Money and the Bible

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Bode Ososami

Money is to be regarded as a gift from God to be used to the glory of the giver, God. We worship the giver and not the gift. We cannot therefore spend as we wish even if we can afford it knowing that we will give an account someday to the giver, God.

We are only stewards of all that has been entrusted in our care. There are some principles worth recalling as we begin the year, even as we are blessed with funds.

I Corinthians 4[7] For who maketh thee to differ from another ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it , why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it ?

James 1 [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1.God should be the ultimate beneficiary of how we spend money. Money is thus another tool to be used to please God. We must be thankful of the opportunity to steward even the smallest portions as for large sums, with the understanding that it may indeed be as difficult or even more tough to be found faithful when we are in possession of great wealth.

2.Do not allow money to master you by seeking for it at all costs. This leads to devilish clamouring for opportunities and intrigues disguised as business savvy. This love of money has led to murders of born and unborn, robbery, fraud or the more civilised sins of envy, subtle misrepresentation and exaggeration.

3.Do not be a borrower at all if you can help it, nor be a lender. What you cannot afford to give, do not give as a loan so as not to create a chain of bitterness instead of love. If you must borrow, be very certain that the means of redemption is already within your reach…never borrow for lifestyle expenses. Live as simply as the means God has made available to you dictates.

4.Enjoy simple living and resolve to be contented, never envying another for what they have or making comparisons. God may have very good reasons for permitting certain persons to have a higher standard of wealth and living to accomplish their specific mission. Do not imagine that the wealthy have an easier kingdom assignment. To steward great wealth can be a very difficult examination requiring a greater reservoir of self control and patience than most have been prepared for. Having more money than we can steward for God turns wealth to a destroyer. Many families have generations gripped in various bondages …drugs, alcoholism, perversions, depression and early deaths etc. mainly because of lack of disciplines that are needed to match great fortunes. Do not pray for wealth you cannot steward for God.

5.Impulsive buying and accumulation of non-essential gadgets will grieve the Giver who needs you as a conduit to direct funds to a need crying for provision. The prayer of the one with excess funds should be for God to reveal the needs the extra funds are meant to meet.

6.God is not against luxury, entertainment and leisure, but how does this glorify God if this consumes most of the money of a Christian? Visitors should be properly entertained and our homes should be comfortable and open to show a warm hospitality always. Partying and many celebrations are simply opportunities to show off and eat gluttonously and cannot glorify God. Certain forms of leisure such as viewing some films and some “innocent” games and music genres can expose us to youthful lusts we have been admonished to flee from. We are cautioned to be watchful.

7.The Christian keeps good records of money spent and budgets wisely. The Bible is a book of records, numbers and specifications suggesting that God is exact and cares about the fine details and so should we. Living carelessly expecting a miracle when we run out of cash is like testing God by jumping down a cliff.

8.Enjoy being a generous giver, giving without grumbling to several worthy causes also remembering to thank God always for the privilege of giving. Investing more in people’s lives and the work of God than in shares or investments can be more satisfying and pleasing to God.

My favourite Bible verses as it relates to God and Money are from Philippians;

Philippians 4[12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Remain Blessed.

Adapted from Christian Conduct by Kayode Adesogan and Wealth Out of Ashes by the Blog Author, Bode Ososami.

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Rain of Heaven – God’s Wealth

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Bode Ososami

The Bible presents two broad ways and dispensations when speaking of prospering and the principles of enterprise. Both ways involve diligence particularly in sowing seed which refers to applying an input. The input could be our business ideas, our career efforts, and our investments in skill development, sacrificial giving or even financial investments of our surplus. These two ways are different but we often can confuse one for the other or be found in a mix, not really having left one approach fully while seeking to enter the other.

Egypt, in the Bible, was a luxurious and wealthy empire but for the children of Israel it represented the place of their captivity and bondage where they were enslaved to deliver target productions of bricks. It represents a dispensation of wealth which enslaves the child of God to mammon – a wicked and crafty hard task master. Egypt can appear welcoming, rewarding and fair – but has a natural disposition to kill, steal and destroy when the opportunity presents itself. Canaan is the land of promise, flowing with milk and honey, but occupied by hostile tribes occupying cities with mighty walls, representing strongholds of thought – which must be pulled down.

