A Financial Devotional E-Book

Esther Samboe

• Herausgeber: Mijnbestseller.nl
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 220

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Finances are one of the things in life we cannot live without. This might be a challenge and, for others, a blessing. Either way, we cannot do without it on this planet. Sometimes it looks like the whole earth is evolving around a money system. Yes, it is true, finances are not a surety that you will have good health and happiness. Still, if you have an excellent filled bank account, life gets more accessible in some aspects. So let's make sure your view on finances is correct and healthy and in line with what the Bible says. That's what this book 'A financial devotional, your finances: a manifestation of who you are' is all about. In 90 days, you have an opportunity to transform your mind with integrated pillars like Bible verses, prayer, speaking, and meditation parts. A financial devotional, you need to get a Biblical standpoint on finances.

Leseprobe

A Financial Devotional

Your finances: a manifestation of who you are

Esther Samboe

Colophon

A financial devotional

Your finances: a manifestation of who you are

© 2022 Esther Samboe

Publisher: Esther Samboe

Cover design: Esther Samboe

Date of publication: 1 May 2022

ISBN: 9789403667942

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or author.

Definitions of Greek and Hebrew words are taken from Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong.

Definitions of words are taken from Google dictionary online.

Table of content

Introduction

Who God is

Day 1 God of all creation

Day 2 God made it all good

Day 3 Jehovah Jireh

Day 4 He gave it to us!

Day 5 Tribulation will come but from where?

Day 6 He cares for you

Day 7 Which kingdom?

Day 8 No more darkness

Day 9 A stingy God?

Day 10 An expected end

Trust

Day 11 God is faithful

Day 12 Who’s authority?

Day 13 His desires in you

Day 14 Peter and the net(s)

Day 15 Who do you trust as a source?

Day 16 You don’t have to be anxious

Day 17 Walk by faith not by sight

Day 18 Go to your ‘there’?

Day 19 Fishing for money?

Day 20 The good steward

Transformation

Day 21 Where are you heading to?

Day 22 Renew your mind

Day 23 Abraham, a wealthy man

Day 24 You shall not go empty

Day 25 Joseph prospered, so will you

Day 26 Be humble

Day 27 The wisdom question

Day 28 Seek His Kingdom

Day 29 Jesus a poor Man?

Day 30 Blessed, without even knowing it?

Heart matters

Day 31 The hard heart

Day 32 You have a sound mind!

Day 33 You choose

Day 34 Be consistent

Day 35 Think on these things

Day 36 What do you see?

Day 37 Your whole heart or parts?

Day 38 What comes out of your mouth?

Day 39 Forgiveness and your finances

Day 40 Your money or His?

Faith

Day 41 How do I get faith?

Day 42 What is in your sight?

Day 43 Unbelieve or faith?

Day 44 Mix it with faith!

Day 45 According to your faith

Day 46 Your tongue is a pen, what are you writing?

Day 47 Speak faith

Day 48 Do you know His will?

Day 49 faith is the substance

Day 50 God is the source of your finances

Sowing & reaping

Day 51 Seedtime and harvest

Day 52 The stolen seed

Day 53 The seed on a stony place

Day 54 Get rid of all those thorns

Day 55 The fruit of thirty, sixty and hundredfold

Day 56 Don’t give with a stingy heart

Day 57 Don’t give under pressure

Day 58 Give and will be given unto you

Day 59 Sow the crops you need

Day 60 God gives the seed

Financial scripture

Day 61 Tithing an Old Testament custom?

Day 62 Tithing and financial miracles

Day 63 Tithing, how does it work?

Day 64 The devourer is rebuked!

Day 65 Being condemned is not in place

Day 66 Barns and land?

Day 67 What do you do?

Day 68 God supplies, does He?

Day 69 To prosper

Day 70 As a tree

Financial lessons from Proverbs

Day 71 Your First Fruits

Day 72 Don’t do it! Use wisdom!

Day 73 Riches and honour

Day 74 Better than fine gold

Day 75 Don’t be a waster

Day 76 Your tongue and your finances

Day 77 The Lord will lend from you!

Day 78 Only pleasures?

Day 79 Savings

Day 80 It will get better

Courage

Day 81 Who reigns your life?

Day 82 The key of authority for your finances

Day 83 Speak to your mountain

Day 84 Faith without works is dead

Day 85 Act on it!

Day 86 The abundant life

Day 87 Stop looking at lack!

