Living Within your Harvest

1. Living Within your Harvest The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. Deut. 28:12

2. Living Within Your Harvest • What Debt Is and Is Not • Contentment • Your Enemy in the Natural • The Lord’s Storehouse • Biblical Principles Regarding Debt

3. Benjamin Franklin: “When you run in debt, you give another power over your liberty.” Larry Burkett: “No one who is financially bound, can be spiritually free.” Over 50% of marriages fail in America. Of those that divorce, financial pressure is cited as the number one reason. 4:1 over any other reason, including infidelity!

4. DIVORCE STATISTICS: RISK OF DIVORCE • When the parents are happily married, the risk of divorce of their children decreases by 14 percent. • For those who marry for the first time after they attain the age of 25; their risk of divorce is less by 24% • Individuals who have attended college have a 13% lower risk of divorce • If a person has strong religious beliefs, the risk of divorce is 14 percent less.

5. TOP REASONS FOR DIVORCE Money problems are often cited as the number one cause of divorce in America, but hard to calculate because they are part of a larger cause usually called “irreconcilable differences.” John Gottman’s research indicates that couples divorce for two basic reasons: their foundation was inadequate at the outset of their marriage, or they lost their friendship because they couldn’t solve conflicts. Divorce is so common in the United States that we almost take it for granted. We are not shocked or surprised by even the most stable marriages taking this turn at some point.

6. More than 160 million Americans have credit cards. • The average credit card holder has at least three cards. • On average, each household with a credit card carries more than $15,000 in credit card debt. • Total U.S. consumer debt is at $11.4 trillion. That includes mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and student loans.

7. But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. DEUTERONOMY 28:15, 43-44

8. We are meant to be “Givers.” For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. DEUTERONOMY 15:11 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. PROVERBS 28:27

9. What Debt Is: • Webster’s Dictionary:“That which is due from one person to another, whether money, goods, or services; that which one is bound to pay or perform to another” • All Credit Card Balances and loans. • Long Term Leases, in which you are financially obligated beyond the initial deposit. • Loans on which you have co-signed for another. • Any delinquent, unpaid balance from other commitments.

10. What Debt Is Not: • Monthly Payments or Rent • Recurring Living Expenses • Tithes • Normal Living Expenses • Groceries • Utilities • Taxes

11. Example of John Haggle • Retirement Accounts $229,325.64 • Real Estate $347,575.00 • Checking Account $23,128.53 • Vehicles $44,000.00 • Jewelry $75,000.00 • Total Net Worth $723,029.17

12. Example of John Haggle • Teaching Income $9,892.96/mo. • Sold Business $6,702.07/mo. • Misc. $128.40/mo. • Total Monthly Income $16,713.42 • Budget Amount $8,333.00/mo • Difference $8,380.42

13. Example of Bob Bryant • Retirement Accounts $500.00 • Real Estate $16,000.00 • Checking Account $3,300.00 • Vehicles $5,000.00 • Household Items $5,000.00 • Total Net Worth $29,800.00

14. Example of Bob Bryant • Monthly Income $1,00.00/mo. • Total Monthly Income $1,100.00/mo • Budget Amount $3,217.00 • Difference -$2117.00

15. Example of Bob Bryant • Educational Debts $163,103.00 • Credit Card Debt $179,892.00 • Mortgage Debt $130,000.00 • Total Indebtedness $472,995.00

16. Dear Barry, …I just don’t feel like I am of any value anymore. Does a place exist where I can go and seek God and get away from the world? I have not read my Bible since 1993. I feel like I am a perfect example of someone out of God’s will. Sometimes I wish He would just call me home. Why would God want me in the first place? I have dug this hole and now I don’t want to be in it. I just tried to give my family too much. I am totally exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I am ashamed of myself for being like that, too. When I look in the mirror I do not like what I see. Thanks for listening…

17. Contentment: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. I Timothy 6:6-8

18. (Marilyn Monroe) Maybe members of the churches of… Hollywood, where all the decoration and tinsel is on... She could see they lived no different life than what she did. It takes influence. It takes the power of the resurrection of Christ amongst the people, that they see that Christ is not a statue hanging in a building, but He's a living Being in the form of the Holy Spirit, living in men and women, bringing peace, and contentment, and happiness. Oh, if we could've only got to the young lady before she left the world. INFLUENCE of ANOTHER 62-1013

19. Contentment: (Gr.) autarkeia A perfect condition of life in which no aid or support is needed, sufficiency of the necessities of life, a mind contented with its lot, contentment • And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: II Cor. 9:8

20. The Enemy Within: Causes for Indebtedness I JOHN 2:15-17 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

21. The Enemy Within: Causes for Indebtedness • The Love of the World • The Lust of the Flesh- Sensual Gratification • The Lust of the Eyes- Covetousness • The Pride of Life- The Assurance In One’s Own Resources or in the Stability of Earthly Things

22. Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. ECCLESIASTES 4:4 Ecclesiastes 4:4 (NIV) And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

23. Warning from Jesus: And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. Luke 12:15 • Warning from the Apostle Paul: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Timothy 6:9-10

24. The Cure for Indebtedness • The beginning of the cure: Contentment “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. “ (1 Tim. 6:6-8) • Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Heb. 13:5-6)

25. The Cure for Indebtedness • How Contentment comes? It is learned. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:10-13

26. Life Story …One of the best surgeons on the west coast… And they sent me a $1.5million, two agents brought it, me living in a two room shanty at the time. But it isn't money what makes happiness... Happiness doesn't consist of how much of the world's goods you own, but how contented you are with the portion that has been 'lotted to you. Just make yourself contented as long as one thing that brings contentment, and that alone, is Jesus Christ. Here sometime ago, Mr. Aviack, over in the same country, was given a great, big, nice Cadillac. I appreciate that. Any man that can ride in one, I appreciate it.

27. And at that time, I had an old Chevrolet truck, all beat up, 'bout eight, ten years old. And some of those wealthy, fine Armenian people said, "Brother Branham, we gave Aviack a Cadillac. We got one for you.“ I said, "Thank you, but I don't believe I could use it." Said, "Well, we'll give it to you. We'll give you a Packard, or whatever you want. That old truck, you beating around in it...“ I said, "If I got what I deserved, I'd walk." 53-1108

28. 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

29. Genesis 41:25-36 GENESIS 41:29 29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: 30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; 31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.

30. The Lord’s Storehouse Joseph’s Store Up Plan (Gen. 41:25-36) GENESIS 41:34-37 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. 37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

31. The Lord’s Storehouse • Joseph’s Store Up Plan (Gen. 41:25-36) • The key is “the fifth” in seven years. (v.34) • Use abundance (one-fifth) of your harvest to store up and pay off debts. (v.47-48) • After debts are extinguished, continue storing up a fifth to prepare for future famine. (v.49) • God wants His people to be debt free before the years of famine so that they can be a help to the ones in bondage during the famine. (v. 56-57)

32. Treasure In Heaven • Perishable vs. Imperishable: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt. 6:20 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:16-18

33. Biblical Principles Regarding Debt Principle # 1: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Prov. 22:7

34. Biblical Principles Regarding Debt The Borrower Has An Absolute Commitment to Repay. Only the “wicked” avoid payment. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. Psalm 37:21 • Taking bankruptcy doesn’t absolve your culpability. Responsible until creditor cancels debt. (Luke 7:41, Rom. 13:8)

35. The Biblical Way A House Is Built Or Acquired Proverbs 24:27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. 1.Put First Things First (Matt. 6:33) • Prioritize and Plan 2. Prepare Your Work Outside • Become skilled in your labor • Grow & Mature in Your Occupation. 3. Afterward, build (acquire) your house. • Defer gratification from the fields of your labor (save), and build your house.

36. The Lord’s Storehouse • Under a curse for robbing God... Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in His house. Malachi 3:9-10 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:56 • “The LORD will open the heaven, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.” — Deuteronomy 28:12

37. The Lord’s Storehouse • The Tithing Principle: Malachi 3:9-10 • It’s sin to test God, yet He commands that we test Him in the area of tithes and offerings. • Promised Increase & Promised Protection • “Throw Open the Windows of Heaven” • “Rebuke the devourer” • Prevent the devouring pests. • Fruit not cast from vine.

38. The Enemy Within: Causes for Indebtedness • Depending on credit and paying interest (vs. operating on a cash basis) supplants God’s provision with the world’s artificial provision. Abusing credit demonstrates: • Lack of satisfaction with our Daily Bread. • Lack of confidence in God’s Word and His promises. • Envy of our neighbors (Ecclesiastes 4:4)

39. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Proverbs 3:9-14

40. Ground Rules For Becoming Debt-Free • You must honor the Lord with the firstfruits of your increase. (Proverbs 3: 9-10, Malachi 3:10-12) • You must agree to not take on any new debt. • Commit to change your current lifestyle, which may include liquidating certain assets, sacrificing your recreation, shopping habits, tastes for status symbols. • Operate on a balanced “zero-based” budget.

41. Next Step: Opening Your Storehouse • Set Up A Balanced “Zero Based” Budget. • Save $1,000 in Cash As A Starter Emergency Fund • Initiate Joseph Plan • Pay Off Consumer Debts • Expand Emergency Fund to 3 Months of Expenses • Pay Off Mortgage—You’re Debt Free!!! • Expand Emergency Fund to 6 Months of Expenses

42. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 WEIGHT: (Gr. Ogkos) whatever is prominent, bulk, mass, hence a burden, encumbrance

43. Questions & Comments