How’s your vision?
I’m not talking about your natural eyesight but your spiritual vision.
Do you know God’s vision for your life? And if not, why not?
If you already know His vision for your life. . .what are you doing to bring it to pass?
The word vision appears in the King James Version of the Bible a total of 96 times.
Genesis 15.1 says: “… the Lord came to Abram in a vision.”
Genesis 46.2 says: “And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night…”
Daniel 2:19 says:
“Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”
Hosea 12:10 says:
“I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.”
The list of people who received a vision could go on and on. . .Ananias, Peter, Paul and so many others.
In Proverbs 29:18 King Solomon said:
"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
According to Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word for vision is (hha zone) chazown (H2377) which means:
“vision, oracle, prophecy (divine communication).”
This literally means a revelatory unction and direction from the Lord.
When you have a vision, it is personal . . . it’s unique to you. . .something that’s God ordained and visualized to be a part of your life.
If you don’t have a vision, then it’s not possible to set proper goals
Let’s review.
God gave you, yes you, abilities. . .use them.
God empowered your abilities through the Holy Spirit. . .celebrate them.
God energizes your abilities. . .expand them.
God expects you to engage your abilities on a daily basis. . .manifest them.
because you would have no idea where you’re going.
In Strong’s Concordance, the word perish is the Hebrew word para (H6944) and it means:
“to let go, let loose, ignore, let alone.”
According to the Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word for law is the word towrah (H8451) which means:
“law, direction, instruction.”
Now let’s go a little further. According to Strong’s Concordance happy is Hebrew word esher (H835) and it means:
“happiness, blessedness.”
In fact, the word esher is in the Hebrew Concordance of the King James Bible a total of 45 times in 42 verses. And 27 of those times the word is translated as blessed.
If you don’t have a vision, somewhere you’ve lost or are ignoring the revelatory insight God is trying to give you.
Adhering to His instructions for the divine vision for your life. . .will make you happy and blessed.
Habakkuk 2:2 came clearly into my mind. It is the scripture the Lord gave me for you.
"And the Lord... said, Write the vision, and make it plain... that he may run that readeth it. For the vision . . . shall speak ...it will surely come, it will not tarry."
The Contemporary English Version (CEV) says:
“Then the LORD told me: ‘I will give you my message in the form of a vision. Write it clearly enough to be read at a glance.’”
Your vision must be written down very clearly.
If you are asking yourself what your vision should be, then ask yourself this: what lives in my heart?
Whatever you love. . .God has placed in your heart for a reason. Keep reviewing your vision until you have made it as clear and precise as you can.
Now let me ask if you have a financial. . .a money vision?
If you do not have a vision for your money. . .I can assure you there are people who do.
If you don’t have a vision for the money. . .a specific plan. . .then the money will never come into your hands.
Money follows vision. If you don’t have a vision, then you don’t need the money . . . it’s just that simple.
Or more properly said. . .do you have a money vision?
If you do not have a money vision. . .then what money you have will be sucked into buying stuff.
People often buy stuff in order to seek fulfillment, inner joy and happiness. . .it doesn’t work that way.
Stuff. . .while fun for a season. . .will never bring you the kind of inner peace, joy and happiness that you can find in serving the Lord. . .and following your God given vision.
Stuff is creative . . .that’s for sure. It creates stress, confusion, guilt, pain, emptiness, frustration and fear.
Here’s a great rule of thumb. . .don’t buy anything just because everyone else is doing it.
You don’t have to keep up with the Jones’. . .they’ve already declared Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
Here are your seven keys to developing a money vision.
1. How to recognize the ownership of money.
Have you ever heard someone say that possession is 90% of the law? Not true.
You may have money in your pockets, wallet, purse, checking, savings, investment or retirement accounts. . .you may be in possession of it at the moment but it’s not your money.
Deuteronomy 10:14 in the Amplified Bible says:
“….Behold, the heavens and the heaven of heavens belong to the Lord your God, the earth also, with all that is in it and on it.”
Psalm 24:1 says:
“The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
The New Living Translation says it even clearer if that is possible:
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”
Need more scriptural backup?
Exodus 19:5 says:
“Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.”
Psalm 89:11 in the Amplified Bible says:
“The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all that is in it, You have founded them.”
Job 41:11 in the New Living Translation says:
“Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is mine.”
Psalm 50:10-12 says:
“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills [and all the sweet potatoes underneath—using my translation]. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.”
When we understand that God owns everything. . .it helps us formulate our money vision based on His priorities and not ours.
2. How to make money. . .via the world and Word economies.
I want to ask you six questions.
