Servias Ministries Blog

What is wealth as FATHER sees it?

This is a very interesting video based on Haggai chapter 2:

7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.

8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.

9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

Silver & Gold Explode as Dollar Tanks – Bo Polny

Which treasures are you focused on, earthly or Heavenly?

 Moses recorded by The Holy Spirit in Deuteronomy chapter 8:

18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Time and time again, FATHER has proved HIS Words in the above passage.  As we are led by The Holy Spirit and found to be trustworthy with wealth, HE will increase the treasuries for us to manage on HIS behalf.

Jesus did not hesitate to reference finances when He spoke in the following verses:

Matthew 6:19 TPT

“Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value.

Matthew 6:20 TPT

Instead, stockpile heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value.

Matthew 13:52 TPT

He responded, “Every scholar of the Scriptures, who is instructed in the ways of Heaven’s Kingdom realm, is like a wealthy home owner with his house filled with treasures both new and old.”

Luke 16:11 TPT

If you have not handled the riches of this world with integrity, why should you be trusted with the Eternal treasures of the spiritual world?

Luke 18:22 TPT

“Ah,” Jesus said, “there’s still one thing you’re missing in your life.” “What is that?” asked the man. “You must go and sell everything you own and give all the proceeds to the poor so you will have Eternal treasures. Then come and follow Me.”

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in the following epistles:

Romans 8:17 TPT

And since we are His true children, we qualify to share all His treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God Himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit all that He is and all that He has. We will experience being co-glorified with Him provided that we accept His sufferings as our own.

Romans 10:12 TPT

So then faith eliminates the distinction between Jew and non-Jew, for He is the same Lord for all people. And He has enough treasures to lavish generously upon all who call on Him.

Ephesians 1:7 TPT

Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given the treasures of redemption by His Blood—the total cancellation of our sins—all because of the cascading riches of His grace.

Colossians 1:5 TPT

Your faith and Love rise within you as you access all the treasures of your inheritance stored up in the Heavenly realm. For the revelation of the True Gospel is as real today as the day you first heard of our glorious hope, now that you have believed in the Truth of the Gospel.

Colossians 3:2 TPT

Yes, feast on all the treasures of the Heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with Heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.

Can you handle wealth with integrity?  If you can, you will become a conduit to bring forth Heavenly treasures to the earth, establishing The Kingdom of GOD.  Think about it, which treasures are you focused on?

We are to receive blessings with purpose!

At Servias Ministries, our desire is to expand our impact on behalf of The Kingdom of GOD.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians chapter 9:

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God Loves a cheerful giver.

Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated into giving; it must be out of the purpose of your heart.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Consider the word “all” used three times in the above passage.

9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now may He Who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

In other Words, you will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God.

Some of what we have been provided for is for our consumption… bread.  Some of what we have been given is for us to plant elsewhere.  As we purpose to be a cheerful giver, we will receive an increase through HIS grace or enablement.

And Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 4:

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

In other Words, my heart overflows with joy when I think of how you demonstrated love to me by your financial support of my ministry. For even though you have so little, you still continue to help me at every opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

19 And My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The two essential verses for blessing and increase:

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Would you like an abundance for every good work?  Every time a need comes up, you don’t have to say “I can’t today” but you would like to respond every time.  Paul is praying and prophesying that reality into our life.

19 And My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

It is not according to the economy, how well your business is doing, not according to the city you live in, not even according to your faith.  It is according to the riches in glory.  The standard for your provision in this lifetime is an immeasurable standard.

These two passages present the promise of increase, the promise of blessing, but in both situations, they are tied to our support of missions.

Servias’ primary missionary outreach is to the kids in need program, not the local church.  Additionally, and to a lesser extent, we are now supporting missionaries outside the U.S.  Yes, the U.S. is now seen as a missionary field in great need of The Gospel.

Paul was a missionary; we are as well.  Our mission field is “all the world”.

We are no more like Christ than we are generous!

