The Way to Truth and Prosperity

The Way to Truth and Prosperity
By Gerald Chester www.strategieswork.com
You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:17 [NIV]

Need a new car? Does your house need to be updated? Need to pay off credit card debt? Is your company struggling to make payroll? Does your company need capital to expand, develop a new product, or to explore new opportunities? See an investment opportunity?

Since most of us believe that the answer to life’s challenges is money, we assume that the solution to all of the above is money. This causes us to focus on and be preoccupied with money.

The assumption that money is the solution to many, if not most, of life's challenges is all too common. This perspective has been around for thousands of years.

The text above was written to the Christian community at Laodicea nearly two thousand years ago. This Christian community thought the same as most of us do today. They believed that money was the answer to life’s problems and challenges.

Placing trust and confidence in physical assets was and continues to be a powerful deception. The second half of the above verse expresses the truth. When we trust in our tangible physical wealth, we are trapped, imprisoned, powerless, hopeless, and unprotected—not a good place to be. When we think money is the solution to meet our needs and solve our problems, we are living in deception.

To better understand the above verse, consider how the universe was created. A spirit being, whom we know to be God, created the tangible physical world. This means that spiritual reality is the fundamental reality and physical reality emanates from spiritual reality. Notwithstanding the apparent prosperity of the wicked (see Psalms 73), tangible wealth is therefore a physical manifestation of underlying spiritual reality. Consequently, tangible wealth is never a root issue; it is only a symptom of underlying spiritual reality.

Our true needs are fundamentally spiritual in nature and are manifested in the physical realm in various ways. For example, consider the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. They were told that obedience to God (spiritual reality) would manifest itself in family, financial, and political blessings. The reverse was also true. Disobedience (spiritual reality) would manifest itself in family, financial, and political calamity (see Deuteronomy 28).

To truly solve problems in life, therefore, we must deal with root issues, which are always spiritual in nature. We must recognize that money problems are symptoms of underlying spiritual issues.

Here is your business tip: The key to prosperity in God’s universe is spiritual alignment with Him (Matthew 6:33). This text teaches that our role is to align with God’s kingdom (His rule and reign) and to do it according to righteousness (His ways). There is provision when we do this. To quote my friend Dennis Peacocke: “God funds His will.”

Whenever you face an apparent need and don’t have the requisite money, there is an alignment issue or issues. To help you uncover the root issues, consider the following:

* Have you truly discerned the Lord’s will for yourself and/or your organization?
* Is there sin in your life and/or in your community (home, business, church, and/or nation)?
* Is this a test from God to build your faith?
* Is this a timing issue—it may be God’s will but the wrong time?

Honest assessment of the spiritual reality at work in your circumstances will enable you to discern how to pray and act in alignment with God, which will release provision to do His will. This is the way of truth that leads to blessings in God's universe.

When Kings Get Drunk

When Kings Get Drunk

Learning to drink - In 1995 Sue and I went back to Toronto to the Airport Vineyard to catch an outpouring... there were meetings six nights a week and people were there from at least 60 different nations. Our congregation was glad to see me go; and to some degree pushed me out the door. As an engineer who was raised on a ranch, I didn't naturally release my heart or my emotions in front of them. When we got to Toronto the meetings were filled with the presence of God and the speakers felt no obligation to teach a coherent message. The goal was to help people experience the Holy Spirit. Nearly every one ended up on the floor at some time. Laughter and healing were common ingredients. Waves would sweep over the congregation of a couple of thousand people - It was thrilling to see the Lord move. I wanted to be part of it all and I learned that if I was willing to surrender and allow the Lord to touch my own heart that I could laugh too. It healed something in my heart that I carry to this day and cherish very much. I've never again been ashamed to release my heart or emotions to simply share the heart of Jesus whether it's tears or laughter.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Prov 17:22

When we got home our church experienced the same thing. Waves of laughter would overtake those willing to release their hearts and enjoy His presence. We basked in His glory and enjoyed the season. I didn't think I'd changed but my closest friends and family told me I had. It was wonderful. The revival was a season in God that has passed, but my heart was changed forever.

