#52 IDENTITY IN FINANCES
Biblical Points of Financial Freedom
Most people struggle with the impulse to buy, but few realize the bondage that accompanies these impulses. The marketplace provides many opportunities to trap us into becoming undisciplined in our shopping habits. We want, we see, and we buy. Many times, it can be as "candy-coated" as the purchase of candy itself. God wants us to have the discernment of the Holy Spirit in all of our purchases. This problem is as old as the Garden, itself. One example is when Eve purchased fruit with the price of her soul. We must reject all that appeals to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of our lives (1 John 2:16).
SWINDLERS: The first and foremost problem that needs to be addressed is recognizing and rejecting the swindler himself, Satan. No being knows the marketplace better than our enemy. He is a shrewd businessman who uses earthly swindlers to place people in bondage; primarily, those who make claims to be in the kingdom of God. A swindler, as depicted in man's reality, gives very few evidences of his deception. A con artist is usually friendly, personable, and enthusiastic about his product or in how we can make large sums of money from "buying into" his product. His, or her, technique is getting us to focus on the business aspects, or profits, of our demise. But, God wants us to focus on the warning signs of deception. If we do this, He will find a way to reveal the way of deliverance from such tricks of the trade.
"To deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things" (Prov. 2:12).
God will deliver us, but we must know the ways of a swindler. History has proven that women tend to struggle with impulse buying more than men. I am not convinced this is the case in God's reality. Men tend to purchase BIGGER toys, which cost more; whereas, women tend to make smaller purchases more frequently. Statistics prove that female salespersons are more difficult to turn down - at least for men. This problem roots itself as far back as the Garden of Eden. Why did man say, "Yes" to the dress? Well, that is the million dollar question, isn't it? Because of Adam defaulting to Eve in the Garden, men have had a generational problem of saying, "NO" to women. Through the years, many men have told me, "If the little woman is happy, I am happy." The price tag of Adamic default is enslavement. Adam was disciplined by God because of this single factor of disobedience.
"Then to Adam He said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, "You shall not eat from it"; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life'" (Gen. 3:17).
I am by no means putting the blame on the woman - on the contrary. In fact, I am putting full responsibility on the man. God disciplined Adam because he ... read more here
Identity in Finances: Biblical Points of Financial Freedom. Copyright � 2015 IOM America. Permission to reproduce for educational purposes. Please keep author's name intact.
Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible, � Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Dr. Stephen R. Phinney PDF version: click hereFounder/Ministry Host
   
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