Between Egypt and Canaan is the wilderness experience, a place where the Israelites grumbled and murmured – never understanding the ways of their God, but often seeing His acts of deliverance and miracles of provision. In the wilderness, the Israelites though not in Egypt still think like Egypt but on a journey out of Egypt to the place of promise. Only few of those who left Egypt enter the Promised Land, but a new generation of Israelites enter and become the citizens of the Land of milk and honey – the land of rest.

When we consider wealth, we see the three environments. Egypt, The Promised Land, Canaan and The Wilderness. We also should know where we are. Many Christians are still struggling in the wilderness having left Egypt. The unsaved are in Egypt. But wealth and beauty is in Canaan.

Deuteronomy 11[8] “Therefore you shall keep every commandment which I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land which you cross over to possess, [9] “and that you may prolong your days in the land which the LORD swore to give your fathers, to them and their descendants, ‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ [10] “For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; [11] “but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, [12] “a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.

[13] ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, [14] ‘then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. [15] ‘And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ [16] “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, [17] “lest the LORD’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you.

Ezekiel 29 [3] Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself. (KJV)

Psalms 95[8] “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, [9] When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. [10] For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.’ [11] So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”

In Holy Scriptures, we can locate our environment and seek salvation to enter into rest. One can also see that the experience and expectations differ depending on where they are with God. My prayer is that you enter the land that drinks water from the Rain of Heaven

Extracted from Wealth out of Ashes.

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The Recession was Good for You

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Bode Ososami

Having the right attitudes to money and a stewardship mindset is important for financial success. The Bible contains a lot of wisdom related to this. Recently it was reported in Time (Moneyland) that the Charles Schwab 2011 Teens & Money Survey (Please download survey PDF report) suggested, if only in some small way, the recession may have changed attitudes and knowledge about money management in young people who experienced recession in one way or another. Attitudes are more positive and constructive than it was prior to the Recession.

Highlights from the data, from the online survey of 1,132 American teens between ages of 16-18:

“93% say their family was impacted by the recession
“64% say they are more grateful now for what they have.”
“58% say they are less likely to ask for things they want.”
“73% say it’s important to have enough emergency savings in case times get tough.”
“77% describe themselves as “super savers,” and only 23% say they’re “big spenders.”

Psalm 119[67] Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

There are consequences for doing things our way, this includes entering cycles of loss and ultimately the demise of all hope as crashes produce anger and more rebellion – even while grace still cries out that there is a way back. We can still find our path back to God, the Owner, who is ever seeking good stewards. A few more words to reiterate on stewardship.

1.God supplies our needs and will not have us hungry. He does not supply our carnal wants or wasteful excesses.

2.Covetousness is trying to be someone God has not gifted us to be and without the grace and abilities. This produces bitterness and anguish of spirit and much zeal without knowledge.

3.Remember, we do not own the gifts and wealth but we can have power with God to make wealth. God does not seek our permission to give or take that which belongs to Him. There are direct unfortunate consequences for seeking independence from God in managing His resources rather than depending on Him.

I will have you attempt solving the following puzzle. Three frogs were lounging on a fence facing a pond. Then suddenly there appeared a big fat insect. As the three frogs watched it strut towards the pond, one of them decided to jump down and go after it. Now, how many frogs were left on the fence?

Was your answer 2, 3, 1r 2, 3, 1
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

WP-Bible plugin or none? The correct answer is three. There were three left. One only decided to jump but he did not. It is not enough for you to decide to be blessed you need to act.

It is our doing and obedience that saves us and not our decisions. Doing is always costly and often painful. Perhaps the lessons from this Recession will lead to more than decisions.