Day 88 Do what the Word says

Day 89 Know that you know, that you know

Day 90 If you have, more will be given

Introduction

Finances are one of the things in life we cannot live without. For some, this might be a challenge, and for others, a blessing. Either way, we cannot do without it on this planet. Sometimes it looks like the whole earth is evolving around a money system. Yes, it is true, finances are not a surety that you will have good health and happiness. Still, if you have an excellent filled bank account, life gets more accessible in some aspects. Some people will scream from the rooftops that money is not the most crucial thing in life; others will say it is. You can debate and choose sides, whichever you want to select. However, everybody will agree that finances are not to be wiped away or blotted out because it is the system used in this world. Finances are here to stay, if you like it or not. So why not ensure that your view on finances is healthy and correct? You have to live with it anyway. So let's make sure you live accordingly and in the best way possible. That's what this book 'A financial devotional, your finances: a manifestation of who you are' is all about. To help you make sure that your views and standards of finances are healthy and proper. The best way to do that is with help from the Bible. As a matter of fact, I believe that this is the only way to get there.

But first things first, we will get to the Bible part later on. I want to let you know that I am not a financial advisor or have a high position in a vast company. My college degree is not specialized in business or finance-related things—none of these things I have. But what I do have is the experience in how to deal with finances and how to change your view based upon the Word of God. The reason being I was in so much debt a long time ago; it was a troubling situation. In that period, I came to Christ radically and received the love of Christ, yet my bank account was still bankrupt. I was broke beyond broke. I had two choices. The first was to enroll in a government program and get solid within 3 to 5 years. This program is designed to help you, but you don't have any ownership of your income, bank account, and how much money you can spend. But instead, they will help you, and you will get out of debt after a specific time. The second one was I could do it God's way and enroll in the Kingdom program. This program is based on love, belief, giving, and choosing the Word of God above feelings and emotions. It meant following Jesus no matter what. I chose the last one. I definitely will not say the route was smooth and easy, but it was worth it. All of it.

Enrolling in God's Kingdom and living according to the Bible got me out of debt within one and a half years. That is half the time of the government program! During these one and a half years, the Holy Spirit helped me to transform my mind to the Word of God and taught me to take ownership of my life and finances. In this period, I received many financial miracles. Still, there were also a lot of tears concerning my financial situation. There were a lot of pity parties and walking on anxious roads, hoping I would make it. The good news is: I made it. I am not claiming I have arrived, but I am now in a better financial position. I am giving and prospering so much more than I could ever dream or think about. And this is something I want for you as well. That is why you have this devotional in your hands.

Now to the Bible and how it can help you. Yet, this financial devotional is not only for people who are in debt. This is meant for everyone who wants to prosper according to the Word of God. When you want to live with and for God, the best thing to do is give Him all you have. Basically, giving your whole life to Him. Aka, not your life, but living His. Not your own understanding, problem-solving, and doings but only His ways, ways of solving problems, knowledge, and wisdom. Not gaining for your own and using it for your own purposes, definitely not. All for the Kingdom of God. He loves you, and God wants you to prosper in all areas of your life, including your finances. But the first focus needs to be God, not your finances or your prosperity. When you focus on God, wealth will be a by-product.

Can you imagine what the world would look like if every Christian around the world would not live worrying about money? If they were debt-free, enough money to start whatever project God asks them to do? It would be life-changing. Instead, many Christians are in bondage, and the bondage name is money. To be more specific, the love or the lack of it. When you have more than enough, it is possible you look for stability in money instead of God. If you have a shortage, you can be so money-minded, all you can think about is, for example, 'how can I pay my bills?' or 'how am I going to make it this month, what am I going to eat?' 

In order to get to a place where the mind is free from bondage, we need to transform our minds. And we need to change it to the Word of God. This is not my sayings and thinking, but this is what God says:

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2 KJV

It is a day-to-day process to change the way you think. It is something you need to do every day, not once in a while. This devotional has 90 days, as in a quarter a year. Businesses and the financial world live by quarters. They make up financial reports to analyze how things are going and evaluate. Is it going well, or do they need to adjust? My prayer for you is that you start changing how you think when you start the walk with this devotional. I believe that you will be transformed if you follow what the Word of God is saying concerning your finances. Of course, you won't be transformed perfectly all at once, but hey, you are getting there just as you work out in a gym. You won't get a flat tummy when you work out for one week; it takes more training. It is up to you to analyze and evaluate where you stand after 90 days. Maybe you can check your own heart and thinking report. When you need to adjust, please do so. Or, if you need to start once again with this financial devotional, don't hesitate to do so. This devotional is categorized into themes. If you only need specific knowledge of a particular theme, for example, the second ten days from this devotional, never stop rereading it when required. 

