Category: Finances

Financial Wisdom from the Bible and the School of Hard Knocks

Power to Get Wealth

But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 8:18

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Proverbs 13:22

Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath 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

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Proverbs 13:11

Wealth of the Sinner

The dream of many is to put their money to work for them via the generation of passive income from investments instead of them working for money .

Did you know that the bible addresses investing? Even tells you where and how to invest? The bible also addresses whether or not to leave a legacy to your children.

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Proverbs 13:22

The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. This wealth is laid up for us (as those who are justified in Christ).

For us to benefit from the wealth laid up for us, we need to know where the sinners have laid up their wealth.

Here are five places where the sinners have laid up their wealth.

Stock Market

Read Matthew 25:14-30

The faithful servants “went and traded” (v15) and earned double their original investment “after a long time” (v19).

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents

Matthew 25:15

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them

Matthew 25:19

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent … He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Proverbs 28:20-22

It is not about “getting rich quick” by gambling, it is about investing for the long term and getting a return over time.

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Matthew 25:27

We call the stock market the “exchange” where people go to “trade” stocks. Investing in companies means you buy a share of that company and become a partner in its growth and success. The shares grow in value and pay dividends (usury).

Investing in stocks is a long term activity. The best stocks to consider are dividend growth stocks, companies that consistently increase their dividend every year.

According to the “Rule of 72” the amount invested will double approximately the number of years found by dividing 72 by the rate of return. For example at an 8% rate of return takes nine years to double: 72 / 8 = 9 years.

The other consideration is to diversify across multiple sectors, regions, classifications, etc. If tracking individuals stocks is not for you, then consider funds such as Exchange Traded Funds (ETF), Mutual Funds, and/or Closed End Funds (CEFs) with low expense ratios, steady growth, and consistent dividends.

Bonds

For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

Deuteronomy 15:6

The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Deuteronomy 28:12

A bond is lending money to a corporation or government. We can “lend to many nations” by buying bonds. There are many types of bonds from corporate, municipal, to those offered by many national governments.

Bonds are typically viewed as safer, less volatile, alternatives to stocks and currently have a better return than bank products such as money market accounts and CDs.

Municipal bonds loan money to a city government and the interest they return is typically exempt from federal taxes. If you hold bonds in a taxable account, these are the best type to have.

The interest from other types of bonds is typically taxable and best held in a tax advantaged account such as IRA, 401k, etc.

Rather than the headache of individual bonds, is easier, safer, and more diversified to invest in bond funds (ie: ETFs, CEFs).

Real Estate

Everyone is involved in real estate in one form or another. Even if you rent and don’t own any property, you are still living somewhere and participating in real estate.

And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for an hundred pieces of money.

Genesis 33:19

The first way most people are involved in real estate is owning their own home. Owning your own home gives you a place to live while building equity in a piece of real estate. Owning your own home is a good way to build equity and preserve some of the money you would otherwise loose in renting, however home ownership should not be considered your only investment or even your “biggest investment”. Your home costs a lot to keep and maintain. For something to truly be an “investment” it needs to put money into your pocket, whereas liabilities take money out of your pocket.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Proverbs 31:6

Another way to be involved in real estate is owning property that is productive in some way, such as farming, gardening, running livestock, growing hay, leasing for hunting, leasing for oil production, etc.

Rental property is the most common thing people think of when they think of investing in real estate.

Other ways you can profit from real estate investing without having to manage the property yourself is by Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). There are public REITs traded on the stock market or in funds. There are also private REITs that pool money from investors and invest in real estate but are insulated from the stock market volatility.

Commodities

Read Genesis 41 and Genesis 47:13-26

And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:56

Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.

Genesis 47:19

The crops stored up over the years of plenty were the commodities that became so valuable during the years of famine that people gave everything they had, even selling themselves into servitude to get food.

When people hear commodities in relation to investing, they may first think of the “commodities market”. There is indeed a great wealth in the commodities market but it is the most volatile and risky of the investments. It is not recommended to get into the commodities market unless you really know what you are doing, and even then with only a small percentage of your dollars available for investment.

