God’s Plan for Financial Freedom

Today’s Scripture…
“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”  Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV) 

Devotional Thought…
As we listen to folks comment on the current economic times, many use words and phrases related to how much we have lost and how difficult gaining more will be in the coming days.
The truth is, anyone who is reading this devotional today has more wealth and more stuff than probably 99% of the rest of the world.  We have a safe and secure shelter to lay our head at night, we know where our next meals are coming from, and we have multiple shoes for our feet.  If you really want to see what the rest of the world is living like, you might take a look at http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats. Could it be we have plenty enough but need to be using what we have differently?

One of the questions we need to ponder with God is, “What have I been doing with my wealth so far?”  Today’s passage reminds us that we need to be honoring the Lord with our wealth, and that honoring is to come from the beginning of our wealth.  Most folks pay their bills for all the stuff they have already bought for themselves, and if there is anything left over then we give some money to God and/or someone in need.  That is the opposite of what today’s scriptural truth tells us to do.

Honoring God with our wealth starts with the tithe (Malachi 3:10, Luke 11:42).  This is how God impacts the world for Him in a “we and Jesus” way.  But above that, God may call you to give in some “me and Jesus” ways.  Using your wealth to meet the need of someone who has lost a job, supporting a mission church or missionary with some of your wealth, or blessing someone with a portion of your wealth who could never pay it back are all ways we can also honor God with our wealth.  God wants us to do more than pray for people in need (James 2:14-17).

If you are realizing that you need to change some things so that you can honor God with your wealth, remember that He is not looking over your shoulder with a mean smirk because of where you are.  God is in front of you, calling to you with a loving smile to experience the super abundant joy that comes from being a giver.  He knows the feeling because He is the ultimate example of giving (Galatians 1:3-5).

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of 
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org
Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

Genuine Love

Today’s Scripture…
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.'”
20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away very sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”   Mark 10:17-23 (NLT)

Devotional Thought…
Genuine… a word that means the “real deal.”  When you are blessed to meet someone who is genuine, it is a breath of fresh air.  It is always nice to be with someone who isn’t pretending to be something they are not.

Today’s passage tells us the story of a wealthy man who had a genuine question.  He really wanted to know what he needed to do to secure his place with the Lord.  He had been taught all the rules and regulations of being a good person, and had done a decent job of following the rules.  Yet he knew something was not right, and he came to Jesus to get His perspective on it all.
Jesus knew that this man’s actions didn’t really line up with what he really worshipped. 

It is interesting to note what the Bible says Jesus was feeling on the inside about this man.  Even though the man was a conflicted, spiritual mess, the Bible says Jesus felt genuine love for him.  It was from this “genuine love” that Jesus spoke, and helped the man see that his “doing good deeds” was never going to be able to get him eternal life.  Eternal life comes as we lay down all of our sin, our striving, and our stuff and follow Jesus Christ.  Through Jesus we receive genuine forgiveness and find the genuine purpose for our existence.

Today’s scripture gives us some great truths to meditate on…

Jesus genuinely loves you.  In a world where more times than not people love us because of our performance, we can be tricked into thinking that Jesus’ love operates the same way.  But that is a HUGE lie, for Jesus loves us to death (John 15:13).  He loves us in spite of our conflicted-ness and even in spite of our unwillingness to change.  Have you ever just been still before the Lord and thanked Him for his genuine love for you?  …His love not based on performance?  …His love despite your mistakes?

The rich man missed out, because instead of running to genuine love, he ran back to his first love… his wealth.  As we enter into this study on financial peace, the Lord may lovingly make you aware of specific things you need to do to come follow Him fully.  Have you ever ask God to show you ANYTHING in your life that is keeping you from following Him?  If you will genuinely ask, He will show you!  (Jeremiah 33:3)

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org
Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

Where You Are Weak, God Is Strong

Today’s Scripture…
25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you. 26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you;  never again will my people be shamed.”  Joel 2:25-26 (NIV)

Devotional Thought…
One of the things we can usually count on with problems is that the longer we put off dealing with them, the worse things get.  Whether we are talking about the noise under the hood, the toothache that won’t go away, or the Lord calling us to make some changes, this principle applies.

