Godliness with Contentment: Recent Episodes
Keyno Hanna
My name is Keyno Hanna, and I live in the beautiful islands of the Bahamas. I am a Christian. I am married to my beautiful wife Pamela (Pam) and have 2 children Jalen and Jade. We are here to have a conversation about how to win with money from the Bible’s perspective.
The podcast episode centers on Paul's reflections in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10. Most of the chapter is on the resurrection, but we look at grace. Paul reflects on grace amidst his acknowledgment of his past as a persecutor of the church. He expresses profound humility, recognizing the vast gap between his former self and his current role as an apostle, which he attributes entirely to God's grace.
Paul emphasizes that grace enabled him to transcend his past and fulfill his divine calling, challenging the notion of self-identity that limits potential. The call to action is for individuals to listen to God's call on their life and realize that through the grace that God offers, they can be what God calls them to be.
www.godlinesswithcontentment.com
In the Bible Abraham is recognized as the father of many and a man of unwavering faith. He obeyed God's call without knowing his destination and believed in God's promises despite his advanced age, resulting in descendants as numerous as the stars. When tested to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham's faith led him to believe that God could raise the dead when this was a new/foreign understanding. He and other faithful individuals envisioned a better, heavenly country, longing for a true home beyond this temporary existence. Although Abraham lived in the promised land, he resided as a stranger in tents, prioritizing his heavenly destination over earthly wealth. This contrasts with most of what we hear today. None of us should settle for a fleeting life but aspire towards eternal fulfillment in heaven. Seek a heavenly homeland rather than being swallowed up by worldly pursuits.
Check out the new website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
In the Bible, many individuals are called by God, but often resist His call, as exemplified by Gideon from the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon regarded himself as the least among his clan, reflecting a profound sense of inadequacy in the face of Israel's current situation, which stemmed from disobedience to God and the worship of foreign gods. Despite his self-perception as the weakest man in Israel, God recognized him as a mighty warrior. This episode highlights the contrast between human self-view vs God's perspective, and allows us to ask questions about our own calling and resistance to God’s purpose. It becomes clear that God’s call invites us to fulfill a greater mission than we can can believe.
Check out my website at https://godlineswithcontentment.com
In the biblical narrative of Joseph found in Genesis, we observe a profound journey of struggle and faith. Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, faced intense hatred from his brothers after sharing dreams that foretold his future prominence. Their animosity led them to sell him into slavery. Despite enduring false accusations and imprisonment in Egypt, Joseph remained steadfast in his faith and integrity. His eventual rise to power enabled him to save his family during a famine, highlighting that the struggles in the middle of our journeys are crucial for growth and reliance on God. This account serves as a reminder to persevere through challenges and maintain our dreams, despite external doubts and internal struggles.
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The text for this episode comes from the account of Elisha and Naaman and Gehazi from 2 Kings 5. After deceiving Naaman to get what he wanted, Gehazi was posed with a question from Elisha the prophet - 'Is this the time...?' It wasn't. It is never the time to deceive and lie to get what we want. It is never the time to say we will help the poor and needy when our plan is to get for ourselves.
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The truth is - some believers can feel dissatisfied despite being in God's kingdom, yearning for unmet desires such as relationships or material possessions. True contentment is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, and is of great value.
Psalm 84, illustrates the joy of serving God, emphasizing that the psalmist's affection lies not in the temple itself but in God's enduring presence. As believers traverse through challenges, their reliance on God leads to transformation from sorrow to joy. Emphasizing the importance of seeking God's favor, the psalmist prefers a humble position in God's house to worldly luxury. Moreover, the notion of God as a source of protection and growth is reinforced, with a reminder that trust in Him brings blessings, underscoring the blessedness found in faithfulness to God.
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This episode is drawn from Matthew 20:1-6. Jesus tells a parable about a land owner who agrees to pay a denarius to the very first workers presumably at 6am. To the others throughout the day, no agreement was made to a specific amount, but 'whatever is right'.
A full days labor was about 12 hours.
The land owner goes out at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 11th hour and finds men in the marketplace in need of work. About the 3rd hour he goes out and finds some in the marketplace doing nothing. He gives them dignity. In his compassion, the land owner gives them work to do. Outside of his vineyard there is no work; men are standing around. All is idle. At the 11th hour, he found others standing around doing nothing. They say that no one has hired them. He bids them to go and work in his vineyard.
At the end, all workers are paid the same amount.
Check out my website at godlinesswithcontentment.com you can also follow me on Instagram @ godlinesswcontentment.
Yes, the word "stupid" does appear in some English translations of the Bible. The use of the word depends on the version of the Bible you're reading. For example, in my NIV, it showed up five times either as "stupid" or "stupidly". Sometimes, we see down right stupid stuff in the world. Stupid is a valid word. But then, there is wickedness that transcends stupidity. Know when to call stupid, stupid and wickedness, wicked.
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Check out the website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
The essence of gratitude and the seriousness of coveting is captured in the context of the 10th commandment from Exodus 20:17, which warns against desiring what belongs to others. The term "covet" indicates an inordinate longing for another's possessions or relationships, which is in itself sin and can lead one to other sins, like theft or adultery. This inner desire may remain hidden, acknowledged only by the individual, yet it signifies a lack of appreciation for one's own blessings from God. To cultivate gratitude for what one has is crucial to avoiding the pitfalls of covetousness. Ultimately, it is emphasized that one should refrain from fixating on the blessings of others and instead cherish the gifts bestowed by God.
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In a recent Sunday sermon, a friend of mine reflected on the narrative of Elijah from 1 Kings 17, highlighting his confrontation with King Ahab regarding the stopping of rain for a few years until God said so due to the Israelites' idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal. Baal, often regarded as a weather deity, was rendered powerless by Elijah's proclamation, which stemmed from God’s authority. Following this declaration, Elijah was instructed by God to retreat to the Kerith ravine, where divine provision awaited him in the form of ravens delivering food and a brook supplying water. The text emphasizes Elijah's obedience to God amid uncertainties, illustrating that without such compliance, the miracles provided would not have occurred. It draws a parallel to modern life, suggesting that obedience to God can lead to miraculous outcomes, and encourages a deepening relationship with God as a foundation for trust and obedience, ultimately facilitating the experience of miracles in one’s life.
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In order to lead a fulfilling life, it is essential to maintain both a to-do list and a to-don't list. Understanding one’s identity entails recognizing not only who one is but also who one is not. The example of John the Baptist illustrates this point; he clearly identified his purpose as a forerunner to the Messiah while firmly declaring that he was not the Messiah himself. This self-awareness prevents the wastage of time and energy on false aspirations. In a world dominated by social media portrayals, it is critical to discern reality from illusion and to avoid adopting aspirations based on others' curated experiences. Each individual must ask themselves both "Who am I?" and "Who am I not?" to avoid being misled. Understanding one’s mission, bestowed by God, serves as the foundation for fulfilling one’s potential. It is paramount to remain vigilant and focused on personal goals, rather than being influenced by external expectations.
