I trust this message finds you well. I'm out of town this week, but I prepared a special Happy Sunday for you. This message by Bishop Tudor Bismark, blesses me every time I hear it! Enjoy.
Bishop Tudor Bismark preached, "The Seven Levels of Revenue". His reference scripture was Luke 16:1-12. We are citizens in the Kingdom of God. We are governed by the Kingdom Economy. Ignorance of Kingdom principles is no excuse! Hosea 4:6 says,"My people are ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true." (Message)
In this passage, Jesus uses a parable to help us, "Learn some lessons from this crooked but clever asset manager. Realize that the purpose of money is to strengthen friendships, to provide opportunities for being generous and kind. Eventually money will be useless to you—but if you use it generously to serve others, you will be welcomed joyfully into your eternal destination." Luke 16:9 (Voice)
There are four Levels of Human Existence; The Begging Level, The Digging Level, The Money Level, and the True Riches Level.
The Begging Level - Psalm 37:25 says, "Through my whole life (young and old), I have never witnessed God forsaking those who do right, nor have I seen their children begging for crumbs." (Voice) It has never been God's desire for you to beg! He did not create you to beg for recognition, attention, love, support, or sustenance. In Luke 16, Jesus tells a parable about a beggar named Lazarus.
Lazarus was seated at the gate begging. Begging will never allow you to go through doors! As long as you beg, DOORS never open! Even our prayers should never be begging prayers. We are instructed to declare, proclaim, and"call things that don’t exist into existence." Romans 4:17 (Common English Version) The beggar was sick, hungry, naked, and eventually died at the gate.
The Digging Level - We must move from the begging level to the digging level. Jesus told another parable in Luke 13, about a fig tree. A certain man owned a vineyard. In that vineyard there was a fig tree that hadn't produced fruit in three years. The man told the gardener to cut it down. The gardener asked for permission to give the fig tree one more chance. The gardener answered, “Master, leave it for another year. I’ll dig around it and put some manure on it to make it grow. Maybe it will have figs on it next year. If it doesn't, you can have it cut down.” Luke 13:8 (Common English Version) If you want a strong life, a strong business, a strong ministry or an strong relationship you will have to dig! Dig for information, dig for knowledge, dig for connections...don't be lazy!
The Money Level - There are seven levels of revenue...
Wisdom - James 1:5 says, "If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it." (Message) and Proverbs 8:11 says, "Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her." (Message) We must ask God to give us Heavenly Wisdom, we must seek to understand the wisdom of this world, and we must be aware of the wisdom of darkness.
Vision - Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish:" (King James Version) It has been said, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." We must plan our lives for generations! Proverbs 13:22 says, "A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren." (Voice) It is impossible to run this life race without vision. Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." (King James Version)
Information - God said, "Let there be Light!" Genesis 1:3 (King James Version) Light represents information. The enemy controls you in the area of your ignorance. Everywhere you have ignorant the devil will control you! Don't let the enemy defeat you! Learn new words, explore new languages, read books, and expose yourself to experiences beyond your neighborhood!
Relationships - It has been said, "There are things that money can't buy." We need to build relationships to cover us in those times. We may not be able to fight our battles alone, but our relationships can come along side us and help us to fight! We need to network! Build relationships
Good Name - Proverbs 22:1 says, "It is better to be respected than to be rich. A good name is worth more than silver or gold." (Easy-to-Read Version) You must protect your good name, work on your good name, and you must develop your good name! Not just your personal name but also the name of your business or ministry. You don't want doors to be closed to you because of a bad name. Represent your family, your community, and your business or ministry well.
Property - Deuteronomy 6:11 says, "He will give you houses full of good things that you did not put there. He will give you wells that you did not dig. He will give you vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant, and you will have plenty to eat." (Easy-to-Read Version)
Money - All money is not the same or equal! There are various denominations. Denomination is defined as, "the face value of a banknote, coin, or postage stamp." Money is also called currency. Currency comes from the Latin root word currere which means "to run". Money is intended to flow continuously through your life. It will bless you and then bless those around you. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "God is ready to overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share." (Voice)
The True Riches Level - True Riches are a generational blessing, where your children are more blessed than you! Where your grandchildren are more blessed than you! Jesus said, “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."Matthew6:19-21 (Message)
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Thanks for sharing Cynthia, this is insightful
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