Financial Blessing

* ESTHER
• SPIRITUAL VS. FINANCIAL
• WHY GOD OFTEN WANTS TO BLESS US FINANCIALLY
• BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR FINANCIAL BLESSING
• CONCLUSION
* QUESTIONS

 

* ESTHER 

Esther became the queen during the reign of King Xerxes. She did not reveal her Jewish nationality because Mordecai, her uncle who had raised her, had forbidden her to do so. When the wicked Hamaan persuaded the king to sign a law proclaiming a day to annihilate the Jews, Mordecai asked Esther to go before the king and plead for her people. Esther, through one of her servants, reminded Mordecai how dangerous this was because anyone who approached the king without being summoned would be put to death.

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer:
"’Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.” Esther 4:12-14

This Scripture passage gives us much insight as to how God controls our lives. He had placed Esther in this position at this time because He knew what was going to happen. He gave her the choice whether to obey Him or not. The Jewish people would be spared whether Esther obeyed or not, but her obedience would determine her own destiny and the destiny of her family. God knew that Esther would obey, with Mordecai’s prompting, because He knows all things.

God has more control over our lives than is often realized:
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 and again, “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24

God has the ability to bring prosperity to those who love Him:
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.” Proverbs 3:1-2

 

God also has the ability to punish people who dishonor His Name in their money dealings:
“…the income of the wicked brings them punishment.” Proverbs 10:16
Riches meant nothing to Gehazi after he was punished with leprosy after being dishonest (2 Kings 5:19-27).
 

People would be more apt to consult with God about their finances if they realized how much control He has over money. If we follow His principles, we will usually be blessed financially.
Before we examine biblical principles of financial blessing, we must put financial blessing in the proper perspective.
 

 

• SPIRITUAL VS. FINANCIAL

In view of eternal values, it means nothing if we are blessed financially, but do not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord:
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36
Money will mean nothing when God pours out His wrath on the world:
“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath…” Proverbs 11:4
Riches will mean nothing on the day of God’s judgment. What difference will money make when
we stand before God?
“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,” Hebrews 9:27

 

Our attitude should be the same as the Apostle Paul:
“…I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8
Material possessions are not to be compared with knowing Jesus Christ.

 

Someone asked Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Jesus said:
“Man, who appointed me to be a judge or an arbiter between you…Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:14-15
Then Jesus told them a parable of a rich man who planned to build bigger barns in which to store his possessions while he took life easy:
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself.’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20-21

 

Although some Christians have suffered in this life, they were blessed and will be blessed in a way that is worth much more than financial blessing:

Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and floggings, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated–the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:35-40

 

Many people are in God’s perfect will yet have little control over their finances:
“…Has not God chosen those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him?” James 2:5
In the end times the beast/antichrist will be “…given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them…” Revelation 13:7
Part of this persecution will involve the fact that:
“…no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark…” Revelation 13:17
Saints will not receive the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:9-12) so they will not be able to buy or sell at this time. God will provide all they need if they seek His kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:33), but they will have to do without money.
The amount of money or possessions a person has is not a basis on which to judge spirituality. The church at Laodicea said:
“…I am rich and do not need a thing…” but Jesus said of them: “…you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelation 3:17

 

However, money is a necessity in this world system. It is necessary because we are imperfect people. When we all become like Jesus (“For those the Lord foreknew he also predestined to become conformed to the likeness of his Son…” Romans 8:29), we won’t need money. In this present world money can be used for evil or good, foolishly or wisely. God’s Word tells us how to use money.

 

 

* WHY GOD OFTEN WANTS TO BLESS US FINANCIALLY

Money is one of the means with which God takes care of us, tests us and allows us to use our creativity:
“The wages of the righteous brings them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.” Proverbs 10:16
Money is like a key–a little thing, but when you need a key to get into your house it’s important. Money can open the door to blessing. God wants to bless His children financially, if we will use money for His glory. The finances He gives us or we give others can advance His kingdom:

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. As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ 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. 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 Corinthians 9:8-11

 

If others know why we are blessed financially, God will be glorified:
“The house of the righteous contains great treasure…” Proverbs 15:6
Our example can either honor or dishonor God:
“…Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:9
Some of His treasured creation will not be in Heaven with Him if we do not obey Him concerning money. Every little thing we do, for or against Jesus, has an eternal consequence:
“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” Proverbs 10:22
Any money that God gives us will be a blessing to us and/or others:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
Every gift that God gives us is good and perfect whether spiritual or financial.