Count yourself blessed O stricken and afflicted. I have encountered few who justified continued sin in their lives even with scriptures (as is common today) until mercifully struck down with financial or moral crisis and they found grace to cry and return to God for help. It was easier to appreciate the gravity of misdeeds before God and seek repentance. Today, they have corrected many ethical situations that previously plagued their finances, marriage and life in general. Crisis (though not the preferred instructor we wish God to appoint) also teaches vital disciplines of prayer, humility and obedience that are not as well assimilated in today’s user-driven word environment. Perhaps if we surveyed this aspect of the impact of the Recession, we may be able to establish improvements in our devotional life and like David also say…

Psalm 119 [71] It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

The Recession that did the most good was the affliction of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary that we might be saved and receive eternal life… Surrender your life to Him.

Now you are better armed to manage the windfall soon coming your way.

(Originally published in The Christian Post)

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Enjoying Abundance again … what can I expect?

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Bode Ososami

“The recession is over” says my dear friend as he dances happily to the bank once again … It’s been a while since he could visit the manager without nervousness on the position of things. But recently business has definitely improved. I discovered Charles Spurgeon wrote a piece in his devotional titled “ I know how to abound”… Do we really ? Below are the thoughts of Spurgeon. I still ponder over them …and this time I pray I get it right.

Philippians 4:12Philippians 4:12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

WP-Bible plugin [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

There are many who know “how to be abased” who have not learned “how to abound.” When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian far oftener disgraces his profession in prosperity than in adversity. It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the fining-pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God! Yet this is not a matter of necessity, for the apostle tells us that he knew how to abound. When he had much he knew how to use it. Abundant grace enabled him to bear abundant prosperity. When he had a full sail he was loaded with much ballast, and so floated safely. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming cup of mortal joy with a steady hand, yet Paul had learned that skill, for he declares, “In all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry.” It is a divine lesson to know how to be full, for the Israelites were full once, but while the flesh was yet in their mouth, the wrath of God came upon them.

Many have asked for mercies that they might satisfy their own hearts’ lust. Fullness of bread has often made fullness of blood, and that has brought on wantonness of spirit. When we have much of God’s providential mercies, it often happens that we have but little of God’s grace, and little gratitude for the bounties we have received. We are full and we forget God: satisfied with earth, we are content to do without heaven.

Rest assured it is harder to know how to be full than it is to know how to be hungry–so desperate is the tendency of human nature to pride and forgetfulness of God. Take care that you ask in your prayers that God would teach you “how to be full.”

” Let not the gifts Thy love bestows estrange our hearts from Thee.” As the sound of abundance of rain is heard again, this time I am making a decision by the grace of God to be a better witness and make better use of the opportunity to create a more conducive discipling environment for God to use as He pleases.

It is well…begin to prosper again. Amen

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The wealth of the soul …spend your currency wisely in 2011.

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Bode Ososami

Brother Gbile Akanni writes below on the currency of the soul…

Words are the currency of the soul. Thoughts and words are the medium of exchange. Thoughts are our spiritual revenues in the bank of the heart. When we speak we draw it out. When you give a man an audience — a right to speak with you, you issue him a cheque to draw from your inner bank . . . to drain you a bit of your inner resources.

Pro 20:5Pro 20:5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

WP-Bible plugin Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
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Every opening of the mouth is an expenditure of the inner man. When you speak, you spend. A waster is simply the man that spends without thinking . . . without ensuring that his spending will enrich his life or the life of those around him.

It is inevitable to spend, but the matter is “what exactly are you spending on?” And if words are a vent to the soul, an effluence of life, the question is “what are you spending your life upon?”
He is actually a fool that opens his mouth everywhere, for everything and to everyone. Imagine a bank that opens its vault to every casual passerby.

Pro 29:11Pro 29:11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

WP-Bible plugin A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
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No! Nobody opens the doors of revenues to those they have not yet ascertained. All monies are kept behind a door. Even the cashier sits behind a counting desk separated at the least by a wall of glass! Before they release their revenues to you, you must show evidence that you have a right. You are either an owner of an account or a borrower, a drawer, that must repay with interest. Don’t open your mouth at every opportunity. Not everyone that asks a question deserve an answer much less every casual man that provokes a thought is worthy of it!

