When we allow money to control us, we open ourselves up to financial hardship, struggle, loss, frustration, and even demotion. When money starts to control us, problems arise. Many individuals engage in giving, spending, and seeking strange money, which typically represents a life of hardship, loss, frustration. Recurring dreams about money often lead to financial struggles. These dreams can cause long-term poverty and bring shame to a person's career, family, business, and social life.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus warns us, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) When we prioritize money above all else, our hearts become consumed by it, and we lose sight of our true treasure, which is our relationship with God.
But there is hope. We can break free from the grip of money and the ancestral powers that may be holding us back. In the book of Deuteronomy, God promises us, "Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth." (Deuteronomy 8:18) It is God who gives us the power to create wealth, not money itself. In I Timothy 6:10, Paul warns us that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. When we desire to get rich, we open ourselves up to temptation and the potential to fall into sin.
In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus teaches us not to worry about money or material possessions. Instead, we should seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, trusting that all our needs will be met.
But when we trust in wealth rather than God, we are guilty of loving money as our god. As Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:24, no man can serve two masters. We must choose to serve God or money, but we cannot serve both. Furthermore, using our money to oppress others is a sinful behaviour that God condemns. As James writes in James 2:6, "For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant, so the rich will fade away even while they go about their business." And in Isaiah 3:15 and Amos 2:6–7, God speaks out against those who exploit the poor and marginalized.
Wise men and women fear the temptations that wealth brings and recognize the danger of loving money as their god. Let us not fall into the trap of obsessing over money, but instead trust in God and use our resources to bless others and bring glory to Him. May we remember that true wealth is found in our relationship with God, not in our bank accounts.
In Acts 8:20, Peter rebukes Simon, saying, "Your money will perish with you, because you thought you could buy God's gift with it." The fear of poverty drives many people to do wrong things. The desire for money to meet immediate needs can be overwhelming, but it's important to recognize that chasing after "strange money" can have harmful and long-lasting consequences for one's future if not careful."
The Bible's Job is an example of a wealthy individual who prioritized his relationship with God above his riches. He generously used his wealth to help others, as seen in Job 31. When he lost everything in a single day, he remained steadfast in his reverence for God. After demonstrating his unwavering love for God, Job was eventually restored to wealth. This story shows that it is possible for someone to be both rich and devoted to God. However, it's important to recognize that navigating wealth while maintaining a strong faith can be challenging. It requires a conscious effort to avoid letting wealth become an idol and to use it in ways that honor God.
The Bible warns us about the consequences of chasing after "strange money" and the importance of labouring to earn our wealth.
In Proverbs 13:11, we read that wealth obtained by vanity will be diminished, but those who gather by labor will increase. This reminds us that hard work and diligence are essential to earning a living, rather than relying on get-rich-quick schemes or unethical means.
In 1 Timothy 6:9, Paul cautions us that those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, leading to destructive and harmful desires that can ruin our lives. And in Ecclesiastes 5:10, we learn that loving silver or abundance will never bring satisfaction, as this too is vanity. Jesus himself warned us in Luke 12:15 to beware of covetousness and not to define our lives by the abundance of our possessions. And in 1 Timothy 5:8, we are reminded of our responsibility to provide for our own households and not neglect our duties as faithful followers of Christ.
Let us remember that true wealth is not measured by our bank accounts or material possessions, but by our relationship with God and our love for one another. May we prioritize labouring for our wealth with integrity and using it to bless others, rather than chasing after fleeting riches that can lead us astray.In Proverbs 21:20, it says, "The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but a foolish man devours all he has."
I believe that pride and ignorance are two major obstacles that prevent people from prospering. Pride can lead us to think that we don't need help or advice from others. It can make us stubborn and unwilling to learn from our mistakes. And ignorance can keep us in the dark about how to manage our finances, how to invest, and how to save.