 

 

* BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR FINANCIAL BLESSING

 

Following are basic biblical principles that usually bring financial blessing.
(1 If there were only one rule for financial blessing, it would be:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
We are not to worry because God has promised to take care of our needs (Matthew 6:25-34). We are to seek his kingdom and his righteousness as our first priority, and we will receive whatever we need to do His will (2 Corinthians 9:8-11).
Putting the will of God first implies obedience. Obedience to God brings blessing:
“The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.” Proverbs 11:18

 

God has promised His children all we need, and He gives us so much more. We should be content:
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:7-8

 

Sometimes God allows something to be taken away because we won’t be needing it any longer. For example, before David became king he ruled over the city of Ziklag in the land of the Philistines (1 Samuel 30). While he and his men were away, the Amalekites burned Ziklag and carried off the women and all who were in it. David and his men rescued the captives and what was taken as plunder. Ziklag had been burned. However, David didn’t need the town of Ziklag. In the course of time God called him to Hebron where he became king.
David could say, “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 because he knew God would keep His promises to those who love Him. We love Him if we keep His commands (John 15:10 14; 1 John 5:2-4).

 

(2 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
We must ask God how to use our possessions, listen for His answers and obey. God wants us to ask and keep on asking:
“When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3
God will ignore our requests when we are asking selfishly:
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…” Ephesians 6:18
If we are praying in the Spirit, we are conscious that we are talking to God–we should know if what we are asking is in His will. If we don’t know, we just have to wait for His answer:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

(3 "Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God." Exodus 23:19
“You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.” Numbers `8:29
"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." Proverbs 3:9
Ten per cent (the tithe) of the money we earn or receive in any way (although God does not want money acquired by dishonest means) belongs to God. Tithing was not established under the Old Testament Law but 430 years earlier. It was a covenant connector or covenant token made with Abraham. Tithes are first mentioned in Genesis 14:17-24. Abraham gave a tenth of what he owned to God:
“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God most Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything…” Hebrews 7:1-2
This is the tithe we are commanded to return to God:
“Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who became priests to collect a tenth from the people…” Hebrews 7:5
We are to give our tithe to a local body of believers we feel God wants us to attend:
“‘I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.’” Numbers 18:21

The local church is to tithe to their authority under God:
“Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering.” Hebrews 18:26
Jesus reaffirmed the principle of tithing when He said:
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” Luke 11:42
“Justice and the love of God” is more important, but we should not leave "the former (tithing) undone”.
We are robbing God if we do not tithe. An offering is anything that we give beyond ten percent–something we want to give to God. We would be robbing God of offerings if we do not give Him the money we feel He wants us to give even if it goes beyond the tithe:

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. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. 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. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,’ says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord Almighty." Malachi 3:8-12

 

It is a serious thing to be robbing God. No wonder He won’t bless us financially, if we are robbing Him in the first place! Even a non-Christian who tithes is often blessed financially.
A consequence to the whole assembly of God’s people of not tithing is seen in Nehemiah 13:10-11. The Levites and singers responsible for the service in the house of the Lord had to go back to work; they had to support themselves so they were not free to minister to the people. Nehemiah corrected the situation by rebuking the officials and stationing the Levites at their posts. The people repented:
“All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and oil into the storehouses.” Nehemiah 13:12

 

We are to bring our tithes to the local church–"house of the Lord" Exodus 23:19, "storehouse" Nehemiah 13:12, Malachi 3:10. Our offerings (any money beyond our tithes that we wish to give to God) can go to any place we chose. Because we are to be good stewards of our money, we should pray that the money God has given us will be used wisely and then trust God to use His money the way He wants. We are to the best of our ability to put our money into the hands of responsible people who will use it wisely. Those people will be judged according to the way they spend the money entrusted to them. If they are deceitful or foolish in spending the money we give them, they will be held responsible.

 

There are people who give everything to God thinking that then He or others have to give back to them. Unless God tells us to do this, it can be very foolish and, perhaps, selfish. Others will have to care for us if we don’t take care of ourselves. If we give money away that we need to care for ourselves, then the person that gives to us is really the person doing the giving. And usually the person that gives expecting others to give to them gives foolishly.

 

(4 In order to be blessed financially our integrity and honesty should be beyond reproach:
“The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are His delight.” Proverbs 11:1
“Abhors” means “to shrink away from with horror; feel disgust for; hate very, very much” The World Book Dictionary
God detests and abhors dishonest scales–the opposite of delighting in accurate weights:
"Differing weights and differing measures–the Lord detests them both.” Proverbs 20:10
The importance of the fact that God detests dishonesty is evidenced by repetition:
“The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.” Proverbs 20:23

If God detests dishonesty, we can be sure we will suffer just consequences because God controls the outcome of our money dealings.
God says to Israel:
“You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” Deuteronomy 25:15-16
If we want to be secure and blessed by God, we need to be honest.
 

