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.

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.

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, 1 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)

Philippians 4:12   [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

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 20:5 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 29:11 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!

Read more in living seed.org

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Level 1: In John 3:5, 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 4:14, 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 7:38, 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.

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?

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.

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)

The question we have to ask ourselves is “I do not know how much time I have, nobody does.  Whether it is seventy, fifty, forty years or eighty, hundred years…We should ask ourselves critically, how have I done so far? How have I used the talents God has placed in my hands?” … if we answer that sincerely, we’ll know that we have to redeem the time…

Indeed, there are many things that we need to do to ensure that we can give a good account of ourselves in Heaven…God is looking for people who would use their talents to the fullest, who use everything they have been given…

God bless you

Mrs Sola David-Borha

Executive Director and Deputy CEO of Stanbic IBTC Chartered Bank Plc

• Crisis is a time of intense shaking that leaves behind great strength, and removes the debris and impurities as well as preparing us for the future.
• Crisis is the time of building and shining to the glory of God as God is proved.
• Crisis establishes covenant relationships and trains you to restore others.
• Crisis repositions you back on the track God has destined.
• Crisis levels the playing field again and creates the opportunity for a fresh beginning.

Pastor Gabriel Oteka is in charge of RCCG HEAVEN`S GATE IKOTA AJAH – a Church Parish in Lagos, Nigeria and shares his testimony to the glory of God.

This time last year, I had lost all respect I had in the parish and every shred of dignity was gone. People began to leave the parish. I lost an elder and his wife because they felt I had lost the capacity to lead them. In 2008 we gave birth to a new parish and in the same week lost the tenancy to our accommodation. We had to make do with a training hall in a security company. We spent over two years here. Services were only on Sundays. Attendance dropped rapidly until we were less than twenty. In a move to remedy the situation we raised funds and paid a deposit of about $45,000 for a property of $200,000. The agreement was that we could go on the land and have our services there, but this we could not do because other parties suddenly came to stop us, claiming some dispute. At this point there was no more money and attendance had dropped so much that all hope was lost. One night I broke down in tears before GOD asking why He put me in this situation. Where did I miss it? Why all the losses? Financial, membership etc.

It was in the midst of this time of pain and confusion that GOD moved. I got a phone call to visit a couple in their home the following day.  I was not expecting much, because by now the burden had become larger than what could be remedied naturally. When I got to their home, after a few pleasantries, an envelope was dropped before me. When I picked it up it weighed more than a single cheque leaf. When I opened the envelope there were 3 cheques, the first read RCCG HEAVEN`S GATE  (equivalent of) $90,000, the second RCCG HEAVEN`S GATE  $90,000, the third cheque RCCG HEAVEN`S GATE  $90,000. My first reaction was to pinch myself to ensure this was not a dream. I took the envelope home slept, woke up, and the envelope was still there, I paid in the cheques and they cleared.  It suddenly dawned on me how faithless I had been. And that He had been on my case all along. Our GOD is very faithful. We have since started service on our land. PRAISE GOD.

Someone reading this blog should be encouraged. It was good all those who left you and abandoned you did so.  Stop weeping and be strong. God has not abandoned you.  Keep moving forward.  This Crisis will not break you but serves only to mould you into something better.  Remember God needs you to encourage someone else when God comes finally through for you.  It may not always be in a monetary form…but God surely comes through for His children as the floodgates of Heaven open.

God bless you.

Bode

1. Money, Riches and Achievement will make you happy and fulfilled.

Micah 6[12] For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. [13] Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins. [14] Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword. Riches, pleasures can be obtained but satisfaction is a separate virtue that God must send not necessarily as a consequence of wealth. Ecclesiastes 5[10] He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. The challenge is that riches promote lusts and desires that steal our hearts from God…and when we love silver we are cursed with never being satisfied and always wanting more…a path that leads to a downward spiral.

2. God gives us what we desire and supplies our wants.
Truth: God gives us what He decides in His unquestionable benevolence to give us for His glory and purpose. True works of God do not lack for funds.

Phillipians 4[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. Needs are not wants…nor are they desires…Our needs relate more to God’s divine assignments and His purpose for our lives. He wants us to prosper as our soul and destiny prospers. This promise was made to Epaphroditus – a generous giver to Paul’s cause. God’s cause and all who align to provide to it will not lack. God may if He chooses but is not committed to finance our lifestyle expenditures … nor does He have to pay for our vain pursuits.

3. When we give to God – God owes us and we must expect to receive.
Truth: God commands us to give our Tithes, first-fruits and offerings out of love for Him and not as an investment.