A bike wreck - Yesterday David and Poul and I drove through the countryside of Ukraine on the way from Lutsk to L'viv. We passed horse drawn wagons and old women watching Holsteins as they grazed in unfenced meadows. As we passed through one small town a middle aged man drove the bike he was riding into a curb and fell awkwardly in slow motion. Poul pointed out that he was drunk and had probably spent his small wage in a bar on his way home to his family. It was a metaphor for us. Let me explain.

The pull on your heart - I've witnessed "live" God moving through Kings to change a nation. Paul started a gate factory that employs about 15 people. Tommy, his manager, chose to staff the factory with local men from rehab. They aren't all saved yet. The factory is two years old and they have done an amazing job of balancing the quality and production of their product in a bureaucratic culture with a staff that is not naturally entrepreneurial. The cash flow is almost positive and Paul has a vision to start 2 more factories in the future.

There are struggling church plants, new businesses in a down economy, and hundreds of worthwhile people and causes that pull on your heart. Our conference and books will play a strategic role in the Kingdom here to make missions self-supporting by Releasing Kings.

To drink or abstain - Kings with tender hearts have a huge temptation to empty their wallets and play a role in changing places like the Ukraine. Where do we draw a line and find the balance between wisdom and the party? Let me offer a simple recipe.

We're not too surprised when youthful servants empty their wallets for a good cause. There is a camp that describes it as a sacrifice that God delights in - the widow's mite. It's really a poverty mentality inspired by spiritual vodka that lives for the moment.

Kings have a store of seed that God "continually increases." They give out of the overflow of those businesses and investments. They never give away the seed that is producing the next harvest. In fact, God is calling Kings to have a hundred year vision and answer this question. How will your vision and seed pass on to the next generation so that your work will continue (and increase) after you're gone? Those business plans that cover decades and mentor our replacements are the inheritance and Kingdom legacy God is calling us to steward.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever."

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Cor 9:8-11 NIV

Wisdom - It's not spiritual for Kings to give away all their money. When they risk or give away their seed, they risk or give away their ministry now and in the future. Does it happen? Yes, Kings can get addicted to the anointing and give away their seed. Their wives feel exactly like the wife of the alcoholic who wrecked his bike and showed up at the door with vodka on his breath... with no money for food.

For Kings, giving feels so good it can be addictive. But God has His eye our our spiritual grandchildren and how we steward our message and our seed so the next generations can run with it... and exceed our own exploits. What has really opened my eyes is seeing what God is doing in 20 something's. They are golden. My heart is leaping because they will Release Kings at levels we've never imagined. Our assignment is to steward their inheritance in the message and the money and the ministry so that the baton is passed without missing a step.