Reasonable Strategic Visioning in 2011

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Bode Ososami

Strategic Planning involves understanding the context, picturing where we want to be and evolving a course of action. As we review our strategies and goals, what would be a God-inspired vision for service as we begin the year? Often we cry “use me Lord” and affirm our love for souls and His work. But the Bible has its own minimum requirements for a vision of service that is meant for God. This may be in the Church or in secular roles or even in family and private endeavour.

Romans [12:1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Gbile Akanni speaks below on what being a living sacrifice means…

There are seven points summarised from the text – related to what the Bible describes as reasonable service.

1.It is voluntary service to God – and not compelled through zealous prodding or the compulsion that often comes from a competitive group or organisation experience. We are to present our bodies rather than be presented. God lays His burdens on our hearts – often times through Godly leadership – and invites our voluntary surrender and submission.

2.We are to come as a “living sacrifice”. This means we hand over the control levers completely to God. This can be scary as God deploys not always based on our talents, preparations and expectations. But we trust Him knowing that as we obey all things work together for our good often in ways we cannot always discern.

3.Our best offer to God is our voluntary and obedient submission and not our potential, achievements or even performance. The best utilisation of our skills and abilities is in the hands of God and not us. A sacrifice can be used as the owner pleases – and is meant to be sacrificed on the altar. We cannot be elated when chosen for what we perceive as a choice assignment nor discouraged if put on the shelf for a period or assigned something we consider menial. Waiting for God can be the best service we can offer in some scenarios. Few can be trusted to do this.

4.Gains and outcomes of service do not belong to us. The honours should be returned to God. Similarly we may often find divine work unappreciated or disdained by men. Luke 16[15] And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

5.Our service, by His grace, must be holy and acceptable to God and not men. Indicators for our success are understood only in the context of divine pleasure. Time alone with God gives us a better perspective of divine realities.

6.Sin, in the child of God, breaks communion with God and distorts perspective … setting us on the path of ambition and vanity – sometimes well meaning and justifiable. Repentance and forgiveness are critical even more so for God, in that He desires that we are connected to Him and better prepared to be used – something that sin will not permit.

7.Perhaps the greatest impediments to service to God are our best and noble intentions . The “living sacrifice” – may not have intentions ..albeit noble ones. The battle with self during visioning is not easy to win. Most will struggle on this criteria as we seek to find achievement instead of divine pleasure. These are often in conflict.

Do these points align with your vision of service for God. All other perhaps additional considerations must have these 7 minimum requirements satisfied.

May God find our service to be reasonable and pleasing in 2011 as we reflect and plan for a glorious year.

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Financial advice for Christians in 2011

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Bode Ososami

Many were bullish at early signs of recovery in 2010 … but these may only be a reflection of weaker prior years and conservative projections. It is still to be seen if 2011 will see these jumps in incomes sustained …more likely there will be a flattening for the most cases. There will be a few winners.

The outlook is positive though fears of a future dip again into recession still persist and though companies are richer than in prior years – they will not be spending as generously as they used to. The best tips for success could be as follows:

Know/perfect what you are good at and remain in your area of strength – find where you excel/add value to others (where you can differentiate your product offering) and have developed cost advantages and continue to compete based on a lower cost excellent value strategy … moderation will remain the king of values in 2011. Frills will not sell.
Stock prices are coming up … but these are yet to be proven as sustainable jumps. Look beyond the numbers to understand why prices are coming up. Well run companies with nimble structures that understand how to flex their costs to adjust to seasons are probably going to be winners. Spot and stick to the winners and invest prudently. Use simple investment plans you understand with a low-risk grow-rich-slowly vision.
Many still project that real estate prices will still go further down before they rebound again. If you have spare cash you will not need in the medium term…it may be a good time to get an excellent deal on Real estate but be careful and get professional help. Do not borrow to purchase real-estate …though banks will be more generous to target good credit customers.
Online web-based creativity will continue to be rewarded although more charlatans will flock to this arena. Increase in expendable income will push a lot of expenditure into this space. This is a no-brainer…web-based services are cheap and positioned for the mass-market with little barriers to entry and almost limitless reach even as infrastructure for the internet continues to improve globally. The greatest gains in 2011 will perhaps be in this sector as a new army of internet entrepreneur warriors emerge.
Maintain personal prudence –i.e. Putting off purchases, eschew debt, save more…and watch your eating and physical habits to enhance health. Spend much less than you earn. Consolidate new financial habits and disciplines you imbibed in 2010…such as using a financial worksheet to project and plan expenditures and track net worth movements over the short/medium term.

