Jesse Duplantis Ministries Featuring: 2020 Visionary Conference and The True Purpose of Money

We hope you’re already making plans to attend our 2020 Visionary Conference this March 26-27 (Thursday at 7pm and Friday at 10am and 7pm) held right here at JDM International Headquarters in Destrehan, Louisiana—located just 9 miles from the New Orleans International Airport, and approximately 30 minutes from the city of New Orleans. People from around the world have already registered to be here, and we’re looking forward to joining together in an atmosphere of great faith that will breathe life into every God-ordained dream. Registration and admission are FREE to the 2020 Visionary Conference. Visit http://ow.ly/NZOI50xXdf5.

The True Purpose of Money

by Creflo Dollar

Summary

In the biblical sense, most people do not realize what money should be used for. As a result, they strive for it above anything else. The world attaches great importance to material wealth and uses it as a yardstick to measure people’s worth. The truth is that financial riches are simply a tool to accomplish what is really important, which is spreading the gospel. God knows we need money, and He promises to bless us abundantly with it when we trust and obey His Word. Our vision should be focused on the things of God, not on getting rich. Wealth should never replace Him as our true source, and when we seek Him, abundance will flow.

1. Wise money-management includes planning for the future.
   1. And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? For my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses (Luke 16:1-4).
   1. It is interesting to note that the steward was not too ashamed to steal, yet he was too ashamed to beg. He had not saved up any money for his future.
   2. So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, how much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, a hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then he said to another, How much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations (Luke 16:5-9).
      1. The steward was commended for having the presence of mind to use money as a tool to secure his future.
      2. Sometimes Christians do not save money for themselves and future generations as wisely as the rest of the world. The rest of the world saves up for retirement and puts money aside for their children and grandchildren. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children (Proverbs 13:22).
   3. We should handle money according to the 80/10/10 rule.
   1. Live on eighty percent of our income, tithe ten percent, and save ten percent.
   2. This would force us to live within our means and take a close look at how we spend money. We may even adjust our lifestyle to be more financially prudent.
   4. Financial prosperity should not be our goal. It is a byproduct of seeking God.
   1. When we use money to help others and spread the Gospel, we will be greatly welcomed in heaven.
   2. We must focus on the things of God, and we must not divide that focus. A house divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:25).

2. We must not confuse our priorities or focus on the wrong things.
   1. Our focus must be on seeking God, not on getting rich. Whatever we focus on the most is the thing to which we give strength.
      1. The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be filled with darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:22, 23).
      2. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him (Proverbs 28:22).
   
   2. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5).
   1. When we have thoughts about money that do not line up with the word of God, we have the authority to cast them out.
   2. Even before we focus on God’s desire to bring money our way, it is important to have the right attitude about finances. This helps us reconcile financial prosperity with grace.
   3. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before (Philippians 3:13).
   1. Paul focused on the things of God. He did not divide his attention between God and the things of the world.
   2. The quickest way to destroy a person’s vision is give them two visions. We cannot accomplish our goal if our attention and resources are divided.

3. Godly prosperity affects our entire lives, not just our finances.
   1. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
      1. It is fine to hold down a job, but we must see work in its proper perspective. God’s plan for financial freedom does not rely on the natural results of work.
      2. Our work and our efforts are not the source of the money we see. We are under grace, and this grace is the source.
   2. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth (Ephesians 4:28).
      1. The purpose of work is to be in a position to help others in need. This is what it means to be a blessing. God blessed Abram so that Abram could bless others and prevent misfortune in their lives (Genesis 12:2, 3).
      2. He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay (Proverbs 19:17).
   3. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
      1. The world’s way of operating financially is not the same way that God operates. The Scriptures tell us exactly what to focus on.
      2. Giving financially involves the same kind of trust a farmer has when he plants seed in the ground, trusting that he will eventually reap a harvest.
      3. God’s way to achieve financial prosperity and man’s way are completely different. God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8, 9).
      4. God’s kind of prosperity is a result of faith. The highest form of giving is to help share the Gospel.
   4. And God is able to make all grace, every favor and earthly blessing, come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient, possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation (2 Corinthians 9:8, AMPC).
   1. God is well able to provide the grace and financial sufficiency that we need. When we give, He will increase favor in our lives because we trust Him.
   2. His promises certainly include charitable donations, but those promises are all-inclusive and do not stop at just money.
   3. We receive by faith. Faith can be seen through our confident posture. The centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant demonstrated his faith through his words (Luke 7:1-10). The woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter also spoke her faith (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:25-30).

For more on the real purpose of material wealth, click on the link below for the DVD The True Purpose of Money.
http://bit.ly/TheTruePurposeofMoney

Scripture References

Luke 16:1-9 Proverbs 13:22 Mark 3:25 Matthew 6:22, 23, 33 Proverbs 28:22 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 Philippians 3:13 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Ephesians 4:28

Genesis12:2, 3 Proverbs 19:17 Numbers 23:19 Isaiah 55:8, 9 2 Corinthians 9:8, AMPC Luke 7:1-10 Matthew 15:21-28 Mark 7:25-30