SAY SOMETHING NOTES

Today’s lesson is about the Attitude of the Heart regarding our money and spiritual and physical possessions.

• Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. KJV

• Deuteronomy 8:11-20 KJV

• Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.18 But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.20 As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God.

These verses combine two of the 10 Commandments; Put God first and Love thy Neighbor as thyself. The Father is wanting to change our attitudes, both heart and mind. He wants to do a whole interior makeover as we put first things first.

• Proverbs 13:22 - A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. KJV

The Father is wanting to do signs and wonders through us and give us words of encouragement. He has given us a new backpack and this lesson will add to those resources.

• Matthew 25:19-30 - 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The servants were asked by the master to take care of the estate while he was gone.  He entrusted them with the talents because he obviously knew them and trusted them.  They also knew him and clearly understood what the master wanted.  As we read through the verses, we notice that the first two servants stated that “they had gained” and therefore, the master “made them ruler over many things”.  In other words, they took what he gave them and in their own efforts they increased his money/talents.  The last servant started out insulting his master and then made excuses for his lack of obedience.  Verse 29 states that everyone that has will be given more and he that hath not shall be taken away.  We need to be grateful for all He has given to us and ask Him how He wants us to take care of His investment.  Everything we have belongs to Him.

• Luke 19:15-27 – “When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these servants, to whom he had given the money, be called to him, that he might find out what business they had done. The first one came before him and said, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you proved yourself faithful and trustworthy in a very little thing, you shall [now] have authority over ten cities [in my kingdom].’ 18 The second one came and said, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him also, ‘And you shall take charge over five cities.’ 20 Then another came and said, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I have kept laid up in a handkerchief [for safekeeping]. 21 I was [always] afraid of you, because you are a stern man; you pick up what you did not lay down and you reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to the servant, ‘I will judge and condemn you by your own words, you worthless servant! Did you [really] know that I was a stern man, picking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Then why did you not [at the very least] put my money in a bank? Then on my return, I would have collected it with interest.’ 24 Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas already!’ 26 [Jesus explained,] ‘I tell you that to everyone who has [because he valued his gifts from God and has used them wisely], more will be given; but from the one who does not have [because he disregarded his gifts from God], even what he has will be taken away.’ 27 [The king ended by saying,] ‘But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them, bring them here and kill them in my presence.’”

This parable is different. See verse 16 – the servant gives credit to the master. He remembers the mina is not his but was entrusted to him by the master. The master then rewards him with authority over ten cities. He was rewarded with increase and authority. The second servant also increased the master’s investment and was also rewarded with increase. The last servant is, once again, at fault and blaming the master. He is judged and condemned by his own words.

The mindsets in each story are different. In the first story, the goal is riches and the servants’ only focus is on the money. In the 2nd story, the focus is on the master’s wealth and increasing his investment. When we take what God gives us and use it to further His kingdom, we are able to change our families and communities and bring wealth to those God has entrusted to us. The wealth comes in many shapes and sizes - money, tangible items, intellect, God ideas, resources. Growing the wealth that is given to us and planting seeds into other people’s lives and God’s kingdom will bring increase. What and where we invest depends on our own mindset. We are supposed to transform others by the “wealth” of God in us, i.e., what we’ve been entrusted with. (Wherever we are planted, and our feet are walking.)

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Remember, it all belongs to God, and we should continually be asking Him what to do with His property, or whatever blessings He has given us. Since He has given everything to us, we need to be in tune with His desires for these things and use them for His glory. It might mean our home, cars, clothing, in addition to our money. It is not just for us. The blessings of the Lord flow into our lives and we are to continually pour them out and not allow for any stagnation by hanging on to things that don’t belong to us. We are very blessed.

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Ask God what you are supposed to be doing with your blessings. Maybe sharing verbally about the goodness of God. Maybe you need to help teach others about God’s goodness.

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In life there are two different mindsets. For this example, we’ll call them the Rich mindset and the Wealth mindset.

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The Rich mindset wants riches or things they can own. The Wealth mindset focuses on the value of what has been given them to bless others.

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Also, the Rich mindset wants get-rich quick schemes. The Wealth mindset uses wealth to bless others, which makes them Christlike. Jesus preached and walked with the disciples in their environment for three years. He was developing relationships and transforming their mindset. Jesus was walking among them to be the example of how to apply the principles of our benevolent God. One present day example is multi-level marketing where you have to sow into others in order for your own business to reap a harvest. Walking out our journey with Jesus is about relationships and furthering the Kingdom, not just what can I acquire and spend on me.

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The Rich mindset is interested in their own assets. The Wealth mindset desires to leave a legacy with their families and those around them and change people around them for the Kingdom of God.

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The Rich mindset wants to know what is in it for them – a vision of what’s next for me. The Wealth mindset is more interested in the investment of time, resources for others and has a vision to set goals for the future and others.

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The Rich mindset works for money. The Wealth mindset money works for them.

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The Rich mindset finds their identity in things they own. The Wealth mindset knows they are children of God, and their value is not in what they own. They are content.

The Rich mindset, if and when they come into large amounts of resources, worries about how to hoard it. The Wealth mindset has the wisdom and power to create wealth and live with confidence because they know that God is their source.(See Deuteronomy 8:18)

The Rich mindset thinks money protects them. The Wealth mindset is humble and thankful because they know that God is their source and protection.

To have a Wealth mindset is to create an ecosystem of prosperity. A Wealth mindset desires to partner with the God resource, be it physical or spiritual or God ideas, and transform communities, cities, businesses, schools, etc., for His Kingdom.

We want to have the type of mindset that whatever goes through our hands, can be used to bless others.

We can use the 4 Keys in our quiet time to further understand how this works in the Kingdom investments.

• Still – quiet yourself and invest time with Him.

• Vision – look for the vision to prosper, showing you what to do with the blessings.

• Spontaneity – God will give you God ideas

• Journal – write down what He gives you to plan the next step in being obedient with His gifts

It’s important to write down what God gives us in our quiet time with Him in order to be able to stand when confronted by the enemy’s schemes to throw doubt in our face.  It does not matter what we have, as long as we give it to God, He will increase it.  He is the solution to everything, and we need to just give it all to Him.  Remember the story of the widow’s mite. (See Mark 12:38-44)

Dr. Fuschia Pickett said, “God does not care if you have much or little, as long as IT does not have you.” “Do not worship any god except Me. ”Exodus 20:3

• Resource: Kris Vallotton "Poverty, Riches & Wealth" series.

Notes collaboration: Denise & Pam.

In conclusion:

“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”Ephesians 2:10

Count your blessings and be a blessing to others. Let your light shine.