In Joel’s day, God had been calling His people to make some changes for a long time.  They put off getting things right with God to the point that He allowed something to happen to get their attention. The Bible says that one year, right at harvest time; swarms of locusts came to the land and devastated all the crops.  Instead of a harvest of wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, dates and apples, the people looked over the chewed up remains of what might have been.  In their despair, God called out to his people through Joel, hoping this time they would be willing to exchange their way of living with God’s abundant way of living.

Sometimes our finances are an area that we put off letting God have control in.  We know God has said some things about how we should handle our money, but the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16) lead us to make financial choices that can be devastating.  When God finally gets our attention about it, we can look up to find that our level of debt and our financial situation seems maybe even too big for God! 

Whether its finances, a relationship, or some other area of your life that looks like it’s too big a problem for even God to fix, today’s passage gives us a great promise to meditate on with the Lord.

God told his people that though He sent the problem, if they would turn their hearts and ways back to God, he would repay them for the years the locusts had eaten.  God wants to restore our hearts but he also will help restore a bank account or a broken relationship.  Are you willing to take your financial or relational mess and lay it before God saying, “Lord, here is the evidence of what I can do.  Please forgive me and fix my mess.  As you fix my mess, please fix me and teach me how to do things your way.  Teach me your ways in this matter.” 

Are you willing to trust, believe, and express to God that you know He can restore the years that your locusts have eaten?  If we are willing to do things God’s way starting today, God will work wonders for us.  And one day very soon we will be telling others “where I was weak, God became strong.”
 
Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org

Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

God Desires To Work IN You

Today’s Scripture…
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.  Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

Devotional Thought…
There are really only two kinds of people on planet earth.  Those whom God is working ON, and those whom God is working IN.

For those who have yet to enter into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Bible makes it clear that God is working ON them (2 Peter 3:9).  God wants everyone to be a part of His family, and that is why he sent Jesus.  If you want to know how to have a real relationship with God, click here.

But for those who are in God’s family because they have a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ, the Bible says God is working IN them.  Today’s scripture gives us some great truths to meditate on today…

The same God who created the heavens and the earth LIVES IN US.  He is not some “far away” God, ordering us around from a distance.  The Bible says that God is IN us.  We are His temple, the place that He dwells (1 Cor. 6:19).  Have you expressed your worship and appreciation to Him for being willing to dwell IN you; for the opportunity to be IN relationship with Almighty God?
 
God is working IN us in two ways.  First, He is working IN us to give us the DESIRE to do what pleases Him.  There are times in the life of a Christian where we know what God wants, but the truth is we don’t DESIRE to do what He wants.  God knows when we don’t want to do His will, and when that is the case He promises to work on our DESIRE.  Have you been honest with God about the things He wants you to do, but you don’t DESIRE to do them?  Confess those things to God and pray for God to go to work on your DESIRE.
 
Second, God is working IN us to give us the power to do His will.  God is always asking us to do things that we don’t think we have the power or ability to do.  God isn’t asking us to do these things to show us how puny we are, He is asking us to allow Him to do His will through His mighty power.  Peter couldn’t walk on water in His power, but as the power of God flowed through Him he could (Matt. 14:29).  Have you admitted to yourself and to God that you need His power to do the things He wants you to do for Him?  If you are serving God in some way, are you desperate for God to be empowering you to do it?  Do you need to ask forgiveness for doing the work of God in your own human strength?
 
As we seek to live each day for God, let us celebrate the truth that God is IN us, and let’s be desperate for Him to empower us to live for Him.

Kingdom Focused!

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom
info@prosperityrenewal.org
www.prosperityrenewal.org
Exerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with God.

