Nothing can befall us unless He allows it. It will rarely seem beneficial at the time, but it will always turn out for our good. Perhaps no principle in God’s Word is less understood than that of brokenness. Brokenness does not mean being broke (financially). It is a condition during which God allows circumstances to control our lives to the point that we must totally depend on Him. It seems that the greater God’s plan for a person, the greater the brokenness. The life of the apostle Paul reflects both great power and great brokenness; yet, Paul never considered his personal circumstances as punishment. He consistently asserted that his sufferings were a direct result of service to Christ. "Just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:5).The Purpose of BrokennessIn God’s wisdom He realizes what it takes to keep us attuned to His direction. He then allows problems to occur that will break our will and keep us dependent on Him. "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1:2-3).How is Brokenness Accomplished?Since finance is the most discussed topic in the New Testament, it seems obvious that God would use this area to test our obedience to Him. Many Christians have had their egos shattered by financial setbacks. Some respond by panicking to the point that they abandon their Christian principles and cheat and lie to protect their security. Others fall back in defeat and lose their trust in God. Some even live a life of fear, and as a result, they lose their witness. Others accept God’s authority over their lives and use this as an opportunity to trust God more fully and to demonstrate to others that they serve God. For instance, "Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God" (Job 1:22). Ego: God’s EnemyFew Christians are willing to share an experience with brokenness. So often we equate problems with sin and illogically conclude that those who have problems are being punished by God. If that’s so, Paul was the worst sinner in the history of Christianity. He was flogged (five times), beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and deserted; and yet he said that he was in God’s will and was comforted by God. "We do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). God desires to break our egos and pride--not our spirits. Paul was truly a broken man but not a defeated one.ConclusionIf you’re going through a period of trials and testing, don’t get discouraged. God is in control. If we are serving Him, nothing can befall us unless He allows it. It will rarely seem beneficial at the time, but if we believe God’s Word, we must believe He will ultimately receive the glory. "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
We all know there is a financial cost to debt. High interest rates, fees and extended repayment terms mean the debtor ends up repaying several times the original amount that was borrowed. For those striving to be of service to the Lord, there is a higher price being paid — a spiritual cost. No one who is financially bound can be spiritually free. It is more difficult to honor God and His word in daily life, when your attention is dominated by concerns about money. Financial burdens are among the leading causes of strife between husband and wife, parents and children, business partners and friends. Many debtors find it increasingly difficult to maintain their commitment to tithing. In those cases where monthly obligations can no longer be met, the debtor’s sense of personal integrity suffers.
While our primary function is to assist you on your path to financial freedom, our primary purpose is to bring the faithful closer to God and His word.
We bring our experience and resources to bear on worldly issues — financial concerns — for the express purpose of relieving His followers of those burdens. By working diligently in these areas, we receive an unparelled blessing: the knowledge that thousands are going forth better equipped to do His service in the world. This, our humble service, we offer in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Give to god first is the firstfruits of all that He gives us the tithe from our gross income must be our first commitment. Without faithfully fulfilling this commitment, all other efforts will fail. Go beyond this by mentally giving all your worldly possessions to Him, that they may be used to do His will. Resolve your obligations There is a vast difference between meeting your obligations every month and actually resolving them. By reducing or eliminating interest rates and fees and by restructuring monthly payments, we can help you to make significant progress on your debt. This provides a ray of hope and a promise of freedom. The net result is freedom from debt in a fraction of the time. Learn to trust God. God knows what you need before you ask, so begin to trust Him for the things you need but can’t afford. Make all financial decisions based on the principles of God’s Word, not the world’s financial principles and conventional financial wisdom. Curb impulses to buy. If it is not budgeted, don’t buy it. Wait for God’s provision. Seek wise counsel. Many people need assistance in establishing and maintaining a budget, maintaining faith and working with creditors. Seek assistance from your local church leaders as well as members of your congregation, friends and loved-ones. Feel free to include us among your counselors.
Monday, August 11, 2008
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