GOD was and is the most generous Giver of all!

Jesus spoke in John chapter 3:

16 For God so Loved the world that He gave …

Do you see yourself as a giver or a taker?  Do you look for ways to be generous?  Generosity is actually at the heart of the gifts of THE SPIRIT.  The entire purpose of ministering in the gifts is for the edification (or building up) of the church.  The purpose of the gifts of THE SPIRIT is to get something from GOD that will make somebody else’s life more complete through your generous giving.

When we minister in a true spirit of generosity, we are not only able to properly direct our resources, but HE gives us the opportunity through that heart to access HIS resources and distribute them.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1^st Corinthians chapter 12:

4 It is the same Holy Spirit who continues to distribute many different varieties of gifts.

5 The Lord YAHWEH is One, and HE is the One Who apportions to believers different varieties of ministries.

6 The same God distributes different kinds of miracles that accomplish different results through each believer’s gift and ministry as HE energizes and activates them.

7 Each believer is given continuous revelation by the Holy Spirit to benefit not just himself but all.

8 For example: The Spirit gives to one the gift of the Word of Wisdom.

To another, the same Spirit gives the gift of the Word of revelation knowledge.

9 And to another, the same Spirit gives the gift of faith.

And to another, the same Spirit gives gifts of healing.

10 And to another the power to work miracles.

And to another the gift of prophecy.

And to another the gift to discern what the Spirit is speaking.

And to another the gift of speaking different kinds of tongues.

And to another the gift of interpretation of tongues.

11 Remember, it is the same Holy Spirit Who distributes, activates, and operates these different gifts as We chooses for each believer.

How important are these Spiritual Gifts?

Paul continues in 1^st Corinthians chapter 14:

1 Pursue [this] Love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the Spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].  AMP

Prophecy from Above gives the recipient hope, expectation, and courage to deal with the future.

We are to cry out to GOD to receive the needed gifts for others we encounter, to distribute that which originated in the Heart of GOD for people and help to make them more complete.

Paul continues:

26 Beloved friends, what does all this imply? When you conduct your meetings, you should always let everything be done to build up the church family. Whether you share a song of praise, a teaching, a divine revelation, or a tongue and interpretation, let each one contribute what strengthens others.

Our goal is to build up the Body of Christ by ministering and strengthening others.  Those who are mature in Christ are to minister to the babes in Christ and nurture them to maturity, in Love.

I may not have money to give but I can give that person my undivided attention.  I may have some possessions that The Holy Spirit instructs me to give.  It may be a word of encouragement.

King David recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 35:

27 But let all my true friends shout for joy, all those who know and Love what I do for You. Let them all say, “The Lord is great, and HE delights in the prosperity of HIS servant.”

As we serve THE LORD and are led by HIS SPIRIT, HE delights in our prosperity.  The windows of Heaven are opened wider so that we are able to increase our generosity and impact on those around us.

Why do you need to be blessed?

It is so that you can address every opportunity to do a good work and be a blessing to others.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2^nd Corinthians chapter 9:

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

Notice that righteousness is connected to generosity.

10 Now may He Who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace (enablement), so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way. HE will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.

FATHER wants us to come into a lifestyle where we always have something to give into those situations that present themselves.  HE will provide you with seed to sow as you embrace this lifestyle.  HE will also initiate the multiplier effect.

GOD provides seed for sowing, that is generosity, and bread for eating, that is consuming.  Both are Holy: generosity and eating.  Buying “gifts” for my family is as Holy as being generous to those in need.  Neither should be ignored at the expense of the other.

GOD ordained me to be a consumer of bread, a consumer of what HE provided for me.  HE is a generous Giver to me as an example for me to be a generous giver to others.

How does FATHER respond when HE provides for us?  HIS joy can’t be any less than my joy of seeing my family enjoy what I’m able to do for them.  HIS generosity inspires me to be generous.