Following are some of my favourite finance scriptures for meditation and some balance …so please be prayerful and watchful.

Psalm 37[16] A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

Deuterenomy 28[12] The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

Ecclesiastes 5[12] The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. [13] There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely , riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

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The Way to A Happy New Year by Zac Poonen

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Bode Ososami

In John’s gospel, Jesus used the symbol of water to describe three levels of spiritual development possible through the Holy Spirit:

Level 1: In John 3:5John 3:5
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

WP-Bible plugin, He spoke of being “born of water and the Spirit”. This is “the cup of salvation” (Psa.116:13), with which we begin our Christian lives. With this cup of water, we are cleansed and brought into God’s kingdom as His children.

Level 2: In John 4:14John 4:14
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

WP-Bible plugin, Jesus went further and spoke of that cup becoming “a well (spring) of water”. This is a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit, where all our inner longings are met by Him, so that we live in perpetual victory and joy, lacking nothing. A man who has a well in his own compound is not dependent on the city corporation’s water supply. No outsider can turn off his water supply, for he has the source of water within his own compound. This is how it is with the Christian who has found the secret of perpetual abundance in Christ. No-one outside of him can cut off his supply of joy or peace or victory (Jn.16:22).

Level 3: In John 7:38John 7:38
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

WP-Bible plugin, Jesus went still further and said that the well would now become a river, and many rivers, flowing out of the believer. This is a picture of overflowing abundance. Such a believer is able to quench the thirst of many needy people around him. Whereas a well satisfies only our own longings, rivers of living water make us a blessing to many people, wherever we go.

The blessing with which God blessed Abraham was, “I will bless you….and in you ALL THE FAMILIES of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen.12:2-3). This is the blessing that can now be ours through the Holy Spirit (Gal.3:14). When God blesses us to the point of rivers flowing out of us, many families in many parts of the country and even in the whole world can be blessed through us.

“The good news of the gospel is that we can be saved from sin and be a blessing to others. We can now have rivers of living water flowing out through us constantly, and be a blessing to every family that we meet. We can be merciful to others just as God has been merciful to us. We can release others just as God has released us. We can bless others just as God has blessed us. We can give freely to others just as God has freely given to us. We can be large-hearted to others just as God has been to us.

A.W. Tozer in his article Five Decisions For Spiritual Power says: “If you are really serious about your spiritual development – the gaining of new joy, new power and new life – then you should make certain decisions in your heart concerning your life, and proceed to keep them. “One decision is: Never pass on anything about anybody else that will hurt him.

“`Love covers a multitude of sins’ (1 Pet.4:8). The talebearer has no place in God’s favour. If you know something that would hinder or hurt the reputation of one of God’s children, bury it forever. Let God take care of it. `With what judgment you judge, you will be judged’ (Matt.7:2).”

If you want God to be good to you, you must be good to His children. The rules of our Father’s table demand that you don’t tell stories about others who are sitting around that same table with you, no matter what their denomination, their nationality or their background.” (From the book THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS).

It will be a good thing if all of us make that decision today – never to pass on anything about another that will hurt him or his reputation – and keep that decision, not just for the rest of this year but for the rest of our lives. Those who have lived by that decision in past years have found that when they discarded the worthless from their daily conversation, and spoke only what was edifying and profitable, God in turn, fulfilled His promise, and made them His spokesmen – His mouth (Jer.15:19).

