2 Corinthians 9:6

Now (remember) this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously (that blessings may come to others) will also reap generously (and be blessed).

Seed time and harvest don’t just apply to our finances. It also applies to our actions towards others. If we are helpful to others, people will be helpful to us. If we are negative to others, we will receive negativity. The generosity comes from the hearts for everything that we do.  

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come in abundance to you, so that you may always (under all circumstances regardless of need) have complete sufficiency in everything and have abundance for every good work and act of charity. 

The more we learn about God, the more we realize He doesn’t operate like man does. God’s vision of supply can come in many forms and channels. We don’t have to figure out how He supplies our needs; we can focus on faith in God that He can supply our needs. 

1 Thessalonians 3:11-12

And to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders (exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral conduct worthy of respect of the outside world), and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing.  

The only person we can control in our lives is ourselves; minding other people’s business leads to frustration. Who knows, we may have the right opinion about a person, but it may be the wrong opinion about that person, too. It is best to keep our focus on God and our own affairs and develop our characters in case we are the ones lacking. 

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money (that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically) is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves (through and through) with many sorrows. 

God will provide for all our needs when we believe and trust Him. Suffering comes when we put money or possessions in the place of God. We never reach satisfaction of the soul when the bar is raised for more material things that, once received, leave us wanting more. Joy comes to the heart and soul when we keep the connection with God. 

1 Timothy 6:9

But those who (are not financially ethical and) crave to get rich (with a compulsive, greedy longing for wealth) fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction (leading to personal misery).

Our world promotes the idea that having money and prestige is essential. This lifestyle leads to dissatisfaction and temptation into sin because money doesn’t satisfy the spirit. Only Jesus does. Regarding faith, less focus on material things and more on God as the provider are critical. When we are financially responsible and put God before money we will not fall into temptation.  

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of faith (in the conflict of evil); take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and (for which) you made the good confession (of faith) in the presence of many witnesses.  

We must fight for faith, diligently practice confession, and study the Word. The mind doesn’t stay renewed and is easily distracted. Faith is our confession, and it must be spoken so our ears hear our words of faith, renewing the mind and building up our spirits. 

1 John 4:4

Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have (already) overcome them (the agents of the antichrist); because He who is in you is greater the he (Satan) who is in the world (of sinful mankind).

As born-again believers we are never alone. If the Satan tries to put the thought in our head that we have no options, it is a lie. Inside the born-again believer resides the Holy Spirit and He is our helper and guide. We don’t have to feel defeated or overcome but turn to God and let His power show the Satan how defeated he is. 

John 1:6

And this is love: that we walk in accordance with His commandments and are guided continually by His precepts. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should (always) walk in love.  

Love means having a willing heart to listen to and follow the precepts of God. God is able to further the ministry when we demonstrate and walk in love towards others. There are people walking around today that have never experienced the God kind of love.  That kind of love shown by us representing God is able to soften the hardest of hearts and turn people from sin.

1 Peter 2-8

“A stumbling stone and a Rock of Offense” for they stumble because they disobey the word (of God), and to this they (who reject Him as savior) were also appointed.  

It is possible in this life to have too much freedom. A life without boundaries does not clearly designate right versus wrong and good versus evil. Jesus came to this earth to give us the boundary and protection. Sinners stumble at the boundary of Jesus and turn from doing what is good. As Christians, we give thanks and praise to Jesus for saving us from sin and death. 

Hebrews 12:25

See to it that you do not refuse (to listen to) Him who is speaking (to you now). For is those (sons of Israel) did not escape when they refused (to listen to) him who warned them on earth (revealing God’s will), how much less will we escape if we turn our backs on Him who warns us from heaven?

It is important to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His leadings in our lives. We keep our spiritual ears sensitive when we read the Bible and meditate on scriptures. It also helps to pray in tongues to build our spirits up with the Holy Spirit. We can sing and praise God for all that He does for us to help keep the lines of communication open.