A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children... Prov 13:22 NIV





We're Dancing



John and Sue www.Releasing-kings.com

GLORIOUS FREEDOM

Glorious Freedom
Roots of Freedom - Freedom is the very nature of the Kingdom of God; bondage and slavery describe the kingdom of darkness. Wherever the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. "Religion" does have a reputation for legalism - getting people to do what they don't want to do. However, real and Biblical spirituality is learning to pursue your heart's desires and finding the will of God at the same time. We live for a purpose larger than ourselves and we live to see dreams come true. It's exciting!
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. Rom 8:18-21 NIV
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor 3:16-17 NIV
Jesus came to set the captives free. Think about that concept. Real freedom costs money. You can be totally saved, spirit-filled and on your way to Heaven. But, if you live in poverty you are really a slave to society unable to attain your dreams. We don't deny the freedom that comes with salvation, the freedom we experience in worship, and the freedom that comes from loving relationships. Those things don't cost money. I'm simply suggesting that "abundance" includes the financial flexibility to be "free" to ______. You can fill in the blank.
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10 NASU
Why some choose poverty - I've experienced the chagrin of showing people ways to multiply their finances only to have them say, "no thanks." Why? Freedom is spelled r-e-s-p-o-n-s-i-b-i-l-i-t-y. The freedom to be entrepreneurial, multiply finances, take risks and pursue your dream always implies trying... with the possibility of failure. Risk is something many people won't tolerate. It feels safer to choose the path of least resistance, lay low and do what we've always done. Listen to what that attitude sounds like.
All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." Num 14:2-4 NIV
The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death." Ex 16:3 NIV
Failure is good! - Want to know a secret? Failure can motivate us to succeed. We can learn from mistakes. Truly free societies are always predicated on free markets where some succeed and some don't. Breaking the stronghold of poverty in a culture or a nation can't be done with handouts or trying to protect people from failures. We all need to learn responsibility. If we don't, poverty is a guarantee. Dictators, communists, and socialists don't create wealth or freedom for their people. They oppress them on the edge of poverty.
Let me say it politically... the Kingdom of God uses capitalism to create the wealth that is used for ministry. Socialism pretends to have a heart for the poor, but what it really does is eliminate wealth and discourage responsibility from entire cultures and nations. People who have come out from under the tyranny of communism are often left still wanting their government (or somebody) to provide for them. Freedom from oppression doesn't automatically translate to personal initiative and responsibility. We have to embrace the responsibility that comes with freedom.
Note: Harold has two teachings on capitalism dated June 4 and 11, 2009 on his web site. They are worth listening to ~ an hour each.
Suggestion - If you're saved (and free), I can assure you that you have, are, or soon will be exposed to the trials and discouragement that go with failure. You probably know that. What you may not know is that those setbacks can be used to lay a foundation in your character for success. That's the genius of freedom. We can fail and succeed. You are guaranteed your fair share of failures - HELLO! However, all of creation is waiting with eager expectation to see you use your freedom to move beyond your failures and succeed personally... and then to use that success as leverage to help others succeed as well. It's fun and it includes finances. It's ministry!
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom 5:3-5 NASU
If you take a risk, encounter a few failures and stick with it, you will not be disappointed. God, Himself will promote you into things like wisdom and wealth and influence and long life for the sake of the Kingdom and because he loves you and because he loves the captives you will set free. You just have to sign up for the cost of admission. Bust a few doors down!

It was for freedom that Christ set us free... Gal 5:1 NASU



We're Dancing

John and Sue www.Releasing-kings.com

The Morality of Business

The Morality of Business
Does business = greed? - I was talking to a good friend a few days ago and sharing about day trading. He asked a simple question, "When you make money on a trade, isn't someone else losing money?" I fumbled for an answer and suggested we were probably taking some of George Soros' money and that the US was printing plenty of extra money for us to make anyway. I vainly tried to "humor" away a legitimate response.
We addressed this question in Releasing Kings, chapter 17. There is a belief that "the resource pie is fixed." In other words, if you use too much oil, or electricity, or make too much money, someone else will have less. Although we need to be good stewards of our resources, the real truth is that God is the source of wealth and resources and He has enough for everyone. Did you know that if all the money in the world was divided by the number of people the in the world, we would each have $7M? Do you understand why you do not yet have your share?
Back to my friends question: When a company posts a job for one new employee and you get the job, that means other applications are rejected. Does that mean you should never apply for a job? Colleges have entrance exams to limit enrollment to their ability to handle a specific number of students. If you pass the exam and gain entrance, a spot is taken that someone else could have gotten. Does that mean you should never apply to college?
As I thought through this issue, I realized I was still carrying a poverty mentality in this area. Competition isn't a bad thing, neither is being entrepreneurial. In fact, you are really in a position to help others only when you succeed yourself. The concept that the resource pie is fixed and "more for me means less for you" is the primary ingredient in socialism and communism and poverty. It is always the justification for more government control. It also perpetuates poverty because welfare is one of the root causes of a "victimized" mindset. People place their expectations on government instead of exercising faith in God.
And the answer is? - There are answers to the national problems we face in every mountain. The goal of the government mountain is to release Kings; to facilitate entrepreneurial genius instead of trying to provide it. Government bureaucracies are famous world-wide for inefficiency because they are staffed with servants instead of Kings. We do have many examples of wonderful elected officials. However, they are all great for the same reason - They enabled people to provide for themselves. They set people free to meet their own needs, to create their own inventions, to own their own land, and to pursue their own vision.
The morality of business - Adding value to the lives of people by providing something they need is the crux of ministry. Wealth is the natural result of the wisdom it takes to come up with those entrepreneurial ideas. The process of gaining wisdom that produces wealth to enable ministry is simply discipleship. It's a process that the Christian community has not emphasized - we have generally not wanted to soil our hands with filthy lucre! Instead, we need to celebrate believers that "know how" to obtain wealth and convert it to ministry (wisdom). Their business models often "minister" in ways we don't consider ministry. People all over the world that receive this newsletter are blessed by Bill Gates' software - I think he deserves some wealth!
The wealth of the wise is their crown... Prov 14:24 NIV

