Wednesday February 8th from 9-11am EST we have Part 6 of the Romans911 / NBB joint study on Zoom. We will be discussing true repentance and reformation – What does it mean to renew our minds?
Tomorrow we will discuss three possible future financial/economic scenarios and how God’s people can start to prepare now. We will do this as a way of thinking differently – as a New Breed of Business people – and how we can react well during times of uncertainty and shaking. This will help prepare us today for how to plan and live out our faith now and for the future. By the Spirit and in the natural. A hybrid of heaven and earth.
The discussion format will be this: we’ll lay out three scenarios and you – the NBB “management team” – will brainstorm about what could be done to address certain situations that may emerge. We will also evaluate and test the Storehouse models for how they would work under such scenarios.
Should be fun!
Pierre Wack – Royal Dutch Shell
Back in my strategic planning days in banking, we used a tool/method developed in the 1960s and 1970s known as “Scenario Planning“. This was made famous by Royal Dutch Shell, who through the leadership of Jimmy Davidson, head of Shell’s economics and planning, brought Ted Newland and Pierre Wack together as in-house “futurists”. The duo had a knack for shaping plausible, yet unlikely, future scenarios. And Wack, through his flair of his storytelling developed as a former magazine editor, was highly effective presenting such scenarios to executive management. They were able to imagine future scenarios and “think outside the box” of regular management and planning to solve potential problems. Wack was able to get management to react to his “what would you do if?” type of questions. What emerged were common solutions that came out of the divergent future scenarios. This allowed for Shell to prepare ahead of time for what might eventually come. And it did.
Shell famously prepared well for not one, but several crises. The oil embargo of the 1973 middle east crisis was the first. Their management team was prepared for this. All of their competitors were caught out, unprepared. And in turn, Shell thrived during those times of crisis and increased their market share and profitability.
OK, so how does this translate for us?
Three Scenarios for Discussion
1. China invades Taiwan. The US and its allies in the region hesitate militarily, and decide once again to extend its Russia-type sanctions against dollar trade with China and its allies. But it backfires as supply chains are even more disrupted than during COVID19. Further, it backfires as an Eastern block of nations coalesce with many OPEC nations, distancing themselves from the dollar and trading petro-yuan and petro-rubles instead. Israel finds itself having to develop relationships beyond the US for its financial, energy and economic security.
Chuck Pierce’s Passover Prophecies and War of the Future Church (see Trade Wars writeup and podcast)
2. A new global financial crisis emerges and US banks close for a period of six months, when the banks reopen the government bails-in the banking system by renegotiating loans and haircutting deposits.
3. Inflation takes off again and the economy goes into recession. Many staples become scarce (famine). US Government receipts decline, so it has to borrow much more – well beyond its capacities to repay. The Fed tries to keep raising interest rates to tamp inflation, but now all sorts of unintended consequences arise. The government can no longer afford to pay its interest, and there is no political will to keep raising rates. So the Fed reverses course and prints money in a desperate attempt to revive the economy. All global credibility and trust in the dollar goes away. People panic and a run on the banks ensues. The existing USD effectively starts to fail. As a result, FDIC deposits are frozen. Debts can no longer be paid with old dollars. After a brief time, a new CBDC (digital dollar) is introduced that the banks have been testing behind the scenes. Old dollars are no longer accepted for many things. If you want to use old dollars, you have to bring them in for destruction, and only then are you issued new digital currency at 100:1. But that dollar is now controlled by a central authority. You can only use your money to purchase approved items. Rations are also introduced. Paper money is gone instantly because in the crisis, Americans become desperate to try something, anything. Democrats and Republicans alike.
We will be entering into a teaching time followed by prayer time of Coming out of Babylon and Divorcing Baal / Mammon (deliverance and healing prayer).
Roundtable Discussion: Shakings – first Japan, then US/World
A headline caught my attention Dec 20th 2022: Bank of Japan shocks global markets with bond yield shift. What was the shift? The BOJ is winding down the yield curve management that was ushered in by Haruhiko Kuroda as BOJ President starting 2013. He has stated that he will not seek reappointment at the end of his term April, 2023.
