The link below, I believe; proves the point better than any religious argument ever could, that perhaps monetary gain and material wealth are not necessarily signs of G-d's favor or blessing. In some places in this country, it's not even a sign of merit or effort.
The article in the link below begins:
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service handed out $2.8 million in bonuses to employees with disciplinary issues — including more than $1 million to employees who didn't pay their federal taxes, a watchdog report says.
We watched last summer's headlines as the head of the IRS scandal remained without consequences. Considering this is the agency that oversees the collection of the taxes of hard working Americans, it may truly be time to seriously reconsider just how our Heavenly Father truly wants to provide for us outside of the mainstream economy.
I can attest He always provides for His people, but He has entirely more integrity than the IRS and Federal Reserve, combined. He doesn't give meaningless paper, give bonuses for begging, or tickling ears or any other disciplinary issues.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/04/22/irs-bonuses-employees-delinquent-taxes/8012195/
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Questions
Who knew "questions" were part of the economy? I didn't until I realized, those who don't ask questions seem to think they have all the answers! When someone thinks they have all the answers, they are no longer seeking! If one has no questions, isn't that sort of like saying I know all I need to know? Seeking or questions is part of the "commerce" of the kingdom economy!
In any analysis of an economy, there has to be a bottom line. The bottom line in the Kingdom Economy is, no human has all the answers, therefore there must be questions. It seems I have questions about life and what it is to follow Messiah, every day. As I go, it seems the questions have gone from generalized to much more personal. Which brings me to my next point is we don't all have the same questions, and although the general Instructions are the same for all [Torah], the giftings and talents are as varied as the infinity of our Creator. Therefore the questions as to how to use them in our lives to bring glory to our Heavenly Father, must be asked . . . and often more than once.
YHWH is so creative, He has multiple ways of using any of our gifts. We simply must continue to seek, which is another way of asking . . . His plan and purpose. According to Matthew 7:7, if we ask, we will receive. So different from the way earthly systems operate, and although Adonai is charitable, He doesn't operate in the ways we recognize as charities. There is no generic/one size fits all/ deal with it about our Heavenly Father. He has a custom designed plan for each of us to use the specific talents He created in us, and He gifts us in His Spirit to have the power to succeed. What more could we ask?
And the cost? Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: All we really have to do to receive more, is to realize and acknowledge we don't know it all, then to ask, then apply the answer! To learn more about anything or anyone, begins with a question.
In any analysis of an economy, there has to be a bottom line. The bottom line in the Kingdom Economy is, no human has all the answers, therefore there must be questions. It seems I have questions about life and what it is to follow Messiah, every day. As I go, it seems the questions have gone from generalized to much more personal. Which brings me to my next point is we don't all have the same questions, and although the general Instructions are the same for all [Torah], the giftings and talents are as varied as the infinity of our Creator. Therefore the questions as to how to use them in our lives to bring glory to our Heavenly Father, must be asked . . . and often more than once.
YHWH is so creative, He has multiple ways of using any of our gifts. We simply must continue to seek, which is another way of asking . . . His plan and purpose. According to Matthew 7:7, if we ask, we will receive. So different from the way earthly systems operate, and although Adonai is charitable, He doesn't operate in the ways we recognize as charities. There is no generic/one size fits all/ deal with it about our Heavenly Father. He has a custom designed plan for each of us to use the specific talents He created in us, and He gifts us in His Spirit to have the power to succeed. What more could we ask?
And the cost? Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: All we really have to do to receive more, is to realize and acknowledge we don't know it all, then to ask, then apply the answer! To learn more about anything or anyone, begins with a question.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Earthly Investment?
Extra cash came into my possession, a couple of weeks ago. As a rule, unexpected money is not the same thing as "found money." My brain simply does not automatically connect income or extra funds with shopping or immediate spending. As of late, however; any money beyond normal bills, I've felt a real urgency to invest in something beyond 0.25% interest at the bank.
With silver and gold staying about the same, I'm not leaning that direction, but rather in ways to implement the practical application of further independence. I've increased my stock holding these past couple of weeks, nearly doubled the stock actually . . . but my stock is not paper on Wall Street, it's live stock in the pasture. In preparing to share, I'm also asking YHWH to refine me and grant greater understanding in what it is to be in the world but not of the world, even when it comes to simple basic living. That's basically the lifestyle of most Bible characters, whether they were good or bad.
