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Sermon Series: “Don’t Waste Your Time: Procrastination Is the Enemy of Time!”
March 2, 2025
Sermon Part 5: “With the Spirit of Wisdom the Walls of Procrastination Come Tumbling Down!”
Happy Sunday Saints!
For every decision in life there is a “Way” that we should go to reach the destination God has Divinely Purposed for us. Only the “Spirit of the Wisdom of God” knows the Way to break through the “Walls of Procrastination.” Happy and blessed is the person who obeys the Voice of the Spirit of Wisdom in every arena of life.
Introduction:
Every person in the world has felt the “pressure” of making major life decisions. Sometimes we have to make quick decisions, while at other times we have the opportunity to take a step back, gather more information, consult with others, and consider various options before making a decision.
Some of the most important decisions we have to make in life include: choosing a career path, committing to a long-term relationship, deciding whether to get married, having children, buying a home, relocating to a new area, pursuing further education, making financial and health decisions, and navigating significant life transitions for aging parents; all of which often involve considering your long-term goals, values, and potential consequences of each choice.
Making important decisions also can have profound impacts on us, both positive and negative. Positive decisions can lead to feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction, and material reward; while negative decisions can result in stress, regret, anxiety, and loss.
In making important life decisions, many people put off thinking about solutions and taking steps of action. They find themselves in the place of Procrastination; shut up within. They choose to “punt” on important decision-making to another “Time” in the future, and instead set their attention on things of lesser importance.
People often Procrastinate on making decisions due to a mix of factors including fear of making the wrong choice, feeling overwhelmed by options, a desire for perfectionism, anxiety about potential consequences, a lack of confidence in their decision-making abilities, and simply not wanting to deal with the stress of choosing between different alternatives; this can lead to “analysis paralysis” where overthinking prevents action, and also causes many sleepless nights.
Have you caught on yet to where I’m going with Today’s Sermon? Because we have to make important decisions in life that require critical thinking, and desire to make the best decisions for our lives and others, we need the Lord, we need “God’s Wisdom.” Education, training, experience, mentorship, and counseling are all important tools we have in the human experience to help us make important decisions. However, worldly wisdom is not to be compared with the Wisdom of God. The world’s wisdom is foolishness to God. (I Cor. 3:19) For God Almighty is the “only wise” God. (Rom.16:27 & Jude 25)
As born-again Christians, we should never make a major decision, without first seeking and obtaining God’s Wisdom. Jeremiah 10:23 says,
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
And, to this Truth I say, “Oh Lord when will we your people stop trying to go our own way: stumbling, bumbling, falling, and failing because we do not seek after and find your Wisdom to apply in “Time” of need.
Today, we are going to talk about the Spirit of Wisdom in relation to money, though all that I will say has equal application to any important decision we make in life. There is no greater gift we can aspire for and attain than God’s precious Wisdom. About Wisdom, King Solomon wrote, “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”(Prov. 8:11)
My, my, my. The Wisdom of God is far greater than anything the human mind and heart can conceive to imagine to desire. So then, the Wisdom of God is to be coveted and prized above all things. King Solomon also pinned that “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Prov. 4:7)
Oh Saints, I declare unto you, whatever it is that you desire of a godly nature, put it aside and run, seek after, and find the Spirit of Wisdom, which comes from the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Ghost. Also, if you are desiring a sinful thing, or practicing sin, listen to the Voice of the Spirit of the Wisdom of God ministering to you, and turn away from the sin completely. Though at times the Wisdom of God may seem far away from your mental acuity in making important decisions, the Lord’s Wisdom is nigh unto you, in you, and ready to tear down asunder the Walls of Procrastination, and bring you into a wealthy place in Christ Jesus.
Oh Saints, have we not well established in this Series that the “Spirit of the Lord and Anointing” are in you? That, the “Spirit of the Life and Mind of Jesus Christ dwells in you?” (Col. 3:3-4 & II Tim.1:7) The Apostle Paul even admonished the Saints at Corinth to test whether Christ was in them, saying, “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. Test your own selves. Know ye not yourselves how Jesus Christ is in you, unless ye be reprobates?” (II Cor. 13:5)
Moreover, Paul declared that “Christ is the wisdom and power of God,” in whom we received when we heard and believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (I Cor. 1:24) Everyone now declare with me saying: “In Christ Jesus, I have the Wisdom and Power of God abiding in my born-again heart.” Thank God, and rehearse this great grace until it becomes your reality. For you are full of God’s Wisdom and Power! (II Pet.1:3)
With the Spirit of Wisdom at work in our lives there is never a need to Procrastinate because the Compassion of Christ, which is full of the Wisdom and Power of God knows how to make us profitable and fruitful unto every good work. Think about it. If you are confronted with a major financial decision, and have the “Wisdom of God” on how to resolve the matter; is there a need to Procrastinate, hesitate, or be indecisive? No way! When you have the Wisdom of God on a matter you just confidently “go” and “do” what needs to be done in excellence.
When the Spirit of Wisdom is guiding your life the Walls of Procrastination are torn down, fade away; leaving you free to do all that God has called you to do in a “Timely” manner. Please know from this day forward, that every “Time” you are faced with a business decision, the Spirit of the Wisdom of God is available and seeks to communicate with you about the way you should go.
The Walls of Procrastination Are Our Foe, Not Our Friend
When it comes to the human brain and intellect, the Walls of Procrastination are a formidable enemy. According to Researchers, approximately 20 to 25-percent of people are chronic Procrastinators. Additionally, Research shows that the average person wastes 218-minutes, or around 55-days per year, avoiding necessary work. So then over a 30-year work career, the average person wastes about 1,650 days, or nearly 2,367,000 minutes of “Time” avoiding necessary work!
I assure you Saints, wasting “Time” displeases God. Wasting “Time” lets the air out of productivity; as it leaves necessary work uncompleted, unrewarded, and there are serious negative societal consequences realized. Most of all, wasting “Time” communicates to God that we do not appreciate the gift of “Time,” and the abilities He has given to us to accomplish important goals and tasks in a “Timely” manner. In fact, I even know people who describe themselves as “Procrastinators,” and seem content to be such. They are professional wasters of “Time.”
Additionally, studies show that about 50-percent of college students Procrastinate in a consistent and chronic manner, 75-percent consider themselves to be Procrastinators, and 80 to 90-percent of college students Procrastinate. Researchers also say chronic Procrastination is linked to depression, anxiety, and poor sleep habits. And, 94-percent of surveyed Procrastinators say that Procrastination makes them “unhappy.” Saints, we know the devil is involved in Procrastination anytime folks claim to be “unhappy.” Psalm 144:15 says, “…Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.”
Researchers also note that Procrastination is often considered to be a part of “human nature.” However, as born-again Christians, we are no longer to live after the flesh (human nature, which is dead within our inner-beings), but after the Spirit of the Lord. (Rom. 8:5, II Cor. 5:17, & Col. 3:3) Procrastination is a dead work; its sin that causes us to miss the mark of God’s best for our lives. Whenever we Procrastinate, we are not working with our hands to do our best for God.
The picture at the beginning of the Sermon shows a man surrounded by the “Walls of Procrastination.” He is illustrated as suffering from chronic Procrastination. The Walls of Procrastination” is a metaphorical phrase describing the feeling of being trapped or surrounded by a sense of overwhelming tasks and responsibilities that a person has chosen to actively avoid; creating a “mental barrier” that prevents them from taking action.