You can also get involved in commodities by investing the logistics services behind the commodities. For example Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) that get money from the transportation of oil and petroleum products.

Another way to get involved in commodities is investment in tangible things that have inherent value that you own, hold, and trade directly. Some examples may include livestock (cattle, goats, chickens), farm and garden products (meat, eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables), precious metals (gold, silver), and not to forget guns and ammunition.

All these things are good stores of value. Other investments depend on the the stability of the economic system, but having a portion of your wealth stored up in personally owned commodities are a hedge against even the worst economic conditions.

Your Skills and Abilities

The fifth area for investment is investing in yourself. Gaining new skills and developing existing skills should be your first priority, especially early on.

Your skills and work ethic will determine your income.

Your income is your greatest tool that will benefit you the rest of your life.

It is from your income that you seed your investments.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

2 Thess 3:10

There is no way around having to work. The true key to passive income from investing is to first faithfully and regularly seed those investments out of your income from working.

Your income will provide you with money that you can put to work in productive investments.

wise woman

Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Proverbs 31:10-18 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him

I Corinthians 11:3-15 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?  Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?  But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

I Corinthians 14:34-35  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

2 Timothy 3:6-7 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I Timothy 2:9-15 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

I Peter 3:1-7 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

I Corinthians 7:2-5 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.  Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.  The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

 

money

you know what God thinks of money by the kind of people He gives it to…

1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows

1 Tim 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous

1 Tim 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre

Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre

Titus 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake

1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (sell you into slavery for their own profit Deu 24:7)

Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves

John 2:6 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Matthew 4:8-9 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;  and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

2 Cor 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them

the snare of covetousness

First Read Joshua 6:16-19; 7:1-26Achan’s tent (dwelling place), livestock, possessions, and children were cursed by the lust of the eyes and coveteousness.  The consequence that Achan, his children, and possessions were first stoned and then burned. 
Covetousness builds a nest and begins multiplying, the same way that foxes have holes and birds have nests (Luke 9:58) – when, through our disobedience, we make a dwelling place (nest) for the devil, the curse begins to multiply (make babies) and enlarge its possessions…

NOTE: “which the LORD shall take” likely indicates casting of the lot Urim and Thummim in the Breastplate of Judgement over the high priests heart [Exodus 28:15, 30; Num. 27:21; Prov. 16:33; Jos. 14:1-2; 18:6].   Numbers 32:23b be sure your sin will find you out

Coveteousness is sin

Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. 

Deuteronomy 5:21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. [did not know that lust was sin except the law said “thou shalt not covet”]

Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [Moral law re-affirmed in New Testament]

Coveteousness is widespread

Jeremiah 6:13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. [corrupts even those who are supposed to be spiritual leaders]

1 Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

Lucifer, in selfish pride, coveted God’s throne

Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.    

Sign of the times

Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

The Wicked, motivated by coveteousness, encourage covetousness and use
your coveteousness to entrap you

Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire [lust], and blesseth [flatters] the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

Ezekiel 33:31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. [it’s a trap!]Covetousness [a.k.a materialism, consumerism] is a trap!  To make merchandise of you, the strategy of modern marketing and advertising is all about making you dissatisfied with what you have and making you desire [gotta have!] something you don’t have.  You have a perceived need and craving that makes you act on impulse (bypass the judge at the gate) and gets you to spend money you don’t have (debt) on something you don’t need, is not worth what you paid (or owe), and can’t afford to keep.  Once you get it, you no longer want it and immediately want something else…

Coveteousness motive for violence and oppression

Jeremiah 22:17 But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

Micah 2:2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. [suppress the truth in unrighteousness]

Consequences

Habakkuk2:9  Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! [Coveting motivates evil covetousness (unjust gain).  Don’t think that you can escape the flood of evil consequences by building a house high on a hill, or a high walled castle using unjust gain]

Jeremiah 8:10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. [God will leave them destitute]

Isaiah 57:17 For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.  

Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Coveteousness is a heart infection

Mark 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Believers are not to covet

Acts 20:33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.

1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

1 Thessalonians 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Cure for Covetousness

Colossians
3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence [lustful fantasies], and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Proverbs 28:16 The prince that wanteth [is lacking] understanding is
also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. [do not have fellowship/hang out with covetousness people]

Change your focus

Psalms 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. [fill your heart with God’s word]

Proverbs 21:26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. [generosity, put others before self]

1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best [spiritual] gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way [charity].

1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Luke 12:31-34 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Contentment

Luke 3:1-18 …Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages… 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1 Timothy 6:5-11 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain.For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Thankfulness

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [consequence of not being thankful]

Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient [proper/appropriate]: but rather giving of thanks.

Leviticus 22:29 And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.

1 Chronicles 23:30 And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;

Psalms 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Psalms 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

Psalms 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalms 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psalms 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:  

Psalms 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Jesus gave thanks

Matthew 15:36 And he [Jesus] took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. [Mark 8:6; John 6:11; John 6:23; Luke 22:19; Acts 27:35; Rom 14:6; 1Cor 11:24]

Matthew 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; [Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17]

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalms 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

The yoke of covetousness offers no peace or rest, with Jesus we have need of nothing and find rest

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.

eminent domain in the bible

Eminent Domain –  is the power of a state or a national government to take private property

1 Kings 21:1-16

1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money. 3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. 4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.

5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? 6 And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. 7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. 8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. 9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: 10 and set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. 11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. 12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. 13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.

15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead. 16 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.

slaves in our own land


What is the big deal about the Federal Reserve being “private”, international bankers, and all that jazz?

What does they have to do with anything?

The issue is not every corporation or every bank.

The Federal Reserve is “backed” by international banks and international investors.  Every dollar printed in the United States is “backed” by a loan from the Federal Reserve.  Every dollar the government spends increases this debt.  The collateral for the loans are taxes collected from the American citizens.  Your taxes do not go to pay for government services, taxes collected by the IRS go to pay interest on these loans to foreign financiers.  When the people cannot pay their taxes, their labor and property is forfeit to pay these debts.

This is how the globalists end up owning and controlling American citizens. 

We become slaves in our own land to a foreign power.

This is not without precedent.  We have ample warning of this from scripture.

While nothing has “replaced” Israel (no, not America, the church, or any other entity), there are still lessons to be learned concerning how God meets out judgement against nations.

There are some insightful passages from Nehemiah on the subjects.  The thing to keep in mind, even while in the process of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, they were still subjects to the Persian emperor, King Artaxerxes.

Nehemiah 5:4-5 NAS
“We have borrowed money for the [foreign] king’s taxes against our fields and vineyards … we are bringing our sons and daughters into bondage as slaves. Some of our daughters have gone into slavery already, and it’s beyond our power to do anything about it, because other men have our fields and vineyards.”

Further passages reveal that this is part of the judgement against Israel for the people turning their back on God and worshipping foreign gods.  The people had become slaves in the very land that was to be their inheritance.  The fruit of their labors went to foreign kings.  They were being sold into bondage to pay thier taxes.

Nehemiah 9:33-37 NAS
For You have dealt faithfully, but we have acted wickedly.

For our kings, our leaders, our priests and our fathers have not kept Your law
   Or paid attention to Your commandments and Your admonitions with which You have admonished them.

But they, in their own kingdom,
   With Your great goodness which You gave them,
   With the broad and rich land which You set before them,
   Did not serve You or turn from their evil deeds.

Behold, we are slaves today,
   And as to the land which You gave to our fathers to eat of its fruit and its bounty,
   Behold, we are slaves in it.
Its abundant produce is for the [foreign] kings
   Whom You have set over us because of our sins;
They also rule over our bodies
   And over our cattle as they please,

So we are in great distress.

The Dangers of “Seed Faith”

“Seed Faith Prosperity” is a false teaching that in order to receive anything at all from God, one must first donate money, known as a ‘seed-faith’ offering. You reap what you sow, the claim goes. In this case you must send your money to – usually – a televangelist, some of whom promise a ‘hundred-fold return.’

If this scam worked as advertised, televangelists would be sending you money.

The concept of the seed faith offering was invented by James Eugene Ewing, who has long run a direct mail scam that has gone under many names but mostly known as “St. Matthew’s Churches”.

In 1968, when Oral Robert’s donations were down due to his joining the United Methodist Church, Ewing sold his program to Oral Roberts and Robert’s ministry doubled its income within 1 year. This was so successful, that many other ministries began adopting this methodology.

Just because something is “successful” by the world’s standards, that does not necessarily mean that it meets with God’s support or approval.

Though “successful” in making the promoters of this lie very wealthy, it is a very thorough perversion of God’s Word. The “seed” talked about in the bible is not money.

In the Bible (Luke 8:11) Jesus Himself explains that the “seed is the Word” and it is sown into different types of soil which represents the hearts of men. (see Luke 8, Matthew 13).

Promoters of the lie of “seed faith” just seek to take your money and make merchandise of you.

2 Peter 2:3
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

We are not to take things related to God and use them as a source of profit for ourselves.

John 2:16
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

If a ministry is truly spreading God’s Word and is working within God’s will, then the ministry should not need to beg for money.

People hear the message that they can get rich by giving money to such and so ministry. When that doesn’t happen, they think that everyone who talks about God is just a charlatan, so they close their hearts and ears. All that these so-called ministries do by preaching “seed faith” is to inoculate and harden people’s hearts against the Gospel.

Additional reading:
http://www.raptureready.com/rr-evil.html

Steps to Financial Freedom

Step 1: Build up $1000 in savings for emergency (something that threatens life, limb, or ability to work)

Step 2: Increase your net worth
a. Do not do anything that increases your debt. No loans, credit cards, etc…
b. Sell off or donate things you don’t need
c. Exchange high payment items for lower payment items
d. Choose free or low cost activities instead of high price excursions
e. Do it yourself instead of hiring contractors
f. Do crafts for gifts instead of high price presents that end up in the trash, storage, or garage sale for 10cents. It’ll mean more anyway.
g. Look for ways to cut expenses and save money. Get rid of leeches. Do you really need 500 cable channels? Getting rid of extra gadgets will also lower utility bills.

Step 3: Pay your food and utility bills; then, minimums on each debt bill, and anything left over send to pay extra on the lowest debt first.

Step 4: Once the lowest debt is payed off, then add what you were paying to pay off the next lowest. Repeat 3 & 4 until all debt is paid off. This gets results fast, and snowballs quickly.

Step 5: If you’re not already, work up to giving at least 10% of what you make (before taxes) to God. Put the next 10% into savings and investments. Give to God first, and ‘pay yourself’ next.

Step 6: Pay bills, then put anything else toward building a secure, non-volatile but accessible nest egg of enough money to meet your living expenses for at least 3-6 months.

Step 7: You’re there! You have security and no debt. Now you can breath easier, formulate a new budget and set immediate (within this year), near term (within 5 years), and long term (college, retirement, etc) goals.
a. Continue giving at least the first 10% to God.
b. Budget around 45% into savings and investments (at least 10% to long term savings and the rest for immediate and near-term goals — buying a house, saving for college, vacations, car, etc).
c. You can now use the remainder for living expenses and anything left over is short term goals, gift giving, activities, and “mad-money”.

Implement some self discipline:
1. If you can’t buy it with cash, you don’t need it. If there is something you want, it is far more satisfying to set goals and save up for it.
2. There is no ‘good’ debt, and you don’t need a credit rating if you have the cash to pay for it.
3. A house is not an investment, it is a home. Don’t commit to more house than you need. If you feel you ‘have’ to carry a debt, your mortgage should be the only one and you should work to pay it off early. Do not get a second mortgage or equity loan, and do not refinance.
4. Do not loan money to friends or family. If you can’t afford to give it to them to keep, then don’t.