Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 24, 2023: SOAP #4951: 2Kings 11,12; 2Chronicles 24; 1Timothy 6

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

OBSERVATION:  It is interesting to note that the Bible has many passages that speak of money.  From a widow giving her two mites (Luke 21:1-4) to the wealthy noted above, the Bible encourages giving.  The Bible has many passages telling us what TO DO with money, but not as many telling us HOW TO GET money. 

APPLICATION:  Five Biblical ways of obtaining money:
1.  Inherit money:  Proverbs 13:22: This may happen to me but I need to be careful with the money.  I can get wise counsel from the Bible! 
2.  Work for money:  Proverbs 13:11: This I am encouraged to do.
3.  Beg others for money:  Luke 18:35-43:  Not an example for me to follow.
4.  Giving:  Luke 6:38: Give; it will be given to you. God loves a cheerful giver.
5.  Ask God for money:  Philippians 4:6:  and 20+ other passages encouraging me to ask God.  God has many ways to answer my prayers.  He has provided a job for me to do.  He has given me a harvest from what I have previously given.  And He has had others give to my need. It all comes from Him! 

Paul never asked people to send money for his ministry.  But Paul did thank people for giving to support his ministry.  And Paul strongly encouraged others to give on behalf of the famine in Jerusalem.  (2Corinthians 8&9)

People have used the promise of rewards for giving to motivate me to give to their ministry.  What motivates me more is their testimony of how God rewarded their giving.  With the scriptures Paul wrote about giving, he was thanking them for giving, not trying to motivate them to give more to him.    

PRAYER:  Lord, How I deal with money is important to you.  May my use of money always please you!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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