Why does this matter? Because it could be a signal that the BOJ reserves the right to raise short-term interest rates at some point in the future. It could happen quickly and by surprise. This could portend/trigger other global financial events, as it did in 2007.
When was the last time this happened? 16 years ago at the end 2006 and the beginning of 2007. The BOJ raised rates. It was unexpected. It was premature for their economy, which was still greatly depressed and had just turned positive for the first time in a long-time.
The Lord visited me with a word on Jan 2, 2007 when our family was in St. Thomas that surprised me. Here is a summary:
This word changed my life. The net result of its coming to pass, for me personally, was that it marked a shift in my way of thinking from simply running a specialized US long-short, public-private hedge fund using Wall Street models, into thinking globally, and paying attention to the macro financial markets (such as currencies), with the opportunity to shift generations of wealth for good. This also coincided with a shift in my business practices away from pure capitalism and into biblical economy (the New Breed of Business reform) and with that, the Storehouse vision. God making ready Storehouses of finance and resources throughout the earth for his Kingdom’s purposes, not adhering to the ways of “Babylon“. Like a type of global endowment of true riches (people and resources) for the Church at large, if you will.
Back to Japan…
Japanese stock market never fully recovered – even 35 years later…
So what emerged from all this is there seems to be a financial pattern: first Japan, then the US/rest of the world. Fittingly, Japan is known as the land of the rising sun. Where does the sun rise first? In the east. In Japan. What happens to the Japanese experiment in monetary policy has then flowed into the rest of the world’s thinking, starting in the US.
Let’s look at some important – not so great – firsts and facts:
FIRST – JAPAN
FOLLOW – USA / EURO
STOCK MARKET CRASH
1989
2008
0% SHORT RATES
1995
2009
0% 10Y TREASURY
2016
2019
DEFLATION
1998
2009
DEBT TO 100% GDP
1999
2013
DEBT TO 200% GDP
2010
CENTRAL BANK QE – GOV DEBT
2001
2009
CENTRAL BANK QE – ETFS
2010
2020
CENTRAL BANK QE – 50% OWN GOV DEBT
2022
Now, I’m not sure exactly why Japan might be a leading indicator for the Western world’s central banks and economies.
Some believe that the USA missed the opportunity to introduce the gospel and Christianity to Japan in the post WWII reconstruction period. Unlike Europe, the nation of Japan was never rooted in Christianity. Instead, the US helped reconstruct and “Westernize” Japan’s economy post-WWII through introducing democracy and capitalistic economy, banking and financial markets.
But, the absence of any Judeo-Christian moral grounding and guardrails, its implementation led to the decade of Japanese decadence and triumphalism of the 1980s.
Japan’s economy grew twice as fast as the US from 1960-1989. By some measures, Japan was briefly the #1 economy in the world in the late 1980s. Its financial markets were on a tear. Its real-estate was the most expensive in the world. Its manufacturing efficiency and quality was the envy of the world (remember Kaizen and Just-In-Time manufacturing?)
But not anymore.
Bob Jones Earthquake Prophecies
There is a key prophetic pattern to understand that relates the geo-physical to the geo-political/financial: The Bob Jones earthquake prophecies. Both natural and economic earthquakes. First, the big one will hit Japan physically (fulfilled March 11,2011), then the big one hits West Coast USA physically as well as an “economic shaking” to the US/World:
First Japanese Quake -> then West Coast USA quake
First Japanese Quake -> then US/global economic shaking/meltdown
Bob Jones Earthquakes Dream/Vision 1989 (incidentally the year the Nikkei also tanked):
First, N. California Coast quake will be witnessed all around the world (fulfilled Oct 17, 1989 during world series televised game)
Second, a Japanese major quake (fulfilled March 11, 2011)
Third, a major California quake (beyond what has been seen – not yet fulfilled)
Part of the prophecy relates to an “economic unraveling”, a “financial collapse”, “economic meltdown”, that will hit the US and the world. All of this is God lifting his hand which currently is “holding it all together”. It is a remedial judgment of God which we pray for his mercy, and the grace in its aftermath to repent and reform.
Rick Joyner’s advice for Preparation:
Build our houses on the Rock of Jesus Christ
These coming financial shakings are one of the reasons why we work toward the Storehouse Vision.