To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. Eccl 2:26 NIV

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Prov 3:13-16 NIV
Why Jewish people prosper - They simply have a theology that supports prosperity. While theologians lived off the offerings of the masses and debated the sin of usury, Jewish businessmen were happy to open banks and loan other people money to start their businesses. They deemed the banking industry to be an honorable and moral service to their communities - a ministry. They understood that it was a curse to be the borrower and not the lender. They understood the value of interest and the wisdom of investing in other people.
He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him. He will be the head, but you will be the tail. Deut 28:44 NIV
While Christians considered the merits of humility and service, the Jewish people felt totally free to become famous and influential. There understood honor was the blessing of God and that it was His purpose to make their name great and their nation great. Jewish people are very popular in the entertainment field... because their theological roots free them to be that way.
"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Gen 12:2-3 NIV
The emphasis on prophetic revelation and miracles in modern Christianity naturally leads to the concept of living by faith for miraculous provisions. The Jewish mindset is more balanced and more Biblical. They understand wealth is more often the result of wisdom and work. They would more naturally seek wisdom and opportunities than pray for money. Living in expectation that our financial needs will be met by a miracle (wealth transfer) is a sure formula for poverty.
Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for — both riches and honor — so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 1 Kings 3:13-14 NIV

Note: I'm enjoying Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. The first chapter provides a great explanation of why Jewish people prosper. Fascinating - because it exposes some of the unbiblical poverty in our theology.

We're Dancing

John and Sue www.Releasing-kings.com

HIGH POSITION

High Positions

By Os Hillman www.marketplaceleaders.org


"The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position" (James 1:9).
Whenever God takes a saint to a very lowly state it is designed to accomplish something only that process can do. Job learned that "He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light" (Job 12:22). Job's trials allowed him to learn things about God, himself and his friends that we all needed to know as well. He assumed things about God that he had to recant: "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know" (Job 42:3).
God reveals things in the dark places of circumstances that will be used to reveal something He wants you and others to know. He has sent you ahead to learn these things so that you and others will benefit from your unique experience. God views this place where you receive these truths as a high position. The world views it as a place to be despised.
"He called down a famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them - Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles; his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true" (Psalms 105:16-19). Joseph was also led to this high position. It was here he was prepared to be the most powerful man in the world as a thirty-year old. He learned many things about God during his captivity that was used later as a ruler over a nation.
So, if you find yourself in a lowly state, realize your lowly state is considered a high position by God that is preparation soil for revealing deep things from the dark places that God desires you to learn.

