28April24 – (P@G) – ECONOMY Gate – GUIDELINES & POINTS
“Understanding how we partner with God to make a difference is the biblical foundation of business.” B. Epperhart
“The better God is known, the more He is trusted”- M. Henry. “Eternal life is to know God”(1Jh5:20)
“When you give everything to the Lord, the returns are incredible” J. Hayford(LSFL)
Strategic Prayer Points – Economy Gate
PRAYER POINTS SUMMARY:
1) THANKSGIVING, Praise & Adoration of our God, Creator, Father & Redeemer.
2) PERSONAL repentance
3) COMMUNION
4) PRAYERS FOR GOD’S PROTECTION, Provision, Power, Presence & Pre-eminence
5) IDENTIFICATIONAL repentance – Economy/Business/Work of our hands
6) Declarations & Prayers over GATE of Economy/Business of the abundance God’s promises – For SA
7) Declarations & Prayers for PERSONAL Work/Vocation/Finance
8) APPENDIX A: Prayers over all the sectors & the 5 Biblical principles
9) Thanksgiving & Praise 4 what God is doing in this nation!
10) Shofar Blast in Worship of Him
11) The Lord’s Prayer
12) Thank you for Praying with us
ECONOMY GATE – Christ is the OWNER of all Wealth, all Provision & SOVEREIGN in REIGN!
A. INTRODUCTION
WEEK 3 – 3 witnesses in Heaven & on earth that testifies WHO Christ is!
Christ came with His credentials well founded in who He is and therefore has given unquestionable evidence that He is Who He said He is!
He came forth from God & that He is the sole CREATOR, SOURCE & SUSTAINER of ALL of creation:
1Jn 5:6-8
Christ’s credentials, office, authority & mission by the witnesses in heaven & on earth:
(6) This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.
(7) For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. (8) And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
2) Important points pertaining to “economy/wealth/God’s promises/…:
If we think of the “BUSINESS or ECONOMY GATE” many facets of that sphere come to mind;
Economy & business relates to trade, investment, money, wealth & riches, profit & loss, financial goals & planning, stakeholders & directors, employers & employees, clients & suppliers, financial institutions & debt, governmental and statutory laws, regulations, the trading floors & markets, and the graces & challenges surrounding all of the above.
But in all of this… business, economy & wealth is summed up in the Bible with one word –
“Stewardship”
We have been commissioned, ordained, equipped & anointed by God to be good stewards of that which He has entrusted to us.
“Stewardship is the use of God-given resources for the accomplishment of God-given goals.” Ron Blue
“Business leaders are increasingly the stewards of civilization.” Max L. Stackhouse
• Humanity was called to steward; – work, manage & protect the earth. (Gen2:15)
It all belongs to God, even the cattle on 1000 hills, the earth and all its wealth… it is all God’s. (Ps.24:1)
• To serve or do unto others – is another golden rule when it comes to financial stewardship and how we handle our financial obligations, the stewardship of possessions entrusted to us, resources (incl. finances) management & development, stewarding employees, co-workers, clients, and business acquaintances & paying our taxes, debtors, and service providers.
• Finance for God’s Purposes: – of great importance is our application of principles on stewarding, which is “finances for God directed purposes”.
Our FINANCES rise and fall on the principled application of 1st fruits, tithing, giving, sowing, alms & offerings, as well as our stance on praying for / blessing Israel.
• Therefore, how we steward finances, – resources & talents entrusted to us have a direct impact on our economy & the wealth deposited in the heavenly bank accounts of individuals & nations.
An important thing to remember is that we’re “making sense of making money, for making a difference.” Billy Epperhart
• God gives the strength to attain wealth: Before crossing into the Promised Land, Moses warned Israel not to take credit for their prosperity.”
“Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deut8:17-18)
“The Christian’s perspective is eternal; the attitude is one of holding possessions lightly and the lifestyle is free from worry & anxiety.” Ron Blue: Master your Money.
Therefore, these principles all begin from the entry point of the way we handle our money & resources in the faith context. These principles are clearly laid out in the Scriptures:
- The first fruit blessing (Deu 26:1-2, Pro 3:9-10), harvest/salary ownership & stewardship, tithes (Heb7:7-10), giving, sowing and offerings.
- We mostly choose to interpret these biblical financial guidelines according to our own experience, preferences, personal belief system, culture, training and/or convictions.
- It is each one’s responsibility to find out the truth and pursue to know God’s ways in this.
Best is always to refer to what was meant by it, as God depicted it in the 2000 verses on finance in the Scriptures & how it was practiced by the Jews in Biblical times as well as in these current times.
The consequences of good or bad stewardship is seen and witnessed by all
Ecc 11:6
In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.
Luk 16:8-13
(8) So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light….
(10) He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
(13) You cannot serve God and mammon.”
- Paul wrote here that believers should go and learn from the shrewdness of those in the “world’, how to work wisely with our money & wealth portfolios….
- Reaping what you have sown is a divine law instituted by God that works on the righteous & unrighteous as with the law of gravity and His rain that will fall on both…
Unfortunately, most people, nations, corporate & individual entrepreneurs do not embrace these foundational Biblical principles due to various reasons. Regardless of those…. The result is evidential in all the decay in society all around us.
