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Deuteronomy 8: But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
First off, before I get into this challenging lesson, let me say that Mary and I are thankful for all of you who tithe, give, and give over and above to help us fulfill this apostolic mission of spreading the message of the Kingdom #Everywhere! We are grateful for your hearts, hard work, and faithfulness to T.E.N. and your local congregation. You are greatly appreciated. Please keep it up. Your reward comes from God and Him alone.
Ephesians 6:8 Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does...
Ok, now let's get into it!
Who's going to pay for all of this? Who going to purchase equipment and pay the rent? Who's going to sow into missions? Who's going to pay bills and keep gas in the cars? Who's going to purchase gifts for the guest and make sure we have everything we need in all of our church plants?
These are questions that most people don't ask or even think about. Most people in the congregation assume the apostles or pastors will pay for it all or the church collectively will. Some people could care less just as long as they get "a word" for their situation. They are selfish and usually are not generous givers. A Christian who does not support Christianity financially (supporting their local church and the mission of Jesus in the earth) is a Oxymoron (contradiction to our faith. Because love gives.)
The reality is Mary and I will pay for it. We will go homeless if it came to that. And yes it has come to that before. Mary and I shouldn't be fronting the rent payments and bills of each church plant EVERY MONTH FOR YEARS. We run businesses, DON'T TAKE A SALARY, and do what's necessary to keep the congregations going. When the church as a whole can't meet the obligations we step in and make sure it's taken care of. For years the churches have struggled financially and Mary and I assume the bills and rent payments. This is inspite of all of the knowledge and wisdom we pour into our members concerning faith, prosperity, business ownership, and the power to get wealth. It's time for the churches to step up, get rich, give generously and help pay for this vision. We can do so much more.
In America, we have too many people with a "spirit of mammon". They serve money and not the true and living God (Matthew 6:24). They want the church to pay them instead of creating personal wealth so they can support the church financially. We are all called to serve WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED! The apostles and senior pastors have a right to receive financial support for the work they do in labouring in the Word (1 Timothy 5:17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching). The sad thing is EVERYONE WANTS TO BE PAID. There are people who will never give their pastors a dime but want their pastors to give them a dime. This generation doesn't tithe, but they want the church to pay them for their "services" as if the church is a business. The members in the congregation should be working or running businesses to pay bills and support their spiritual leaders. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
If we are going to launch and sustain 500 congregations in all 50 states we must become Kingdompreneurs. Our congregations must step up in the area of finances. We need to bring money into the churches so we can increase, grow, sow, and have money set aside for giving and church planting. We should have more than enough. It shouldn't be that the congregations comes up short every week and Mary and I have to pay all the rent payments and most of the bills in all of our church plants. Also we need everyone giving. It's selfish to watch others give while you never give anything. How do you think you're able to enjoy the services, videos, facilities, literature, music, books, etc. Someone is paying for all of that! Everyone should get in on it. Love gives. If you truly love your church and your spiritual leaders, you would give. No one has to make you, force you, or coach you into it. Love automatically gives. Love wants to see the churches make it. Love wants to see the mission fulfilled. Love doesn't want to see others suffer just so the rent can be paid or the lights can stay on. Love doesn't hold back, watch, and complain. No, love participates and is the first to serve and give (with no strings attached). We need MONEY in the offering baskets.
How can we take this around the nation? It's simple. We need people who will become Kingdompreneurs. This means everyone is not trying to preach and teach and get in positions that will take them away from working secular jobs or running businesses. Even the preachers should be "making tents" (Like the apostle Paul). Acts 20: You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. 35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak,remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself:‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Mary and I are SUPPOSED to be supported by the churches we serve, but we choose to run businesses to help support the church plants and also give to others (like the apostle paul did). But we will not always do this. The ministry is going to require us to go full time. It's no way we can continue to run local businesses when God has called us to travel and plant churches #everywhere in the United States. 1 Corinthians 9:14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. Paul was talking about Himself as a true ordained APOSTLE. An apostle not just in title but in a genuine call and is doing the REAL work of it.
So, who is going to get rich to make sure we can do that? Who cares about the mission? Who's passionate? Where your heart is that is where your money will be. Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is,there will your heart be also.
When I see people not giving anything, I always wonder where their heart truly is... (of course I'm not talking about children, teens who don't have jobs, or adults who don't have income coming in).
Who is going to go get the wealth of the sinner and bring it back into the ministry? Prov 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just (righteous people).
Is 60:5 Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
We don't want our churches to continue to barley make it. Let's take our tithes and offerings in EVERY church to a new level. Let's have more than enough each week. When we need to purchase things and plant new churches, we should be able to do it immediately. The churches need to get RICH!
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
Things you can do:
1. Run a side business and use the funds to help our mission of church planting. This is actually how you get the wealth of the sinner. Open a business or a service where EVERYONE pays you.
2. Get extra hours on your job and give that money to your local congregation. It will help us with our obligations.
3. Invest into Real Estate. Real Estate is the greatest investment because it is REAL! Get rich in Real Estate and support yourself and missions.
4. Save money just for the purpose of giving over and above each month to T.E.N.
5. Give. Don't watch. We need you to give and give consistently. Kingdompreneurs don't only make and create wealth, they also give it away. Show me a real rich person saved or unsaved and I will show you a giver. One thing rich people have in common is they are all generous people who love to give.
Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to give to the one in need.
When you are generous in your giving (over and above what's required) you have a mighty promise attached to it. Read the following verses and expect for it to happen to you!
2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 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. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, 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:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”[a]
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 enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Be Blessed and let's do this! Pastor Doc