Breaking Poverty - Releasing Prosperity

Breaking Poverty - Releasing Prosperity
A Wealthy Soul - I believe we are in a season where doors of prosperity are opening for the sake of the Kingdom. Let's talk about why money flows toward some people and flees from others.
Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2 NASU
People who are already wealthy in soul and spirit tend to prosper financially as well. Money doesn't really make us wealthy. We can be rich before money begins to flow. A prosperous soul is the first ingredient for breaking poverty. There are a few simple principles for growing financially that must be added to a prosperous soul and spirit before finances begin to flow. Let's cover as many as we can and I'll give you some recommended reading at the end of this newsletter.
Why Wealth? - The first issue is motives. What would you buy if you had plenty of money? There are two common responses and I want to suggest that both are very wrong.
1) Most of us have a list of things we would like to purchase if we had a few more dollars. If we had the money, we would buy them.
2) Many believers would say, "I am basically content and I don't need to be wealthy - my needs are covered and I don't want to be encumbered worrying about how to make more money."
In response to #2 - 50,000 people die each and every day due to poverty related causes and you're telling me you don't need any more money? Can you see how selfish that attitude is? It's true, as long as you think only about yourself and your immediate family, you may not need more money.
In response to #1 - People who have wealth give to needs and make purchases for themselves out of their profits; they give and buy from the overflow of a full cup. The first thing they do differently with their "seed" is buy income generating assets. Poverty will give away seed or use it to buy liabilities; prosperity is a good steward of seed and they know how to multiply it. If you ask a prosperous person what they would like to do with their money, they will talk about their next investment or business expansion (income generating assets). Poverty will answer the same question by talking about the house, car, or computer they would like to purchase.
How to Give - One of the great tragedies in the church is that people are taught the way to prosperity is giving away your seed and believing God for a miracle. That works if you're a televangelist with your own TV show because everyone sends you money. People who are taught to give away their seed remain in poverty all their lives. We taught the church how to remain poor and stay out of marketplace ministry! Isn't that totally amazing? One more thing - there is no such thing as an end-time wealth transfer that will wash away all the sins of bad stewardship.
I'm not suggesting we stop giving. We can budget for both tithes/offerings and savings and investing. My real point is that good investments that multiply our seed are just as important as regular giving.
Money is spiritual - Each of us were created by God with unique gifts and talents that minister to other people. As Christians we naturally enjoy blessing other people including the nations (Gen 12:2-3). It's in our spiritual DNA. What we each need to realize is that the things we enjoy doing have value for others that can be converted to wealth and multiplied to create even more value. You were not designed to waste away in a job you don't enjoy just for the sake of a paycheck. You were designed to love working to see your heart's desire come to fruition. Work really is an expression of your ministry. That's the genius of being entrepreneurial. The process of finding your destiny and learning to convert your talents to wealth so they can be multiplied is one of the most spiritual things you can do.
"Ministry" - What you have to offer the world that will bless them so much that they will gladly pay for it in exchange for the benefit they receive "value"... and thus enable you to minister to even more people.
Money flows toward vision - Have a good answer to the question, "What would you do if you had more money." You see, money is just a tool that can be multiplied and converted to ministry. Make no mistake, it's very spiritual to know how to multiply finances. If, in your own heart, you know that you and God are on the same page with financial priorities, you will be entrepreneurial, take initiatives and prosper. If your priorities are fuzzy you will gravitate toward passivity and poverty.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6:33 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:11-13 NIV

12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Deut 28:12-13 NIV
Be a mentor - If you are prosperous, make it your goal to mentor others to go beyond your level. People are always the best investments. You are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. God has designed the Kingdom to bless others through you. It's important that your cup runs over; the world is waiting and so is God.
Recommended reading - My favorite books are Releasing Kings and Desire to Destiny. However, I try to read new material on marketplace ministry. Sunday Adelaja is a Pastor in Ukraine who has written an excellent book on this topic, Money Won't Make You Rich. Worth reading because it's contemporary, filled with insights, and very balanced.

We're Dancing

John and Sue www.Releasing-kings.com

Confronting your industry culture

Confronting Your Industry Culture

By Os Hillman www.marketplaceleaders.org


"Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers'" (Matt 21:12-13).
Sometimes a corporate culture dictates the way business is conducted because it was established years before. We simply inherit whatever the accepted practice is. Some of these practices violate a biblical principle. For instance, some businesses withhold payment on invoices for sixty, ninety or one hundred twenty days as a form of cash management, which places a heavy burden on suppliers. Some government custom's employees require a bribe in order to get your product into their country. One nation thinks nothing about their practice of software piracy because it has simply become a part of their culture.
God never allows for situational ethics. There are absolutes in the Kingdom of God. The Word of God does not change because of culture or accepted practice.
It was an "industry practice" to sell doves in the temple. But Jesus never accepted the practice because he knew it was turning a holy place of prayer into a commercial enterprise. It did not matter that it was an accepted practice.
God calls each of us to operate from a plumb line of righteousness in our work life, no matter the consequence. Zerubbabel led the first band of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from the Babylonian Captivity in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia (Ezra). Zerubbabel is also noted for laying the foundation of the second temple in Jerusalem the next year. He was a leader who managed with integrity and righteousness. He was a man who God and others wanted in charge. "Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel" (Zech 4:10).
Evaluate your industry practices and make sure you are not violating God's Word. Let your plumb line be measured by His precepts.