God Was, God Is, And God Forever Will Be

Today’s Scripture…

¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
³ And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning–the first day.        Genesis 1:1-5 (NIV)

Devotional Thought…

Today’s passage has some great thoughts to meditate on today…

In the beginning, God….  Before the earth ever had its first day, God was there.  God had big, beautiful plans for the heavens and earth before they even existed.  The truth is, any big, beautiful God-sized plan begins with God, even yours (Jer. 29:11).  Have you taken time this year to say to God in a “heart to heart” way that you understand that He is God, and you aren’t?  Have you taken time to let God know that you want to embrace and pursue his God-sized plans for your life?

The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters…  When God first started his creative work, it was formless and empty… but God was at work and He hovered close to His work.  It may seem that for God to do God-sized things in us, big changes will need to take place.  We may feel that we are so far from anything that God could use in a big and beautiful way, and the truth is we probably are.  But just as God hovered close to his creative work in the beginning, He hovers close to us (Is. 40:11).  Have you thanked God that He hovers close to you?  Have you celebrated the truth that His mercy endures forever?

And He separated the light from the darkness…  In the beginning, God made a separation between what was light and what was dark.  It was an essential “first step” that would set the stage for the big, beautiful things to come.  If we really want God to do some big, beautiful God-sized things in and through us in 2009, don’t be surprised if God starts calling on you to separate from the sin that He knows is in your life.  We all have dark places, where sin has crept in and we have allowed it to reside.  God points it out not because He hates us, but because He loves us.  He loves us so much He sent Jesus to earth to die on a cross to take it away.  Don’t resist his call to expel the dark places.  Have you spent any time in confession this year, agreeing with God about the things in you that are sin and asking Him to remove them through Jesus?

Do you really believe God can do some big, beautiful God-sized things through you in 2010?  The truth is, He made a world out of nothing and He can make anything He chooses out of us, if we will make it our passion to know Him and love Him.

Kingdom Focused! 

Flora M. Kynard, author of

Prosperity Renewal: 14 biblical Principles for Truee Financial Freedom

info@prosperityrenewal.org

www.prosperityrenewal.org

Excerpt from DAILY DEVOS, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  We would love to hear how God is using this ministry to help you find and take your next steps with Him.

66 Painless Ways to Save Money

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

For several weeks I have wrote about the Resurrection of Your Finances. Last week
was a week of interaction between readers. Interaction was light but hopefully
more people will dive in and get their feet wet this week.

To continue the topic of Resurrection of Your Finances I am going to give you 66
painless ways to save money. I will give you about 12 a day so you can absorb
them.

Since we have learned that everything we have is God’s, let us be good stewards
with what He has given us.

I would like to get the number of tips to at least 101, so if you have some money-
saving suggestions, please leave a comment.

I have a WordPress blog so you must register with WordPress to be able to leave a
comment. If you do not feel comfortable doing that just send me an email at Contact Us.

Let’s help one another.

Save Money on Transportation

Airline Fares

1. You can lower the price of a roundtrip air fare by as much as
   two-thirds by making certain your trip includes a Saturday
   evening stayover, and by purchasing the ticket in advance.
2. To make certain you have a cheap fare, even if you use a
   travel agent, call all the airlines (or check online) that fly where you want to go
   and ask what the lowest fare to your destination is. 
3. Keep an eye out for fare wars. Be prepared to act quickly. 

Car Rentals

4. Since car rental rates can vary greatly, shop around for the
   best basic rates and special offers. 
5. Rental car companies offer various insurance and waiver
   options. Check with your insurance agent and credit card company
   in advance to avoid duplicating any coverage you may already
   have. 

New Cars

6. You can save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a car
   by selecting a model that combines a low purchase price with low
   financing, insurance, gasoline, maintenance, and repair costs.
   Ask your local librarian for new car guides that contain this
   information. 
7. Having selected a model, you can save hundreds of dollars by
   comparison shopping. Call at least five dealers (or check online) for price quotes
   and let each know that you are calling others. 
8. Remember there is no “cooling off” period on new car sales.
   Once you have signed a contract, you are obligated to buy the
   car. 