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

Every gift we give has multiple effects.  The LORD receives honor through thanksgiving.  HE receives honor through the souls that are saved, HE receives honor through people doing what they were born to do, and we have the joy of giving. 

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 4:

16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory (unlimited and Eternal) by Christ Jesus.

Both of these passages gave us promises that we delight in and enjoy unlimited provision guaranteed by THE LORD throughout our life.  Both of them were connected to “missionary giving”. 

Our missionary field is primarily in the schools we support.  We go to them; they don’t come to us.  Our mission field does not have to be in a faraway country.  Paul, who was a missionary, was about 95 miles from Philippi when he wrote to them concerning their support. 

In North America, 95% of the contributions stay within the churches where those funds are collected.  In our case, 100% of the contributions go out to those in need.  We see this commitment as the purest form of obedience to FATHER’S Divine Intent in the area of financial stewardship.  What about Servias’ minor operating expenses?  My wife and I cover those as needed and it is our privilege to do so.  This eliminates any motive that would be considered “self-serving”.

The light that shines the farthest, shines the brightest at home.

Over the years I have found that when I give the tithe, my 90% is more effective because it is without a devourer.  The 100% comes with a devourer.  This is the way Kingdom finances work.  Yes, it took a while for my mind to be transformed to walk according to Kingdom principles in the area of finances, but FATHER proved HIMSELF faithful as we fully aligned ourselves in this area.  HIS faithfulness has placed us in a position to bless others out of generosity, not out of duty or pressure.

Do you want to shape the course of history?

When I invest money in The Gospel, I am shaping the course of history.  When I see a ministry that manifests good fruit, they are subject to my family’s support as The Holy Spirit leads.  Good fruit promotes more good fruit.  Each of us gets to assign our resources to Eternal tasks to further the Kingdom of GOD.

As I wrote yesterday, do not allow yourself to be manipulated or coerced to give.  Have I been manipulated in the past?  Absolutely!  Once my wife and I finally became confident in giving by being led by The Holy Spirit, we could no longer be manipulated or coerced into parting with our money.  We won’t support personal kingdom building under the guise of establishing FATHER’S Kingdom.

Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 6:

38  Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Jesus continued as He likened people to trees:

43 “You’ll never find choice fruit hanging on a bad, unhealthy tree. And rotten fruit doesn’t hang on a good, healthy tree.

44 Every tree will be revealed by the quality of fruit that it produces. You will never pick figs or grapes from thorn trees.

45 People are known in this same way. Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit. Likewise, out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil. For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words.

If you spend enough time with a person, you can identify the type of fruit they are producing.  We can’t judge a person’s heart, but we can judge his fruit.

Generosity is a heart attitude, and every person is positioned to give something.  Giving smiles and compliments are ways of giving.  This means that you are not focusing on “self” but instead you are focusing on others.  We are thinking in terms of making a difference everywhere we go.  When you live a life of generosity, everything changes.

The tithe came from Abraham, who is called the father of faith.

Moses recorded by The Holy Spirit in Genesis chapter 14:

18 And Melchizedek, Who was both a priest of the Most High God and the king of Salem (peace), brought out to Abram bread and wine.

19 He spoke over him a special blessing, saying, “Blessed is Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

20 And blessed be God Most High, whose power delivered your enemies into your hands!” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all he possessed.

It is interesting that the two major events associated with blessing Abraham were: Holy Communion and the tithe.  Think about it!

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit about Abraham being the “father of faith” in Romans chapter 4:

16 The promise depends on faith so that it can be experienced as a grace-gift, and now it extends to all the descendants of Abraham. This promise is not only meant for those who obey the law, but also to those who enter into the faith of Abraham, the father of us all.

17 That’s what the Scripture means when it says: “I have made you the father of many nations.” He is our example and father, for in God’s Presence he believed that God can raise the dead and call into being things that don’t even exist yet.

Abraham had faith in both Communion and tithing.  I do too.  By faith, Abraham changed the course of history.  His willingness to give was an integral part of his faith in GOD.