God's Plan for Your Money by Derek Prince

Author:Derek Prince
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-01-03T16:45:04+00:00

First Give Yourself

Chapter Seven

First Give Yourself

Our next Scripture comes from the eighth chapter of 2 Corinthians. I suggest that you take time to read chapters eight and nine through several times with careful consideration to get the full impact of the passage. The entire theme of both chapters is finances. Whoever said the Bible does not have much to say about money?

Paul was writing to the Corinthians about the Macedonian churches, and he was telling how the Holy Spirit moved on the Macedonians to be generous in their giving. Then he drew a lesson from that. In 2 Corinthians 8:2-5, we read:

2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy [the Macedonian churches] and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,

4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing God's Plan for Your Money in this service to the saints.

5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

(2 Corinthians 8:2-5)

The important sentence here is, "They gave themselves first to the Lord.." What is the first thing we have to give to the Lord? Not our money, but ourselves. That is how it must begin with each of us. Do not give your money to God if you have not given yourself. You must begin with yourself. You cannot buy a good relationship with God. Actually, God can get on all right without your money. It is for your benefit that God requires you to give, but He has an order. He wants you first. Then, out of the giving of yourself, by His grace, the kind of giving the New T estament talks about will naturally flow.

In Romans 12:1-2, we see this same principle:

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.

(Romans 12:1-2)

The key to finding God's will, and that includes God's will for your money, is offering yourself as a living sacrifice. That means making yourself totally and unreservedly available to God for His service. When you do that, your mind is renewed by the Holy Spirit, and you begin to think a different way. As you begin to think differently, then you can find God's

will in its three successive phases: "good, pleasing and perfect." Then, as you find God's will, you should begin to discover that God's plan for your money is included in His will. God's plan for your life covers every facet of living.

Nothing exists for which He has not made provision and for which He does not accept responsibility. But you must meet Him on His terms.

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