1. What is one thing you can do to help meet the needs of other people or solve a problem for them as well?
2. Is anybody else meeting that need right now?
3. Can you meet that need more effectively than they are?
4. What can you do to sharpen your skill set in this area?
5. Who can you ask to help mentor you to become more effective in meeting the previously identified need?
6. How can you more effectively build a personal relationship with everyone involved in the process just described?
3. How to make more. . .money.
Here are seven keys on how to more effectively meet the needs of others which will create even greater success and wealth accumulation for you.
- Plan Thoroughly
- What exactly is my product or service?
- Who exactly is my customer?
- Why does my customer buy?
- What does my customer consider value?
- What is it that makes my product or service superior to that of any of my competitors?
- Why is it that my prospective customer does not buy my product or service?
- Why does my prospective customer buy from my competitor?
- What value does he/she perceive in buying from my competitor?
- How can I offset that perception and get my competitor’s customers to buy from me?
- What one thing must my customer be convinced of to buy from me, rather than from someone else?
- Get organized before you get started.
- Find the Right People.
- Delegate Wisely.
- Inspect What You Expect.
- Measure What Gets Done.
- Keep People Informed.
Now you might be saying. . . “Yes, but Pastor Harold that doesn’t apply to me as I don’t have a business.”
Well, I have a suggestion for you. . .create your own product and/or service or use somebody else’s product and/or service. It’s just that simple.
4. How to keep more of what you make.
Money is always looking for a place to go…it’s up to you to send it to the right places.
Stop being a debt generating Christian and become a wealth producing, people blessing believer.
It’s decision time. Today you will decide to live your life the way you’ve been living or you will decide to change the way you have been living.
Here are seven ways to stop being a debt generating Christian and save more of what you make.
#1 Develop Your Spiritual Resistance. Focus on scriptures involving personal discipline and the ability to withstand temptation by just saying “no” or walking on by.
#2 Practice praying about your wants before paying for them. Never make a buying decision, especially a major one, without praying about it. I mean serious prayer with your spouse if you’re married. . .and I don’t mean one of these “Lord, if it’s your will for me to buy this. . .just have the sales person tell me how much I’d enjoy it.”
#3 Create A Cooling Off Period. If you see something that you want as opposed to need. . .put it on at least a seven day or even better a thirty-day list on your refrigerator or wherever it can be visible. Make sure to date when the item was placed on your list. If you don’t want the item as much in 7 days or 30 days. . .mark it off the list. Delaying your buy on major purchases will be a little frustrating at first but when you mark it off . . .you will feel a real sense of satisfaction.
#4 Avoid Deals “I Can’t Afford To Pass Up.” If you don’t absolutely need it. . .don’t buy it. You can go broke “saving” money on deals. Make no mistake about it. . .there will ALWAYS. . .ALWAYS be another deal come along.
#5 Don’t Make a Habit of Going To The Mall. As I was typing these words I was reminded of Luke 22:40 in the Amplified Bible which says:
“And when He came to the place, He said to them, Pray that you may not [at all] enter into temptation.”
Here’s a fact. . .if you’re not at the place (mall, Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, et al) then you will not be tempted to make impulse buying decisions. If you must go to one of these stores, ALWAYS go with a list. May I say that again. . .ALWAYS GO SHOPPING WITH A LIST. If it’s not on the list, don’t buy it.
#6 Stay Out of Online Stores and Avoid Shopping Channels. Shopping is too painless when surfing the internet or sitting in front of the television. Watch something else. . .read a book or better watch the over 1,000 videos we have on YouTube..
#7 A Deal Is Not A Deal If You Can’t Afford It. This point is closely related to number 4 “Avoid Deals “I Can’t Afford To Pass Up.” If you can’t pay your credit card bill off each month when bill arrives. . .then every deal is one you can pass up.
Finally, remember the words of Proverbs 21:20 in The Living Bible which says:
“The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.”
5. How to turn money into your slave instead of you being a slave to money.
It’s real simple. . .you let money work for you. . .instead of you working for the money.
Proverbs 22:7 in the Contemporary English Version of the Bible:
“The poor are ruled by the rich, and those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders.”
If the money you earn each week is not your own. . .free from the demands of creditors . . . then you’re a slave to the moneylenders.
Dictionary.com defines slave as:
“a person entirely under the domination of some influence or person.”
If every penny you make is designated for making monthly or minimum payments then you. . . are under the influence of someone else.
Now that’s an interesting thought: “under the influence.”
Some people get “under the influence” with bourbon, scotch, gin, vodka, whiskey, beer, wine, or illegal or prescription drugs.
There are millions of Christians who would never even be tempted to be “under the influence” of drugs or alcoholic beverages but they’re definitely “under the influence” of Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, and dozens of other retailers, shopping networks and websites.