Rick discusses coming natural and financial earthquakes March 2011
In 2013 Rick repeats warning of coming West Coast “Big One” Earthquake
Wednesday December 21st from 9-11am EST we have Part 4 of the Romans 911 / NBB joint study on Zoom. We will be entering into a teaching time followed by prayer time of breaking-off of replacement theology and anti-Semitism that has come through our family bloodlines or otherwise (deliverance and healing prayer). There is homework for this, which is in the study guide and the videos (see below). As always, if you need financial help purchasing the study Guide, we have scholarships so please let Grant or I know. Also, let us know if you have trouble playing the videos.
Below is Grant’s email with the homework assignment…
Beloved, Please note the change of date and the HOMEWORK for our December meeting. Wednesday December 21st – 9-11 AM ET.HOMEWORK FOR NEXT SESSION – we are asking everyone in our group to watch the first part of Session two (video #3) in the R911 Study Guide video teachings before our next meeting. Please do your best to plan this time and watch the first teaching, as it will have a significant impact on the next teaching session that we will watch together as a group. When you purchased the R911 Study Guide* you would have received a user and password to access the Video teachings on the Website. To access the videos, please follow the instructions below: Click on thehttp://romans911.org/website and at the top, all the way to the right, click on the MY ACCOUNT tab – Then enter your user and password – Then click the VIDEO TEACHINGS TAB – Then click – Watch Christian Version – Then click the arrow down – Then click: Christian Part 1 – PERSONAL FOCUS – Teaching # 3 – SESS 2A In the STUDY GUIDE – To follow Teaching # 3 – SESS 2A, you can read SESSION 2 – THE RESTORATION Part A – Christian Obstacles – Page 23. Please let us know if you need some help, or if you have any questions. Lots of love in Yeshua,and for His Glory, Grant&Hali
*Please note, to engage in the study, you will need to purchase The Romans 911 Study Guide book. When you do, you will immediately receive free access to review and watch our 14 hr video series that are taught in tandem with the Study Guide teachings. – https://romans911shop.org/
Roundtable Discussion – No Plan B in the Kingdom of God
Lot came out of Sodom. But, his wife looked back (Gen 19)
Israel came out of Egypt. But that generation looked back (Num 14)
Judah came out of Babylon. But Ezra commanded them to leave their foreign wives and children (Ez 10)
Today we share testimonies of coming out of financial Egypt / Babylon and trusting God instead for provision with miracles coming forth. No half in, half out. No one foot in the world, one foot in the Kingdom. No Plan “B”.
We discuss the importance of avoiding fallback plans as FAITH-KILLERS and SELF-SABOTAGE, subconsciously or otherwise. Often this has to do with fear and control. When we fully trust God and eliminate fall-back plans, God honors our faith and often involves miracles.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him
Hebrews 11:6
The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’
Judges 7:2
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do
James 1:6-8
Part of the discussion will surround the implications of leaving behind institutional debt and mortgages, FICO scores, stock market gains, 401k/IRA retirement plans, bigger barns, etc. We will hear testimony of vows made in obedience to God and their scriptural precedent.
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.
James 4:13-15
An Israelite’s Failed Retirement Plan:
The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:16-20
In that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold…
Isaiah 31:7
An interesting perspective on these things: Preparing for the End Times with Monte Judah:
We also examine the difference between faith in what God said and desires, versus divining what we want or vainly imagine/desire. And how that often gets confused in our money culture. And the more innocent matter of “I thought what God said would happen looked different than what actually happened”.
We will discuss the basics of starting a Storehouse using two types of funding models at any group level (church community, city, county, state, region, nation) :
1. Create an evergreen “Common Fund” or “Storehouse Fund” to serve a community on an ongoing basis. You can think of this as an “and they laid the proceeds at the Apostles feet” as per Acts 4:35. You also can think of this as an Endowment or Foundation.
2. “Storehouse Project” funding whereby individuals within a community can opt-in or invest side-by-side and project by project. As part, each individual can also “store” resources in a type of account where they have the flexibility and choice to: invest from, transfer funds in and out of, have principal returned to, donate, purchase goods or services with, and receive gifts or dividends. There are 3 basic types of projects, which we generally categorize as: Assist (benevolence), Equip (interest free loans) and Destiny (dividending loans).