He also says:
“Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool.” Jeremiah 17:11
Money gained by unjust means will vanish, probably when it is most needed.
God can say such things as:
“…the income of the wicked brings them trouble.” Proverbs 15:6
The wicked include those who are dishonest with their money:
“The wicked borrow and do not repay…” Psalm 37:21

He gives us free choice in many areas, but determines the consequences of our choices:
“A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.” Proverbs 21:6

 

First, God tells us that if we acquire money dishonestly, it will be a fleeting vapor:
“Ill-gotten treasures are of no value…” Proverbs 10:2
Without His help we will spend that money foolishly or God will not bless what we buy and it will decay quickly.

 

Second, money acquired dishonestly will in some way become a deadly snare to our family or us. We will receive the curses of disobedience: (Deuteronomy 28).
The Bible tells us what happens to dishonest money:
“Dishonest money dwindles away…” Proverbs 13:11
"Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice." Proverbs 16:8
Nothing acquired contrary to God’s laws will bring happiness:
“A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 28:20
Someone eager to get rich will not consider God in their decisions. They may even acquire much gain with injustice.
"A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice." Proverbs 17:23
God calls a person who accepts bribes wicked and greedy. He will pervert the course of justice bringing trouble to his family or to a nation:
"A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live." Proverbs 15:27

 

The tenth commandment is:
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17
Coveting often leads to manipulation, deceit, lying or stealing. For example, trying to make a person feel guilty that they have something so they will give it to you is manipulation. Borrowing something and purposely not returning it is stealing.

 

However, there is a solution; God expects us to change:
“He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” Ephesians 4:18
The opposite of stealing is working to earn money so we will not only have enough for ourselves, but so we will have something to share.
“Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.” Proverbs 16:11
Honesty and treating others the way we want to be treated is God’s idea.

 

 

(5 We must be generous to receive the blessing of the Lord:
“A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9
David was an old man who had lived life acquiring wisdom by following God when he wrote:
"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely and their children are blessed." Psalm 37:25-26
The generous person and their children will always have their needs met.
 

In fact, withholding unduly can make one poor:
“A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.” Proverbs 28:22
If we are generous. We will receive all we need to give and so will give glory to God:

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. 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. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” (Psalm 112:9)
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. 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.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

 

(6 Diligence and hard work bring financial blessing:
“Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” Proverbs 10:4-5
It is important to teach our children diligence. My husband told our children that if they proved themselves as good workers, they would never be without a job.
 

Get rich quick schemes turn out to be get poor quick schemes. The way to acquire finances is to work hard and slowly build a profit:
“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.” Proverbs 12:11 (See also Proverbs 28:19).
We don’t usually get something for nothing. The Bible says:
“…If a man will not work he shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10
In the same passage Paul tell us that if someone is getting their money by manipulation we are to be aware of this life style and not fellowship with such a person:
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.” 1 Thessalonians 3:6

 

“…He who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Proverbs 13:11
We make money grow little by little by working for it:
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23
"He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich." Proverbs 21:17
God gives us all things to enjoy, but they should not become overly important to us. If we buy luxuries we cannot afford, we will never be rich:
“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." Proverbs 21:20
God wants us to have self-control; He wants us to have control of our possessions, under His direction.

 

The Bible says about the “wife of noble character” described in Proverbs 31:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” She is a wife that “sets about her work vigorously” so that she cares for her family, supports her husband and “opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Ruth (one of two women who has a book of the Bible named after her) is an example of a noble woman and one of her qualities was that she worked hard.

 

Our goal should be to lead a quiet life, minding our own business and doing honest work. This is what wins respect, not pretending to be important:
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you may not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Proverbs 13:4
The way God usually blesses a person is by giving him work to do so he can pay his own expenses and provide for the needs of those who aren’t able to work.
 

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men." Proverbs 22:29
A wise person will often take the time and expense of acquiring a skill. This takes patience, perseverance and often much sacrifice, maybe even long hours of work to earn the money for training. If this is what you feel God would have you do, you have chosen a noble course.
 

We are not supposed to waste our resources. When Jesus fed the 5,000 (Matthew 14, Mark 14, Luke 9, John 6):
“…the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.”
When He fed 4,000 (Matthew 15, Mark 8):
“…The disciples picked up seven basketfuls of pieces that were left over.”
Jesus did not allow what was left over to be wasted. 
 