The “Walls” are not physical, rather they are spiritual; fueled by the enemy Satan to tempt us to “build mental constructs” of ineptness to think through difficult problems, make right decisions, and take correct actions. The Walls of Procrastination are only a formidable foe because they are self-constructed. Without the Spirit of Wisdom, whether a person is facing many important tasks, or one major task, the Walls of Procrastination can seem daunting, paralyzing, and too difficult to overcome. This then, highlights for the person, the feeling of being stuck, and unable to start.
You have heard the term used before to describe this type of person’s mental state, as being “stuck in a rut.” In such cases, the person can decide to quit on a major goal or task; or even more serious quit on life, become depressed, and do harm to themselves and/or others. This I say again is the devil’s work.
But Praise God, as we face making difficult decisions, God does not want us to live with Walls of Procrastination dominating our thought-life. To live dominated by hesitance, reluctance, or undecidedness. The Holy Bible instructs that God has established the work of our hands, and has promised to bless all the work of our hands, (Ps. 90:17 & Deut. 28:12)
Paul wrote that we can “do” everything that Christ has called us to do, through Christ that strengthens us. (Php. 4:13) He also wrote “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”(Col. 3:23-24 ESV) Yes, we serve the Anointed King Jesus, so where is there tolerance for Procrastination?
We have been called and Commanded by God to go and get wealth and establish the Abrahamic Covenant in the earth. (Deut. 8:18, Gen.12:1-3 & Gal. 3:6-9, & 13-14) Surely then, the Wisdom of God must be available to direct and help us go get wealth!
Recent Example of the Walls of Procrastination Constricting Wealth Progress for a Family Member Are Tumbling Down
Let me share with you a recent example of the Walls of Procrastination blocking the way of a beloved family member of mine, who is currently seeking to invest money in the stock market. About three-months ago, she visited our home and said to me she was ready to put some money to work in the stock market. In prior conversations, I had told her how to set up an investment account with a brokerage firm, and she had done so. Glory be to God for progress! I said to her good work, and that I was ready to take her name off of my “I Will Someday” List of Procrastinators!
However, as is my custom before giving informal investment advice, (as I am not a certified financial planner) I asked her what the purpose for investing was? For example, did she want to invest the money for retirement, purchase a house, or college education for her child? I did not want to advise her about investing without first knowing where she stood with her retirement savings, goals, and risk tolerance. One nationwide research study conducted several years ago found that 75-percent of Americans experienced regrets about their retirement savings; that Procrastination had killed their savings rates.
My relative mentioned already having a 401(k) retirement plan with the federal government, called the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). But, she left her federal job several years ago to open her own hair salon business, and had not invested for her retirement since. I asked how much money she had invested in the TSP account, and how the funds were allocated.
In a fretful manner she replied, “I am ashamed to say, Darryl, I do not know.” Then, two more times she said, “I am ashamed to say, I do not know.” I interrupted and said that she was displaying classic signs of Procrastination. Perhaps unbeknownst to her, she had thrown up a whole wall of insecurity and inaction around “not knowing the amount and asset allocation of her TSP account.” For all the years she had been away from federal employment she had not kept track of the account, and had no idea of the gains or losses in the account.
Her words expressing “shame” for not knowing the answers to my questions were really classic code words for: “I don’t know the answers, and I am not readily going to do anything about getting the answers either.” Feeling “shame” for not doing something often leads to withdrawal, hiding, and avoidance, rather than “proactive steps” to address the situation. Feeling shame can make people feel deeply flawed and unworthy, causing them to shrink from “taking action” to rectify the issue. So I told her to “lose the shame, and go and do!”
Feelings of shame are the fruit of the spirit of fear, which is not of God. II Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Rather, than feeling ashamed for not knowing the answers, she should “quickly” and “proactively” seek to learn the answers to the questions. This is God’s money that she does not have under sound financial control. This is God’s money that she has not taken the “Time” to ensure that a beneficiary of the account has appropriate knowledge of, and how to access it should she suddenly pass away.
The status of her TSP account is a big deal. However, rather than feeling ashamed, she should be “happy” for having the opportunity to get and keep her financial house in order, while there is yet “Time!” More specifically, I told her to move “quickly” and contact the TSP to get updated information on her account and share it with me. I also told her to look through her mail at home for recent TSP statements that provide summary updates on her account.
Several weeks later, she came by the house and told me she had contacted the TSP and received an update on the total amount of money in the account. But, she still could not explain how the money was invested. Though I was not happy with the speed in which she had moved to get the information, I thanked her, and then gave her another assignment.
I said before I give you investment advice, I want you to go and wrap-up all of the coins you have lying around your house and car, and put the money in the bank. She immediately burst out laughing, and asked “Darryl” how did you know I have change in my house and car? I didn’t tell her how I knew, I just laughed with her and said, “Please go and do it quickly.”
About two weeks ago, my relative stopped by the house and she came in laughing and rejoicing. She told me that she had wrapped-up a total of $150 in coins alone that had been lying dead in her house and deposited them in the bank. She said, “Darryl I’m also working on wrapping-up the coins in my car, as there are many there too.”
She said, but I also have to share a testimony with you and Dr. King. She said, recently, she and her husband had sat down with a tax accountant to file their taxes. The couple had not filed federal and state taxes for “five-years,” and she feared they would owe a large amount of money in back taxes. Much to her surprise though, instead of owing taxes, the accountant reported that she would be receiving a large tax refund! She praised God greatly!
She also reported that since she started wrapping the coins, the number of clients using her hair business had increased “eight-fold.” She said in all her years of business she had not experience such an increase. Again, she thanked God, and said Darryl I believed you when you told me, if I get my house in order, that God would bless me beyond my understanding. I smiled and said, “When you get your tax refund it will be “Time” to invest.
When my relative returns to invest her tax return and all of the coins she has taken the “Time” to wrap-up, I’m going to share with her that everything she has done to get her financial house in order, was prompted by the Wisdom of God. It was the Wisdom of God within in her that instructed her to ask me about investing, that chastened her through me to go and check on the TSP account, that compelled her to go and wrap-up the dead coins in the house and car and deposit them in the bank, to see an accountant and file the couple’s tax returns, and to pay attention to the acceleration of her business income and give thanks unto God for all of the good things He has done.
Now, there is one more thing I believe my relative’s spiritual ears are now ready to hear and receive from the Lord. That is, going forward, God is going to reveal to her “hidden secrets” about handling her money and investing to exponentially grow her wealth. With the help of the Holy Ghost, I am going to train her on how to recognize and obey the Voice of the Spirit of Wisdom.
The Spirit of the Wisdom of God Unlocks the Door to Supernatural Wealth
Let’s introduce this next Section of the Sermon with II Corinthians 4:18. The Apostle Paul wrote the following admonishment to the Saints at Corinth, and let this Scripture witness to you too:
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The “Things” we see in our born-again hearts (spirits) are eternal and revealed to us by the Spirit of the Lord, who is the Holy Ghost. These eternal things have been freely given to all those who love God as a part of our eternal inheritance. (I Cor. 2:9-16) They are for our glory, and are intended to be manifested in physical form in “Time,” according to God’s Divine Purposes. As I continue to impress upon you, wealth is a part of our inheritance in fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. (Gen.12:1-3, Gal. 3:6-9, &13-14)
For example, knowing that Christ is in you, search your hearts right now; and do not Procrastinate. See for yourselves that there is a “knowing” and a “showing” in your heart that God has made you “rich” (abundantly supplied in all good things). No lack is ever detected in your born-again heart, only wholeness and soundness is in your inner-being.