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Check out the website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
In episode 101 of "Godliness with Contentment," Keyno discusses the importance of patience and faith, using the story of Abraham as an example of unwavering belief in God's promises despite seemingly impossible circumstances. Keyno urges listeners to develop a long-term mindset and reliance on God, encouraging them to remain steadfast even in the face of challenges. He advises against expecting rapid results, instead suggesting that one's goals should be firmly established in faith, unaffected by short-term struggles.
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Check out the website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
This episode of "Godliness with Contentment," hosted by Keyno Hanna, celebrates its milestone of 100 episodes, focusing on biblical teachings related to money, wealth, and practical living. The central message draws from Isaiah 43:16-21, where God announces His intention to bring about a new and greater deliverance than that of the Exodus. This prophecy not only pertains to the return from Babylon but signifies a broader gathering of God's people from the ends of the earth into His kingdom. The host encourages listeners to embrace the future with faith, urging them not to dwell on past achievements but to look forward to God's greater works in their lives in 2025. The call to action involves daily Bible reading, prayer, and application of scriptural teachings, affirming God's capacity to surpass previous miracles.
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Check out the website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
Luke 2:8-14 recounts the night of Jesus' birth, highlighting the shepherds who received the angelic announcement of this momentous event. The angels proclaimed joy for all mankind, emphasizing that Jesus is the Savior, the promised Messiah, and Lord. This episode encourages reflection on the significance of Jesus in one's life, urging individuals to prioritize biblical teachings over worldly distractions, particularly during the commercialized celebration of Christmas. The narrative stresses that true peace from God is available to those who align with His will, contrasting this peace with the discontent experienced by those who reject it. Jesus' assurance of peace, as noted in John 14:27, serves as a reminder to not succumb to fear during challenging times.
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Check out the new website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
In this episode, I celebrate becoming debt-free after paying off our (my wife and I) mortgage, which I attribute to divine blessings. Proverbs 22:7 illustrates the weight of debt and the opposite subsequent liberation experienced upon its removal. There are now newfound options in our professional lives coming out of being free from debt. I reflect on five years of financial education and personal growth. I also open my time up for any in need of assistance.
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I want to clear up any rumors that I’ve quit—I'm still here, just taking a moment to reflect on my journey. Recently, I’ve been thinking about how to create content that I can stick with consistently, even though I've been doing it weekly for nearly two years. A few weeks ago, I went to a financial conference in Atlanta, which had a different vibe for me this time. I'm trying to find my direction by keeping busy and exploring opportunities, instead of just waiting for a sign. It was really eye-opening when I ran into someone from my church who reminded me of a financial coaching session I did for her years ago. She shared that she had paid off some debt we discussed, and it hit me—sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the difference we can make in someone's life. A story floated to my mind about a boy throwing starfish back into the ocean, emphasizing that even small actions matter to individual lives. So, I remind myself to keep pushing forward and help whoever I can, one step at a time. Everyone can make a difference, so let’s not lose that drive!
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The Scriptures I focus on in this episode are found in Matthew 13:22 and Colossians 3:2. Jesus in the parable of the Sower speaks about the thorns as the cares of this life and the riches and pleasures and describes them as the deceitfulness of wealth. Paul wrote to the Colossians that they set their minds on things above, not on earthly things.
We have the ability to focus on God or on something else, but not both at the same time. One of the biggest challenges for us is being sucked in by the deceitfulness of wealth.
The episode is about us making the main thing the main thing - i.e. God and the things of God.
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To give or not to give, that is the question. Around us in our cities and places where we live, in fact wherever we go, there are needs. We are faced almost daily with the question of whether or not to give. We get some help I believe from what we see in Acts 3:1-10. Peter and John did not have money, but had the gift of healing from the Holy Spirit.
We are to give from what we have. We cannot give from what we don't have.
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Les Brown has a quote about potential: “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.”
We look at the parable of the talents (bags of gold) in Matthew 25 and focus on the servant who was given one bag of gold.
His view of the master was wrong, he was described as lazy, and he did nothing with his talent. He hid it in the ground.
Listen to how this ends. This is not how we want it to end with us.
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This episode came to life because of what I am calling 'the garage opener incident'. But more about that in the actual recording.
In Numbers 11:23, I find one of my favorite passages in the whole Bible. Here, God tells Moses, in a summarized version, that nothing is impossible for God, and that God would show Moses that God could do anything.
There are times when we hit a task that is too great for us or so we think. We know the Scriptures....nothing is impossible for God, yet we can forget this crucial fact when we are actually in the middle of a situation. Hard for us does not mean hard for God. With God, anything is possible. He does the impossible and we go along for the ride.
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In Genesis 12, we find Abram with a call on his life from God. God called Abram and told Abram what to do and where to go...well not quite. Abram was to leave his father's house and go to a place God would show him. Along with this call, God told Abram that He would bless him. Then we see in vs 4 that Abram left as God told him.
What was missing? God did not tell Abram where to go, just to go. God would show him later.
Is your faith like this? Abram believed God and thus went, not knowing where.
Later when God shows Abram the place, Abram worshiped God. Don't miss this piece. Go, yes. When you see the land then give God thanks. Don't tell yourself that you did this. God did it.
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We plan for retirement but our life does not come to an end there.... We go into eternity, so we have to plan for eternity.
Plan for your future! Heaven, not hell.
Don’t miss the point! Eternity awaits. We cannot take worldly wealth with us, but rewards await us based on how we lived on earth.
As an example Proverbs 19:17 'Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.'
God has an amazing accounting system!
But what are 4 things the Bible tells us to do with worldly wealth?
-give some (local church, poor and needy, helping out people in situations...) - Proverbs 19:17
-save some (emergency fund, invest, Proverbs 13:22
-spend some (needs & wants/enjoyment) Ecclesiastes 5:18-19
-do what Jesus says here in Luke 16:9: use it to influence people (who will become friends) for Jesus. Bringing people into the kingdom using our worldly wealth. Don't miss this one…
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Check out the new website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
In Matthew 7:24-27 we find that the rock to build on is the words of Jesus.
We are to build our houses on the Rock i.e. on Jesus' words. To go a little further, practically, we need to live our lives based on Jesus in order to win despite the storms of life. Storms will come, the winds will blow and beat against our house, but when we have Jesus as our foundation, our house will withstand the storms. As simple as it gets.
What kind of storms are you facing right now? Maybe none, but one was last month and another is coming in a few months (not a prophet). Jesus does not say if the storms will come, he simply tells us how to withstand them when they come.
The key to withstand any storm is to hold on to the words of Jesus.
