God's plans for the wealthy and powerful

Today, My pastor (Michael Pender, Fallbrook Church)discussed God's plans for the wealthy and powerful. He discussed three ways to create wealth and power: diligence, favor, and inheritance. Some things which stood out:

God is not afraid of wealth and power

God wants Christians in board rooms to make decisions for a Christian perspective

Not all wealth and power is evil

Sometimes Christians settle for the secular world to make life-decisions.

We have enough believers (church going and non church going) to have a bigger representation in political decisions.

Believers can shift the paradigm.

If you think you are broke, then you can never have wealth (mindset). (wealth, an overflow above life's necessities).

You can not spend how you want if you want to be wealthy.

Diligence

No substitute for diligence at work.

There is no easy path or shortcuts to excellence. If you want something badly, you need to work for it.

You can not get envious or angry at those, who worked for what they got, when you did not.

Diligence without wisdom is foolish.

Anything God created is not designed to be lazy.

You can not get envious or angry at someone, who works hard for what they got, when you do not.

Diligence without wisdom causes foolishness.

All pursuits won't get you wealth and power. You may want to be a rapper, but you may not make enough money to live on. Some rappers are still living at home, with their mama. Your arts may not pay your bills.

Some people live for the weekends. They look at Monday to Friday as an inconvenience. They only work to live a weekend lifestyle. You work all week to give all your money to a stripper. You better off to play the lottery (not endorsing it though) than to give your money to a naked woman.

Monday to Friday needs to be a Colossians 3:17

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

If you work diligently, God will elevate you. You don't have to wear yourself out to gain wealth. Do it for the Lord and not for yourself.

To transform your work situation: Work harder and complain less.

Some folks can not enjoy God's blessings because they are always at work.

Favor

If you find favor, You will have favor in the eyes of God and man.

Favor is based on obedience.

Inheritance

Ensures kids will become productive

Sometimes pulling self up by bootstraps has more importance in society than inheriting something.

No matter how you obtain your wealth, someone helped you get it.

If you leave it to your kids, you don't need to offer apologies. If someone gets mad, you are dead anyway. :-)

Uriah and Loyalty Part II

Pastor Pender discussed Uriah and Loyalty again this Sunday. Uriah had to explain his loyalty, was tested for his loyalty, and was exploited for his loyalty. First, Uriah had to explain his loyalty to God to a king, who backslid. David liked to party, drink, and have sex. He did not understand where Uriah was currently at. David did not understand why after a battle, Uriah did not want to go home to his wife. Loyalty to something can cause others to feel uncomfortable and out of their element. Sometimes when you are loyal to something, like celibacy or a marriage, loyalty can bring out the worst in people. People may not like you any more. People may see you as problem because you deviated from their norm. People want you to do what they are doing.

Next, Uriah was tested. David asked Uriah to stay for two days and then he will release his soldier from something. David invited Uriah to some party, where Uriah had plenty of food and drink. David may have tried to get Uriah drunk to impose his will on Uriah. Uriah still did not go home. He still was dedicated to God. Uriah was a better man drunk than David was sober (Pastor Pender). David tested Uriah so that Uriah will fail. Sometimes people will invite you to partake of something, not because they care, but so they can tell everyone you failed and ruin your testimony.

Finally, Uriah was exploited. David took advantage of Uriah's loyalty. Uriah's loyalty cost him his life. Some people look to pray on others. There are manipulative, deceptive people everywhere.

I don't know where you are in your celibacy journey. I don't know what caused you to take this path. You will have to explain to some people why you are celibate. You will be tested for your beliefs. All sorts of heathens, former sex buddies, wannabe sex buddies will come out of the woodwork. You may have to change your behaviors, attitudes, and approaches to the opposite sex. You may have to delete some phone numbers; delete some pics (others and yours); avoid particular settings; avoid particular conversations; disable/deactivate some websites, and yes avoid some people. But first, you need to know why you chose celibacy. Knowing the reasons why, Knowing your purpose, will keep you more focused. Know your purpose and the rationale and write it down (whether in your phone, in a tablet, in Google Docs, in word). Coming into celibacy is not an easy journey and if you need more support, let me know.

Stacie D. Wyatt
wyattstacie@gmail.com