Faithful In The Little Things

Written by Banning Liebscher Tuesday, 22 April 2008 16:00

Well, here I am again, sitting in an airport writing my blog. I'm headed off to San Diego to connect with some dear friends of mine, Eddie and April Brown. They run the San Diego Justice House of Prayer and are putting on a conference this week. I'm not sure if I wrote about our new dog in my last blog but we got a new golden retriever puppy. Cute as can be! She's four months old now and my kids love her! So does SeaJay. It's actually been quite fun having a puppy around.

Of course, that is on top of four cats. Don't even ask how we ended up with four cats. We're like the lady you read about who has 100 cats all living her in house. SeaJay loves life and loves animals around. I grew up the opposite. We never had animals around because they were too much hassle. But not SeaJay. We've had dogs, cats, bird, frog, fish, iguanas, and I think that's it.

I've been teaching the last few weeks at youth group on tithing. One thing I began to realize when it comes to our money is that God doesn't want our money He wants our entire life! Our money is just part of our life and it's our life He's after. Some people have a hard time giving 10% of their income to God when they don't even realize that 10% is actually a tiny part of what God is actually after. We've been calling a generation to give themselves completely to God and with that you can't avoid the issue of finances. He wants it all. Years ago one of the girls in our youth group had a vision where she was giving the Lord her heart but when she stepped away she saw strings that were attached to her heart that were still connected to her. The Lord began to gently deal with her on cutting those strings. We can't come to the Lord and say, "Lord I give you my life completely!" but hold on to our finances, or hold on to our friends, or hold on to our reputation, or hold on to our time. He wants it all.

I also began to realize if we don't raise up a generation of revivalists who know how to be faithful with their finances they will never have the impact available to them. Luke 16 says if we can't be faithful with unrighteous money how can God entrust to us true riches. True riches is not money it's anointing, favor, grace, power, gifts of the Spirit. We don't just want more money, we want true riches. True riches is when you pray for someone in a wheelchair and they get up and walk. True riches is when your life is so anointed with power you impact your entire campus. But in order to get to true riches you have to be faithful with money. Bill Johnson says, "How we handle our money is the kindergarten of Christianity." I don't want to raise up a generation of revivalists that never get past kindergarten in their spiritual life.

If you are being faithful with your finances through tithes and offerings and living generously, way to go. Start looking for true riches to be released in your life. If you haven't been faithful, purpose in your heart today to begin to live a faithful and generous life financially. You will not be disappointed. Just remember, God doesn't want your money, He wants your entire life. The money you sow into the Kingdom is simply a prophetic declaration your life is His.

Dallas is coming up in two weeks. I can't wait. We are feeling a real stir in the heavens over this conference and I believe it is going to be a significant moment in time. If you are anywhere near Dallas/Ft Worth area we would love to see you out there. Make sure to say hello if you do come.