It is possible when you read the days of the first four themes; you might wonder what this has to do with finances. I am happy to explain. There is a saying which is so true: show me your finances, and I can read your life. For instance, if you see someone's expenses, and most of them are diapers and baby food, you will know this person has children. But that is not the only thing you can read. If you look at what this individual will give their money to, you will learn what they are busy with and what they find important in life. You can also see if they are wise people with how they handle their money. Not to judge, but to know. So finances are, in a way, a manifestation of who you are. I will illustrate this more with my own life. When I was in debt, my expenses were more than my income. I lived beside my paycheck from loans and credit cards. Utilities, parties, clothing, and extremely high phone bills were most of my expenses. This said something about me as a person. Nobody phoned me because my so-called friends didn't have the money for it, so I would call them. I didn't have the money either but just wanted to speak to them. I was a people pleaser at the core. Also, I would invite friends to come with me to a party, and I would pay for it all. There was something wrong with me, which would manifest in my finances. 

Of course, not everything is our fault. For example, you could be in a financial mess because your spouse has died, or you are in a middle of a divorce. The thing is, when you look at somebody's finances, it can tell you about their situation. 

To change things, we first need to know who God is and start to trust Him so the Word of God can transform us, and our heart matters will change with it. This is with everything in life; finances are no different. God knows you, but do you know God? 

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:2,3 KJV

I found out that so many people have made their own point of view of God. Sometimes it comes because of how they look at their father or hear pastors preach, or they are just making something up in their mind. It is so important to live in the truth and learn who God is by the Word of God. That is what the first theme is all about: Who God is. The following three themes are a follow-up. Bit by bit in this financial devotional, you start to see things through the Word of God, and piece by piece, you will be changed. 

Each day of this devotional exists out of pillars of scripture, a short explanation, a prayer, a speaking part, and last but not least, something to meditate on during the day. Because if we can transform our minds, our lives will be changed. For you to get there, you need to start also thinking about the Word, not only about your problems or whatever occupies your mind. 

The pillar speaking is likewise essential. Whatever you will say, you will have is what the Bible tells us. (Proverbs 18:21, Mark 11:23) There is too much talking and speaking about how the current situation is. So it is best to start speaking what God's Word tells you about your finances and His promises. Words are that powerful. This pillar will affect and change your situation and your thinking as well.

Even if you are a positive person, the Word of God will bring you to greater heights than positivity ever can. I know for sure that when you start to transform to the Word of God, this will manifest in your finances as well!

So let's start!

Much blessings,

Esther

Day 1 God of all creation

Who God is

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 KJV

This scripture is the first sentence of the Bible. And it has brought a lot of debates in the world. So many people think that the earth was created by a big bang. Still, He has made it, according to this scripture. When He created the world, don’t you think He knows best how things work? Unfortunately, many people believe that God doesn’t know it all, and they try to convince God to work in a certain way. That is just not going to work. You cannot direct God. He leads us due to the fact that He created everything, because He knows best. 

Let me illustrate this with an example. You start to cook a delicious meal, for instance, a beef stew. You know all the ingredients and how to take the cooking steps. Then you invite me into your home; I am glad to get this invitation because I am happy to eat a delicious meal. After I have eaten it, I will start with a debate. I will try to convince you to put other ingredients, such as fish, in the food and take additional steps during cooking. For instance, cook the meal for another extra 15 minutes longer than the original time of 30 minutes. You know by experience that this will not work because you are the cook and created it with beef; that’s why it is a beef stew and not a fish stew. Still, despite that, I convinced you and even got mad at you because I believed otherwise. Wouldn’t you just stop the conversation and let me try to do it my way? Even if you know it will not work? It will not even taste the same and become totally different.

Maybe a strange example I’ve used, but I believe God has to deal with us in the same matter. When I was in debt, I tried to convince God to act in a specific method, but I knew deep down in my heart that God is God. His ways are THE way; I needed to submit myself to the fact that He created everything. I am His creation, not the creator of Him. When I learned this challenging course of action, I started to check out His ways because I saw that His ways are better. After all, what He created is something I never can. The beautiful sky, nature, and the beach, just think of a few things He made. 

Prayer

God, I acknowledge You have created everything; thank You so much for this. Thank You that I am your creation, I choose to submit to You and follow your ways. Amen. 

Speak

God created heaven and earth. He has made everything in a perfect state; I will follow His steps and walk in His ways today. 

Meditate

Think about all the beautiful creations He made; think about all the beauty that is out there in the world, for example, the blue in the sky and its vastness. 