Used Cars

9. Before buying any used car:
        a. Compare the seller’s asking price with the average retail
   price in a “bluebook” or other guide to car prices found at many libraries, banks, and credit unions.
        b. Have a mechanic you trust check the car, especially if the car is sold “as is.” 
10. Consider purchasing a used car from an individual you know and
    trust. They are more likely than other sellers to charge a lower
    price and point out any problems with the car.

 Auto Leasing

11. Don’t decide to lease a car just because the payments are
    lower than on a traditional auto loan. The leasing payments may
    be lower because you don’t own the car at the end of the lease. 
12. Leasing a car is very complicated. When shopping, consider
    the price of the car (known as the capitalized cost), your trade-
    in allowance, any down payment, monthly payments, various fees
    (excess mileage, excess “wear and tear,” end-of-lease), and the
    cost of buying the car at the end of the lease. 

Gasoline

13. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by using the lowest-octane called for in your owner’s manual.
14. You can save up to $100 a year on gas by keeping your engine
    tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure. 

Car Repairs

15. Consumers lose billions of dollars each year on unneeded or
    poorly done car repairs. The most important step that you can
    take to save money on these repairs is to find a skilled, honest
    mechanic. Before you need repairs, look for a mechanic who:
         * is certified and well established;
         * has done good work for someone you know; and
         * communicates well about repair options and costs. 

Save Money on Insurance

Auto Insurance

16. You can save several hundred dollars a year by purchasing auto
    insurance from a licensed, low-price insurer. Call your state
    insurance department for a publication showing typical prices
    charged by different companies. Then call at least four of the
    lowest-priced, licensed insurers to learn what they would charge
    you for the same coverage.
17. Talk to your agent or insurer about raising your deductibles
    on collision and comprehensive coverages to at least $500 or, if
    you have an old car, dropping these coverages altogether.
    Taking these steps can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
18. Make certain that your new policy is in effect before dropping
    your old one. 

Homeowner Insurance

19. You can save $100 or more a year by purchasing homeowner
    insurance from a low-price, licensed insurer. Ask your state
    insurance department for a publication showing typical prices
    charged by different licensed companies. Then call at least four
    of the lowest priced insurers to learn what they would charge
    you. If such a publication is not available, it is even more
    important to call at least four insurers for price quotes.
20. Make certain you purchase enough coverage to replace the house
    and its contents.
21. Make certain your new policy is in effect before dropping your
    old one. 

Life Insurance

22. If you want insurance protection only, buy a term life
    insurance policy.
23. If you want to buy a whole life, universal life, or other cash
    value policy, plan to hold it for at least 15 years. Cancelling
    these policies after only a few years can more than double your
    life insurance costs.
24. Check your public library for information about the financial
    soundness of insurance companies and the prices they charge. Consumer Report magazines are a
    valuable source of information about a number of insurers. 

Save money on Banking/Credit

Checking

25. You can save more than $100 a year in fees by selecting a
    checking account with a minimum balance requirement that you can,
    and do, meet. 
26. Banking institutions often will drop or lower checking fees if
    paychecks are directly deposited by your employer. Direct
    deposit offers the additional advantages of convenience,
    security, and immediate access to your money. 

Savings and Investment Products

27. Before opening a savings or investment account with a bank or
    other financial institution, find out whether the account is
    insured by the federal government. An increasing number of
    products offered by these institutions, including mutual stock
    funds and annuities, are not insured. 
28. To earn the highest return on savings (annual percentage
    yield) with little or no risk, consider certificates of deposit
    (CDs) and treasury bills or notes. 
29. Once you select a type of savings or investment product,
    compare rates offered by different institutions. These rates can
    vary a lot and, over time, can significantly affect interest
    earnings. 

