The word translated "sin" most frequently in the Old Testament means "to miss the mark (Strongs h2398 - hata)." It's like an archer who aims at a target. You can aim to high or you can shoot to low and miss the mark.
Sin hurts people. Sometimes sin hurts the perpetrator and sometimes it hurts others.
Righteousness is the opposite. When the person does right people are blessed.
Disciples are disciplined practitioners of what the Bible teaches. You can pray to receive Christ as your Savior, repent in some areas but be ignorant of what God's word says in other areas. Or, you can be knowledgeable of what God's word says and just choose not to do it or you could mis-understand it. Bottom line, it is the doers of God's word who are blessed (James 2:19-26).
I was raised in a segment of Christendom who equated poverty with holiness. Later I was exposed to a segment of Christendom who went to the other extreme and equated their accumulation of wealth as God's affirmation and righteousness. The bottom line is both of these statements are not true.
Our goal is to hit the mark as defined by God's word. We want to aim accurately.
Some years ago God began to change my mindset about the kingdom, generosity, business, the Church etc. as I'd inherited from my parents a poverty mind set. I needed to renew my mind. Besides God's word I sought out godly men and women who could teach me more about how to apply God's word with regards to finances.
One of my mentors is Sean Hyman. He is a former pastor who is an investor. He applies God's word in business. This morning he posted an article on Facebook "Four things millionaires do that the middle-class doesn't."
I remember reading in one of Sean's newsletters that one of the people he learned from is Warren Buffett. He's very successful and he is not saved! But, when it comes to investing, he applies the wisdom from God's word. One of the things we learn from this is that doers of God's word are blessed (James 1:25). James 2:19 says that even the demons believe there is one God. So it's not just those who believe but those who act upon God's word that are blessed.
With this in mind, let me share with you the four major points in the article and how each one is an application of the wisdom of God.
Sin hurts people. Sometimes sin hurts the perpetrator and sometimes it hurts others.
Righteousness is the opposite. When the person does right people are blessed.
Disciples are disciplined practitioners of what the Bible teaches. You can pray to receive Christ as your Savior, repent in some areas but be ignorant of what God's word says in other areas. Or, you can be knowledgeable of what God's word says and just choose not to do it or you could mis-understand it. Bottom line, it is the doers of God's word who are blessed (James 2:19-26).
I was raised in a segment of Christendom who equated poverty with holiness. Later I was exposed to a segment of Christendom who went to the other extreme and equated their accumulation of wealth as God's affirmation and righteousness. The bottom line is both of these statements are not true.
Our goal is to hit the mark as defined by God's word. We want to aim accurately.
Some years ago God began to change my mindset about the kingdom, generosity, business, the Church etc. as I'd inherited from my parents a poverty mind set. I needed to renew my mind. Besides God's word I sought out godly men and women who could teach me more about how to apply God's word with regards to finances.
One of my mentors is Sean Hyman. He is a former pastor who is an investor. He applies God's word in business. This morning he posted an article on Facebook "Four things millionaires do that the middle-class doesn't."
I remember reading in one of Sean's newsletters that one of the people he learned from is Warren Buffett. He's very successful and he is not saved! But, when it comes to investing, he applies the wisdom from God's word. One of the things we learn from this is that doers of God's word are blessed (James 1:25). James 2:19 says that even the demons believe there is one God. So it's not just those who believe but those who act upon God's word that are blessed.
With this in mind, let me share with you the four major points in the article and how each one is an application of the wisdom of God.
1. They talk about ideas and not things.
2. They take calculated risks after they acquire knowledge.
3. The happy ones are generous. The believe in the law of sowing and reaping.
4. Millionaires cultivate multiple sources of income.
Here's what the Bible says.
1. They talk about ideas and not things. Consider that God created man in His image. He created and He wants man to create like He did. The patriarchs of our faith starting with Abraham were all seers. They dreamed! From Moses to King David we see the fruit of the dreamers creating what they saw.
Genesis 1:27-28
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Exodus 25:8-9
And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.
Regarding the plans for the temple Solomon built - 1 Chronicles 28:19
“All this,” said David, “the Lord made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.”
2. They take calculated risks after they acquire knowledge. Faith requires risk. Faith works with love, wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
James 2:18-26
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Proverbs 8:11-14
For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength.
Proverbs 15:14
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
Proverbs 24:3-6
Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
3. The happy ones are generous and believe in the spiritual law of sowing and reaping.
Galatians 6:6-10
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
4. They cultivate multiple streams of income.
Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
The Value of Diligence
Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
If the clouds are full of rain,
They empty themselves upon the earth;
And if a tree falls to the south or the north,
In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.
He who observes the wind will not sow,
And he who regards the clouds will not reap.
As you do not know what is the way of the wind,
Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good.
Wealth comes from the application of God's word. Wealth comes from serving other people. For God's people there is a purpose for our wealth and we find that Abraham, Moses and King David all modeled the following scripture well.
Deuteronomy 8:18
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
I pray God give you wisdom and understanding as you acquire knowledge. I pray you hit the mark for the destiny Christ laid out for you.
2. They take calculated risks after they acquire knowledge.
3. The happy ones are generous. The believe in the law of sowing and reaping.
4. Millionaires cultivate multiple sources of income.
Here's what the Bible says.
1. They talk about ideas and not things. Consider that God created man in His image. He created and He wants man to create like He did. The patriarchs of our faith starting with Abraham were all seers. They dreamed! From Moses to King David we see the fruit of the dreamers creating what they saw.
Genesis 1:27-28
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Exodus 25:8-9
And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.
Regarding the plans for the temple Solomon built - 1 Chronicles 28:19
“All this,” said David, “the Lord made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.”
2. They take calculated risks after they acquire knowledge. Faith requires risk. Faith works with love, wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
James 2:18-26
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Proverbs 8:11-14
For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength.
Proverbs 15:14
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
Proverbs 24:3-6
Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
3. The happy ones are generous and believe in the spiritual law of sowing and reaping.
Galatians 6:6-10
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
4. They cultivate multiple streams of income.
Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
The Value of Diligence
Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
If the clouds are full of rain,
They empty themselves upon the earth;
And if a tree falls to the south or the north,
In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.
He who observes the wind will not sow,
And he who regards the clouds will not reap.
As you do not know what is the way of the wind,
Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good.
Wealth comes from the application of God's word. Wealth comes from serving other people. For God's people there is a purpose for our wealth and we find that Abraham, Moses and King David all modeled the following scripture well.
Deuteronomy 8:18
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
I pray God give you wisdom and understanding as you acquire knowledge. I pray you hit the mark for the destiny Christ laid out for you.
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