This year – and every year – can be a happy year for all of us if we release everyone who owes us anything, or who has hurt or harmed us in any way. Bury those grudges permanently and be merciful to all men and thus make a new beginning with the Lord today.

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Recession-proof New Year Resolutions for 2011

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Bode Ososami

Are New Year Resolutions really needed or are they just another meaningless distraction or valueless piece of season’s trivia we are accustomed to living with? I tend to think that anything that provokes us to fresh choices is a golden opportunity for improvement and divine restoration. A recession-proof resolution helped Daniel to not just survive but be relevant, influential and thrive through several regimes of Kings – though a stranger in Babylon. Others are mute and refuse to take a stand when Elijah pleaded.

Daniel 1[8] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: I Kings 18[21] And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

You can make a quality choice anytime but why not at this time – to go even higher with God to opt for the deeper spiritual life and rise above that which is carnal and shallow – with the help of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the word of God. What does this choice for the consecrated life imply?

It suggests our sensual life must be daily mortified … crucified with Christ

Our imagination must be sanctified and purged by the washing of the word

Reasoning will receive enlightenment by communion and fellowship with God

Our mind renewed as Christ is enthroned and our will handed over to Him.

To shun worldliness i.e value-systems that align with the world’s view.

A few issues are pertinent for the one who resolves to come up higher.

1. The spiritual life does not mean isolation or lack of activity – but a stronger resolve to be led not by the senses and human reasoning alone, but to lean more on God for direction. Moses did not rest in the tabernacle…instead he stepped into his destiny of leadership. It was not easy.

2. Resistance from the enemy of our soul will surely come in many forms. i.e.

a. Compelling voices that the deeper life is not practical and is not for you

b. Easier and shorter-cuts that promise depth on a “broader” way will be tempting

c. Wrong choices with generous rewards attached – not easy to turn down – are presented.

d. Our intellect will be supplied with arguments that contradict scripture…our senses bombarded with thoughts to corrupt our mind and resist truth.

3. But God will keep us as only He can – if we lean and depend on Him. Trusting Him alone.

In 2011, you can make a firm choice for God. When Elijah challenged the people to decide against Baal, we learn that they did not say a word. Indeed it was easier to stay on the fence like many of us do today. Perhaps so that our lives would be easier and we would not be exposed to ridicule, persecution or called a hypocrite, legalist or labelled with worse tags. Make a recession-proof Christian Resolution in 2011.

God stood for Daniel – even in the lion’s den – as he made a firm choice. God bless you as you make a fresh resolution of consecration to Him.

Bode Ososami (blog author) released his 3rd book (now available) in December – The Majesty of God.

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Responsible Stewardship

Posted on October 10, 2010 by Bode Ososami

Openness and Accountability to God is important if only because impressions of both people and organizations are formed by looking at outward appearances. An old Sunday school maxim reminds me that the colour of an apple or an orange tells you a lot on the state of the fruit inside.

2 Corinthians 8[20] [For] we are on our guard, intending that no one should find anything for which to blame us in regard to our administration of this large contribution. [21] For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. (amp)

I found an example of such standards in the ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) – 440 West Jubal Early Drive, Suite 130 • Winchester, VA 22601 with the mission to help Christ-centred organizations earn the public’s trust through developing, maintaining accountability standards and God-honouring ethical practices. I have only highly summarised the Seven ECFA Standards of responsible stewardship only to illustrate an example of vision on how faith institutions ( adapted for Churches/faith groups) can be the light and salt in handling money matters and responsibly stewarding the significant amounts contributed daily. Perhaps someday this will no more be optional.

Standard 1 – Doctrinal Statement – Churches/faith groups etc shall subscribe to a written statement of faith clearly affirming its commitment to the Christian faith and shall conduct its financial and other operations in a manner which reflects those generally accepted biblical truths and practices.

Standard 2 – Board of Directors and Financial Oversight – Churches/faith groups shall be governed by a responsible board of not less than five individuals, a majority of whom shall be independent, which shall meet at least semi-annually to establish policy and review its accomplishments. The board or a committee consisting of a majority of independent members shall review the annual financial statements and maintain direct communication between the board and the independent certified public accountants.

