Celebrate Freedom Teaching Letter August 2011
Each month as I sit down to write this letter, I pray it will be a source of strength and encouragement as you journey towards celebrating freedom in every area of your life. Last month, I wrote about understanding the building process. I shared Proverbs 24:3–4, which says “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
Today, I want to focus on another critical aspect of that scripture—the wisdom and knowledge part. You see, without wisdom and knowledge, how would we even know if we’re building the right foundation? Imagine spending months building only to find out you’ve been building with the wrong set of blueprints!
Pastor Gary talks about people who have a mailbox mentality—those that think they simply need to sow into the Kingdom, then sit back and wait for the check to show up in their mailbox. I must confess, I tend to find myself in a ditch on the other side of the road more often than I’d like to admit. My tendency isn’t to sit and wait, but to spend too much time trying to make things happen in business through hard work and toil. It’s true that once we have direction from God, we need to be willing to work hard in accomplishing the plans God has given us, but we also can’t get so focused on the doing, that we neglect to continually stay plugged into God’s Word.
I’ve had to remind myself more then a few times that “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble (painful toil) to it.”- Proverbs 10:22. Whenever we find ourselves stressed out, we have to ask ourselves if we’re properly connected to the source of blessing, or if we’re running ahead seeking wealth on our own through hard work and toil.
I know from experience how frustrating it can be to need money, but not have any idea how I’m going to increase financially. Obviously, fulfilling our Celebrate Freedom faith goals wouldn’t be hard for most of us if we saw our finances increase 800% or more over the next two years. Now, I’m not suggesting you run after wealth, as we read in Proverbs 23:4–5 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”
What I am suggesting is that we learn to continually seek the Kingdom of God along with wisdom, as the Word of God teaches us that gaining wisdom is the only way to create lasting wealth! Proverbs 8:10–21 makes it clear: “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.”
Notice the promise that those who seek wisdom WILL find wisdom. This should excite you, because once you gain wisdom you’ll also gain enduring wealth and prosperity! There’s just no way for me to properly elaborate on the above passage, so I’m simply going to encourage you to really meditate on this passage over the next few weeks. It’s a great beginning in your search for wisdom.
This is the same principle we find in Matthew 6:31-33: “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
It’s so important that we spend our time seeking the right things. Running after wealth and striving in our own ability to increase our finances will only wear us out and leave us frustrated and stressed. Working three or four jobs, or 80 hours a week, is NOT a permanent solution! We have to learn to seek first the Kingdom of God and wisdom, then we’ll have the ability to create lasting wealth that’s a blessing to others for generations to come.
So, my challenge to you this month is to make sure that you’re truly seeking the Kingdom of God and wisdom with all your heart. If you’re not already reading at least one Proverb each day, today is a great day to start! Remember, God has promised us that if we love wisdom and seek her, we WILL find her!
Together, as we learn to seek the Kingdom of God and wisdom with all our hearts, we will Celebrate Freedom!
Tim Howe
Campaign Director