Luke 17 [10] So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.We can never repay what God had done and still does for us through our giving of what He gave us in the first place…talk less of turning God to a debtor. The best of us are unprofitable from God’s perspective. He fulfils His word by opening the windows of heaven, causing men to give us and blessing us with increase as we love Him.  It is love of God that God responds to and not debt. Indeed how can we say we love God and argue about giving back to Him in our Tithes, First-fruits and Offerings and to bless others to His glory.

4. Seize the moment…your best life is now so amuse yourself and enjoy life.
Truth: Your best life is certainly not now !

Luke 6 [25] Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. The Bible is full of pictures that lets us see He saves the best for the last. His Eternity in Heaven is His best. His way is to serve the best wine last…the way of the antichrist is the exact opposite. Eternal damnation is the worst of all worst case scenarios…and it is saved also for the last. Christians are told especially in the end-times to endure … and that it will be worth the wait. The antichrist says there is nothing to wait for so don’t miss out on the joys of the moment at the expense of your soul.

5.We can believe God for harvests we have not sown, God does the impossible.
Truth: God has no limitation – for all the silver and gold in Heaven, Earth, with believers and unbelievers all belong to Him and He gives as He pleases. God does not deny His word on which He asks us to meditate on day and night.

Genesis 8 [22] While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. God is merciful  – He does not deal with us according to our iniquity but scriptures encourage us to change our seed if we want a different harvest.  We can not sow oranges and hope to harvest bananas.  Our kind words, sacrificial giving, service and industry can be seeds …we must pray God gives increase. Zero multiplied a billion times remains zero. Change your seed and reap a different outcome.

Galations 6[7]  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [8]  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

God bless you.

Bode

For investors, a double-dip, if it materializes, would be a throwback to 2008, with a floundering economy punishing stock returns. Jeff Tjornehoj, Lipper’s research manager for the United States and Canada, says the Dow Jones industrial average could touch 9,000 by the close of 2010. “Is it reasonable to expect it? I think it’s reasonable to put some odds on it,” he says.

Nahum 1[9]  What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

2 Kings [7:1] Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. [2]  Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. [3]  And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? … [18]  And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria: [19]  And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. [20]  And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.

As we enter the second half of the year, it remains to be seen if it will be the best half or another record low as a double-dip manifests.

The 4 lepers in 2 Kings did not have much theological background and perhaps never even heard the prophesy of Elisha. They simply came to the conclusion why not do something…if they did nothing they would die anyway.  There is someone reading this blog with an idea, a dream, a new book, a new business, a new plan…and the odds of success seem grim given all the indicators. But consider what would happen if you did nothing.  The difference between the worst case of your new venture and your do-nothing scenario tells you to move forward.

Move forward in the Lord…the flood gates of heaven have opened for you. Enjoy a new beginning. The blood has cleansed you and brought you justified for an overflow of blessings. May you be so extraordinarily blessed in this second half of the year that all who associate with you will also be blessed.  Amen

An area of caution …watch your confession. Your words have consequence.

At a deeper level we see these 4 lepers as unwanted strangers ready to die … they gave their very lives… consider what you could ultimately loose if you do not move in self-sacrifice … Zac Poonen writes on the spirit of sacrifice …

In Ephesians 5:25, it is written that “Christ loved the church and gave HIMSELF for her”. To build the church, we have to love the church in the same way. It is not enough to give our money or our time. We have to give OURSELVES – our Self-life.

When God wanted to describe His love to man, He could compare His love with only one earthly example – the love of a mother for her newly-born child (See Isaiah 49:15). If you observe a mother, you will see that her love for her baby is full of the spirit of sacrifice. From early morning to late at night and right through the night, a mother sacrifices and sacrifices and sacrifices for her baby. And she gets nothing in return. She endures pain and inconvenience, year after year for her child, joyfully, expecting nothing in return. That is how God loves us too. And that is the nature He wants to impart to us. But it is impossible to find a fellowship anywhere in the world about which it can be honestly said that they all love one another like that.

Most believers know only how to love those who agree with them and who join their group. Their love is human and is far removed from the sacrificial love of mothers!!

Yet Divine love is the goal towards which we should be striving. So each time we sing the above lines, we should not only honestly admit that our love is not yet like that, but also confess our hope and longing that our love will become like that one day.