And how a hybrid of the two works together…
These models will focus around a simple USD based Storehouse, but can be done with any currency, or you can create a local currency (see Alt Currency podcast).
– What happened? – How did we get here? – Future of Crypto? – Implications for the Storehouse Vision – Failure of Crypto’s “Bridge” and the “Ark” – How greed undergirds and undermines crypto
God’s Economy in the One New Man – Key Principles Part 2
Study Every 2nd Wednesday for 12 Sessions from 9-11am Eastern
Today’s Discussion will focus on the Key Principles of the Reconnection and the New Breed of Business, Part 2. The intersection of The One New Man and the New Breed of Business. The intersection of the “Reconnection” and “Coming out of Babylon”.
John 17 Unity: The harvest (the whole world will know Christ) will come through true unity in the Body of Messiah/Christ.
2 Corinthians 5 : The ministry of reconciliation. First between man and God. Then between one another.
Ephesians 2:16 : That such reconciliation is made first between Jew and Gentile. Without which, how can an within “the two become one”?
2 Corinthians 6 : Come out and be separate from Babylon .What does Christ have to do with Satan? Do not partner together with unbelievers.
1 Corinthians 3 : Strife, Divisions, Carnal, Worldliness work against Holiness and Unity. Maturity requires Holiness and is the process of sanctification. No one gets credit other than what God gives. No one gets another wage other than the Lord deems fair. No one can build apart from Christ if they expect the work to last and survive the test by fire. The sign of immaturity in Christ is division (a lack of unity).
Common Pitfalls
Using Galatians 3:28 to justify another gospel: False Teaching: No longer Jew nor Greek means there is no distinction any longer between Jew or gentile. But how could this be if we clearly know in fact that there is still a distinction between Man and Woman which is a parallel sighting in the scripture: There is no longer Male nor Female?
Believing we have “Come out of Babylon” when we still adhere to logic such as: Self-preservation – “God helps those who help themselves”. Or, Mammon – “Well, without the money it can’t be done.” Or, “Seek-first Provision” – “Well, I guess god didn’t call me to do something because he didn’t provide the money for me to do it.” Or when we follow the doctrine of the world in “Separation of Church and State” “Separation of Church and Business” “The Business of Business is Business”
Roundtable Discussion – Economic Update in Prophetic Context
Bank of England buys Gilts?
Recently, there have been a few significant shakings in the financial markets, particularly in Europe, that have been stayed for the moment. Specifically and most recently, we had the Bank of England step in on an emergency basis to buy UK Gilts (like US Treasuries) to stave-off a financial crisis caused by “Liability Driven Investment” derivatives which is a fancy name for a leveraged “free lunch”. This is a Quantitative Easing move in a time of tightening of monetary policy. This reveals the vulnerability of the central banks to yet another crisis.
Now just a few scant days prior to this we had the Credit Suisse meltdown. NOTE, both the UK and Switzerland are independent of the EU. Credit Suisse is Swiss based even though they have a significant US presence through completing the acquisition of First Boston in 1990. Here is an article encapsulating how the Reddit meme stock crowd almost sunk the venerable Swiss Bank: How Credit Suisse Became a Meme Stock. (alt free article) Deutsche Bank also got swept into the bankruptcy concerns in early Oct with its stock price also declining precipitously triggering liquidity concerns all over again.
So, here is some prophetic context:
1. David Wilkerson prophecy from the 80s. See PDF below:
“The Great divide – The new Normal on the Mississippi River” “Record Set for Number of Cities with Riot Curfews” “Martial Law to be extended for 30 More Days” “Blight in Grains Spreading” “Drought Continues to cause Prayer to Rise” “Loss of Identity – The Cost to Belong to the New Euro Community” “Demand for Classic Seeds Skyrocket” “Derivative Panic Hits Global Markets” “Food Prices Lead Nation’s Escalating Inflation Woes” “Sysco Co and Kraft Considers Guards on Delivery Trucks as Food Nears 40% of the Family Budget” “Big Regulations Hit Small Banks” “Credit Markets Freeze Up” “The New Face of Robinhood – Flash Mobs Loot Rich Neighborhoods”
4. “I am uprooting the money tree” / “I am uprooting the men of money” spring 2010 word of the “No Name” storm knocking out power for 3 weeks in Fairfield County CT. Power outage greatest and longest according to the wealth of the town.