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Check out the new website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
So, I love the music of Bob Marley - most of his songs. One of them is called 'Small Axe' and actually uses the first part Proverbs 26:27 in the song. 'Whosoever diggeth a pit shall fall in it…'.
I cannot recall why this was on my mind the other day, but the concept of a small axe is huge. A small axe can fell a big tree.
Yes, It will take a long time, but, it will happen once the person swinging the axe continues and does not stop until the tree falls. In fact after a certain point, the axe does not have to do any more work. The wind and gravity will take over.
So don't believe that the tree is too big. The boulder to big, the mountain to huge. We just need to keep doing the things we know we should do and the tree will fall.
The way I see it, it isn't about the axe or the man who swings it, but God who gives man the strength to keep swinging that eventually brings the tree down.
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In Genesis 15:1-6 we find God telling Abram (later Abraham) that God is Abram's protector and reward. Mind blowing right? Is God enough for you? Abram was at a place where he had no children but wanted them badly. So even though God says what he said, Abram was thinking - give me children. God takes Abram outside and shows him the stars in the sky. Abram's offspring would be like that i.e. not able to be numbered.
God knew what Abram wanted as he knows what we want. Yet, our main objective in a relationship with God should be our relationship with God. Let God take care of the rest. He knows your desires.
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https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
In Acts 16:6-10, Paul and Silas and company travel through Galatia and Phrygia having been kept from preaching in the Roman province of Asia (In Asia were places like Colossae, Ephesus, Thyatira, and others) by the Holy Spirit. They come to the border of another place Bithynia and are denied entry by the Spirit here described as the Spirit of Jesus. There being no difference between the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus. So they go to another place (to catch themselves) and while there, Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia begging him to come there and help them. After that vision, Luke says they got ready at once because they believed God had called them to go and preach the gospel to the Macedonians.
We see here that they are denied entry into some places and called to another. It shows that God was guiding them and they obeyed his leading. Not knowing why, but obeying.
Do not despise closed doors, but embrace them. God is keeping you safe. Or perhaps you have some more growing to do before you can go through the open door. God knows.
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Sometimes, God does amazing things in our lives and we think oh, that was a coincidence or it just happened. Amazing I said, not just everyday stuff. If it is a miracle then it is God's hand moving.
So we need to recognize the miracle and we will see God moving.
Then we need to give glory to God. The only way this happened was because God did it. When God does a miracle in our lives, we need to recognize that it is Him, then give him the glory. We did not do it. It did not happen by chance. God did it! Say so! Open your mouth and thank Him. When people ask how did this happen? Tell them "it is the Lord."
Reference John 21
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What indeed? I returned from Las Vegas on Friday after a few days at Cisco Live! That was my 2nd time in Vegas, and both times were with my wife Pam. So, unfortunately for you who may be looking for stories, I don't have any spicy ones to tell.
But what happens there? Gambling, and plenty of it. When you get off the plane at the airport, the first thing you see are slot machines. Each hotel has their own share of slots and tables etc..
One thing I noticed was that the room rates were really low, but then it made some sense. The hotel isn't about you enjoying your stay at the room, they want you to spend your money on the floor of the casino. So the remainder of the slogan is 'stays in Vegas'. Your money is what stays in Vegas if gambling is what you are doing.
But, I don't gamble, not even for fun.
Gambling entices us with get rich quick, yet God's Word tell us in Proverbs 13:11 that he who "..gathers money little by little makes it grow."
Are you willing to wait?
Are you willing to put in the work?
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Over the past few weeks I was reintroduced to JoDee Messina a country artist with an amazing voice. I used to listen to her back in the 90s …..and 90s country music is a real thing. She has a song called "Bring On The Rain". I have not heard it for years until recently, now it's in my head. Bad song! In it she says stuff like "I'm not gonna let it get me down, I'm not gonna cry and I'm not gonna lose any sleep, tonight. Tomorrow's another day, and I'm thirsty anyway, so bring on the rain."
She embraces the challenges.
This takes me back to what James wrote in James 1:2-4. Trials will produce in me maturity. God will use the trials to make me stronger. And one part of this I cannot let slip is that God has me in the trials. He will deliver me. So I will be stronger for it and He will deliver me 'to boot'! Thus like James says, consider it joy when trials come.
Tomorrow's another day. I am not afraid; so bring on the rain.
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Check out the new website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
In this episode, we are reminded from the Scriptures that there are consequences to our every decision. Proverbs 9 shows us two invitations - one from Wisdom and the other from Folly. Both call out to us. The question is - which invite will you accept? I the midst of this chapter is vs 12 that says that there is a reward from Wisdom and suffering for the mocker. We get consequences from our decisions but so do our spouses and children. We need to think before we act, bearing in mind that each action brings a reaction.
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In this episode, I remind us that we are gonna have tough times in life. We will fall from time to time, yet those who trust in God have Him there to deliver us. Proverbs 24:16 tells that though a righteous man/woman fall seven times, they get up. Indeed, God gives us the strength to get up. Even when we are up, He gives us the strength to be up. I encourage you - don't stay down long. Rise up!
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In this episode, I call out the disrespect that people who have money can at times display towards the rest of us. I was reminded of this recently when a basketball player in the NBA decided to throw a ball at fans, then neglected to give an interview because the reporter did not subscribe to his podcast. We are to give respect whether people are with money or without. We are to give respect because they are human beings.
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In this episode, we are reminded that David can still beat Goliath. I was reminded a few nights ago as I watched my undermanned Miami Heat beat the juggernaut called the Boston Celtics. Jimmy Butler was out, Terry Rozier was out, and we beat the giant hitting 23 3-pointers along the way. This is why sports is so loved. It shows us what can be in real life. What are the giants in your life? Do you believe that you can slay them? With God, you can.
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In this episode, we investigate what Jesus calls the deceitfulness of wealth when he explains the parable of the Sower. What we have in our minds and hearts about money can deceive us. When we trust in money, we believe that when we have it that all of our problems will vanish - not true. I believe that time, love and health are all higher on the priority scale than money. The Bible teaches us how to view money God's way i.e. the right way.
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In this episode, I tackle the mindset of the late starter who believes it is too late. That somehow because we are starting late that we can never reach our goals. It is only in our mind. I say our, because I was there only five years ago. I am a late starter. But I am in good company. Colonel Harland Sanders at 62 started franchising the chicken business. Moses (from the Bible) at age 80 spoke to Pharoah to let God's people go. They did not allow age to stop them. Don't allow age to stop you. Go after your goals while there is breath in your lungs granted by God.
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In this episode we are reminded that God is there when we have a 'lil bit, supplying us with what we need so that we can also help others. We take a look at this situation in the Old Testament - 1 Kings 17 with Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. God worked miraculously so that with the little she had, it would stretch to take care of her and her family as well as Elijah. She was tempted with taking care of only her and her family but God had an amazing plan to bless her and feed Elijah all with a little flour and oil.
What is it that you have that you think is not enough to share?