A mother does not care whether others around her are sacrificing anything for her child or not. She joyfully sacrifices everything herself. In the same way, one who has seen the church as his own baby will not be bothered whether others around him are sacrificing anything for the church or not. He will sacrifice himself joyfully, and he will have NO complaint or demand against anyone else. Those who complain that others are not sacrificing for the sake of the church are not mothers but hired nurses. Such nurses have fixed working hours and will complain when the nurse for the next 8-hour shift does not come on time.

But a mother does not work 8-hour shifts each day. She works a 24-hour shift daily – year after year – and she does not even get paid for it. Even when her child is 20 years old, the mother’s work is not over!! Only mothers can have milk for their babies every day. Nurses cannot produce milk for the babies they care for. In the same way, those who are like mothers in the church will always have a word for their spiritual children – in every meeting. Many elders have no word for the church because they are nurses, not mothers.

A mother does not expect any payment from her children. No child ever pays its mother for her service. In fact, if you were to calculate the wages a mother should be paid, at the rate of Rs.20 per hour (as paid to nurses), you will find that every child owes its mother more than 3 million rupees, by the time it is 20 years old!! Which child can ever repay such an amount to its mother?

Now the question that comes to us is: Who is willing to work like that for the Lord and for His church – without receiving any payment, but giving oneself, day after day, year after year, until Jesus comes? If God can find just one person with that spirit anywhere, He will use him to build the church, much more than He can use 10,000 half-hearted believers who try to serve Him without the spirit of sacrifice.  When Jesus returns to earth and you stand before Him, will you have any regrets over the way you lived, or will you will be able to look back over a life spent usefully for the kingdom of God?

Many are drifting along and wasting their lives on earth. Wake up before it is too late, and ask God to show you that His way is the way of sacrifice. He who has ears to hear let him hear.

God bless you

Bode

Revelation [16:1] And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. [2] And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. [3] And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man : and every living soul died in the sea.

When God promised to pollute the waters He did not say it would be with the help of BP, Halliburton or Schlumberger. This blog does not claim every disaster is the hand of God but only attempts to bring to the fore what these perhaps only vaguely related scriptures imply for present times.

The economy and ecosystem of Egypt was highly dependent on the Nile…a red fluid which was called blood(perhaps for want of a better term) in polluting the Nile would compel Pharaoh to releasing the Israelites to worship their God… we learn the court magicians could explain what happened and Pharaoh was unimpressed. God hardened Pharaoh for a greater judgment.

The other divine pollution in Revelation appears to be in the future when vials of the wrath of God are poured and the sea became as the blood of dead man …and all living souls died..no magicians here…Pharaoh is silent.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The events in Louisiana may at least only resemble a dress rehearsal or a mini-pilot …and you may well ask “Why should God be angry with anyone – after all we do to give Him pleasure ?” When I reflect on contemporary issues in Christianity…one observes a growing helplessness, a subtle voluntary captivity that imposes itself and moulds the Christian into whatever new shape the Pharaohs of modern society dictate. It is not just that the Christian is worldly but the bride is enslaved to labour tirelessly all day in the “rat-race” of striving, “competitive acquisition” and “career laddering ” – all for the interests of modern day Pharaohs…bricks must increasingly be made with less straw.

I wrote in my book “Wealth out of Ashes” in Chapter 9 (Rain from Heaven) of two dispensations of enterprise - Careers in Egypt and Canaan…and include in my blog site a page for Prayers for finding the right job.  The Bible is no more permitted to be the word of God. Rather situational ethics direct the Bible as to what it must say and mean… and few who dare challenge the trend are isolated. Indeed, there is no greater slavery than the voluntary captivity of the mind.

Our modern day Pharaohs may have the technology and mobilisation to stop the leak … though admitting ” there is a lot of uncertainty and this is extremely difficult”…”every available resource” was to be used to stop the oil from coming ashore but it did …BP /Halliburton/Schlumberger will be spanked as “system failures” are highlighted and penalised…reforms will be introduced…etc.

How many more shocks, floods and quakes can a fragile society coming out of recession bear? Perhaps we can still go to God for mercy…perhaps more intercessors are needed and not social commentaries . When will we realise that tampering with God’s order and manipulating the captured minds of God’s children is also God’s problem and when He arises and pours His vials, maybe the debates, foolish and unlearned questions will cease and worship in spirit and in truth will begin.

2 Timothy 2 [22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [23] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. [24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men , apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

We remember the families of those that lost loved ones in the rig accident as well as many households affected by the spill and pray for grace to bear the loss.

Come to Jesus. Remain always blessed and safe in His secret place.

Originally published in  The Christian Post .

Bode