I intend to get all over money the next 12 months. It is something my family is very good at and something that is overlooked a little bit too much, both within and without the church.
James 2 14-26 (NKJV): In these verses, James explains that faith is a good thing, but we are not to forget works.
An example is grocery shopping, having everything you need and desire to make your recipes, and not cooking anything with those ingredients. Aromatic vegetables don’t jump out of the fridge, chop, caramelise themselves in the pan, and jump into your recipe. A bit of preparation and work goes into it. This example of cooking is exactly what James is talking about. You can have all the recipes and ingredients, and you will, but unless you cook them, the desired result will not materialise.

The Blessings of The Lord

Some of the Lord’s blessings are automatic, and others you might have to pray through, especially if something keeps repeating itself.
Deuteronomy 28:1-12 shows us the blessings for our lives if we obey The Lord and continue in His Word.
The bible or scripture is the Word of God, and Jesus is the Word that became flesh. He is the ultimate prophecy of the Old Testament now fulfilled and has indeed become flesh. He still lives in a glorified mortal body.

7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Jesus’s words, ‘abiding in you ‘, when cross-referenced, emphasize the significance of staying in fellowship with Him and regularly reading His Word, the Bible.
Matthew 6:33 assures us that when we prioritize seeking the kingdom of God, all things will be added to us. This promise fills us with hope and motivates us to continue our spiritual journey, knowing that God’s rewards are abundant. This doesn’t mean that we don’t steward over our lives or fight for what is ours at times.

Adding Works to our Faith

So, as we strive to defeat a spirit of poverty, build wealth, and have our needs met, what does this all mean?

1. A budget and clear goals. A budget is a beginning to wealth as you track where your money is going and what goals you may have for the month. There are a few, but I cut my money on the Dave Ramsey template and built a business with that (which went global) on his ideas.
2. This is the Dave Ramsey comprehensive budget and this link has others. A budget does take a good 2-3 months to get used to.
3. Have an emergency fund. Here is a guide to starting an emergency fund. The first goal is $500 to $1,000. An emergency fund helps break the “everything is an emergency”scenario. Having a cushion of money for an emergency will help break the debt cycle too.

Jesus promises to help and provide for us. The next posts to come will give examples of prayers. So, if He provides that money, be a good steward and use it for that purpose. You can have fun in your life but good stewardship goes a long way.