Credit Cards

30. You can save as much as several hundred dollars each year in
    lower credit card interest charges by paying off your entire bill
    each month. 
31. If you are unable to pay off a large balance, switch to a
    credit card with a low annual percentage rate (APR). 
32. You can reduce credit card fees, which may add up to more than
    $100 a year, by getting rid of all but one or two cards, and by
    avoiding late payment and over-the-credit limit fees. 

Auto Loans

33. If you have significant savings earning a low interest rate,
    consider making a large down payment or even paying for the car
    in cash. This could save you as much as several thousand dollars
    in finance charges. 
34. You can save as much as hundreds of dollars in finance charges
    by shopping for the cheapest loan. Contact several banks, your
    credit union, and the auto manufacturer’s own finance company. A 0% interest loan is not necessarily your best loan. See New Cars section above. 

First Mortgage Loans

35. You may save tens of thousands of dollars in interest charges
    by shopping for the shortest-term mortgage you can afford. On a
    $100,000 fixed-rate loan at 8% annual percentage rate (APR), for
    example, you will pay $90,000 less in interest on a 15-year
    mortgage than on a 30-year mortgage. 
36. You can save thousands of dollars in interest charges by
    shopping for the lowest-rate mortgage with the fewest points. On
    a 15-year, $100,000 fixed-rate mortgage, just lowering the APR
    from 8.5% to 8.0% can save you more than $5,000 in interest
    charges. On this mortgage, paying two points instead of three
    would save you an additional $1,000. 
37. If your local newspaper does not periodically run mortgage
    rate surveys, call at least six lenders for information about
    their rates (APRs), points, and fees. Then ask an accountant to
    compute precisely how much each mortgage option will cost and its
    tax implications. 
38. Be aware that the interest rate on most adjustable rate
    mortgage loans (ARMs) can vary a great deal over the lifetime of
    the mortgage. An increase of several percentage points might
    raise payments by hundreds of dollars per month. 

Mortgage Refinancing

39. Consider refinancing your mortgage if you can get a rate that
    is at least one percentage point lower than your existing
    mortgage rate and plan to keep the new mortgage for several years
    or more. Ask an accountant to calculate precisely how much your
    new mortgage (including upfront fees) will cost and whether, in
    the long run, it will cost less than your current mortgage.  

Home Equity Loans

40. Be cautious in taking out home equity loans. These loans
    reduce the equity that you have built up in your home. If you
    are unable to make payments, you could lose your home.  
41. Compare home equity loans offered by at least four banking
    institutions. In comparing these loans, consider not only the
    annual percentage rate (APR) but also points, closing costs,
    other fees, and the index for any variable rate changes.  

Save Money on Housing

Home Purchase

42. You can often negotiate a lower sale price by employing a
    buyer broker who works for you, not the seller. If the buyer
    broker or the broker’s firm also lists properties, there may be a
    conflict of interest, so ask them to tell you if they are showing
    you a property that they have listed.  
43. Do not purchase any house until it has been examined by a home
    inspector that you selected.  

Renting a Place to Live

44. Do not limit your rental housing search to classified ads or
    referrals from friends and acquaintances. Select buildings where
    you would like to live and contact their building manager or
    owner to see if anything is available.  
45. Remember that signing a lease probably obligates you to make
    all monthly payments for the term of the agreement.  

Home Improvement

46. Home repairs often cost thousands of dollars and are the
    subject of frequent complaints. Select from among several well
    established, licensed contractors who have submitted written,
    fixed-price bids for the work.
47.  Do not sign any contract that requires full payment before
    satisfactory completion of the work. 

Major Appliances

48. Consult Consumer Reports, available in most public libraries,
    for information about specific brands and how to evaluate them,
    including energy use. There are often great price and quality
    differences among brands. 
49. Once you’ve selected a brand, check the phone book or check online to learn
    what stores carry this brand, then call at least four of these
    stores for the prices of specific models. After each store has
    given you a quote, ask if that’s the lowest price they can offer
    you. This comparison shopping can save you as much as $100 or
    more. 