God has a way that it can stretch. He will bless you so that you have enough and can share with others. Don't block it.
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In this episode we are reminded that God is there when all else fails. We take a look at a dire situation in the Old Testament - 2 Kings 4 and how God worked in an amazing way. We learn a few things:
-we always have something that God can bless
-God always has a plan
-keep doing what God tells you until you cannot do it anymore.
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In this episode I talk about the fact that we can be thirsty for basically two types of things i.e. spiritual or physical. God gives an invitation to the thirsty in Isaiah 55:1-3. Those who accept the invitation get water, milk and wine at no cost. They are encouraged to buy without money. Why? There are some things money cannot buy. Here, the things are spiritual. But that brings up a bigger question for us - what are we thirsty for?
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Today we talk about Earned Wage Access.
So full disclosure, I just came across this topic this week. We currently don’t have this service in the Bahamas, but from what I see, it is becoming a hot topic in the United States.
So what is EWA? It is a financial service that allows workers to access their earned wages before their payday.
Initially, it sounded like payday lenders, but it isn't.
As with most everything, there are pros and cons. Please read up on it before agreeing to it.
But why is this even needed? I believe it is because the majority of us are living paycheck to paycheck.
So how do we dig out of this hole?
Normally 2 ways:
-earn more (better job, additional job)
-spend less
And I will add - sleep less. The Bible says in Proverbs 20:13 that too much sleep leads to poverty.
Episode #73. I guide you through the essential aspects of lifestyle creep, and how to avoid it.
Key points:
-remind yourself often about your goals (spending without restraint won't get you there anytime soon)
-make a budget and live by it (the budget will give you permission to spend the money in the way it was planned)
-set up automatic savings methods. E.g. if you know you are getting a raise, increase your automatic savings deduction so that it goes straight to your savings vehicle and you never see it. I talk about this is episode 23 "The Savings Superpower Hack"
Stay content.
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If you had the choice between 1 million hours and 1 million dollars which would you choose? I would choose $1,000,000 and in the episode I tell you why. But don't shoot me until you have listened. To make matters worse, I give three reasons why time is greater than money:
-We could have all the money in the world and yet when our time is up on this earth we have to go. No amount of money can change that. When God calls that is it.
-money cannot buy more time (when your time is up), but if we have more time we can get more money
-if you have lived as the Master requires, you can live for eternity with him where money is worthless, in fact we leave it all on earth when we go (cannot take it with us).
Sometimes, we can be too smart for our own good. We can over analyze things. We can be stuck in the Paralysis of analysis. We can be frozen by the Fear that keeps us from doing anything. Or even the Fear of change. Sometimes the mere weight of major decisions keep us from doing anything.
Then what? Stuck, cannot move…
Just start. Episode 2 of Godliness With Contentment was called 'Go small or go home'. I know that sounds strange. You have probably heard 'go big or go home'. But I believe that for some of us we need baby steps to get us moving then we can ramp up, whereas there are some of us who are bold and daring and willing to jump right away. But for those of you like me, we don’t want to jump in the boat, we can step from the dock into the boat.
There is another group of us that wants to go in the boat because the boat will take us places, but oh the dock is so secure. It does not move. Our feet are firm. I believe that a false sense of security keeps us there. When amazing adventure awaits on the boat. And we don’t need to jump, we can step. Both will get us into the boat then off we go.
Don’t lean on your own understanding, lean on God. Let Him make your paths straight as you trust in Him. Read Proverbs 3:5-7a for reference.
Proverbs 26:13-16 "A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly."
Proverbs 26 speaks to the fool, the sluggard and the gossip. What a triple play!
But today we talk about the sluggard.
Solomon writes that the sluggard i.e. the lazy person or the slacker says that there is a lion in the streets. Why does the slacker say this? So that he has an excuse to not go out and do meaningful work. Instead, he rolls around in his bed going nowhere. The next thing seems to be an exaggeration or a large joke - there is one guy so lazy that he can't even bring his hand from the bowl into his mouth to feed himself! And then the icing on the cake - he sees himself wiser than seven wise men.
We see here a man stuck in laziness and finding creative ways to stay there.
Why are you not doing what you know you should be doing? Why are you not saving up towards your emergency fund or retirement? Why are you not starting that business you keep talking about?
What are your excuses? There is a lion in the street?
Get out of bed, go outside, kill your food and drag it back home to feed your family. A bit dramatic, but hopefully you get the picture.
I went to the food store here on my island to buy some vegetables. I bought a cauliflower, two types of squash (butternut and spaghetti), a yam and some colorful bell peppers.
Don't scream but my total came to $32!
The big shock of all was that the head of cauliflower was around $14!
What I have done to deserve this?
So what should we do eat healthier or eat cheaper? New Year says eat healthier. My pocket says eat cheaper.
There is a balance to be found.
The Scripture of the day is found in Luke 12:42 'And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?'
We need to be faithful and wise. Not going crazy and blowing the budget but also getting the right food for us to eat healthier.
Eat healthy and easy on the wallet: It takes time. Sit down and come up with a plan.
How are your New Year's resolutions going so far?
In an article by Forbes Health, it stated that - If you find yourself in the camp of setting lofty goals for the new year only to find yourself falling off the wagon just months (or weeks) later, rest assured that you’re not alone. In fact, failing at New Year’s resolutions is so common that there’s even a slew of (unofficial) dates commemorating such failures—some sources cite “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” as January 17 while others denote the second Friday in January as “Quitter’s Day.”
Personally I don’t do New Year's resolutions any more. I make decisions, and they have been the same for the last few years - read my Bible and pray every day. I know, not that exciting, but extremely important. Nevertheless, sometimes we get deceived with lack of progress. If we continue long enough we will see the progress. If we stop because it is taking too long to see appreciable progress, then we never get to our goals.
Don't look around and say what about me. Focus on your blessings not on other people's blessings. It is easy to look around and find people who have more....or look like they have more. Stop wasting time and stressing yourself out!
You can get the desires of your heart if they are in line with God's desires for you. Say what? Yes, focus on what is most important. Go after what God would want you to have, put them before him in prayer and you will get them. I am straying here, but e.g. wisdom is better than money and the James tells us James 1:5 that "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
So there has always been a way to get our prayers answered. Ask God for the things in line with his desires for us... Wisdom is a great example.
I know you may want money, yet wisdom is better. When you get wisdom, then your perspective on money and on what you have vs what other people have will be a whole lot better.
I talk about how to win with money from the Bible's perspective. Get wisdom and you will win with money God's way to be sure!
Watch out for being the dreamer. You have come up with 100 business ideas but have never pull it off. Perhaps you say that you just didn't have the capital. But there are ways to start a business with little capital. For the 100 ideas, maybe there have been 1000 excuses why it did not work; why it won't work. Mere talk leads you to poverty. Don’t be a talker only, put in the work to make it happen.
