OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL - THURSDAY - 15/05/2014 - CONVERSION OF THE PURSE BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

CONVERSION OF THE PURSE

MEMORISE

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:38

READ

Philippians 4:13-19

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

MESSAGE

One of the very urgent needs of the Great Commission is financial liberation. For the gospel to reach the ends of the earth, we need liberation from financial bondage. The Body of Christ is in need of freedom from growing debts, little or no savings, inadequate income, lack of financial plans for the future and divorces resulting from financial tension in the home. Some members of the Church are financially strong but in dire need of freedom from suffocating materialism. Definitely as the Body of Christ, we need wisdom to spend our resources in eternally rewarding ways. It is obvious that the church is in need of financial resources to accomplish its assignment; the question is: in what ways are you of help to the Body of Christ today?

The first step to financial freedom is vision. Proverbs 29:18 says,

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

Vision denotes strong and specific conviction. You must not only have a vision, you must declare it and plan for its actualisation. If God is your partner, make your plans large. Many people give various excuses for lack of vision. Some blame themselves, saying they are not creative. Desire is more important to goal setting than creativity. Some others have no vision because they underrate themselves. To obtain vision, stop seeing things as they are, but as you are in God. Some are so defeated by the price of soul winning that they do not even start. Instead of giving yourself heartache about what the Great Commission will cost, the question you should first ask yourself is, “what will it accomplish?” Some complain that no one helps them. Let God start with you first, then enlarge your plans for Him and you will be surprised that help will come. Don’t allow these excuses to defeat you and hinder you from serving God. Instead of giving in to discouragement and despondency, the question you should ask yourself is: “Am I serving God in the right place? What would I like to do for God if I had no limitations?” Diligence is a key to financial freedom. There is no food for a lazy man. If you want to experience freedom in your finances, you must be ready to work hard. Hard work is the key to financial breakthrough. Additionally, you must learn the art of saving. Watch your budget closely and exercise financial discipline. Be a contributor and not a mere consumer. Finally, you must be prayerful. God is the one who gives power to make wealth. So learn to discuss all things with Him, including money.

ACTION POINT

Decide to have a personal vision for your life and family today.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Genesis 31:1-32:21; Psalm 105:15-45