Contributor: Leye Olayiwola
INTRODUCTION:
“Giving is at the very heart of prosperity". Last week, we were reminded of the very purpose God has placed us here on the earth. We are stewards of God's treasures and have the responsibility of distributing His wealth to the needy. We were also reminded that our motive for wealth accumulation should be for the sole purpose of distribution. Like Abraham, we are not only blessed, we are also a BLESSING! We will continue in our series of True Prosperity this week by looking at how we can be Free from Financial Fear and Making Our Faith for Provision Work everytime.
A. Freedom from Financial Fear
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]." [2Tim.1:7 AMP Emphasis Mine]
"I sought the LORD [on the authority of His word], and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears." [Psalm 34:4]
1. Faith and Fear are expectation.
• Faith expects the best.
• Fear expects the worst.
2. Faith and Fear are magnets.
• Faith is a magnet that draws provisions.
• Fear is a magnet that draws lack - Proverbs 29:25: "The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe."; Job 3:25: “For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, And that of which I am afraid has come upon me".
3. Faith and Fear are both spirits.
• 2 Cor.4:13: " Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE.” We also believe, therefore we also speak". Also see 2Tim.1:7 above.
4. The contrast between faith and fear.
• Romans 10:17: Faith for finances comes by hearing the Word of God
about prosperity and fear of lack comes by hearing the lies of the devil about poverty.[paraphrased]
• Hebrews 11:1: Faith is the substance of prosperity hoped for, the evidence
of prosperity not seen. Fear is the substance of poverty dreaded, the evidence of poverty not seen. .[paraphrased]
• 1 John 5:4: This is the victory that overcomes lack—even our faith. This is the defeat that overcomes us—even our fear.[paraphrased]
5. We must adopt a "zero-tolerance policy" towards any form of fear. This can be done by feeding on God's words (promises), which will eventually influence faith-provoking thought patterns and believes which will develop a positively-aggressive faith in us.
6. A Christian, by the name Kellie declared, "I refuse to fear!" when her daughter Lyndsey was given a terrible report about spinal meningitis. As a result;
• The whole situation changed from that moment on.
• Fear left and faith came on the scene.
• You must use your faith in the same way over your finances.
I Refuse to Fear Over Finances.
1. 2 Timothy 1:7: I have not been given the spirit of fear over my finances—but of
power and love and of a sound mind. .[paraphrased]
2. Isaiah 41:10: God said, “Fear not,” for He is with me. I am not dismayed over my
financial condition; He is my God—my Provider and my Supplier. Everything is
going to be all right! [paraphrased]
3. Psalm 27:3: Though a host of bills should encamp against me, my heart shall not
fear. [paraphrased]
4. Psalm 112:7: I shall not be afraid of economic conditions; my heart is fixed,
trusting in the Lord. My heart is established. I shall not be afraid. [paraphrased]
5. James 4:7: I resist the fear of lack and the fear of lack must flee! [paraphrased]
B. My Faith for Provision Works All the Time.
Galatians 6:9 AMP - "Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in."
• A note to Pastor George: “Thank you, Pastor George, for teaching us about reaping. We have been going back over your first ‘10 Days of Prosperity’ on the Internet. It is really blessing us. We had been asking the same question over and over again—‘We tithe and give, but we are not seeing results. Why isn’t it working for us?’ After reviewing your series, we are very encouraged! Our faith is back on track and is now working again!”
• Many ask the same question: “Why isn’t it working for me?”
• When they tithe and sow and don’t see results, they get discouraged, and wonder why it doesn’t work.
• They don’t realize that their harvest is right around the faith corner.
Hebrews 10:23, 35-36 AMP - "Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]; Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised."
• We must stay encouraged and continue to use our faith.
• Do not cast away your boldness of speech and confession.
Hebrews 6:12 - " that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.". Patience here is synonymous to;
• Maintaining your stand in spite of the circumstances/
• Being constant all the time.
• The ability to see the results before you have them.
Proverbs 18:21 - " Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.."
• Encourage your faith by speaking life over your tithing and giving.
• Tithe—Declare that the windows of heaven are opened over your life.
• Seed—Declare that your giving is producing an extreme, maximum, overflowing harvest.
IN CONCLUSION
My Confession of Faith
I refuse to fear. I am not moved by what I see. I am not fearful over my financial future.
God is my source of provision. He provides cars to drive, food to eat, clothes to wear, places to live and everything else I need in liberal supply. I am not subject to the times. I live in the household of faith, not the dungeon of fear. My household is thriving, and not just surviving.
My household is flourishing and not failing. Every bill is paid, every need is met and every debt is wiped out. I walk by faith and not by fear. My faith is alive, activated and energized. My faith for provision is working for me all the time. I give and it is given to me (Luke 6:38). I reap what I sow (Galatians 6:7). My seed is mighty upon the earth (Psalm 112:2), in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Culled from the Book: 40 Days of Prosperity by Pastor George Pearsons