When you scan through the pages of the Bible, you find Scriptures like Proverbs 14:23 that tells us that hard work brings a profit. Then there are others like Colossians 3:22-24 that talk about working as if you are working for God and not human masters. Paul speaks there to slaves and tells them to work hard whether the slave master is looking or not. Their true reward lies with God. So from the Bible's perspective, work is honorable. No issues there.
Companies are in business to make a profit and will make certain decisions towards that end. Sometimes when there is no profit, they cut and close and run.
What I came to, is the conclusion that we put ourselves in positions where we are at the mercy of an employer when we don’t have a backup plan or other sources of income.
There is the fact that some of us will work for an employer for the rest of our working life whilst others of us will be our own boss and start a business employing others.
The question I pose today is the same one I posed a year ago : which is riskier? Your 9-5 job working for the man or you being your own boss?
First off, this has nothing to do with gambling. This is coming from me - joyfully expressing how I feel after God's continuous blessings brought me to another birthday....a big one.
For those who don't know, my name is Keyno Hanna, and this is 'Godliness with Contentment'. Most times I talk about the Bible and money. Today there is no money, just Bible and God's grace.
Happy New Year!
We are now squarely in the first days of 2024.
This is typically when we go to the gym and start eating better and do whatever our resolutions are…well at least we start. The trouble is, most of us don’t continue. If we reach February 1st this is a big accomplishment since we normally stop a week or two before that from history.
But if you don’t go after and obtain your dreams in 2024, then when? Ok, they may take longer than 2024 for the dreams to be a reality, but if we stop going after them then we won't ever get there. So really, we need this train to keep moving until it reaches the destination, not a block or two down the road.
But what stops our dreams, or what kills them to be very dramatic?
There is an article called - "'Dream killers – how to recognize and avoid them'" written by James Norwick. He outlines 6 dream killers:
-Family
-Friends
-Superiors (bosses)
-Past failures
-Your exhaustion
-Your fear
Interestingly enough, I wouldn’t attribute my dream killing to any of these. I would say that I have killed my own dreams in the past.
There was an Instagram post I commented on a few weeks back. The graphic read 'never let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big'. My comment was as follows: 'It is my small mind that I am worried about'.
I believe that for me and countless others, it is the guy in the mirror that kills the dream not the family and friends and bosses.
So what will change in 2024?
Norwick suggest that we learn how to spot the killers early then we stand a better chance of taking control of them and removing them from our lives. So yes, remove the negative influences from your life…It may come back that you still have to deal with you.
Going into 2024 (if we make it) I want to challenge you and me to take the signs down. Go after a clean slate and write on it whatever you believe God is telling you to write. In Isaiah 43:18-19, God promises to do a new thing here even greater than the Exodus. Wow! He says forget the past; don’t dwell on it for he is going to do a new thing even greater than the Exodus. We like to talk old stories and look back... Do you believe that God is going to do greater things in the future? The thing in view here is not just the people coming back from Babylon, but God's people from the ends of the earth coming into his kingdom. Remove the old signs, get rid of the limiting beliefs, see the new thing that God is doing!
So there are many things we need to teach our children so that when they are old they don’t stray from it. One I will teach them is to stay away from Christmas debt. Christmas debt is crazy! Next Christmas you will still be paying this one off and the bank will send you a new email with a new loan promotion. They sell it as a loan - i.e. we want to help you. It is debt i.e. come and work for us for the foreseeable future.
The bank needs a new building, their shareholders are looking for better returns. Come and help us… Say No! Don't help them. Bah humbug!
Today we look at Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
It has been put forward that it talks about giving, investing, having many business ventures, diversification of one's portfolio, having a backup plan etc.. However, one Bible commentator says that 'for more than 18 centuries, there was never any doubt about what was meant here.' This was about giving. Nowadays however, our thoughts goes to business ventures and the like. This is about giving not knowing if you will get anything back in return. It is about generosity. Vs 2 says "Give" yet my NIV study Bible has there that give probably means invest. It has that vs 2 'Probably means “Invest in seven ventures, yes in eight, / for you do not know … ” That is, diversify your efforts because you never know which ventures may fail. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Diversify your undertakings and reduce the risks.' Somehow give turned into invest. Magic?
Investing is more savvy, more interesting, expected returns are tied to it… We like that.
Some quick thoughts:
-God gives us the ability to give because He has blessed us
-There will come a time when we are dead and we cannot give any longer
-if we look for perfect conditions, we will never give
-we don’t know what our giving will do. It may turn out to bless us in unexpected yet important ways
-he who sows shall reap. When we sow, as in giving to others then we will reap whatever God desires it to produce in us.
Why cast bread upon the waters?
-well bread sustains and if we have we should share with those who need sustenance (God's plan)
-putting bread into water means we have no desire or expectation of getting it back (giving as it should be)
Giving to the poor and needy is all throughout the Bible.
Giving Tuesday comes after black Friday and Cyber Monday. I don’t think this is a good placement. The money goes out and by Tuesday very little is left. I mean I hope this is not the case for you, but for many it is. So perhaps givingtuesday.org can clamor for a change. I say put Giving Tuesday as the Tuesday before thanksgiving. That way we know when it is each year and we give before we spend. I understand that the spending includes purchasing gifts for loved ones, but in most times, if they don’t get that gift, life goes on. On giving Tuesday I am suggesting that we give to those who need food, clothing, water, shelter to make it to the next day. Many who go without the turkey on Thursday while we sit around the table with friends and family.
Many of us live sheltered lives i.e. we think that what we go through is the hardest, but we neglect to press our windows down as we drive through town to see the homeless rolling the grocery trolley miles away from the store with their life belongings in it followed closely by a few dogs. Life is really rough for so many. If we can do something on giving Tuesday to alleviate their pain for a few brief minutes because of our kindness, we have done something.
But indeed, giving Tuesday is a token, giving is how we should live. Giving is one of the things we should do with what God has given us. It is one of the things to do with money. We spend some, save some, invest some, and give some. Don’t forget to give some. And there are so many who are in need - we won't have to search long for someone who needs.
Proverbs 22:9 'The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.'
Is he blessed so as to share his food with the poor or his is blessed because he shares with the poor?
Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?
Every day, I am getting older and slower. I can try and play Jedi mind tricks but that does not stop my aging. As I get older, my metabolism slows, my recovery time takes longer. This week I decided to schedule a meeting with my doctor. What I realize is that even though I don't like to go to the doctors or hospitals (I like my doctor btw), there are times when it is necessary. You start to feel strange stuff; it is time to go. I am reminded that money is good, but health is better. I prefer health over money. I have heard of the rich who die. They have money to go to the doctors and buy the meds and perform the surgeries, but sometimes, even though they have access to a lot of money, no matter how much money is thrown at the ailment, it does not matter. It is then, but even before then, that we should be thinking about true safety. The question is 'are you simply safe?' In the midst of the storm - is your soul safe. We die and leave the money behind (we cannot take it with us). We have heard 1000 jokes about the coffin packed with money… Money does not make the most important part of us safe; in some cases it cannot even make our bodies safe. Get some money, yes, but don’t be deceived, it only works here, and sometimes it cannot even work here. Find your true safety in God.