Be wise in spending your money. If you buy only what you need, unless the Lord directs you otherwise, you will not spend money that you either do not have or should go to others. Then you will not spend time buying, time and money repairing, time and effort finding a storage place, worry about thieves stealing or time, effort and worry getting possessions back from a borrower.
"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." Proverbs 21:5 
And take care of what you have:
"The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions." Proverbs 12:27

(7 The best protection is to make sure you have THE LORD’S DIRECTION when you loan or give money:
"…Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16
Some people will try to manipulate money from God’s people:
“The leech has two daughters.  ‘Give!  Give!’ they cry.” Proverbs 30:15
Although God will care for His faithful servants even if money is taken from them, and although he will punish those taking the money, much money that could be used to further the kingdom of God is wasted. We have to be wise stewards of our money.
False teachers “…think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” 1 Timothy 6:5 and “…they are experts in greed…” 2 Peter 1:14
Carefully following God’s wisdom will protect you from false teachers:
“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.” Proverbs 2:12-15

 

Loaning or giving money to members of God’s family requires special discernment. New Christians might need help financially, but a mature Christian should stop asking and start giving:
“…Speaking the truth in love…” Ephesians 4:15 is the best way to handle difficult situations.
If in doubt, do the generous thing. Someone might be manipulating you out of money, but the Bible says:
“…the income of the wicked brings them trouble.” Proverbs 15:6b
They get a little money that will bring them trouble. You get wisdom (if you learn from your mistake) that will last for eternity.

 

(8 We need to praise the Lord. Instead of focusing on what we do not have, we need to focus on what we do have:
“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income…” Ecclesiastes 5:10
It is interesting to consider that if you do not think you have enough money, you may be giving money too high a priority in your life.
Paul was content no matter what:
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 3:11
He knew the secret of being content:
“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.” Philippians 4:12
What was his secret?
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
He knew that God was taking care of him and would give him just what he needed and the strength to have victory in every situation.
 

It is a wonderful blessing when we have reached the stage of being content in every situation:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8
God wants us to know Him that well:
 

 

* CONCLUSION

There are many more Scriptures that support each of these Biblical principles. If we remember that spiritual blessing is much more important than financial blessing, if we put God and His kingdom first, if we pray for direction concerning our money, if we tithe and are honest, generous, diligent and wise, we have done our part in acquiring the financial blessing of God.

If you are doing these things and are still having a difficult time financially keep doing them: 
“…He who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Proverbs 13:11
You need perseverance–if you are doing everything right–just keep doing it.

Remember the uncertainty and relative unimportance of money:
“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches and they are gone, they will surely sprout wings and fly off in the sky like an eagle.” Proverbs 23:4-5

Money, although not evil of itself, is part of the world system. God uses money to test our hearts and to further His kingdom. God owns: “…the cattle on a thousand hills.” Psalm 50:10 He is able to give money to anyone He chooses.
God’s love is much more important than financial blessing. If we had nothing we could still rejoice in Him. Even if the world were falling apart we could trust Him to provide whatever we need:
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19

 

 

* QUESTIONS

ESTHER
1. How did Esther obey God?
2. What relationship did Esther have to Mordecai? What influence did he have on her life?
3. Why would obedience have been difficult for Esther?
4. What did Esther show by calling a fast? What were the results of this fast?
5. Discuss the irony shown in this story.
6. What would have happened if Esther had not obeyed?
7. How much control did God have over Esther’s life?
8. What does this show about God’s control over our money?. How does God use money?
9. How can the story of Esther encourage us?

SPIRITUAL VERSES FINANCIAL
1. Why would it mean very little if we were blessed financially but not spiritually?
2. Give an example of someone that is blessed spiritually but not financially.
3. In the end time the beast/antichrist will control money? How will this effect Christians?
4. How does being blessed financially relate to being blessed spiritually? Is being blessed financially any indication of being obedient? Give spiritual references or examples to support your answer.

WHY GOD OFTEN WANTS TO BLESS US FINANCIALLY
1. Why does God often want to bless us financially?
2. What are we supposed to do with the money God has given us? Give examples.
3. How has God’s financial blessing to others blessed you spiritually? Give examples.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR FINANCIAL BLESSING
1. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 Discuss why this verse has all the advice we need for financial blessing?
2. What does asking God show since He already knows what we need?
3. Why should we tithe?
4. Where should we tithe? What is the difference between tithes and offerings?
5. Why do we need to be honest to achieve financial blessing?
6. The generous man is blessed. Give examples from the Bible or from personal experience.
7. We are to be diligent. Discuss practical ways to save money.
8. Sometimes the Lord lets us make mistakes in order to learn to know His ways. Do you have any experiences to relate? How can we get to know His voice?
9. "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Why can we do this?