debunk – expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea, or belief). Oxford Languages
How can the Queen of England’s passing help us understand both God’s redemptive plans for nations as well as His judgment of “Harlot Babylon” among the nations? We will explore…
The Finality of Babylon’s Doom “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.” Revelation 18:21
“Babylon refuses to mourn, but My people will mourn before My return.” – JFriz Word of the Lord 2004 (paraphrase of Rev 18)
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Therefore,
“Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
And,
“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6
Come out of Slavery and Servitude to Babylon
“‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;”
Revelation 18:4
“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’”
Slavery = debt to a “Babylonian” institution; income from an “Babylonian” institution
In our discussion, we will cover:
Chris Reed prophecy Jan 2022
Queen Elizabeth and Liz Trust 2 days
Brexit
Hope for Britain
Separation of England from Babylon
Separation of US from Babylon
The purposes of heaven
Mission sending
Original intent
Revelation 22:24 and Zachariah 14:16 speaks of the nations repenting and coming up to Jerusalem
The degradation of Babylon over time
Prophetic analogy of Lion and wings of an Eagle
“The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.” Daniel 7:4
Shermara Fletcher, Principal Officer for Pentecostal and Charismatic Relations, Churches Together in England, Queens Funeral, recipient of 2020 exceptional young persons award of the wise women awards
A book on affordable housing? That the Church and the people of God need to help others with housing in commerce and economy? Yes, the Queen’s death leads to life.
From our friend Christpher Lucey:
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the LEAST of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” – Jesus; Matthew 24:40
Romans 911 Study Every 2nd Wednesday for 12 Sessions from 9-11am Eastern
Today’s discussion will focus on the introduction to the purpose and content of this study of the intersection between the “One New Man” and the “New Breed of Business”. The intersection of the “Reconnection” and “Coming out of Babylon”. A syllabus will be handed out for the first 6 sessions.
Parallels to Israel “Coming out of Babylon” in Economy
Second Temple parallels to the Second Acts Church prior to Jesus’ Second Coming
This morning we will discuss a topic we can call: “Ezra Calling”, which is part of God’s reformation in business and economy – a return to Old Testament / Tanakh scriptural truth when it comes to moral ethical economic issues in faith and community – just as Ezra rediscovered the scriptures and taught the people, so we must do similarly in these days. This may become a 2-part discussion where we then look to “Jesus Calling”, in how Jesus built upon the Torah and the Prophets (like Ezra, but as one “greater than Jonah”) and took these truths even higher when he gave the sermon on the mount.
This discussion is going to be a natural lead-in to kicking-off the following week’s Monthly study, whereby we will set aside the 2nd Wednesday every month for the next 12 months to look at the intersection between the “One New Man” and “Returning to God’s Economy”. How the One New Man (Jew and Gentile – The “Reconnection”) directly relates to the return to covenantal relationship between God and Man in economy (The “New Breed of Business”). Both are critical pillars in the preparation of the return of the Lord, preparing “a Bride without spot or wrinkle”.
So, we must “Come out of Babylon” and put away the foreign wives as putting away the foreign gods/idols of Baal, Mammon and the Egyptian Calf worship system of ancient Northern Israel. These today all have modern day equivalents.
OT Scriptural Truths:
Fallow Lands in Israel
Return to:
Sabbaths – Once a week; every 7 years; every 50 years
No charging of interest – Don’t be a money lender to Israelites / believers
Returning the pledge – Don’t take the pledge/bed/house/donkey/car
Helping others as we trust God to help us – Proverbs11:25
Divorcing foreign gods, such as Baal (self-interest), Mammon (money)
Putting away idols, such as our ‘golden calves’, our materialistic goods/goals, self-reliance
Embracing the Abrahamic Hebraic Covenantal cycle of life as a way of life instead of survival-of-the-fittest, Greek based logical linear mindsets
Parallels to Ancient Israel
Moses – God told Moses if the people follow the law “there shall be no poor among you”. Deut 15:4.
