by Mark Bilton | Sep 14, 2020 | Grow, Witness, Work, Worship |
Are You a Promise Keeper?
“It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”
(Ecc 5:5 NASB)
Our integrity is always demonstrated by what we say. Do we offer more than we can deliver? Do we paint a picture that is overly rosy? Do we dangle a carrot in front of our staff that will be hard to meet? The Scripture says our yes should be yes and our no, no (see Mat 5:37). There is no grey, just black and white.
Sometimes it is not easy to say it like it is. Often when circumstances change, we struggle to meet our commitments. Perhaps we should do what we said we will do and let God sort out the consequences. He will honor a stand that is done in line with His requirements of us.
We can live by the Word of God, keep our promises, and run a successful, growing, profitable, influential business.
Quick Prayer: Jesus, You always demonstrated absolute integrity. Help me to walk like You. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Sep 8, 2020 | Grow, Provide, Work |
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” (Pro 3:9)
The principle of giving a portion is infused in the Scriptures. Honoring God with a holy portion, tithe, or sacrifice is a spiritual principle. If it is all His, why not honor Him with acknowledging His Lordship by bringing the tithe into the storehouse?
This is not a legalistic practice but a Godly discipline and acknowledgment that all we have comes from Him. It helps keep it all in perspective. We think so much about these things that a fresh perspective is probably not a bad thing.
He doesn’t need your money, but He does require your obedience. I have found that a surrendered heart moderates greed. Perhaps we need to give to receive.
Quick Prayer: I will give You the best part of all You have given me, for You are my Lord. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Aug 31, 2020 | Grow, Provide, Work |
“Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.” (Pro 15:16)
How much is really enough? What price are you paying for the extra you think you need? Is the ambition to be wealthier fogging your focus on God? That is a key question. Please think about that for a moment. Don’t dismiss it out of hand; it may apply to you.
Sometimes the price you pay is too much for the prize. What price are you paying? What price is your family paying?
Being grateful for what we already have can disempower the greed and consumerism that so easily ensnare us. Being content is a Godly attribute and reflects true priorities and a recognition that He has our best in mind.
Quick Prayer: Thank You for what I already have, Lord. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Aug 24, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship |
“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” (Pro 11:24 NIV)
In the world, we are taught that if we are tight with our money, we will get more, yet the law of the kingdom is the opposite. Give and it will be given unto you. Withhold and you will come to poverty. It sounds upside down, but how often is that true with the things that God asks of us? He had to die to bring life. Death led to victory.
There is very often joy in obedience. As we give, it changes our hearts. Have you met a happy person who is stingy or a very generous person who is not happy? The Bible also tells us that it is God who gives us the gift of enjoying wealth. I think this comes from having a generous heart.
Quick Prayer: Holy Spirit, please cause me to have a generous heart, a fruit of Your presence in me. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Aug 17, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
“For which one of you if he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luk 14:28 NASB)
How in touch are you with your business finances? Do you know what your ‘break even’ will be on that upcoming project or new product? How is your cash flow, that vital air that keeps your business alive? What is the real bottom line by product line or customer?
So many great businesses have grown quickly and then died, simply by not counting the cost. You can easily outgrow your cash flow and get into trouble. If you are entrepreneurial like me, you will be emotionally attached to that new product, service, or business idea. Get the advice you need to truly count the cost. Take a calculated risk, not a stab in the dark.
A little time to assess risk and suitable funding requirements can make the critical difference between success and failure.
Quick Prayer: Help me to count the cost with wisdom. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Aug 10, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve, Witness, Work, Worship
“If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” (2 The 3:10 NKJV)
This is an interesting scriptural standpoint on voluntary abdication from responsibility. It also shows us the regard with which God holds occupations and work in general. It talks to the rightful reward of work and the need to apply ourselves to the task at hand.
Our provision, while it comes from God, requires our alignment, surrender, and application to fully manifest. We also need to make sure our attitude is aligned to this principle that work is good.
When we recognize the value of something, it becomes more important to us. God places a high value on our employment and our attitude toward working. It is His mechanism for provision and much more besides.
Quick Prayer: I’m sorry for taking Your provision for granted. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Aug 3, 2020 | Create, Grow, Provide, Serve
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor 9:8 NIV)
God will always give you all you need to fulfill His will. It would be very unreasonable to do anything else. Sometimes He will allow us to come to the end of ourselves so that we know we need a heavenly Father and that we cannot do it all in our own strength.
Sometimes I have been in situations where I had no idea what to do and found wisdom. At other times I have been in need of grace toward others and found a new depth of grace and mercy.
He provides what we need, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, to do what He has called us to do.
Quick Prayer: Thank You for Your abundant provision. Amen.
by Mark Bilton | Jul 27, 2020 | Create, Grow, Serve
Does God Give People Wealth?
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” (Deut 8:18)
God doesn’t give us wealth; He gives us the ability to produce wealth. This speaks to a responsibility of fruitfulness. We have to take the ability and use it wisely, in accordance with Biblical principles. The ability is a gift. The wealth, the fruit, and the responsibility come with not only a command to multiply but in how we use it.
The parable of the talents is often used as an analogy for gifts. The talent was a unit of currency, so this parable is about money. The command is to be fruitful with the resources we are given.
God is interested in our finances and how we create them and use His gifts to build wealth at work.
Quick Prayer: Thank You for the ability to produce wealth. Help me to do it Your way, for Your glory. Amen.