This is the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of the Lord at work revealing and testifying to you that God has made you rich; in accordance with Jesus’ finished work on the cross, and the Abrahamic Covenant. (II Cor.8:9 & Gal. 3:13-14). Yes, the Spirit of the Wisdom of God is communicating to you, that you are “blessed to be a blessing!” By worldly standards you may not currently have thousands of dollars in your bank and retirement savings accounts. You may not even have a job that produces income. However, as Christians we don’t walk by sight, we walk by faith. (II Cor. 5:7)
Let God be true in your life and finances, embrace the Spirit of Wisdom, and decree that “God has made you materially rich in all things through Jesus Christ!” (Rom.10:12)
With the eternal things we see in the Spirit, God has plans, called “hidden Wisdom,” ordained before the world began, that He has planted in our hearts; including secrets on how to get the wealth that we see in the Spirit. (I Cor. 2:7-13) Moreover, when we pray in the Holy Ghost, we are speaking the hidden Wisdom of God (hidden answers for our prosperity) in a mystery. (I Cor. 14:2) Strategies, directions, insights, on how to get the wealth that belongs in our hands; the hands of the just. (Prov.13:22) We should always pray/ask God for the interpretation of all we speak in our prayer language (tongues), and by faith claim everything spoken into manifestation. (I Cor.14:13)
When we have a financial decision to make, we must pray in tongues, and as we are praying with God, the Voice of the Spirit of Wisdom will reveal hidden secrets for our profit in the financial matter, and later the manifestation of financial favors will come. Only the Spirit of the Lord knows the things of God, and we have been blessed with the Spirit of God so that we might know the “deep things” of God that are “freely given to us of God.” (I Cor. 2:11-14)
To man’s logic and reasoning praying in tongues is foolishness, because they only have the spirit of the world and cannot perceive nor understand the things of God. People without God’s Spirit can’t possibly get this. Like a radio, television, or microphone tuned to the wrong signal, they are literally incapable of receiving the Message of the Spirit of God.
Let’s add here a definition for the Wisdom of God. Simply put, The Wisdom of God is “all of God’s Thoughts.” Every “Thought” of God is full of His Wisdom and Power! Not only are God’s Thoughts established in our hearts, but they are first and for most contained in the Holy Bible. (II Tim. 3:16-17) The Holy Bible is foundational for receiving the Wisdom of God. When we read and study God’s Word, the Voice of the Spirit of Wisdom speaks to us for teaching, correction, training in right-living, so that we can be completely equipped to do every good work.
Coupled with the Wisdom of God, God has established within our hearts, the “Spirit of a Sound-Mind;” which is the Mind of Christ. (II Tim. 1:7 & I Cor. 2:16) The Spirit of a Sound-Mind resides in the Soul of the born-again Christian; not the human brain. Within the Mind of the Soul God has provided us with the ability to think clearly, rationally, and with self-control, essentially giving us a healthy and disciplined mind that is not subject to fear or irrational thoughts. Wow, our human brains never have to get bogged-down with fog, forgetfulness, fatigue, or lock-out; if we consult the Spirit of the Mind of Christ dwelling in our hearts.
The Spirit of a Sound-Mind seeks to cast down “all thoughts” of Procrastination in the human brain, as it only desires to do the Will of God and accomplish God’s Divine Purposes. If we lack Wisdom on any matter, we are to ask God for His Wisdom, in faith and without wavering, and He will liberally communicate His Thoughts to us through the Spirit of the Lord. (James 1:5-6)
This is what God in Christ desires to do with us in this Session. To share with us hidden Wisdom, Thoughts of Prosperity to bring us into the Wealthy Place of “Peace;” with nothing lacking, broken, or missing in our lives.
Let’s take a moment and learn how to dance with God doing the “Two-Step;” the Wisdom/Wealth Connection dance.
You see, throughout the Holy Bible, God gives to His people a “Thought,” (His Wisdom) and then the Promise of “Wealth” follows. Got it?
–Step-One: God gives a Thought. Step-Two: The Promise of Wealth follows.
–Step-One: Thought, Step-2: Wealth,
–Step-One: Thought, Step-2: Wealth
Isaiah 1:19 states, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” (Got it? Thought/Wealth)
More specific examples follow of the Wisdom/Wealth Connection in the Holy Bible. In Genesis Chapter 12, we find that God had Commanded Abram (Abraham) to leave his country, kin folk, and father’s house and go into a land that He would show him. Immediately after the Command, God Promised to bless Abraham, make his name great, and declared that He would be a blessing to others. (Gen. 12:1-3) Abraham obeyed God and departed Ur in Chaldea, sojourned through Egypt, and went up out of Egypt with his wife Sarah very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. Also, Abraham had an abundance of sheep, oxen, assess, and menservants, and maidservants. (Gen. 12:16 & 13:1-2)
Many “Times” in order for God to position us to get our wealth inheritance, we must be willing to move away from familiar places, relationships, and patterns of sinful behavior that serve as hindrances to the blessing.
Another example of the Wisdom/Wealth connection is seen at Joshua 1:8-9. The Thoughts of God are to be meditated on day and night to make certain we follow all that God has Commanded, and then hidden Wisdom is provided to us to light the pathway to Prosperity and good success. The Wisdom of God supplied typically requires that we exhibit great strength and might from the Spirit of the Lord to overcome Procrastination, opposition, and persecution.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
In Joshua 22:6-9 it is recorded that Joshua and the Israelites, having obeyed the Wisdom of God, became wealthy after defeating their enemies and taking their spoils. They had a great wealth of cattle, silver, gold, bronze, and iron.
Next, let us embrace Jeremiah 29:11-14. Notice how God’s thoughts (His Wisdom) shared with Israel, revealed the Promise of “Prosperity,” if they would determine only to seek after and obey Him. Notice that God’s Thoughts communicated to Israel were intended to remove their captivity and return them to the Wealth of the Promised Land from which they had been removed due to their rebellion. In Verse 11, I reference the NIV Bible. God’s Wisdom always opens the door to Wealth; to Prosperity.
11 For I know the thoughts (plans) that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts (plans) of peace, (to prosper you) and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
Finally, remember the story of King Solomon’s famous request of God for Wisdom in order to rule justly over the United Kingdom of Israel, recorded in I Kings Chapter 3:1-15.
Check out what God did upon granting Solomon’s request for a wise and understanding heart. God not only gave Solomon Wisdom greater than any king in the earth before or after him, but He also gave to him untold riches above any king of his “Life-Time.” Again, the Wisdom of God opens the door to Wealth. Get God’s Wisdom and Wealth will follow. Here is the story.
3 And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
2 Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord, until those days.
3 And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
Solomon’s request of God for Wisdom resulted in God blessing him with exceedingly great wealth, greater than any other king, and the Promise of long-life, if he continued to keep and obey God’s Commandments.
Solomon was the wisest man to live on the planet until Jesus Christ came into the world. Jesus confirmed this at Matthew 12:42. Solomon possessed a measure of the Spirit of Wisdom, but Jesus being the Son of God, had the Spirit of God without measure. (Meaning the fullness of the Wisdom of God) Writing about the Spirit of the Lord upon Jesus, the Prophet Isaiah stated at Isaiah 11:2-3:
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him; the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of might, and the spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Oh Saints, the only Wise God has shown us exceedingly great Mercy, Grace, and Loving Kindness in reconciling us all in Jesus Christ. (I Cor. 5:18-19) Further, the Apostle John wrote I John 4:7, “… as he (Jesus) is, so are we in this world!” Glory be to God! Unfortunately, in Christian Circles, we have not all well accepted the Truth that every spiritual gift that God placed in Jesus Christ, is also in us. (II Pet.1:3) Like unto Jesus Christ, God has given to us the Spirit of Wisdom and of Understanding, the Spirit of Might and Counsel, and the Spirit of the Knowledge and Fear of the Lord. He has given us the Spirit of “Quick” Understanding in the Fear of the Lord; to expeditiously obey God in all things.