Ezra – Coming out of Babylonian marriages, idolatry and worship practices. Returning to the sabbaths and the shmita.
Nehemiah – Rebuking the wealthy who wrote mortgages profiting from and enslaving the poor. Ezra 9-10. Nehemiah 5.
Elijah – Mt. Carmel challenge. Israel faltering between two opinions, Jehovah and Baal. Serve one or the other. 1 Kings 18.
Gideon – Midianite robbers and crop spoilers. Tearing down his father’s altar to Baal. Judges 6.
Jehu – Kills Jezebel, tears down Baal, but fails to remove Egyptian golden calf system Jeroboam set up in 1 Kings 12:28-29. 2 Kings 10:29.
Saul – A King the people wanted
David – A King after God’s own heart
Jonathan Cahn has done a great job in prophetically warning America that we are following the path of ancient Israel and its slide into apostasy. And we must “Return to God” if we hope that He will return to America. He started with writing “The Harbinger” where he looked at the Isaiah 9:10 parallel to 9/11 in 2001. Now, he has just released “Return of the Gods” which gets into the very same issues of our discussion here today. This is prophetically timely.
Here is an outstanding teaching that Jonathan gave on these things years ago, but prophetically relevant to today: The Mammon Key
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also…
For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
2 Corinthians 8:1-8; 13-15
Deut 16:18
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things [unbelievers] seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matt 6:29-34
The upside down Kingdom
“It is better to give than receive” — Acts 20:35
– Widow and the two mites
Luke 21:1-4
– Trusting God, leaving outcomes in His hands, helping others, even out of our poverty
“Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Luke 17: 33-37
“for your life is not your own… For you were bought with a price”
This morning we discuss the driving forces behind answering the question: “Why create a Storehouse?” this is part of a series we are doing called “How to Create a Storehouse”.
Round Table Discussion – Does God Require a Tithe?
Part of financial reformation is returning to biblical understanding of giving, tithing, offerings, investment for believers under the new covenant.
I’ll share some background to the topic, give my understanding and testimony, then we will open up the discussion to hear everyone’s questions, testimonies and perspectives.
Recently, Creflo Dollar apologized for all his previous teachings on tithing. He literally said “you can throw them out”. He now understands giving by grace, quoting Romans 6:14 “…you are not under the law, but under grace”.. He also said the Lord encountered him one morning and said “giving demonstrates your belief that God will provide for you.” (paraphrase). However, this apparently also included a statement that God doesn’t require a tithe under the new covenant.
So, here’s the question: Does Creflo’s new perspective proverbially “throw the baby out with the bathwater”? In other words, some do indeed teach that God does not require us to give a tithe or really any particular amount under the new covenant of grace. But does that mean the principle of tithing is no longer valid? Or, alternatively, is it rightfully understood that tithing is really a baseline concept of giving under grace?
Ready? Read.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.It is by grace we are saved” Ephesians 2:8
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
Romans 6:1-2
So it is very true we are no longer under the law but grace. But that does not eliminate a heart posture of loving God and loving his law righteousness.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them.”Matthew 5:17
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:18-19
In fact, Jesus went on to teach in the “sermon on the mount” that righteousness in Him goes beyond the law, with the law as a baseline level or standard.
“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:20
What does that mean? If we are no longer under the law, but grace, but do we throw out the 10 commandments? Of course not, for Jesus said:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
Matthew 5:21
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48
Wait. I thought we were under grace, not the law? How can we be perfect? That would mean we wouldn’t sin.
“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Hebrews 10:16 It is only by the Holy Spirit within us acting together with us that we can “be perfect”. Not through our flesh. Our flesh will continue to be open to temptation to sin. Which is why we pray “lead me not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”.
Back to Tithing…
So, Is tithing a good thing or not? Does tithing bring a blessing according to Malachi 3 today or not? Does not following it bring a curse?
We will break it down, and take a look at how the “Storehouse Vision” relates to tithing, giving, and investing.
“Bring the whole tithe into the Storehouse, so that there may be food in my house” – Malachi 3:10
Tithing is good for:
demonstrating we trust in God as provider
bringing food into “God’s House”, which is the body of Christ, the living stones temple
helping the poor, widow and the orphan
tithing on the tithe (to the regional/state/national/global body – liken to the Levites tithing to the house of Aaron)
the only recorded place in the bible where God says to “test Me” with a promise attached of abundant blessings, is in regard to the tithe. Mal 3:10.
