subscribe to this Newsletter   Wealth is a Tool Pt3   You can review the first 2 parts of our July series on wealth on the Back Issues page. As you read this particular article it has all the ingredients for "great controversy" with a good friend (Jim Bryson). Read You Wrote Back for a summary of our exchange. I have to confess I am trying to rock the boat - without tipping it over. Keep in mind that we are targeting a group of people (namely you) with Kingly ministries. It really is God's purpose to channel great blessing through you. I will leave you to sort out how much is for you. I believe God lets us choose our course in a way that lines up with our gift mix. Here are a couple of clear alternatives. You certainly won't be rejected for having less wealth than Bill Gates (However, Solomon makes Bill look like a pauper). I just want to swing the curtain back and ask if you can see abundance and generosity inside the will of God. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. John 12:8   For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Cor 8:9   Fear #1 - One of the biggest fears among Christians regarding wealth is a belief that it is forbidden and it will lead to pride and a spectacular downfall. The following two verses could be used to make such a point. However, if you read them carefully, and in context, the real warning isn’t against wealth; it’s a warning against "the love of money" instead of the purposes it can be used for. By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. 5 By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. Ezek 28:4-5 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Deut 8:11-14 Greed and covetousness are real issues – but they are not the exclusive domain of the rich. In fact, the poor are more likely to succumb to envy and selfishness than the wealthy. Note that Solomon expresses his real heart’s desire – to do a good job as a leader. I don’t think it takes a spiritual giant to realize that your calling or purpose should take priority over wealth, riches, honor, and long life. But please note that God doesn’t withhold these things. In fact, they are his will (Gen 12:2-3). He just doesn’t want us to worship them. Surely that’s not “too much to ask” or “to hard to do.” God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."   2 Chron 1:11-12 Say it with me, “Producing wealth is God’s will for me.” Then read Deut 8:18 and realize its part of his covenant promise. It’s also the context for the warning in verse 14 above. Then, as you read the Bible, notice the multitude of verses and examples of people that used great wealth inside the will of God. But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deut 8:17-18 The caveat on wealth and riches is summed up in Matt 6:33. Put His Kingdom first and blessing, including the ability to produce wealth, will follow you where ever you go. This context of this verse is not just basic needs. Reading what precedes it, we are shown that without a lot of toil we are cared for better than Solomon - that's beyond basic needs if you haven't read about Solomon lately. Remember all the wisdom... wealth... and what about those wives? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:33-34 The only thing that can stop wealth and blessing from flowing toward Kings is a  belief that it’s not God’s will. Here’s the reality – Kings can’t fill all the will of God without an abundance of money. Their generosity is abundant.   Wealth is not forbidden; it is part of the will of God for you in your Kingly ministry. Now that we have that straight you may be willing to permit God to add wealth to your walk. I want to take you a step farther regarding how God will give you financial increase Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor 9:6-8 The cheerful, brainless giver - We’ve all been taught that giving cheerfully is sowing seed and that whoever gives more will reap generously. We use this verse when we receive the offering in church. I believe it’s time to teach the saints how to keep their pockets overflowing and give out of their abundance. Right now there is a severe tendency among the churched to feel guilty for having money or making money.   What is Seed? - How long does a farm last if all the seed is given away? One year! If you want to reap a harvest you have to plant your seed. I want to suggest that the phrase “whoever sows generously will also reap generously” is pointing to the wisdom behind investments in things like business or real estate. If you give away money that represents your seed as a King, you can rest assured that you will never have any. Priests can, and probably should, give away their money because God intends for them to live on the tithe. Kings that believe that offerings are going to be the answer to funding their ministry are a half bubble off into foolishness – it doesn’t happen. Understanding cash flow, business opportunities, passive income, and wise investments, is God’s plan for sowing your seed. The ability to produce wealth and wisdom are connected in scripture.   God Supplies Seed "to Plant" - Notice in verse 10 that God supplies seed to the sower in such a way that increases the “store” of seed and then the harvest of righteousness is enlarged. Why? The saint has something in his pocket to give. Now repeat out loud from verse 11, “I will be made rich in every way so that I can be generous on every occasion." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  2 Cor 9:10-11 Kings and money - Here’s the simple reality. Kings have to be comfortable with making and giving money. That’s how the ministry of Kings works. They have to be wise enough not to give away their seed to sow. They must invest (sow or plant) it wisely. I believe there is an anointing available for Kings to receive great abundance. God is positioning them to do great things… and my prayer is that they don’t put their seed in the offering plate. Tithe yes; seed no. We can't view these truths as prescriptive principles we blindly follow. However, we have to be open to the fact that God wants us to commune with him at the level of our hearts desire (like Solomon). He also wants Kings to want to make money and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as to how.   Treasure in Heaven - Instead of tithing 10% my personal goal is to live on 10% and have an overflow sized to give 90%. My goal isn't personal wealth; it's producing wealth that can be converted into ministry. We're not taking any it with us, but we can produce wealth in this life and convert it something that God really values - treasure in heaven. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-21 Here's your Kingly assignment. Produce wealth, multiply it 100-fold, convert it to ministry along the way, and get the job done before you're called home... bless all nations.       Blessings,   John & Harold www.releasing-kings.com     PS: If you enjoyed this article your might also like "How You Can Break off Poverty and Embrace Prosperity."   The full story is in our book Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace.   I also recommend two books by Harold entitled "Developing a Prosperous Soul" Volumes 1 How to Overcome a Poverty Mindset and 2 How to Move Into God's Blessing.   Several friends have made helpful recommendations for book and tape series that I found enlightening. Visit We Recommend on our web and check out "Things I've Read Lately."   PS: we get lots of interesting feedback on these newsletters at "You Wrote Back" http://www.releasing-kings.com/you-wrote-back.html        _____________________________________________________________________ Interested in your own WEB? We've posted information on the software we use to create this web site. If you survive the learning curve without losing your sanctification (mine is barely intact), it really is easy to use and the cost is $299 a year - much less expensive than hiring someone. The primary benefit is the ease of making your own changes. Additional info is at: http://www.releasing-kings.com/releasing-websites.html     Progress - Kingly Bio's are Up We've completed the first round of interviews with Kings.  These are real people that have been blessed by God in the Market Place and have hearts for ministry.  Check it out at http://www.releasing-kings.com/Interviewing-Kings.html.  If you have a success story, we'd like to post it by giving you a web page on our site.     Progress - A Teacher's Guide We've completed the first version of a study guide that targets those teaching the material in Releasing Kings.  It includes a page of notes on each chapter, all the graphics suitable to make overheads, and a PDF file of the book with the key points highlighted that includes marginal notes, comments, and questions.  This material is available for purchase on the teacher's guide page of the web. john@releasing-kings.com 509-308-6873     Friends Tell Friends God has given us a great tool to communicate a message that sets people free in an amazing, contagious, life-changing way.  If you haven't read it - get it.  If you have read it - give it.  http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html   We've gotten a ton of positive feedback on the newsletter too... get it, give it.  Reloading Seniors was powerful.  Pass the link on. http://www.releasing-kings.com/Newsletter.html   PS: don't forget to look at the free reports - show your pastor the article on marketplace ministry from the pastor's perspective.  You can simply email him this link or print a copy to give him. http://releasing-kings.com/pastors-perspective.html     ____________________________________________________________________ You can get your copy of Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace at 1-800-308-5837 (or) http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html