“The whole world suffers for its disregard of God’s laws on stewardship of the earth.”
Isa 24:4-5, 21
(4) The earth mourns and fades away; The world languishes and fades away; The haughty people of the earth languish.(5) The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. (21) It shall come to pass in that day That the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, And on the earth the kings of the earth.
B. PREPARATION GUIDELINES.
Please refer to preparation doc of Week 1– (PREP)
C. STRATEGIC PRAYER POINTS :
Economy Gate – “Give us this day our daily bread”
1) Thanksgiving, Praise & Adoration: Jesus Christ our Provider, Creator & Giver of everything good !
2) Personal repentance: Any known sins, also especially re. finances
Forgive others. Repent of fear of lack & reject greed, covetousness, worldliness…
Mat 5:23-25
(23) Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, (24) leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (25) Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
3) Take Communion – In remembrance of what our Lord & Savior had done for us – forgiveness of sins
4) Prayers for God’s Protection, Provision, Power, Presence & His Pre-eminence
Job1;10 &Hab 3:17-19
(17) Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— (18) Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (19) The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.
5) Identificational repentance – Economy/Business/Work of our hands
Because of disobedience, unbelief, and worldly idolatrous ways… Most people don’t live in God’s blessing of rest, therefore suffer the consequences of fear, anxiety, stress. Heb3:7-19,4:1-14
We repent therefore for:
a) Not honoring God’s Sabbath rest … habitually 1 day of rest, honors God’s command in principle…
To live in God’s Sabbath rest/It sustains our physical bodies with strength to work … as well as nature to bear fruit/harvest continually. Christ finished His work on earth, seated at the right hand of God, awaiting HIs 2nd coming.
Heb 10:12 this Man, after He had offered 1 sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
Gen2:2-3 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Lev16:31 It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, …is a statute forever.
Deu5:14 You shall do no work…. (All) may rest as well as you. (Ex35:2, Lev23:36, Jer17, Luk13:14)
Lev25:4 the 7th year…a sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.
b) Not providing for the poor, elderly, orphans as God described – to be givers of something to these…
Deu24:19 “When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Jas 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Eph4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
1Ti6:16-18…ready to give…to share.
c) Not doing or work “as unto God”, but falter in our commitment, zeal, effort, selfless-ness, SERVANT HOOD.
To have servant hearts, serving the purposes of God be established through our lives, daily living…
2Th3:10
(10) For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (12) Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. (Isa43, Php2:12-14)
D) Not being an example of Christ to the world in our conduct at our vocations, business,…
1Th4:11-12
(11) that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your
own hands, as we commanded you,
(12) that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
E) Father, forgive us our unbelief; still doubting in you willingness to sustain us.
Allowing the spirit of mammon that breeds fear, anxiety, stress…, therefore discord & strife
After all you’ve done for us we know that Your goodness, faithfulness, mercies are new every morning. You are Yehovah Yireh.. God Who sees everything, knows what we need… always give sufficient by Your grace.
Mat6:32-34
(32) For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (33) But seek first
the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Isa 55:1-3
(2) Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
(3) Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David.
F) Forgive us for harbouring all forms of greed, covetousness, jealousy…
Fear of lack, being status and/or image prone, insecure in what we are / have… trying to keep up with our peers…
Luk12:15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
G) For not seeking the kingdom first.
Allowing the needs, wants & desires of this life to take our focus of from the eternal, Kingdom purposes of God.
Mat6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things shall be added to you.
Rom14:16-19
(17) for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (18) For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. (19) Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
6) Prayers over Economy/Business Gate of the abundance God’s promises… For this LAND where He has planted us – … for the NATION of S.A.
Jer 32:40-42
(40) And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. (41) Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.’
a) Father, put again the “fear & awe of God” in the hearts of our leaders & people to return back to Your ways in handling the things, wealth & resources entrusted to us to mange for the goodwill of all in the nation.
b) Father, we come to bring every part of the economy, financial & business sector of this nation before You to ask FORGIVENESS for the lack of righteous stewardship, lack or responsibility, corruption, greed & lack of love… in how we as a nation handle our financial affairs…
Rom 8:18-21
(18) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (20) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; (21) because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
c) Father, the church today take responsibility for our part played in letting go of our responsibility to pray, serve & sustain this nasion in love like we should have… We pray to obtain Your inheritance…
Eph 1:7-11
(7) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of His grace (8) which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, …
(11) In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.
d) We pray for obedience to the laws of this nation to bring order, justice, safety, basic living rights…
Rom 13:5-7
(5) Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.
(6) For because of this you also pay taxes, (7) Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
e) Forgive us our rebellion, self-will, stubbornness, self-righteous hearts & actions to our own detriment
Jer 6:10
To whom shall I speak and give warning, That they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised, And they cannot give heed. Behold, the word of the LORD is a reproach to them; They have no delight in it.