A few years ago, I heard it explained that Black Friday is about the retailers getting in the black. What does that mean? Well, 'in the black' is an accounting term signifying that a business is in a financially profitable position. So Black Friday is about businesses making a profit. Interestingly enough the opposite of black in accounting is not white but red.
I used to think that the retailers were doing us a favor by discounting their stuff. Black Friday is not about us, but about them.
How can you get in the black?
Well some simple things:
-spend less than you make
-improve your skill set
-start a business
Getting in the black for you is about using money wisely. Yes using money intentionally not being blown by this wind and that wind to spend without control. You control it. Tell your money what to do.
I hope I caught you before something bad happened…
Have you ever heard of a Christmas gift exchange game called 'white elephant'? Wikipedia says that 'The goal of a white elephant gift exchange is to entertain party-goers rather than to gain a genuinely valuable or highly sought-after item.' Clearly, Wikipedia has never played this game with the people I have played with. There is one gift that everyone wants that goes from hand to hand until all the numbers are exhausted. The last person has the chance to get any gift they want. One under the tree or the highly sought after one that has changed hands multiple times…
Today I want to elaborate on the fact that many of us are too busy comparing ourselves to others that we miss what God is doing. I read an article from betterup.com called 'Stop comparing yourself to others: do these 10 things instead'
I have adjusted the list a little and have reduced it down to four items.
4 ways to stop comparing yourself to others:
-stop spending tons of time consuming social media
-remember that inside and outside are different
-count your blessings
-look at what you have in your hand
Our dependence and worship should lay squarely at the feet of our God. He is the great Giver, the Source. In Jesus' pattern of prayer in Matthew 6, he lays out one of the petitions that we should put before the Father and it is 'give us this day our daily bread'. So we pray for our needs in this world. Bread here meaning all sustenance not just physical bread. This prayer is about God even though we are asking for our needs to be met since we ask Him and we recognize Him as the one who meets our needs. And so God brings glory to himself by meeting our needs. Jesus wants his followers to know where bread comes from - it comes from God. There is a country song by Luke Bryan that says 'rain is a good thing, rain makes corn, corn makes whiskey….'. I have a modified song today 'rain is a good thing, rain makes wheat, wheat makes flour, flour makes bread, bread fills my belly'. Some farmers would tell you that no rain, no crop. Some say rain is the most important factor in the whole system. But where does rain come from that makes the corn and the wheat? Rain comes from God. So rain is not the most important factor, God is.
Dr. Myles Munroe said something like this before: "We are not meant to be seedful, but fruitful. There are chairs and tables are in the trees. Shoes are in the cows. The capacity to produce is in us." I don't think seedful is a real word, but hopefully you get the picture. And just how does the capacity to produce get in us? God put it there. The same God who Moses told the Israelites about in Deuteronomy 8:18 'But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,…' He has given you the ability to produce wealth. So it is in you. The answer to avoiding poverty is in you, the answer to being a blessing for others is in you. Perhaps we just need to ask the right questions of God, of others and of ourselves to find the right answer(s). What is this for you? I don't know, but there is a capacity, a creativity implanted in you by our Heavenly Father for your use to - bring glory to Him, to be fruitful because of Him, and then help others because of Him. Spend the time to figure it on out, then go.
This week we take a look at Philemon. He was a Christian and wealthy and a slave owner. Onesimus was Philemon's slave who had run away and probably stolen something from him. Onesimus meets Paul in his travels and becomes a Christian.
Paul encourages Onesimus to go back to Philemon and to put things right. In the letter to Philemon, Paul does not leverage any apostolic authority but appeals to Philemon on the basis of love. Paul also does not plead for Philemon to set Onesimus free but for him to accept and love him as a brother. Paul encourages Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would receive Paul.
Money does not make us better or worse than others.
2 Corinthians 5:16 says: "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view...." For Christians, we should no longer measure people by human standards of race, nationality, social standing, or possessions, definitely not the color of their skin.
Today we take a look at a strong successful woman in the Bible by the name of Lydia. In Lydia, we find a woman who loved God and was a businesswoman. There is not any word of a husband so she was what we may call an independent successful woman, but she is really dependent on God. She has a house, a business, and looks to be wealthy. When presented with the Word that saves, she did not allow her business or wealth to be obstacles. In fact, even prior to that, she was at the place of prayer when encountered by Paul and his companions. These things like a business or wealth can be stumbling blocks to us if we let them. Lydia does not. She chooses God.
My 52nd episode! One year's worth. A time of reflection, a time of looking to God and a time for looking forward to keep doing what God's has put on my heart to do.
I have also been reminded of the things I did wrong with money over the years.
I did not do a good job of using my God given skills/talents to produce wealth. I wasn't trying to get out of debt or avoid it. I was afraid of money. I was not saving for my children or the future or an emergency. I was not being generous with what God had blessed me with.
Yes, I did tons of stuff wrong and now through the Scriptures I am going after learning what God says about how to handle money and then practice it.
Let's take our instructions from God and not man.
The book of Acts has many examples of women who are willing participants in the gospel. Their role was an important one in the advancement of the gospel. Today we look at one of them in Mary the mother of Mark in Acts 12. An angel breaks Peter out of prison. Once out and Peter realizes that this is real, he goes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. Many people were there praying for Peter's release. This house was one of the places where the Christians would have gathered. Early in the history of the church, there were no church buildings, and local groups would meet in the homes of Christians whose house was big enough to accommodate it. Mary was most likely a wealthy widow (no husband mentioned and she had a servant girl) and she had opened her home as one of the meeting places for the church. Mary used her wealth to offer hospitality even in risky times. Hospitality is not for women alone but for men as well.
Cornelius seems to have been wealthy. Cornelius was not a chairman of a non-profit organization, he spent his own money to help the needy. He decided to be generous with what he had. He saw needs and went after meeting them. I believe that his giving was motivated by his relationship with God.
As a believer today, is your giving motivated by your relationship with God?
One of the principles I have seen in the Bible is that when we use money the way God desires, generosity is involved. A principle does not change because of the circumstances.
*You may be listening to this and saying, I don’t have centurion money. That's fine. You can be generous without plenty money. It has to do with your heart not the size of your wallet.
*You may be saying, if I give from what I have then I will have less. Sounds reasonable, but what does the Bible say? The Scripture tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
God will bless you and has blessed you so that you can be generous. Through your generosity, men and women's needs will be met, and will result in thanksgiving to God. The same God will continue to supply and increase your store so that you can continue to do the same over and over again.