Save Money on Utilities

Electricity

50. To save as much as hundreds of dollars a year on electricity,
    make certain that any new appliances you purchase, especially air
    conditioners and furnaces, are energy-efficient. Information on
    the energy efficiency of major appliances is found on Energy
    Guide Labels required by federal law. Check with your electric
    utility to learn if it has a program to help reduce the costs of
    any appliance purchases. 
51. Enrolling in load management programs and off-hour rate
    programs offered by your electric utility may save you up to $100
    a year in electricity costs. Call your electric utility for
    information about these cost-saving programs. 

Home Heating

52. A home energy audit can identify ways to save up to hundreds
    of dollars a year on home heating (and air conditioning). Ask
    your electric or gas utility if they can do this audit for free
    or for a reasonable charge. If they cannot, ask them to refer
    you to a qualified professional. 

Local Telephone Service

53. Check with your phone company to see whether a flat rate or
    measured service plan will save you the most money. 
54. You will usually save money by buying your phones instead of
    leasing them. 
55. Check your local phone bill to see if you have optional
    services that you don’t really need or use. Each option you drop
    could save you $40 or more each year. 

Long Distance Telephone Service

56. Long distance calls made during evenings, at night, or on
    weekends can cost significantly less than weekday calls. 
57. If you make more than a few long distance calls each month,
    consider subscribing to a calling plan. Call several long
    distance companies to see which one has the least expensive plan
    for the calls you make. 
58. Every few months, comparison shop to see if you’re paying too much for your telephone calling plan. If you find a better deal, contact your phone company and negotiate — or switch. 

Save Money on Everything Else

Food Purchased at Markets

59. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at the
    lower-priced food stores. Convenience stores often charge the
    highest prices. 
60. You will spend less on food if you shop with a list. 
61. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing price-
    per-ounce or other unit prices on shelf labels. Stock up on
    those items with low per-unit costs. 

Prescription Drugs

62. Since brand name drugs are usually much more expensive than
    their generic equivalents, ask your physician and pharmacist for
    generic drugs whenever appropriate. 
63. Since pharmacies may charge widely different prices for the
    same medicine, call several. When taking a drug for a long time,
    also consider calling mail-order pharmacies, which often charge
    lower prices. See Consumer Reports
    (available in most public libraries) for a list of several of
    these pharmacies and their toll-free phone numbers. 

Funeral Arrangements

64. Make your wishes known about your funeral, memorial, or burial
    arrangements in writing. Be cautious about prepaying because
    there may be risks involved.  
65. For information about the least costly options, which could
    save you several thousand dollars, contact a local memorial
    society, which is usually listed in the Yellow Pages under
    funeral services or you can do an online Google search for funeral services in your local area. 
66. Before selecting a funeral home, call several and ask for
    prices of specific goods and services, or visit them to obtain an
    itemized price list. You are entitled to this information by law
    and, by using it to comparison shop, you can save hundreds of
    dollars. 

Kingdom Focused,

Flora M. Kynard, author of
Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom

The Introduction of the 36-part series of Resurrection of Your Finances states: 

It’s all God’s money.

Many Christians would nod their head in agreement with that statement, but when it’s time to open the wallet, it’s as if we have completely forgotten. Suddenly it’s our money and we try desperately to get or keep as much as possible.

How has the study of this series change the way you view money?

Flora M. Kynard, author of

Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom

The first principle in the book Prosperity Renewal: 14 Biblical Principles for True Financial Freedom the author suggests that God owns everything and everything belongs to God.  

The author suggests that since God owns everything (including us) that we are just managers or stewards of what God has placed at our disposal. 

Do you agree or disagree with such a statement?  Why or why not?

Flora M. Kynard,  Director

Prosperity Renewal Ministries

www.prosperityrenewal.org