Tithing is not good for:
perpetuating an old-wine skin, at the expense of the laity (Nicolaitans)
operating in a spirit of this World
leading in a spirit of Saul
manipulating people to give, when ministry leaders fear running out of money
attempting to mollify our own financial fears (Pagan notion: “god” won’t provide for me financially unless I offer a sacrifice of money)
meeting building projects or budgets that are the vain imaginations of man (good but God)
Tithing is:
“on the increase”
a tenth
separate from offerings
to be given to where you receive your covering / are shepherded
should not be unto yourself, but “someone greater” (Hebrews 7)
God said in Malachi the people were “robbing him” of tithes and offerings. This implies falling short of a target greater than 10%…
What different types of Storehouses are there? (A: support the unity/prayer movement, help disciple people out of debt / debt restructuring, local Christian business financing – there is no cookie cutter model)
What does Seeding a Storehouse look like?
How do people sow into it?
Why would they? Who would? Do I need to “fund-raise” to start it? (A: Responding the Holy Spirit, coalition of the willing, no need to “fundraise” in the worldly way – communicate the idea, the need and let people respond, there is no minimum size of people and dollar amount required)
Tomorrow we start a series we could call: “How to create a Storehouse”. If you get a chance, read through some of our intro materials here (feedback encouraged so we can improve) : https://newbreed.co/storehouse/
Because the Storehouse Vision is to create and connect to the Storehouse Network, it is really just part of the administrative, financial, investment backbone or infrastructure of the Church advancing the Kingdom. But, not depending on the financial systems and business practices of this world.
The Storehouse Network is a Fishes and Loaves Network
Storehouses can seed other storehouses to help grow this network. We discuss the problems of local sustainability, USD fund raising dependence, and the power of giving a hand-up instead of a hand-out.
Join us as we hear testimonies, share ideas, and learn together.
A Closing Prayer offered by Kay Cavander…
United by His spirit. Let’s stand in one accord. As people who have purposed. To love and serve the Lord.
As We knit our hearts together Through the Word and fervent prayer We can strengthen one another And show the world we care.
So clothe yourself with Jesus, Take up your sword and shield, For our weapons are not carnal, On this end time batlefield.
For we’re part of God’s great army, Prepared in these Last Days, To tell the lost of Jesus, And set the world ablaze!
Now mighly God we praise you, For all we’re yet to be, As united by your Spirit, We go on to victory!
The Compromising Church… Pergamos … I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”
Rev 2:12-17
Balaam – a false prophet who sold his services for money
…they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness
2 Peter 2:14-15
Nicolaitans – means “conquer the laity”
Instead of Jesus being the head of the church, man is head of this false church with control mechanisms in place to control the laity through a variety of religious means.
“food sacrificed to idols” – spiritually analogous to…
food = provision
sacrificed to idols = idolatry of the provision – ie, mammon
“sexual immorality” – spiritually analogous to being married to wifes who follow false gods, or simply worshiping pagan gods
“to he who overcomes” receives “hidden manna”
Meaning those who come out (repent) from these practices and consecrate themselves (humble themselves), God will provide for them in otherwise imperceptible means (miracles, signs, wonders).
a “new name” on a “white stone”
white represents purity.
name inscribed on a stone – represents a permanency – it is so written
a “new name” is liken to Jacob becoming Israel; Abram becoming Abraham; representing a transformed life…
Combine the two together we get a word picture of repentance, humility, transformation, overcoming, provision from unusual and imperceptible places. Such as water from a rock. Or bread from the sky. Or water into wine. Or a river in the desert. Blooming in the desert.
However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:8
They could not buy or sell unless they had the mark
Rev 13:17
Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God
Matt 4:4
Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things people worry about (food, clothes, drink) shall be added unto you
Matt 6:33
Hybrid of Ministry and Business
The New Breed of Business reformation can be described both as a hybrid of ministry and business, as well as a hybrid of natural and supernatural power. God sometimes gives me analogies using cars, and a hybrid vehicle has a “combustion engine” aspect (like man’s natural power) plus a “electric power” aspect (like God’s supernatural power or heavenly power).