These Spiritual gifts are dynamic, unending, unfathomable; and graciously given to us to search out in loving fellowship with God through the Holy Ghost. In business, and all aspects of life, God wants us to operate in these spiritual gifts. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul prayed for the Saints at Ephesus that God would grant to them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Jesus Christ; so that they might have even deeper insights into the hope of the Lord’s calling and know and receive their inheritance of wealth in Christ, in this life and the next. Check out Ephesians 1:16-20. It reads,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
We must join and agree with Paul’s prayers for the Church; that God would grant to every born-again Christian enlightenment; strength in the Spirit to receive even deeper Wisdom and revealed knowledge of the Anointed King Jesus. Pray that we all may grow deeper in our knowledge and understanding of Jesus’ great “Love” for God, the world, and mankind. The more we learn and take on the yoke and burdens of Jesus, the easier it is for us to love others and show the Lord’s Compassion to the poor and those in need. Praise God, that each of us may be “rooted and grounded in Love and able to comprehend with all the saints the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of Christ’s love.” Christ strengthening our inner-beings, to “know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge that we might be filled with all of the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:17-19)
In closing, the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Ghost, has been given to us to impart the Spirit of Wisdom (God’s Thoughts) to us to gain deep understanding and insight into God’s Will, allowing for wise decision-making and discernment in life. The result of obeying the Voice of the Spirit of Wisdom always brings wealth transformation into our lives.
The Spirit of Wisdom enables us to see business situations from a higher perspective than the world, and act accordingly in ways consistent with the Word of God. The Holy Ghost, is given to us to teach us all things and to show us things to come. (John 14:26 & 16:13-15) I believe the Holy Ghost desires to teach every one of us how to become exceedingly greater in business, partnerships, as traders and lenders. Such that we are the head and not the tail; always above and never beneath. (Deut. 28:13)
If we yield to the Holy Ghost and rely completely on Him in making business decisions, He faithfully and liberally will supply the hidden Wisdom of God for right decision-making resulting in supernatural increase in our wealth status. Jesus Christ said that after we have receive the Holy Ghost, that we would have “power;” miracle working power and be witnesses unto Him everywhere. (Acts 1:8)
The Power of the Holy Ghost, not only heals the sick, casts out devils, and raises the dead. But, also His Power causes an abundance of Wealth to come our way, so that we might be a blessing to the poor and those in need. Just as quickly as a person can be miraculously healed from a sickness or disease, God can transfer Wealth into a person’s hands to deliver them from debt and poverty. I believe my relative is starting to see and understand that “One Word” from God can remove all doubt and cause the sun to shine on her finances.
Once, we make seeking after and receiving the Wisdom of God the most important pursuit in our lives, and operate in it, all Procrastination will be abated, and the work we do heartily with our hands for Christ will be blessed. God will increase us more and more, and our children with us, because we give the Spirit of Wisdom preeminence in all of our decision-making.
Jesus Christ said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) Remember God gives to us His Thought and then the Promise of Wealth Follows. Dance with God forevermore. Amen for the preaching of the Word of God.
Please send your tithes and offerings in support of Exousia Ministries, Inc. to the PayPal link below. May God exponentially multiply your cheerful and hilarious giving to our Ministry and ever take you deeper into the knowledge of Himself.
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Sermon Series: “Don’t Waste Your Time: Procrastination is the Enemy of Time!”
Sermon Part 4: “Idle Money Does Not Make Money!”
Good Morning Saints!
Introduction
The picture illustration above is really a “financial crime scene!” It’s showing us “Dead Money!” There should be yellow crime- scene tape placed all around the “corps of money.” Procrastination murdered the coins, as over a long-period of “Time,” the owner let them lie idle without any work.
Saints, if you have a jar full of coins/and or dollar bills lying around your house like this, thenI beg you to take “Time” today to start raising your money from the dead by putting the money to work!“Dead money” is a slang term for any investment that has shown little or no growth over a protracted period of “Time. ”DAAAA! Money that is lying around in your car cup-holder and under the seats, under couch cushions, hidden underneath bed mattresses, holes in walls, and/orjars and piggy-banks is DEAD MONEY! Money lying around in your house, or car, is a bad investment that will never yield a return!
Money is given to us to achieve the Divine Purposes of God over our “Time”allotted on earth. Money is for making sacrificial offerings to God, buying necessities, enjoying things in life,saving and investing for future uses, giving to those in need, and leaving an inheritance to loved onesupon making our transition to Heaven.
God is watching how we handle money to determine whether more money can be entrusted into our stewardship in this life, and the next. No matter how large or small the sum you may have, God observes how you manage money.Jesus Christ said,
“He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10)
Um, could it be that the coins lying around in our houses and cars is a “Test” of our faithfulness unto Jesus Christ? Could it be that among our dead stash of coins there is a rare coin worth much more than its face value? Could it be that our prayers for more money to purchase the things we desire are hindered because of the idle money/dead coinsin our houses? Again,idle money can never bring a profit. For every born-again Christian, the Word of God and Spirit of the Lord and Anointing has been given so that we might be“profitable” in all things. (Jos.1:8, II Tim. 3: 16-17 & I Cor. 12:7)
God Owns All Things;Including Our Coins!
Psalm 24:1 makes it abundantly clear that God is the sole Creator andOwner of every person and thing, including all money in the world. The Psalmist wrote:
The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.
Yea, the Lord decreed at Haggai 2:8, “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. At I Chronicles 29:12-16, King David acknowledged that all wealth and honor comes from God, and that people should give thanks and praise to God for what they have. Yes, daily we ought to praise and thank God that God owns us, and all things, including all of the money in the world. Every time you look at a coin you ought to thank and praise God that He owns it; and that on all of our currency is inscribed, “In God We Trust!”
Look at this pretty Penny, in God we trust! The next Time a person says to you, “a Penny for your thoughts,” take the Penny and say, “my thoughts are increase, increase, increase!
I love what the Apostle Paul stated at Colossians 1:16-20, which expresses Jesus’ central and superior role in creation for eternity.
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
It would be exceedingly wise of every born-again Christian to consider these Verses in light of “money,” including every coin in our possession.As the Son of God over all creation, “money was created by Jesus Christ, and for Jesus Christ.” Jesus is before money, and money consist of Jesus! And, Jesus has the preeminence over money. Thus, without Jesus, money would not exist! Finally, through the finished works of Jesus Christ on the cross“money,” as with all things in heaven and earth and Mankind, have been reconciled by God in Him. Yes, “ALL” belongs to Jesus Christ to Him be glory and honor forevermore!
Hear me now, “Money” consists of Jesus Christ. Every coin in your house consist of Jesus. Therefore, our money is blessed (empowered to prosper) of God; to grow, be fruitful, and multiply in Christ. Money in Christ, is intended to lift every man out of poverty into riches! (II Cor. 8:9). However, when we choose to leave money idlefor protracted periods of “Time,” we deny Jesus’ finished works on the cross! Christ is alive forevermore, why then are our coins lying around the house and in our cars yet dead?