Standard 3 – Financial Statements – Each Church/faith group is required to submit complete and accurate financial statements.

Standard 4 – Use of Resources – Churches/faith groups shall exercise the management and financial controls necessary to provide reasonable assurance that all resources are used in conformity with applicable federal and state laws and regulations to accomplish the exempt purposes for which they are intended.

Standard 5 – Financial Disclosure – Churches/faith groups shall provide a copy of its current financial statements upon written request and provide other disclosures as the law may require. The financial statements required to comply with Standard 3 must be disclosed under this Standard. They must provide a report, on written request, including financial information, on any specific project for which it is soliciting gifts.

Standard 6 – Conflicts of Interest – Every Churches/faith group shall avoid conflicts of interest. Transactions with related parties may be undertaken only if all of the following are observed:

a material transaction is fully disclosed in the audited financial statements of the Churches/faith group;
the related party is excluded from the discussion and approval of such transaction;
a competitive bid or comparable valuation exists; and the board has acted upon and demonstrated that the transaction is in the best interest of the Churches/faith group.

Standard 7 – Fundraising – Every member (Churches/faith group )shall comply with each of the ECFA Standards for fundraising:

7.1 Truthfulness in Communication: All representations of fact, description of the financial condition of the Church, or narrative about events must be current, complete, and accurate. References to past activities or events must be appropriately dated. There must be no material omissions or exaggerations of fact or use of misleading photographs or any other communication which would tend to create a false impression or misunderstanding.

7.2 Communication and Donor Expectations: Fundraising appeals must not create unrealistic donor expectations of what a donor’s gift will actually accomplish within the limits of the Church ministry.

7.3 Communication and Donor Intent: All statements made in fundraising appeals about the use of the gift must be honoured. The donor’s intent is related both to what was communicated in the appeal and to any donor instructions accompanying the gift. The Church should be aware that communications made in fundraising appeals may create a legally binding restriction.

7.4 Projects Unrelated to a Ministry’s Primary Purpose: A member raising or receiving funds for programs that are not part of its present or prospective ministry, but are proper in accordance with its exempt purpose, must either treat them as restricted funds and channel them through an organization that can carry out the donor’s intent or return the funds to the donor.

7.5 Incentives and Premiums: Members making fundraising appeals which, in exchange for a contribution, offer premiums or incentives (the value of which is not insubstantial, but is significant in relation to the amount of the donation) must advise the donor of the fair market value of the premium or incentive and that the value is not deductible for tax purposes.

7.6 Financial Advice: The representative of the member, when dealing with persons regarding commitments on major estate assets, must seek to guide and advise donors so they have adequately considered the broad interests of the family and the various ministries they are currently supporting before they make final decisions. Donors should be encouraged to use the services of their attorneys, accountants, or other professional advisors.

7.7 Percentage Compensation for Fundraisers: Compensation of outside fundraising consultants or a member’s own employees based directly or indirectly on a percentage of charitable contributions raised is not allowed.

7.8 Tax-deductible Gifts for a Named Recipient’s Personal Benefit: Tax-deductible gifts may not be used to pass money or benefits to any named individual for personal use.

7.9 Conflict of Interest on Royalties: An officer, director, or other principal of the member must not receive royalties for any product that the member uses for fundraising or promotional purposes.

7.10 Acknowledgment of Gifts-in-Kind: Property or gifts-in-kind received by a member should be acknowledged describing the property or gift accurately without a statement of the gift’s market value. It is the responsibility of the donor to determine the fair market value of the property for tax purposes. The member may be required to provide additional information for gifts of motor vehicles, boats, and airplanes.

7.11 Acting in the Interest of the Donor: A member must make every effort to avoid accepting a gift from or entering into a contract with a prospective donor which would knowingly place a hardship on the donor, or place the donor’s future wellbeing in jeopardy.

For more information on ECFA standards

(Published in the Christian Post)

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