Jer 6:16-17
(16) Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ (17) Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
7) Prayers for our personal Work/Vocation/Finance Gate
Five biblical users for money:
1. Seed for the Sower (Tithe).
2. Bread for Eating (Consumption).
3. Multiplication of Seed for sowing (Sowing and Reaping).
4. Increasing your Fruits of Righteousness (Using money to free people from bondage).
5. Generosity (Giving).
Earl Pitts/Craig Hill: Wealth, Riches & Money
We Pray & ask for:
a) We ask forgiveness for robbing You; not tithing in storehouses to sustain the work of the Lord
Mal 3:7-14 (8) “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! …’ In tithes and offerings. (9) You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. (10) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
(11) “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” (12) all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.
b) Blessings for the work of our hands: (Read Deut 28:1- 14 – Blessing for obedience)
Deu 28:12
The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
Deu 8:1-3
(1) “Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers.
(2) to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
(3) So He humbled you, …that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
c) We pray for wisdom, humility & faithfulness in handling our money, wealth, riches & resources:
Pro 13:10-11
(10) By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.
(11) Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.
Mat 25:21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
d) To be faithful in our business, work, sowing, servanthood & stewardship of the resources God entrusted to us
Luk19:17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ (Matt25:14-15, 20-21, 27-29. Luk 19:13, 16-17, Luk 16:10)
d) Thank you Father, for “doing us GOOD”:
– as we have come under the everlasting covenant by being “grafted into the commonwealth of Israel” by faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son. (Eph2:12-14, Rom11:17).
• God wants us to be blessed, cheerful in the abundance of His goodness & grace:
Ecc 9:7-10
(7) Go, eat your bread with joy…(8) Let your garments always be white (white: joy, cheerful; clean, walk with God for you are worthy in Christ-Rev3:4), And let your head lack no oil, (Ps23:5). (9) Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.(10) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;…
Joh 10:10 …I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
e) God’s circle of blessing: Favor & Blessing to the next generations
– Ps25:12-132 Cor9:8-9 p158
• We pray for righteous parents/leaders to leave an inheritance to our children & the next generations.
Psa 25:12-14
(12) Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.
(13) He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
(14) The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
• Work for those who need jobs, to be able to live & have their being
Heb 6:7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;
• A heart to bless, giving, sowing, integrity in doing good work to be released over this nation.
2Co 9:6-9
(6) He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
(7) So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, …for God loves a cheerful giver.
(8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
(9) As it is written: “HE HAS DISPERSED ABROAD, HE HAS GIVEN TO THE POOR; HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”
8) Prayers over all the SECTORS & the 5 Biblical principles
8.1 The Economic Sector classifications to pray for:
Primary business sectors in society (raw materials): exploiting natural resources: agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, forestry, mining, deposits, energy
Secondary sectors in business (manufacturing) : textile production, quarrying, car/aerospace & all transport and all other manufacturing, handicraft & construction. Manufacturing is an important activity in promoting economic growth and development.
Tertiary sectors in business (service industries involving people): trade, transport, distribution, sale of goods produced, communication, banking, education, health, tourism, services, insurance etc
Quaternary sector in the economic sector involves providing specialized knowledge to others: Service delivery that includes higher education & expertise, eg. Technology professionals, stockbrokers & product developers.
Quinary sector in economy ( to serve the public good): universities, healthcare government officials, top executives of large corporations, research scientists, police, fire department, military, non-profit organizations/charities, nursing homes, childcare & housekeeping. (studymarter.co.uk – economic sectors)
8.2 The following five biblical principles forms a biblical foundation for business.
They are from the first five books of the Old Testament (known as the Pentateuch), and they give us insight into the financial mindset of the Jewish people:
1. Participation in the Creative Process—Working together with God to do what He wants to do in the earth, the way Adam tended to the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15).
2. Protection of Private Property—Giving people the opportunity to own property, resources, or assets (Gen 13:15, Ex. 6:8, Deut. 1:8, Is. 61:4).
3. The Accumulation of Wealth (a Virtue)—Honoring and finding virtue in partnering with God to accumulate wealth, not mistaking poverty as noble (Deut. 8:18, Ps. 90:17).
4. Caring for the Needy;—Helping those in need, including both charitable giving and empowering the poor to come out of poverty on their own (Deut. 15:11, Matt. 26:11).
5. Limited Government—Allowing everyone to have the opportunity to prosper through limited government involvement and protection of private property.
I also like to connect the Hebrew concept known as “tikkun olam”, which means “repairing or perfecting the world,” with the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).
In the end, it all comes down to building wealth with God so you can be an even greater blessing to others, not so you can use it for selfish purposes.
Money Mastery, Author: Billy Epperhart. Billy Epperhart, CEO, Andrew Wormack ministries.
An important thing to remember is that we’re “making sense of making money, for making a difference.”
9) Thanksgiving & Praise
10) The Lord’s Prayer
11) Shofar Blast to declare His Pre-eminence & Sovereign Reign!
We profess His Goodness & Glory, and Faithfulness over all ! One day every knee will bow & every tongue will confess that Christ is The Lord!
12) THANK YOU for Praying with us.
2Th 2:16-17
(16) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
(17) comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.