But the biggest trap that Satan sets for us is the temptation to steal. Stealing is a sin, my friends. It's a violation of God's laws and it can bring serious consequences, not only in our finances but also in our relationships and our spiritual lives.It grieves my heart to see people stealing money to try to do better things. But let me tell you, stealing is never the solution. It's a quick fix that leads to long-term problems. Instead, let's humble ourselves and seek wisdom from God and from each other. Let's learn how to budget, how to save, and how to invest in a way that honors God.
Remember, that true prosperity comes from God. It's a blessing that He wants to give us, but we need to do our part. Let's work together to break free from the chains of financial struggles and walk in the abundance that God has for us.
Some people might think that spending extravagantly and living lavishly is a sign of success or happiness. But the truth is, without proper accounting and budgeting, we can easily fall into financial trouble and debt. If you are facing financial challenges in your life, it may be a sign that a familiar spirit is attempting to impoverish you or set you back to square one. This spirit may be working to hinder your progress and cause you to struggle financially. It is important to recognize the influence of this spirit and seek spiritual guidance and support to overcome it. By doing so, you can break free from the grip of poverty and move forward in financial stability and prosperity.
As Christians, we are called to be good managers of our resources, not just for our own sake, but for the sake of others. In 2 Corinthians 9:6–7, it says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Let us be mindful of our spending habits and make sure that we are using our resources wisely and generously, not just for our own pleasure, but to bless others and bring glory to God. May we be faithful stewards of what God has given us. We are to use our finances wisely and seeking first the kingdom of God. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus reminds us to prioritize seeking God's kingdom and righteousness and promises that all these things will be added unto us.But often, we forget this verse and fall into the trap of thinking that money is the answer to everything. We spend our money on fleeting pleasures and unnecessary things, without considering the eternal consequences. But let me tell you, my friends, that money can never buy happiness, peace, or salvation. In fact, Jesus warns us in Luke 12:15 that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.
On the other hand, when we use our money to bless others, especially the poor and needy, we are storing up treasures in heaven. In Acts 20:35, Jesus says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." So let us seek first the kingdom of God and use our finances to bring glory to Him, not to satisfy our own selfish desires. May we be good stewards of what God has given us and invest in eternity, not in temporal things that will soon fade away. There are some individuals who are financial wasters, and wisdom dictates that we avoid them. These individuals may be under the influence of a familiar spirit that seeks to suck us dry, to hinder our progress and keep us from achieving our goals.
But we must not be afraid, for we have the power of prayer and the authority of God's word on our side. We must pray against the activities of these familiar spirits and reject their influence in our lives. As the Bible says in James 4:7, "Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." We must also recognize that there are forces of darkness that seek to pull us down, to hinder our advancement and steal our miracle. But we must not be ignorant of their schemes. As the Bible says in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
So let us be vigilant and discerning, my friends. Let us surround ourselves with godly influences and wise counsel. Let us pray for God's protection and provision, and trust in His mercy and grace to prosper us. For it is only by His power and wisdom that we can overcome the schemes of the enemy and experience true riches and blessings in our lives. Let us pray for deliverance from the control of money and for the wisdom to use it wisely. May we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, knowing that all these things will be added to us. (Matthew 6:33).It's the issue of living in poverty while accumulating debt by buying expensive things. This may seem like a contradiction, but sadly, it's a reality for many.
The Bible warns us about the dangers of debt and the importance of living within our means. In Proverbs 22:7, it says "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." When we borrow money to buy things we can't afford, we become slaves to our creditors. We lose our financial freedom and become burdened by debt.
But why do people do this? Why do they buy expensive branded things they can't afford? It's often because they're trying to keep up appearances, to look good in the eyes of others. But the Bible tells us that this is a false idol. In Matthew 6:19–20, Jesus says "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
True wealth and security come from God, not from material possessions. Let us not be fooled by the lies of the world that tell us we need the latest and greatest things to be happy and successful. Let us instead seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and trust that He will provide for our needs. If you're struggling with debt and financial struggles, know that you're not alone. Seek help, seek wisdom, and seek God's guidance. Let us pray for one another and support each other in living a life of financial integrity and faith. Amen.