*Then you may say, people are ungrateful and they won't say thanks. Well what happened with Cornelius should be good enough to help our hearts. It never said that the poor were grateful (they may have been or not), but what it did say was that his giving reached heaven. Cornelius pleased God with his giving whether people on earth said thanks or not. Our giving should meet needs, yes, but our relationship with God should prompt the giving. Ultimately, generosity for Christians should be about that.
Today we take a look at Joseph of Arimathea in the gospels. He was described as a disciple in secret yet he stepped up at the right time to secure Jesus' body after the crucifixion and gave Jesus a respectful burial in his own tomb. Some of us have an issue with rich people and even rich Christians. Yet this man uses his wealth to serve Jesus when others did not or could not. He was blessed by God with wealth and used it now - for such a time as the burial of Jesus. Money was used by Levi to hold a banquet in Jesus' honor so that he could get fellow tax collectors to meet Jesus. Money was used in Jesus' ministry to take care of his needs and the needs of the apostles. Money was used by the woman who bought the alabaster jar of perfume and anointed Jesus with it in preparation for his burial. And here, money was used by Joseph to take care of Jesus in his death and burial. Money is used to take the gospel to millions today and help the poor and needy. For the 49th time, money is a tool and we are to use it the way God desires. Let's find out how he wants us to use it. Here, Joseph saw a need and filled it, bringing glory to God. One good place to start is by looking for the needs.
Zacchaeus was wealthy. Some would say that he got his money by cheating people out of their taxes by overcharging them. But that is not what Luke says, nor Jesus nor Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus says "if" he had cheated anyone out of anything. Not that he did. Sometimes today we look at people who are wealthy and can wonder what illegal thing they did to get wealthy. Some people do it right. They work hard, they spend less than they make, they invest. It grows. I get the impression that Zacchaeus was like that. Honest and hard working - I know boring. It is more exciting to think that he cheated people. Because he was a tax collector and the Jews shunned him, it was easy to say he was a cheat.
Isn't money supposed to bring happiness? Isn't all our problems to go away with money? Apparently not. It didn't with this rich young man in mark 10:17-23. Don’t be fooled. It won't work with you either.
I get to talk about money from the Bible's perspective. God wants his followers to give to the needy. He has blessed you to give to the needy. In addition, this is focused on the individual. You may say that the church I attend gives to the needy - Amen for that, but here he speaks not to the church but the individual. Each of us as his followers should give to the needy.
So when we give, Jesus says:
-do not announce it in the synagogues or street corners (the hypocrites do it that way). Don't blow your own trumpet. They are giving to be seen and they get their reward of being seen, but they miss out on God's reward.
-he also says, do not let you right hand know what your left hand is doing - give in secret. You will get God's rewards
This guy (Luke 7:1-10) had money and did good things with it, but he did not think that his money meant that he deserved anything. Money did not make him big up himself. He used it to serve others (he built the synagogue there in Capernaum), but also he did not expect something in return. In addition, this guy was a Roman centurion, so he had power as well, yet he understood that Jesus' authority was bigger than his. He respected Jesus. He knew that Jesus could heal long distance. Jesus need not be in the same place as the servant in order to heal him. How strong is God's authority in your life? Does it lead to an amazing faith? It should. Does it lead you to spend/save/invest/give money the way God prescribes?
Levi leaves his job to follow Jesus and in his gratitude for Jesus throws the banquet but also invites the people he knew. He knew that they also needed Jesus. This was a way they could come in contact with Jesus. Levi is set free by Jesus and he wants those he knows to be set free by Jesus. He uses his time and resources to go after influencing others to follow Jesus. When you consider retirement or your 2nd act, how do you envision spending your time? it should be that you are thinking now about how God wants you to spend your time in service to others.
The great focus of this episode is about Daniel's integrity and his work ethics. His coworkers could find nothing wrong with Daniel's work - he was not cooking the books or stealing or having an office affair. Daniel worked as if working for God. Daniel was about to be promoted. Because of this, his coworkers wanted to kill him. Yes, kill him - death by lion.
Esther had a chance to get up to half of the kingdom and she chose to save her people instead. Who was giving her financial advice? Who indeed? Great advice! Money and riches and wealth can be for many people something to go after or die trying. For Esther, the rescuing of people's lives was more important. This can sound like a no-brainer, but there are some who choose the money instead. I believe that as a Christian, my wealth journey needs to be guided by God and his Word. I cannot do things against God and expect to win. In my dealings, I need to be fair and not do anything illegal. I must have integrity as I work and offer services or sell products. We must choose right, based on God.
King Hezekiah knew what to do when trouble came. He went to God in prayer. He also saw God move in amazing ways. The Assyrians were defeated, and God gives him fifteen more years when a terminal illness threatened his life. But, we also will see from the Scriptures that when the envoys from Babylon came he showed them everything. I believe that the missing piece is that he did not give the glory to God. Our call is to trust in God and go to him in trouble as Hezekiah did, but also to give God the glory when he delivers.
This wife of noble character is worth far more than rubies. She is a benefit to her husband and children and no doubt the community. She is a hard worker and provider with a head for business. She gets up early and stays up late burning the lamp at both ends. She takes care of the poor and needy whenever she can and prepares for winter when it isn't. What a woman!
In a dream, God puts it to Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted. An interesting thing is that he knew it was God he was talking with. That means he could have asked for anything. It is not like your parent or friend saying ask for anything for your birthday. This is God saying whatever you want you will get it. Solomon chose wisdom. What would you have chosen?
God gives wisdom to you when you ask. Not just knowledge, but understanding how to apply the knowledge. Armed with wisdom, there is nothing you cannot do.
David had an opportunity to get away scot-free without spending a dime but instead wants to sacrifice for God. Trust me when I tell you that I love free things just as much as the next guy, but there comes a time when each of us needs to put our hands in our pockets and contribute to God's work getting done. And here David shows that it isn't just contributing but sacrificing.
'Jabez' sounds like the Hebrew for pain. His mother associated him with pain. Imagine growing up labeled as one who causes pain. He may have been picked on. He may have had an issue finding a girlfriend/wife. No one typically wants to hang around with someone who causes pain. This is the backdrop of Jabez' life.
At some point, he cries out to God. It was like there was a curse on him and he wanted to break free from it. He went to the right place.
He asks God to bless him in the following: -enlarging his territory (real estate) -for God to be with him -for God's protection -to be free from pain
The man who presumably caused pain wanted to be free from pain. I don’t know about you but so do I. He realizes that the way to break the curse was to go to God. The super great thing, is that God granted him the things he prayed for.
Joseph was not just a dreamer, but he had a plan. Sometimes this is where we fall down. We have countless dreams, but not many plans. In fact I challenge you to come up with a plan for your dream(s). Put them on paper and see if they are plausible. Are they profitable? If it looks profitable then figure out the best way to make them happen. I am not a dream killer, so don’t call me that. Put some meat on your dreams is all I am saying. And pray!