Christ’s Anointing, His Resurrection Poweris in every coin. How then can we aimlessly throw coins into a jar or can and forget about them? Many people in the world, and I think some born-again Christians may too, just consider the coins in their possession as, “Chump-Change.”Many people can see a penny on the street and say to themselves, “um it’s just a penny leave it there.” But that penny belongs to God. Many peoplealso think of loose change in their pockets as a stubborn nuisance, only worthyof their “Time” when the jar is full and to one day spend it, or deposit it in the bank. But, for many of these folks that day never happens. The coins in the jars just continue to be filled up, only to get more jars to serve as “caskets” for coins that belong to God!
Let’s just stop for a moment and ask ourselves this question about our personal wealth portfolio. How much “money”in total do you have? For many people when they think about their liquidity, their thoughts immediately go to the amountof cash they have amassed in their bank accounts (checking, savings, and certificate of deposits). Or, they may also include money they have invested in the stock market, retirement accounts, or even the equity in their houses.
However, almost no one thinks to include in their wealth portfolio calculation the corps of coinsin their homes and cars, which they consider insignificant. But heaven considers our coins to be “Treasure.”Other than venturing a “pie in the sky” guess, many people do not know how much money is idlein their homes. Do you know the total amount of coins presently in your house and car? Moreover, have you listened to the Spirit of the Lord for direction on how to put the coins to work?
Coinstar Survey Shows Consumers Lack Knowledge of the Amount of Money in Their Homes
Let’s turn on the Wisdom of God from within us now. Because we are God’s humble children, we have been given plenty of wisdom to become very wealthy. We will talk about the wisdom of God and moneyin greater detail next week, but for now let’s think about what we have learned thus far in light of Colossians 1:16-20.
–We were all made by Jesus, for Jesus, and consist of Jesus.
–Money was made by Jesus, for Jesus, and consist of Jesus.
Every person and thing in Jesus is built to prosper. As such, “we” along with all of the “money” we possess, areblessed and highly favored to get more wealth to establish God’s Covenant in the earth that He swore unto Abraham. (Gen. 12:1-3, Gal. 3:6-9, & 13-14)With regard to the coins in our homes and cars, we should think of it as, “Treasure” that God has given to us to prepare for future use! Somebody shout: “The coins in my house and car are Treasure destined for multiplication.”
The people of God need to endearthemselves toProverbs 21:20, which says, “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man spendeth it up.”
The Amplified Bible says: There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.
The coins in our homes and cars are precious Treasure and we have the oil (The Anointing of the Holy Ghost) to take the coins and multiply them in preparation for future Divine Purposes of God.With all money, we are to “do” things with it. We should look at our coin stash and determine that the money will be multiplied “Times” over for Kingdom Priorities. But, if we act foolishly and let the coins remainidle, then we waste God’s precious Treasure afforded to us to accomplish God-good works in the future.
A recent Survey conducted by Coinstar, a company that allows people to exchange loose change for cash, gift cards, or charitable donations, (for a service fee charge of up to 12.9-percent and 59-cents per transaction) shows the average person that uses the company’s machines “underestimates” the amount of coins in their homes.
Coinstarfound that on average, people believe they have within their homes and cars about $28 in loose change lying around. However, the company found the average amount that customers bring infor exchange for gift certificates is $56!This means that people in many instances are actually sitting on about “twice” as much spare change than they know.But, I must add to pay service fees of up to 12.9-percent, and 59-cents per transaction is onerous. When with a little extra effort of using coin wrappers and a sack, and happily lugging the coins to the bank for deposit would cost nothing.
Some people may read this and say, “What’s the big deal Pastor its only $56 that the average person has at home.”To this, first I would say never use the word “only” in front of any amount of money!Fifty-six dollars, or any amount of money, is a very big deal because all money belongs to God!” As I mentioned last week, an estimated 10-percent of the world’s population (700 million people) live in extreme poverty. They live on less than $2.15 per day. Just think what $56 could “do” for a person living in poverty, if a person led by the Spirit of the Lord gave the money to a person in need.
But let me also show you what the average person in the Coinstar Survey could have done with the precious Treasure of $56. For illustration purposes, let’s assume that the average person in the Survey had been holding on to the coins at home for the last five-years, from December 2019 through December 2024, and then decided to take the coins for exchange.
Instead of purchasing a gift card with the $56 after 5-years, the money could have been deposited into an interest bearing savings account at a bank, or invested in the stock market for a future return of gain. If the $56 had been deposited into a bank account, at an interest rate of 0.43-percent over the five-year period, the money would have increased to $57.21. Glory be to God! On the other hand, if the person had invested the $56 into the stock market, in which the average annualrate of return was 15 percentover the 5-year period; the total return on investment would have more than “doubled” to$114.41.Glory be to God!
Additionally, had the average person in the Survey invested the $56 in Apple or Microsoft stock, respectively, the annualized rate of return during the period was 55-percent and39-percent, and the total return of investment would have been $501 or$295. Glory be to God! For the Apple investment, this would have been about a ten-score increase during the period. (These total returns do not reflect gains that would have also been made through dividend reinvestments and stock splits during the period.) If you are wondering about Bitcoin, the investment of $56 would have been worth about $370 in December 2024.
Oh Saints, let’s take the example on step further.If the average person in the Coinstar Survey had invested the $56 in Nvidia stock. Over the five-year period, Nvidia returned to investors an annualized rate of return of 534-percent. Thus, the total return on investment would have been about $573,600.Glory be to God! Now, remain Kingdom-minded, and let the Spirit of the Lord open your eyes to what good works the average person in the Survey could have “done” to help the poor and those in need because of the wise investment of spare change in Nvidia!
Saints, please understand that I am not recommending that you purchase any of the aforementioned stocks. As I said at the beginning of this Sermon Series, this is not a financial planning and management Seminar. With respect to stock picking, past performance is not a predictor of future results.
This Series is all about how we spend our “Time” on earth; and seeks to admonish us, to not waste our God-given “Time” accomplishing things that have little or no eternal value with respect to our wealth. The Spirit of the Lord chastens us not to let coins sit idle for protracted periods of “Time.” But Procrastination seeks to have us say, “One day I will get around to putting the money to work.”
My motives for sharing this investment information today is “solely”to get you focused on the value of “coins.” What seems to be a little or not worth muchto many people, if invested wisely over a period of “Time,”can result in abundanceand used to accomplish Kingdom Purposes.If we stop Procrastinating about the utility of coins and work to invest them wisely,we can be a blessing to many people in need.
The Anointed King Jesus Has Commanded We Do Business (Trade) Until He Returns
Let’s get something straight about our Salvation. We did not choose God, God chose us for His Divine Purpose. (Rom. 8:29-31) We are being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of the Life and Mind of Jesus Christ is living through us. Whatever the Anointed King Jesus Commands us to “do,” we are to keep His Commandments, and “do them.” Jesus said if we love Him we will keep His Commandments. (John 14:15)One of Christ’s Commands is that we be “fruitful” unto Him. Check out John 15:5 & 16. Jesus said,
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to you.
One of the ways in which we are to be fruitful is by multiplying the money God has given us in support of Kingdom Priorities. Simply put, with the money we have been given,“we are to make more of it.” In Christ, we are to have the mind-set of “increase, increase, and increase.” This is what the Spirit of the Lord and Anointingwithin, and on our lives, is intended to “do.” Psalm 115:14-15 says:
The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
Every year, we should see not only our money increasing, but also our children’s money increasing; regardless of the political climate, fluctuations in the stock market, the national or local economy, and job market. Jerimiah 17: 7-8, it reads:
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
As born-again Christians, we are to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and our hope (expectation) is to be in the Lord; and not in this world’s system. God in Christ Jesus is the one who has made all financial currency, and the Anointed King Jesus has Commandedus to “Occupy”until the His glorious return. (Luke 19:13) As such, as born-again Christians, we must walk in complete confidence that our wealth portfolios will experience great increase over a long-period of “Time,” because we are the blessed of the Lord. We should expect all of our material wealth and substance to increase because in “God We Trust!”