Porsche 918 RSR Prototype with carbon “Flywheel” electric storage devicePorsche “919 Hybrid” LMP1 Racecar
Let’s take this analogy a step further. This model above is a “919”. 9 Biblically represents the Holy Spirit.
Healing, deliverance, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues, word of knowledge, wisdom, faith.
All of these carry a “supernatural” power dimension.
So, when looking at business and ministry, we should freely be operating both naturally and supernaturally by the Spirit. In other words, when we do things through natural power (money, efforts) they must be done according to the scripture and according to the fruits. This is similar to the naturally aspirated engine in a hybrid vehicle. But we also need to be trusting in God for the heavenly provision that happens supernaturally (heavenly, angelic). You can’t “buy” with money this power. It’s not “for sale”. Simon the sorcerer tried and was nearly killed (Acts 8). This is similar to the electric power of a hybrid. In the days ahead, we will need both aspects to accomplish the will of God.
In the same way we can pray for someone’s (supernatural) “healing” in the hospital, and also for the doctors’ success (natural), we can pray for and seek natural and supernatural provision as well.
Let’s look at some biblical examples:
People in scripture operating in the natural provision: Cornelius giving ALMS to the Jews Boaz blessing the poor, his workers, Ruth and Niomi Jesus sending forth the adulterous woman and telling her to sin no more Jesus dining with the disciples Jesus the carpenter Israel contributing their silver and gold to the building the tabernacle Nehemiah leading the wall building and defenses
People in scripture operating in supernatural provision: Elisha multiplying oil in the pots for the widow Elisha floating the ax head to recover it for owner Elijah riding in a chariot of fire Peter walking on the water Peter fishing for a 4-drachma coin Phillip being “translated” to another location Jesus fed the 5000/4000 miraculously multiplying fish and loaves Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding Moses getting water from the rock Moses parting the red sea
People in modern day operating in supernatural provision: John G Lake receiving SA entry fee by faith Heidi Baker seeing food multiply in front of the children when they had no food Raman Mooi receiving a building and money from Japanese business man without asking (for audio testimony, scroll down to bottom here) Rob Cassera received a multi-million dollar dinner theater property in Darien, CT for $1 George Muller receiving food and milk for the orphans Reese Howell praying for the demise of Hitler $408k mtg settled for $1; $250k mtg eliminated by court
Chandrakaut Shouri
Anyway, all this got stirred up in me again when watching this testimony from 10 Days of Prayer Pentecost: His name is Chandrakaut Shouri and he is from India.
Chandrakaut Shouri
Watch 8 minutes of this clip:
(queued up at 12 min 10 sec – watch through 19m 44 sec). (Watch the whole thing and you will be blessed.)
God sends Chandrakaut and his family into the “jungles” of India into a “dark, remote place”
“We had no finances” “Lord, what do you want us to do?” “We had no plans, no projects”
His family rejected him and friends thought he had gone mad He and his wife had two children at that time There were no jobs available to them
“Lord help us!”
For four years, all they got was Matt 6:33 “Seek first the Kingdom and do not worry. All will be added unto you” and 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone…”
4 years of financial hardship
“Either God did not call us here… or we admit it’s too tough because we can’t take this hardship”
One morning separately, both he and his wife vowed to the Lord, we will stay here where you have called us even if our kids starve.
God then spoke a word: Isaiah 51:22 – and broke off the hardship (having drunk from the cup that makes men stagger).
And ever since that day to this day, they have always had provision and food on the table. He doesn’t know how, but it’s true.
“Why did you make us suffer for such a long time God?” G: “Right from when you were born, everything reinforced this one thing: ‘without money you cannot survive.’ That had become a very strong chain of bondage in your mind. It took me 4 years to break that”
That was a revelation, and with that revelation came freedom: “My work is only for the Lord” “My work is not for sale” “That was what actually freed me to do what God wants me to do.”
Two Other Examples
More inspiration from our friend Angela Marra about “Listen to the Voice”:
(watch/listen 8 minutes)
And another good related word is about the opposite spirit to “trusting God with all” is a spirit of “self-preservation” sent in by Chareese Whitaker:
