In Case of Fire, Week 3: In My Finances

(Hebrews 12:2) (MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.   (Hebrews 12:3) (MSG) When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!   Title of Message:  In My Finances   (Isaiah 9:6) (NLT) For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Hebrew: Sar Shalom   Prince means: Sar: the one in charge, Lord, chief, general.   Peace means: Shalom: rest, tranquility, wholeness, completeness, contentment.   Is Jesus the Prince of Peace in your finances?   Make Him LORD of your finances.    (Acts 10:36) (NLT) This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Principals that get you out of the fire. 1.    Obedience.    (Malachi 3:7) (NIV84) Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.   (Malachi 3:7) (NIV84) Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’   (Malachi 3:8-9) (NIV84) “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.    (Malachi 3:10) (NIV84) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.   (Malachi 3:10) (NIV84) Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.   (Malachi 3:11) (NIV84) I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty.   (Malachi 3:12) (NIV84) “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.   Obedience is the key that unlocks the peace in your finances.    2.    Contentment (Philippians 4:12) (NIV84) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.   (Proverbs 30:8-9) (NIV84) …Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.   3.    Generosity   (2 Corinthians 8:7) (NIV84) But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.   (Psalm 112:5) (NIV84) Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely… (Proverbs 11:25) (NIV84) A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.   4.    Integrity (Proverbs 20:23) (NIV84) The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.   (2 Corinthians 8:21)(NIV84)For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.   5.    Dependence   (John 16:24) (NIV84) Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.   (James 4:2) (NIV84) You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.