When Jesus said “Occupy until He comes.” This means we are to Trust in Him andinvest our money with intent of increase. Oh, somebody ought to say right now that its “My Time to start occupying (investing) until the Lord returns because I trust in God.”It’s “Time” to invest your coins and dollar bills, with the expectation of the money multiplying,and being used for Kingdom Priorities until Jesus Christ returns.Investing with confidence that in “God We Trust.” God is our source of the money, God is the one who will multiply it!
In the Parable of the Pounds and Parable of the Talents, recorded respectively at Luke 19:12-27 and Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus illustrates His expectation for those who would follow after Him to be good stewards over His Money. To ensure that they invest the Lord’s money and are profitable upon His return to earth. While these Parables are Future events related to the End-Times, they are teaching points for the Church and born-again believers to understand how Jesus views money and the seriousness of His Commandment to invest money and be profitable.
Just for the sake of “Time” remaining in this Session, we will examine the Parable of the Talents at Matthew 25. The Greek word for Talent is translated “talanton,” which denotes a large value of money. So this is not a Parable about stewardship of spiritual or natural talents/gifts. The Parable is about the handling of the Lord’s money over a lengthy period of “Time.”
According to the Dake Bible, the amount of one “talent” was equal to $29,085. Jesus told this Parable in private to His disciples. He said,
15 And unto one he gave five talents, ($145,425 to trade with) to another two ($58,170 to trade with), and to another one ($29,085 to trade with); to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.($290,850)
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. ($116,340)
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. (No return, $29,085)
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In summary, in this Parable, Jesus is the wealthy man traveling into a far country who entrusts His wealth to three men.(His servants/disciples) These servants then became stewards of the Lord’s money. The amounts given to each man by earthly standards are large sums, and are given based on each steward’s ability to turn a profit. One received five talents. Another received two talents. A third steward received one talent.
The first two stewards understood the Spirit and letter of instructions and the character of their Lord. So they both used the resources by “trading” to gain a profit. Each of them made a 100-percent profit. However, the third steward allowed fear and mistrust of his Lord to motivate his inaction to invest the money.Upon receiving the Lord’s talent, the steward Procrastinated on whether to obey the instructions of the Lord. Instead of investing the money, note what he decided to do with it. He went and “buried”the money in the earth. He put the money to death! He wasted his “Time” allotted to build wealth.
Then when the Lord returned he “unapologetically”returned the original amountgiven to him, and made excuses for not obeying the Lord’s instruction and using his God-given ability to increase the talent. Jesus said to the unfaithful steward that at a minimum, he could have put the money in the bank to accrue interest. (V.25-26)
In the Parable, the profitable stewards are praised, given increased responsibilities in the new Kingdom, and invited to enter into the joy of their Lord. (Vs.20-23) Notice that Jesus said they had been “faithful over a few things.” Compared to heaven’s wealth, and the inheritances they would obtain, the large sum of money given to the stewards was just a “drop in the bucket.” While the untrusting steward is scolded, rejected, punished, and his talent taken from him, and given to the steward with 10 talents.
But, what I love most about this Parable, as well as the other Parable of the Pounds, is that the wealthy man (Jesus) upon His return, did not collect the money from the three stewards. He simply wanted to test how each steward would handle His money to bring about increase, and to bless them with even greater abundance to oversee in the new Kingdom!
In closing, the Parable of the Talents has universal application to all Mankind, and especially to born-again Christians. From the “Time” of the creation, Mankind has been entrusted with resources of “Time” and material wealth. Everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him. God holds us accountable for how we use those resources to increase in value. As born-again Christians, we have the most valuable spiritual resources of all: The Word of God, The Spirit of the Lord, and Anointing to be profitable unto every God-ordained work. The value of money placed in our stewardship is blessed; every piece of money is full of Jesus’ Anointing to multiply for future use, according to God’s Divine Purposes. The money is “Blessed,” so that we may be a blessing to others.
Let us no longer let Procrastination serve as the cause of coins and dollar bills in our homes and cars dying a slow death. This is wickedness in God’s sight. Do not be a hearer only of the Word preached to you today. But go and respond affirmatively to the Voice of the Spirit of the Lord, and gather together, and wrap up the coins and band the dollar bills together and put them to work for the Anointed King Jesus, through saving and investing until He returns. So that we might hear the Lord say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant,” you have been faithful in a few things, come and receive the glorious rewards of just stewardship over God’s wealth.
For though we are saved by grace through faith, and on our way to Heaven, we all must give an account of our stewardship of the Lord’s resources when we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Apostle Paul wrote:
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (II Cor. 5:10)
King Solomon wrote these words to his son, (meaning his students) recorded at Proverbs 3:9-10 to:
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Honor God with your coins and let the Spirit of the Lord teach you how to invest them in fruitful places for future harvests; and your houses, wallets, bank accounts, and investment portfolios will be filled with plenty. Amen.
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Sermon Series: “Don’t Waste Your Time: Procrastination is the Enemy of Time!”
February 16, 2025
Sermon Part 3: “The Spirit of the Lord Seeks to Position us to Get Wealth to be a Blessing to Those In Need!”
In 2023, 36.8 million people in the United States were living in poverty, which is a poverty rate of 11.1 percent. (Census Bureau) Moreover, globally, around 700 million people, or 8.5 percent of the world’s population, live in extreme poverty. This means they live on less than $2.15 per day. (World Bank)
As born-again Christians, God has uniquely equipped us with the Spirit of the Lord and Anointing to be a blessing to the poor. So let the Spirit of the Lord have His way and give to the poor with an open heart and hand!
Praise the Lord Saints and Good Morning!
Introduction
I tell you the Truth. I hate to hear the words “poverty,” “poor,” or “disadvantaged. My heart reviles against poverty, and is set on doing as the Spirit of the Lord Commands to bring people out of poverty into a wealthy place in Christ Jesus. (Luke 4:18-21) Even though at “Times” I have missed opportunities to be a blessing to the poor due to Procrastination. Still, I press and stretch higher and higher towards the mark for the prize of the High-Calling in God in Christ. (Php. 3:14) That is, to Love every person on the planet, including the poor and those in need, as Jesus Christ Loves me.
Poverty refers to the state or condition in which people or communities lack the financial resources and other essentials for a minimum standard of living. As such, they cannot meet their basic human needs. No person in the world should have to live in poverty, given that Jesus Christ sacrificed His life on the cross to set the world free from sin and poverty. (II Cor. 8:9) Yet, Jesus Christ said to the disciples, that they would always have the poor “with them.” (Matt. 26:11) Yes, as long as the earth remains the poor will be “with us.”
Jesus did not say the poor will always be in the world. He said the poor will always be “with us.” Meaning that the poor are our brothers and sisters. They are family! Do you think of the poor as your family? If not, start doing so today? Would you let a member of your biological family suffer hunger, lack shelter, clothing, or other vital human resources they need? I hope your answer is no. In like manner, we must help the poor as we have opportunity and means.
