Bankruptcy

First let me say, "I am NOT a financial consultant". Not every one should consider bankruptcy. It may not be right for everyone and like any other financial plan should be used with extreme caution and you should get financial advise from a certified financial consultant.

With that being said, if you are considering bankruptcy, you should first understand that losing is your first key to learning. If you lost something or someone you need to take a step back and ask yourself what can I learn from this?

We read in the second half of Nehemiah 10:31, "Every seven years we will let our fields rest, and we will cancel all debts." This is where we get today our moden day rules and laws and regulations for today's bankruptcy.

Most Christians feel an overwhelming duty to pay their debts, even if that means sacrificing basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. To go bankrupt and to be unable to repay what you promised still carries a stigma that has driven many during this current crisis to even commit suicide in an attempt to escape the shame and of course the burden of debt or bankruptcy. Despite our society's current beliefs, make no mistake, the Bible clearly states that although Christians are required to repay their debts, no one is obligated to repay debts if, through no fault of their own, they become bankrupt.

A matter of fact, according to Jewish law, in the Bible it is required that debts be forgiven every 7 years.

Deuteronomy 15:1-2, "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord's release."

As Christians, there is no shame in releasing debts through bankruptcy if you truly cannot repay them.

Remember, if you do go through such a process there are scriptures to hang onto:

Ecclesiastes 7:14 - In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him."

Is there life after Bankruptcy? Joel 2:25,26 - I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wonderously with you: and my peopl shall never be ashamed."

Art of Receiving

I am reflecting back to my daily journal entry of July 1997 in which I make the following observation. I had finished a revival somewhere in South Carolina.

I have noticed that most people who seek their deliverance, seek every area
except the word of God. They want the anointing to be released from a
person but they refuse to consistently sit under Bible teaching. The
Bible is what really what is anointed. It destroys yokes. I a person
really wants deliverance, let them come to a meeting. That's when God is
fully present. When you formally make an appointment with HIM. That
anointing from the word empowers to replace the bondage.

God's word is arresting. My need will be met when I am moving towards
God's men who are full of God's word. God's word is remarkable compared to
our own thoughts. God's word is not fantastic since fantastic means -
fantasy or not real. God's word is thrilling when the Holy Spirit is upon
it.

Those who have a hard time receiving God's word are reading or hearing without the anointing. Some time ago in Portland, Oregon the fall of 2002, a young lady said to me, "Pastor, I just can't seem to understand what I am reading. What am I doing wrong?" I told her by an unction of the Holy Spirit; "You should pray in the spirit for a while and then ask the Holy Spirit to bring understanding to your natural mind concerning what you are reading." She did. She prayed and what happened the following weeks was astonishing. She was growing in Christ. She learned to grow by the spirit.

The art of receiving is not so well mastered here in the United States like some countries. You know, I recently joked in a Hispanic church in Winatchee, Washington, that the Hispanics can celebrate at the drop of a sombrero. They laughed and I laughed because we all know Hispanics and south American people can celebrate and will find cause to celebrate over just about anything. Why? They have practiced it as an art. So with the art of celebration, we must also practice the art of receiving. North American's have not practiced it so much.

Did you know I once witnessed a woman who prayed in Anaheim, California for gas money to go to church? The lady was offered gas money and she refused it because, "I just don't feel right about taking someones money." Can you imagine that? Here is a person who prayed for gas money. God gives it to her and she refuses it!! Why? She had pride ruling in her heart. Pride of life will keep you from receiving. Weather it is your healing, your job, a car, a house or money. Pride keeps you from receiving.

The favor of the Lord is bringing many things to you. You must understand something here. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you you don't need it. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you don't want it and If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you can't keep it. If favor doesn't bring it to you, you will have to prop it up.

When you fail to receive, you frustrate God's plan in your life. The word frustrate means, "actions that keep you from attaining a goal or fulfilling a desire; to thwart."

I challenge you today. Tell God, "I am a receiver of your goodness. I practice receiving all you have for me today". Stay with it. When something good comes your way, CELEBRATE IT and don't forget, CELEBRATE THEM!

You can get good at receiving good things all the time. Just start saying, thank you Lord for giving me good gifts. You are my source of supply and you give me good gifts all the time. AMEN.

Gambling

The following statement is the official statement adopted in 2004 by the executive board of directors for Word for the World Church.

Gambling is a parasite feeding on both the individual and society. Unhealthy behavior patterns are developed by the person who gambles. The "thrill" element in gambling produces as unrealistic view of life and a distorted concept of personal responsibilities. Gambling has a destructive effect upon the moral fabric of society because of it's "something for nothing: philosophy.

The ruse of promoting gambling and lotteries for the purpose of subsidizing education is an attempt to gain respectability and acceptance as an honorable and productive business. However, this has by actual experience proven costly to the public. The contribution to the purported cause has been minimal in proportion to the cost of promotion and administration of the enterprise. In addition, the fringe dangers of graft, subterfuge, and infiltration by the criminal element, make such a program suspect.

