of God (if you desire to honor Him, the Holy Spirit will guide you every time). Keep a record of the growth of that little fund for the Lord. Don't be foolish and deceive your husband, (watch out for judgment and resentment against him), tell him what you are doing--- get some "backbone" and stand up to show godly behavior. Watch carefully, and as you give offer praise and prayers of surrender about your own money. There must be some way that you can break out in giving to the Lord. Other people's greediness or fear can spread to you and your children and cause you all to come to poverty. Now, read the godly woman passages in Proverbs (31:10-31). She has control of her own funds, and makes wonderful proof of the goodness and blessings on herself. In fact, she acts like the president of a company. She is wise, and outdoes her husband at times. Here's something for you to declare, "This is the last day that I will allow my family to rob God. Read Malachi 3:8-9. Indeed, a person can rob God. You won't be guilty of that will you? If you will give to the Lord (one of God's favorite recipients is the poor, especially children), you will see the immediate reward before your eyes. Keep a record of this giving and its results (ask God to show you the results). If you are a man, and feel the responsibility to provide for your family, and you are afraid, do the same thing. Keep a portion (even if it is small) and give it to the Lord with praise and thanksgiving. Speak words of thanksgiving and praise aloud to Him as you "cast" your offering to the Lord. You will notice that from that giving out of "cheerfulness" your return will be on you before you know it. Whatever your case, you must get deliverance from fear and greed. It will eat you alive and keep you and your family in continual poverty. If you hold to God's money, refusing to release it, you will never have enough regardless of what your income may be. It is corruption to you!

Prayer

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Father, I ask your forgiveness! I will take a portion of my income and give it to your work regardless of what I feel or fear about it. I thank you that you have abundantly blessed me, and I show that gratefulness by giving to your Kingdom. I know that you do not need my money. You just need for me to have the joy and freedom of giving. Help me Lord. I am in bondage to money. I praise you for your help today in the name of Jesus, amen!