Jacob tricks his brother out of his birthright and his father out of the blessing of the firstborn. He then flees to his mother's brother Laban another trickster. Quite a bit happens to Jacob including him becoming very wealthy while in Paddan Aram. He eventually leaves making a truce with Laban. One night he wrestles with a man who is able to injure him with just a touch. Jacob holds on for dear life. He encounters one he cannot deceive and asks for a blessing instead. His name is changed to Israel.
Isaac was the child of the promise. Through his descendants, all people on earth would be blessed. Last week we looked at Abraham, and how God had blessed him abundantly. Today we turn to Isaac his son. We will see that Isaac received an inheritance which is biblical, but did not become lazy. He was not afraid of hard work. God blessed him in his travels and in his agricultural endeavors. Men saw the blessings of God on Isaac's life and some were envious and tried to mess things up for him, but they could not overcome Isaac because God was with him.
There is so much to talk about when we think about Abraham. I will try to focus on a few things. This means that I will miss out a lot of aspects you would think I should include. As I think about wealthy people in the Bible, I think that one big reason they got to be wealthy because God blessed them. That is how they got wealthy. In Abraham's case that is very clear. We will read a few verses from chapters 12-14 as we discuss God's blessings and Abraham's gratitude.
Today we are embarking on a journey through the Bible and will be looking at wealthy people in the Bible who were people of God. This week, we start out by looking at Job. God blesses, protects and provides.
I believe that God wants me to teach believers how to win with money. Financial problems/stress is one of the top reasons for divorce. Love of money or lack of it can keep people out of church because they are too busy working to get it. If we understand what God wants us to do with money, then we pass a big roadblock that Satan wants to use to keep us away from God.
Today I want to share with you 5 biblical principles for achieving financial freedom. We get there when we do it God’s way.
I respect that the sandwich generation guys are taking care of children and parents, but I also want you (if that is you) to find a way to get some margin so you can pay off debt, and save for later and give and enjoy some of the hard earned money. It is hard when we are living paycheck to paycheck.
One of the biggest things for you to be aware of is a money scam. Scammers are after your money. Your hard earned money. Scams can come with the promise of fast and great returns. Other scams like charity scams or romance scams play on your heart strings. Unfortunately, they are all too good to be true.
Before going on your summer vacation trip make sure you have a buffer. Stuff happens. Don’t just think budget for the trip - flight, hotel, car, food etc. but make sure you have a contingency. Missed flights, delays, hotel nights, food,…. It can pile up.
There are three levels of seriousness: normal, disciplined and in strict training. Which level are you at?
You will not win by accident. You will win because God is with you. But also, God is with you since you delight in him. You delight in Him meaning that in your life you are shooting after living the way God wants you to live, and every day you are trying to figure that on out as you read the Bible and pray.
It has been widely discussed that money cannot buy happiness, cannot buy love, cannot by peace of mind. Today, I talk about something else money cannot buy.
One big lesson to learn before you leave you day job for greener pastures is about gratitude. The employer did not have to hire you. They took a risk in some cases hiring you or promoting you. God has been good to you. Work in your current job as unto God. This is the secret of good workmanship.
Today, I am not gonna suggest counting coins or turning the cable TV off. Not even rice and beans. Instead, I am suggesting saving without even knowing. Saving and not having to wrestle the money out of your hand to put in a savings account. Closing your eyes and saving!
This week, grab some time to rest. You need it. Get some. Get back on track if you strayed off. Come back stronger. Come back determined to hit your goals.
Serving money means that it becomes the most important part of our life. When we serve God, he becomes the most important part of our life.
When you get started on your money journey, the best thing to have is an emergency fund. I think of it like a cushion or buffer between you and life. Some call it a rainy day fund, an umbrella. It is a necessity.
Even with friends, money can cause some weirdness. Don't make money the priority but find out how to navigate money and friendship. Use money to help people, not using people to gain money.
Where did you learn how to handle money? You may have learnt the same place I did. For the majority of my life, I learnt by trial and error. A lot of trial and tons of error.
A mic check, a gut check. You said you would spend wisely this year, you would save, you would stick to the budget, you would eat out less. How is it going? What you did yesterday would tell the story.
A lesson learnt from watching football. The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the LA Chargers 31-30 after being down 27-0 in the first half.
Hard word is honorable and brings a profit. The question is: Is a 9-5 job working for the man riskier than you having your own business where you are the employer employing others?
Don't get bummed out by what did not happen in 2022. What did or did not happen in 2022 has no bearing on what will happen in 2023.
Don't buy in to the lie that consolidation is the best move. Getting out of debt is not easy, but imagine the day when you are debt free. Imagine the freedom… All the hard work and sacrifice would have been worth it!
If you want to see the results next December, you need to start putting the work in now or at least in January (waiting until after Christmas). You will not automatically win with money or in any other area of your life. You must put in the work.
Pray for contentment. Change your mind set about Christmas and start the process of helping your family to do the same. Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Remember the good times, focus on them. Don’t dwell on the bad times and the losses.
Did Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring more debt into your life? It is time to pay it off. Don’t keep debt hanging around like a pet.
Preparing for the grocery store battle will help you to not get worked up once you get there. Having a budget is key.
Don't ditch crypto currencies or the blockchain just because of what happened with FTX. Because of what happened, there is no doubt that there will be more regulations coming. There is too much money still tied up in crypto, too many use cases and too many people are getting burnt for it not to become safer.
A view from the Westminster Bridge with a message from the honest hard working Albanians in the UK - 'We work, we pay taxes'.
Knowing that God has infinite resources, should keep you calm about your finances. He knows what you need and will meet your needs. Be responsible, do your part, hold your head. Trust him.
Knowing that God has blessed you with the skills you need to produce wealth is a great place to start on your journey. You have what you need from God, now you must learn how to sharpen the skills and pursue the path set out for you. When we do what we love, are good at it, and help others, we will produce wealth.
Education plays a big part in building wealth and in bridging the generational wealth gap. We need financial literacy in the schools as an embedded part of the curriculum but the primary responsibility is on us as parents to first educate ourselves then teach our children.
Dealing with money in marriage can be difficult. This is played out because money conflicts and stresses contribute to tons of divorces. When we learn how to deal with money from God's perspective, we work together as a couple to win with money.
Starting late in your money journey can be a daunting task, but don't get in the trap of comparing yourself with others. Run your own race. Take little steps in the right direction until you can run and reach your desired outcome.
Listen to my first podcast episode about winning with money from the Bible's perspective. In subsequent episodes, we will explore current events related to money and we will learn how to view it all taking into consideration what the Bible says about financial success. This podcast features Keyno Hanna and in the future plans to expand to include interviews with men and women who are in the finance space.