Earthly wealth has always been measured by a material standard and Scripture does make reference to livestock as being a form of wealth. Even when it's land and livestock, rather than gold and silver, I still watch myself and seek YHWH, that I'm not crossing the line in "laying up earthly treasures." There have been a few times, in this homesteading adventure, I've thought of the man who built bigger barns to fill, but that night his soul was required of him. I certainly do not want to emulate him!
As troubling times continue to unfold, I'm assessing what can be sustained in perpetuity, beyond myself. I spoke with one of my grandchildren last night, and discussed the herd improvements, as well as the business. I believe I'm being used in this lifestyle to share, not amass, and the acquisition is for perpetuity. I don't know the day or the hour Messiah will return to establish His Kingdom on earth, so in the mean time, I continue to make investments that hopefully sustain and replenish, for future generations, if Y'hshuwah tarries.
With silver and gold staying about the same, I'm not leaning that direction, but rather in ways to implement the practical application of further independence. I've increased my stock holding these past couple of weeks, nearly doubled the stock actually . . . but my stock is not paper on Wall Street, it's live stock in the pasture. In preparing to share, I'm also asking YHWH to refine me and grant greater understanding in what it is to be in the world but not of the world, even when it comes to simple basic living. That's basically the lifestyle of most Bible characters, whether they were good or bad.
Earthly wealth has always been measured by a material standard and Scripture does make reference to livestock as being a form of wealth. Even when it's land and livestock, rather than gold and silver, I still watch myself and seek YHWH, that I'm not crossing the line in "laying up earthly treasures." There have been a few times, in this homesteading adventure, I've thought of the man who built bigger barns to fill, but that night his soul was required of him. I certainly do not want to emulate him!
As troubling times continue to unfold, I'm assessing what can be sustained in perpetuity, beyond myself. I spoke with one of my grandchildren last night, and discussed the herd improvements, as well as the business. I believe I'm being used in this lifestyle to share, not amass, and the acquisition is for perpetuity. I don't know the day or the hour Messiah will return to establish His Kingdom on earth, so in the mean time, I continue to make investments that hopefully sustain and replenish, for future generations, if Y'hshuwah tarries.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Blessings
We, in America, have such difficulty separating our lives from our economic status. I think that is one of the things that really caused me to feel so badly for the 98% and Occupy Wall Street Protest. They are never going to be the One Percent, well maybe a few will win the lottery or inherit a million, but by and large, the 98% will remain the 98%. What hit such a cord of sadness in me for them, is this is now how they define themselves. Material wealth is no standard of measure in regard to the value of life. I'm not saying the money we earn or what has been entrusted to us should be squandered, actually quite the opposite.
We can use money to bless others. We can use money to invest. We can also use money to prepare. So basically, from an agrarian perspective, money is an implement. I'm very grateful to have a tiller and a hoe, but they are not the end product, only implements for the purpose! I'm learning more about seeds as I go and I've discovered a one time investment of $2.00 for a package has now provided me with 4 seasons of that particular produce, simply by leaving a couple of plants to harvest the seeds! As for money to bless others. Here's my thought. I don't give away a great deal of money, although I do some. Money is a great exchange for shipping products, as a matter of fact, the only one that is accepted currently.
I have discovered, also, that I can purchase items for donation that seem to really help more than cash. I don't know if this is possible everywhere, but where I live, I can donate produce and eggs to food pantries, as well as the natural products from my business. There are so many ways we are blessed and ways we can bless others beyond money and material things!
We can use money to bless others. We can use money to invest. We can also use money to prepare. So basically, from an agrarian perspective, money is an implement. I'm very grateful to have a tiller and a hoe, but they are not the end product, only implements for the purpose! I'm learning more about seeds as I go and I've discovered a one time investment of $2.00 for a package has now provided me with 4 seasons of that particular produce, simply by leaving a couple of plants to harvest the seeds! As for money to bless others. Here's my thought. I don't give away a great deal of money, although I do some. Money is a great exchange for shipping products, as a matter of fact, the only one that is accepted currently.
I have discovered, also, that I can purchase items for donation that seem to really help more than cash. I don't know if this is possible everywhere, but where I live, I can donate produce and eggs to food pantries, as well as the natural products from my business. There are so many ways we are blessed and ways we can bless others beyond money and material things!
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