Day 2 God made it all good

Who God is

"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." Genesis 1:31 KJV

Everything God made was perfect. It wasn't just good but very good, as we can read in the above Bible verse. Unfortunately, then came the fall (you can read this in Genesis 3). The fall which humans chose for. God created everything perfectly; it was the human who cracked it. I think we all know the story of how Eve was deceived by the serpent, aka the devil. Adam, who stood beside her, didn't use the dominion God had given him and speak against the snake. So Adam and Eve fell for the lie and sinned by eating the forbidden fruit. Due to the fall, human nature received death, as in physical death and spiritual death. Thanks to Jesus, He came to correct this. He came to give us life. Not just life in a way so you can barely make it. No, an abundant life He offers, as John 10:10 KJV explains, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Everything that is death; when you give it to Jesus, He will make it alive. 

In a way, this also works with your finances even though money was not made by God. He still can make everything perfect. When we, for whatever reason, don't want to hand over our finances to Him and keep them to ourselves, it will become death. Because everything outside of Jesus will eventually die, be stolen and destroyed by the devil, or will not flourish because of our own mistakes. Only when you give it over to Jesus, can He breathe His life into your finances. Not only into your finances but also into your mind, thinking, and heart. Remember, your finances are, in a way, a manifestation of who you are. I have heard so many sayings such as: 'I believe in God, but finances are mine,' 'Thank you, Jesus, for life, but finances I will take care of it myself, 'God is a great God, but my finances are mine part to play not His,' 'All nice and well with this God, but I have a rent to pay.' Many people hold on to their finances and don't give them over to God; in doing so, He is not able to help. So don't keep your finances to yourself.

God is not a God of deficient creation, horrible things, or disastrous happenings. Neither is He a God of debt, poverty, lack, insufficiency, and misfortune. That is not what Genesis 1:31 is saying. He has made everything, and it was very good. Don't you think that when you surrender your finances, He can't make it very good again? 

Prayer God, I acknowledge that everything you made is very good and perfect. So, therefore, I now surrender my finances over to you and start doing it your way. Amen. 

Speak God made everything perfect. I have surrendered my finances. He makes it very good as well. So finances I speak you are well and very good.

Meditate Think about how good God is. He is not a God of terror. He is the God of making all things suitable. Think about these things. For example, think about the flowers He has made. Tip: you can even look them up on the Internet to get a mental picture.

Day 3 Jehovah Jireh

Who God is

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 KJV

God has many names, one of them is Jehova Jireh. This is a Hebrew name that means ‘The Lord will provide.’ 

For you to know: God is a provider. As a matter of fact, He loves to provide. Do you know why? It is because of His love for you. And Jesus in Isaiah 54 is called our Husband and Maker back in the day the husband would provide.

If you can imagine somebody, you genuinely love and adore at this moment. When this person is in need of something, don’t you want to try to provide for it? If you have the capacity for it, don’t you want to give it to this person? Not because you want to manipulate or try to get something back because you give, no, you give it your all because you love this person. 

That is who God is. He loves us so much; He wants to provide and give because that is what His nature is, His character and qualities. He is Love. During the time that, when I lived in debt, I supernaturally experienced a lot of provisions. I never told my environment how dire my finances were, so nobody knew my situation. I tried to cover it up big time. But time and time again, God supplied me with food, money, clothes through people who didn’t even were aware of how of a help they indeed were. I thank God for this provision and support that always came in so timely. 

PrayerThank you, Father, that you will provide all my needs; I believe in your Name, Jehovah Jireh. My God who provides for me, so I am thankful I am provided for in my finances, Amen.

SpeakMy God is my provider, my Jehovah Jireh; no one can help me as He does. Provision comes my way through Jesus. He send the right people at the right time. 

MeditateMaybe you are in a troubling financial situation at this moment. Still, I believe you can think of a moment where God did provide for you financially with, for example, groceries, clothes, or even money sent. If so, don’t you believe He can do this again? On the other hand, if you are in an excellent financial state at the moment, just think of all those times He helped you to get to this point and be thankful for it.

Day 4 He gave it to us!

Who God is

“The heavens belong to the LORD, but he has given the earth to all humanity.” 

 Psalm 115:16 NLT

God is an awesome God. He is so fantastic. He created you and me in His image according to His likeness. (Genesis 1:26) It didn’t stop there. When He created the heavens and the earth and made everything on it like the trees, animals, the sun, and the moon in the sky. After all of this, He created us and gave this beautiful earth to mankind. He gave us dominion over it. That is a fantastic gift. But as with all great gifts, there comes great responsibility. When He created us after His image, this meant that we need to act just as He acted.

With this, I don’t say you need to create a new earth or a new sun or moon. Thank you, Jesus, we don’t have to do that! That would be a lot of work. Because if you be honest, working on your own life takes a lot already. He meant that when He created us in His image, He created us with the ability to speak as He spoke. Something nature and the animal world can’t. It is a gift we got, for free. You came into this earth with the capacity to speak. Just as God created heavens and earth with Him speaking and by His words, you and I can create our own life by speaking and