Moreover, it is very difficult for a person to fully “hear” the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which we are Commanded to preach to every person, when their bellies are empty and basic needs are going unmet. For those in poverty, the physical Message of God’s Love, must often “Times” be first received, before we can share the spiritual Message of God’s Love through the gospel that has the power to break asunder the curse of poverty on a person and family, in their generations. (Rom. 1:16, 10:12-13, & Mark 16:15-18)
Jesus Christ said “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) As born-again Christians, in accordance with the Abrahamic Covenant, which we talked about last week, God in Christ Jesus has equipped us with the Spirit of the Lord, (The Holy Ghost) and Anointing, to get wealth so that we might receive what I call the “double blessing.” (Gen. 12:1-3, Gal. 3:6-9, 13-14, 26-29) That is, the blessedness of receiving wealth, and the blessedness of giving to those in need. (Deut. 8:18)
Learning to give to those in need from a “cheerful heart” is an essential work of the Ministry that we are called and duty-bound to perform in Christianity. Church leaders (The Five-Fold Ministry Gifts to the Church of Jesus Christ, Eph. 4:11-12) must teach our congregations how to give money and other material resources to God, and to those in need, from a “Compassionate Heart.” We must help our people understand that every opportunity we are afforded to “give” of our wealth to the Church, and the poor, is Divinely Purposed and ordered by God. So that we might use our “Time” allotted on earth wisely, “doing works” that are well pleasing in God’s sight. You are never wasting your Time and money and resources, when you give liberally from the heart to those in need.
This is what the Lord would have us understand today, that the Spirit of the Lord within our hearts is continually at work positioning us to “be a blessing” to the poor and those in need. There is no greater earthly satisfaction and joy we can obtain on earth, than when we give to those in need with a cheerful heart. However, Satan schemes to use the weapon of “Procrastination” about giving to the poor in an attempt to keep us from reaping the double blessing God has instore for us.
God Expects His People to Have Compassion on the Poor and Needy
I hope you read the heading of this section closely and take it to heart: God expects for you to have “Compassion on” the poor and needy! The Apostle John wrote at I John 3:17 about the necessity of Compassion for others in need, if we are truly God in Christ inhabited. It reads:
But whoso hath this world’s goods and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up the compassion of his heart from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
As stated last week, Ephesians 2:10, states that we are God’s own handiwork, created in Christ Jesus so that we might “do” those good works God predestinated before the world began. Jesus Christ stated that all who believe in Him shall “do” the same works that He performed while on earth, and greater works as He is seated at the right-hand throne of God the Father. (John 14:12)
Since we are created in Christ, and have the Spirit of the Life and Mind of Christ on the inside of our hearts, we must go about “doing” the works as He performed them. (Col. 3:3-4) Christ is our example for living the Christian life. (Heb.12:2) Do not miss this Saints: The works of Christ were always preceded by His “Compassion” for the plight of a person, or the group of people before Him.
The dictionary defines Compassion as the “feeling that arises when you are confronted with another person’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering.” It speaks literally of “suffering together” with a person’s plight. This is a good and true description of Compassion, but in spiritual matters it runs much deeper than that.
Bible Compassion is not just “feelings” and an emotional “release” to do something to help when we learn of a person’s plight. It’s not just feelings of being merciful, sympathetic, or having pity for a person trapped in a struggle in life.
Godly Compassion is the expression of the nature of God, who is Love, invoked by the Spirit of the Lord (Holy Ghost) within the born-again Christian’s heart, to resolve the person’s or group’s plight in their favor. Like the Compassion of Christ, Compassion in the heart of the born-again Christian “knows” all about the trouble the person or group of people are going through, and is touched with the feelings of the infirmity. (Heb. 4:15) Godly Compassion is supernatural, it not only suffers together with the person, but it also knows (has the wisdom) how to resolve the plight for the person’s good, and goes and does it!
Dear Saint of God, for every person with a burden you will ever meet in life, the Compassion of God in your heart has the solution and favorable outcome in hand. Godly Compassion contains the “good work” we are ordained to “do” from the foundation of the world. Yes, Godly Compassion is full of passion to “do” all of the work preordained by the Lord!
The Apostle John stated at I John 2:20: But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
Godly Compassion works hand-in-hand with the Anointing (power of the Holy Ghost). We don’t just have Compassion for people. No no, no, we put Godly Compassion “on” people, and groups of people, and command their plights to go in Jesus name!
Now let’s check out some examples of the Ministry Work of Jesus Christ. In Matthew Chapter 20: 30-34, as Jesus was leaving Jericho, two blind men cried out continually for Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus stood still and called the men to Him and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” They replied “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” Next, Verse 34 says that Jesus had “compassion on them, and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.” Notice that Christ’s Compassion was “placed on” the blind men. The Compassion of God knew what work needed to be done to heal the men and moved Jesus to touch their eyes, and they were healed. The Lord’s Compassion also compelled the healed men to follow after Jesus.
Also, in Mark’s Gospel, after Jesus had preached in the synagogues in Galilee and casted out devils, a man with leprosy came begging Jesus to heal him. He knelt down and said, “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Again, the Scripture reports, “Moved with compassion,” Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him and said to him, “I will, be though clean. Instantly, the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed! (Mark 1:40-42)
There are also accounts written in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew of Jesus feeding the multitudes that followed after Him. In each encounter, we are told that Jesus had “Compassion towards them, or on them” and fed the multitudes by multiplying the small number of fishes and bread on hand. (Mark 6.34-44; Mark 8.1-9; Matthew 14.14-21).
Finally, look at Matthew 9:35-38, and see the role Compassion played in the Lord’s work and calling others to serve. It reads:
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Jesus’ Compassion always led to God-ordained actions, whether healing, feeding, providing, or calling others to serve. The Compassion of God in Christ is on the entire Body of Christ to labor with Him to “do” the same Good-Works: healing all manner of sickness and disease, including those in poverty and having sundry other needs. If we headed the call of Christ’s Compassion to labor with Him in His Vineyard, the food lines in our communities would dwindle dramatically with fewer people (family) with us in poverty. A Pastor once aptly prayed saying, “God break our hearts for what breaks yours!”
God Loves the Poor, How About You?
Again Saints pay close attention to the caption heading above. Do not be hasty in contemplating your answer: I ask this time, not just whether you think of the poor as family, but whether you Love the poor as God does?
Here are a few Scriptures that express God’s Love for the poor.
Psalm 14:6: God is a refuge for the poor from oppressors
Psalm 35:10: God rescues the poor and needy
Psalm 68:10: God provides for the poor
I must speak for myself, and not you. I will not boast of how in Ministry I have helped the poor. Rather, I will take a bull horn and boast of my ineptness in service to help the poor. Yes, I will speak of the opportunities I have forfeited due to Procrastination about giving to the poor, so that the Spirit of the Lord and Compassion of Christ may flow out of my heart, and help my own infirmity! The Apostle Paul pinned at II Cor.12:9:
And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I glory rather in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
As I examine the aforementioned Scriptures from the Book of Psalms regarding God’s Love for the poor, for my personal edification, the thought that comes to me is: God is my refuge, God rescues me, and God provides for me. (Ps. 91:2, 15, and 23:1) Um, thus I recon, that God has the same Love, Regard, and Compassion towards me that He has for the poor. I should reason then that God is the maker of all people, and considers the “rich” and “poor” together. (Prov. 22:2) While the world seeks to separate the rich from the poor. God always sees the rich and poor as “One.” For we all are created in God’s own image and likeness. (Gen. 1:26)
So in contemplating whether I love the poor like God, I ask myself: Am I serving as a refuge, deliverer, and provider of the poor?
The answer largely is no, as I have plenty of room to grow. There have been “Times” in my Christian life, when I have neglected the poor, and shown partiality towards those who are rich and have resources, more than those who have none. There have also been “Times” when I showed partiality in giving to people who asked of me, both Christian and Non-Christian. I made judgments on giving, based on whether I thought the person sincerely had a need, or could pay me back. This in no way is in accordance with Christ’s teachings on giving!