When you’re in debt. . .you’re “under the influence” of creditors.
Oftentimes, your servitude to the lenders will determine your response to the things God wants you to do . . .the places He wants you to sow . . . and where He wants you to go.
When you’re “under the influence” your thought processes, your speech, your reaction time, your body responses are all controlled by something other than God.
When you’re “under the influence” you make unwise choices. . .that may seem exhilarating at the moment but when you sober up. . .you can’t believe that you made such a fool out of yourself.
Stop spending money to make other people wealthy. Use the money you have, regardless of the amount, to bless others and make you wealthy.
6. How to use it to meet and bless the needs of others
Proverbs 19:17 the Lord showed me several keys things that He wanted me to write about.
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
“He”. . .that’s you and me. You are “He.” I am “He.”
The word pity according to the Strong’s Concordance means:
“to be gracious, show favour, pity.”
Pity is defined in dictionary.com as:
“sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering, distress, or misfortune of another, often leading one to give relief or aid or to show mercy.”
Pity is much more than feeling sorry for somebody. Pity is much more than a mental thought process or feeling. . .scriptural pity requires action on your part.
Pity may bring a tear to your eye but scriptural pity will make you get up out of your chair, take out your checkbook and open doors for others to walk in favour.
The scripture says that YOU should take action to give relief to those who need it.
Proverbs 19:17 in the New Living Translation says:
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord--and he will repay you!”
Notice the first word in that scripture. It says “If.”
By saying “if” the scripture is indicating that you have a choice. . .you can choose to help or not help the poor.
According to the Strong’s Concordance the word poor means:
“low, weak” and it is from the root word that means being in distress.
The word poor means different things to different people.
Some consider themselves poor when they eat spam while others would give anything for the crust of even stale bread.
Some people consider themselves poor when they when they have to wear the same dress to church Sunday after Sunday while others don’t have a church to attend much less a dress to wear.
Some would consider themselves poor when they have to drive a car that looks like a refugee from a junk car salvage lot while others would give anything not to have to walk through adverse weather and through dangerous locations.
Some people consider themselves poor when they live in a home without air conditioning or heat while others consider themselves poor when their home is made out of dried mud and cardboard.
Some consider themselves poor when they don’t have money left over to invest after paying all their monthly bills while others consider themselves poor when they have no money to pay bills at all.
Regardless of your definition of being poor or living in distress. . .the point is that the Word of the Lord says we are to take action on behalf of the poor. . .those living in distress.
7. How to develop a financial vision for your future.
It’s real simple.
Have you ever said, if I only knew what to do I’d be a millionaire. . .I’d be hugely successful?
I’m going to give you seven words. . .that will unlock the millionaire code. . .the secret to your personal success.
Are you ready? READ YOU BIBLE. . .DO WHAT IT SAYS.
Yes, you’ve heard these words before. But we need to keep hearing these words over and over again. . .until they become second nature.
There is no secret password, code, passageway or handshake to success and wealth accumulation. All you have to do is follow the seven words I have just given you.
READ YOUR BIBLE. . .DO WHAT IT SAYS.
You will never develop your money vision by S.O.Y.B.. .sitting on your butt.
God will reveal to you. . .the exact details of your money vision. . .but you must ask Him in faith. . .believing He will give you the response you desire.
I encourage you to write clearly and specifically your money vision and review it on a regular basis. Write the vision and make it plain.
Psalm 18:20 in the Message Bible says:
“God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.”
Keep a journal or word document on your progress. This effective visual will be of immeasurable assistance to you.
You must testify of God’s revelatory instructions and the manifestation of all the things He has stirred in your spirit and life.
The key to your establishing your victory and protecting you against every attack of the enemy is found in Revelation 12:11:
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death”
Finally, unless you are specific about your vision, you will never bring forth God's best for your life.
Psalm 25:12 in The Living Bible says:
“Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best.”
It’s time to bring pursue with passion your money vision and bring forth God’s best for your life
Here are nine questions to help you develop a money vision.
1. Do you have a vision for your future? If so, write it down.
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2. Do you have a money vision for your future? If so, write it down.
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3. Name five ways in which you think you can earn extra income.
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4. What is one thing you can do to help meet the needs of other people or solve a problem for them as well?
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5. Is anybody else meeting that need right now?
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6. Can you meet that need more effectively than they are?
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7. What can you do to sharpen your skill set in this area?
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8. Who can you ask to help mentor you to become more effective in meeting the previously identified need?
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9. How can you more effectively build a personal relationship with everyone involved in the process just described?
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Harold Herring