Also, there have been “Times,” when driving or walking on the street that a poor person holding a sign with a message regarding their plight, has looked my way and asked for money, and I did not give it to them. In some instances, I made judgments not to give based on the person’s looks, demeanor, my mood, or whether I was in a hurry to get to my destination. This was all sinful behavior provoked by Procrastination. I knew giving to the poor person was necessary, but I chose instead to put it off till another day. Oh, how many “Times” do we tell the poor, “not today, not today, and not today?” How many “Times” do we lie and say we have nothing to give to the poor and have money in our pockets and car cup holders?
James 4:17 says, anyone who knows to do the right thing and fails to do it, is guilty of sin. I have sinned at “Times” regarding giving to the poor. What God expects for us to do when we sin, is to forgive ourselves of the sin, (Eph. 1:7) and repent. (Change the way we think and obey God’s Commands.)Thus, I repented and resolved to Love the poor as God does for the remaining “Time” allotted to me on earth. I now view the poor as “family,” and that God’s Compassion is to rule my thoughts and actions in serving them.
I aspire to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven; I want to be like Jesus Christ in everything that I say and “do.” Jesus told the disciples that the way to greatness, in God’s eyes, is through servanthood; becoming a bond-slave to serve all people. Yes, I want to be God’s bond-slave for the poor; making it my life-style, as Jesus did, of saying to everyone in need: “What do you want me to do for you?”
God loves the poor and demands that our response towards the poor be the same as His. I will now share with you these Truths, and never forget them. “To Know God is to Love the Poor.” “To Grow-up in Christ, You must Grow-up in Your Love Walk with the Poor.”
In both the Old and New Testaments, we see God’s expectation for His people to “show Compassion” on the poor and needy, and in return God’s people are supernaturally prospered as they do so. This makes the poor excellent sowing ground, for even greater harvests of wealth to come on those who genuinely Love the poor. God’s people cannot be indifferent toward those in need, because His expectation for us in regard to supporting the poor are woven throughout the entirety of Scripture.
For example, look at God’s Testimony about the loving acts of King Josiah towards the poor at Jeremiah 22:16. “He (Josiah) judged (defended) the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? Saith the Lord.”
Recorded at Deuteronomy 15:10, Moses, the man of God, instructed the children of Israel on how they were to have Compassion towards the poor and needy: Thou shalt surely give him, (them/the poor) and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
This sentiment is also captured in Proverbs 14:31: “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth (insults) his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. The Book of Proverbs is chock-full with Verses showing that God Loves the poor, and is “deeply offended” when His people neglect them. (Prov.17:5, 19:17, 22:2, 9,16, 22-23, 28:8, 29:7 & 31:8-9).
The consequences for ignoring the plight of the poor are also made clear in Proverbs 21:13: “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” Also, note in Proverbs 28:7 God’s strong response towards those who neglect the poor: “He who closes his eyes to [the poor] receives many curses.” Further, among the iniquities of Sodom and Gomorrah described in Genesis Chapter 19, the people of that land were “arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” (Ezek.16:49) We know well of the demise of that place too, as brimstone and fire rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. (Gen.19:24-25)
The New Testament is equally clear as to how we as born-again Christians are to have Compassion on the poor. In the first Epistle of John it reads: “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with action and in truth.” (I John 3:17) All will say that they “love everyone,” but we only have proof when we see actions that match our words. See the following Passages of Scripture on Christ’s teachings regarding “giving.” First, Luke 6:30-34:
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
We are to take this to mean to give to every person that asks, with no strings attached. At Luke 6:38, Jesus taught on the principal of the more blessedness that comes from giving:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Also, examine your Christian walk in light of Luke 14:12-14, and hearken to the Voice of the Spirit of the Lord in your dealings with the poor.
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Upon reading this Passage of Scripture, all of us need to reflect and ask ourselves, in preparing dinners, and great feasts on Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, and other “Times” of the year; did we call the poor, lame, and blind and invite them to share our tables? I did not. That’s called partiality. I knew of the Anointed King Jesus’ Commandment at Luke 14:12-14, but I chose to do the opposite, and only called family, friends, and fellow Christians to join me at the Table. How about you?
In my case, I knew full well the Commandment of Christ to invite the poor to our feasts. But, again, I let Procrastination enter into my decision not to invite my poor brothers and sisters to the feasts. In my deliberations, I mostly thought about whether it was wise to invite strangers into our home to eat due to safety concerns. The drum-beat of Procrastination kept on beating saying to myself “maybe next year, I will invite the poor to supper with me, um, maybe one day I will.” It has been nearly 12-years since a poor person and family has sat at our dinner table!
Do you see what Procrastination does when entertained? It works to shut up your bowels of Compassion in your heart, build “Walls of Procrastination” in your brain, and conditions you to do other things of lesser importance. And, ultimately Procrastination causes you to miss out on the “double blessing,” and God’s repayment for your loving service to the poor on the Day of the Lord.
Equally important is the Passage of Scripture at Matthew 25:31-46; the Parable of the Sheep and Goats. It’s an actual event that will take place just before Christ’s millennial rein on earth, and involves what is often referred to as the “Judgment of Nations.” At that “Time” the people inhabiting the earth will appear before Christ’s throne and divided into two groups—the “sheep” on Jesus’ right side and the goats on His left.
Those on the left will be sent to the “eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (V. 41), whereas those on the right will receive their eternal inheritance. (V. 34) Noteworthy, however, is the language Jesus Christ uses in addressing these separated groups. The “sheep” are commended for their supportive actions towards the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, and the vulnerable. On the other hand, the “goats,” are chastised for their lack of compassion and action towards the poor and those in need.
When the righteous ask the Lord “when” they did these things, Christ responds by saying, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” We are not to misconstrue this as meaning the good works of the sheep factored into their gaining salvation. Rather, these good works were the “fruit” or evidence of their having been saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-10), further evidencing that a commitment to Christ will indeed be accompanied by undeniable evidence of a transformed life full of a Compassionate heart. Remember, we were created to “do” good works, which God prepared in advance for us to “do,” and the “good works” Christ speaks of in Matthew 25 include supporting the poor and suffering.
James 2:2 states, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.” James also wrote, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22) Similarly, the Apostle John wrote, “The man who says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not in him. . . . Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” (I John 2:4, 6). And the words of Christ Himself: “If you love me, keep my Commandments.” (John 14:15)
In closing, God’s Word gives us insight into His heart for the poor and instructions on how we are to support the weak. If we truly have faith in Jesus, we must also share His concern for the poor and treat them as Loving and adored family. Jesus Commanded us to love one another as He loved us. (John 13:34-35). And what better way to demonstrate the love, kindness, and Compassion of Jesus Christ than by reaching out to the “least of these” with us; the poor and those in need?
Each encounter we have with the poor is a Divine Moment in “Time” given to us as an opportunity to be a blessing. To give a smile and warm embrace. To stop and chat with the poor, homeless, sick, and imprisoned and ask them, “What can I do for you today?” To have Godly Compassion for the plight of people and meet and exceed their physical and spiritual needs for God’s love, mercy, and grace is forever available to All.
God has called us to decency and order. (I Cor.14:40) Let us from this day forward see and treat the poor with the same Love, Regard, and Compassion that God has for them. Our reward of servanthood will be great in the earth, and much more so in Heaven above. Let us redeem the “Time” by doing only those things that please the Anointed King Jesus, and have eternal value and reward having Compassion on the poor and bringing them into a wealthy place in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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