Word for the World endorsed the principle that public programs and projects should be publicly supported and opposes legalized lotteries. We oppose the weakening of laws to permit state-sponsored gambling.

Word for the World encourages a program of education regarding the evils of gambling by both the church and other community agencies. We also encourage our law enforcement agencies on local, state and national levels in the carrying out of their responsibilities regarding the control of gambling.

This is powerful and could not be said any better. Also you may wish to look at the following link: The Morality of Gambling

Gambling Defined

Gambling is defined as taking an artificial, unnatural, unnecessary risk in hopes of excessive gain far above what an investment would pay. Gambling is taking a risk purely for the purpose of taking a risk, which will give gain at someone else’s expense.

Many seek to justify gambling by calling almost everything gambling. I have heard people say, "There is nothing wrong with gambling. After all, gambling is just taking a chance - all of life is a gamble."

There is a difference between taking an unnecessary risk (gambling) and operating with skill in the unknown. For example: the farmer is not gambling when he plants a crop. The wise investor is not gambling when he invests in the stock market. The driver is not gambling when he drives down the highway. Buying insurance is not gambling, as there is no opportunity of excessive gain. The insurance company is not gambling, but engaging in a business risk, as the farmer engages in a business risk when he plants his crop.

Casting Lots

The Bible mentions "casting lots", but this is not gambling. The casting of lots was used in certain instances to determine the will of God.

In Leviticus 16:8-10, Aaron cast lots to determine which of the two goats would be used for the sin offering, and which would become the scapegoat.

Joshua 18:1-6 records that lots were cast to determine the distribution of land between the twelve tribes of Israel.

In Jonah 1:7, the sailors cast lots to determine the course of action concerning Jonah.

The casting of lots in Acts 1:21-26 to replace Judas with Matthias was simply the casting of votes, not throwing dice

The casting of lots is not gambling because there is nothing wagered, therefore nothing is lost.

The Right/Wrong of Gambling

Gambling, now called by the politically correct term "gaming", to make it more palatable to our consciences, has overtaken our nation. Almost everybody wants something for nothing, and it is believed gambling is the way to get something for nothing. Almost everybody buys lottery tickets, in the hope of getting something at the expense of someone else.

Headlines often tell of a person winning a large sum of money in the lottery. What the headline should tell is that millions failed to win. Some have gambled and won, that is true. But has winning helped spiritually? Have families been strengthened? Has the moral fiber of our nation increased as a result of gambling?

The real issue of gambling is not about winning, or casinos making a lot of money; or people losing a lot of money; or jobs; or the supposed lowering of taxes. The issue is righteousness and trust.

The issue is righteousness because:

Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

Acts 10:35, "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

The issue is trust because that nation, that people who fail to trust God cannot be a Christian nation, or a Christian people.

The Bible and Gambling - Contentment

I Timothy 6:6-11 - But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. {8} And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. {9} But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. {10} For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. {11} But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Proverbs 15:16 - Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure with trouble.

Proverbs 15:27 - He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

These verses speak of the grief caused by greed, by putting too much thought into this world, which will soon pass away, and too little thought into the world to come, which shall never pass away.

As God’s children, we lose contentment when we seek what this world provides instead of trusting God. We are not going to take houses, land, and bank accounts to heaven. In the parable of the sower, Matthew 13:22, Jesus explains, "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." Here is a child of God who becomes entangled with the riches of this life and loses eternal wealth.

God’s people are supposed to trust God (not winning the lottery) for their daily provision. Matthew 6:31-33 states, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 34 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 35 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

It is likely every person reading this article has dreamed of being rich, of having all the money they will ever need or want. It is not wrong to be rich, but it is wrong to trust your riches or your station in life. Some of God’s most faithful servants were rich, but they did not trust their wealth. They trusted God – everyday and every way.

God’s children are rich – even though they may not have a large bank account. We have the promise of God that he will provide what we need, when we need it. All we have to do is believe. When we believe Matthew 6:31-33, we will seek, ask and knock. Then, and only then, will we receive from God those things necessary for everyday living.

The Bible and Gambling – Working

Genesis 3:17-19 reveals a part of the curse upon man involves earning a living by the sweat of the brow. When people gamble, they are refusing to submit to the curse by attempting to gain money they have not worked for. This is a sin in the sight of God. II Thessalonians 3:10 commands, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

The Bible and Gambling – Selfishness

Matthew 22:34-40 records the answer of Christ to the question, "…which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Christ replied, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment." But Christ did not stop there. He continued with an explanation of the second greatest commandment, which is to love thy neighbor as thyself.

Gambling not only breaks the first commandment, gambling breaks the second commandment as well.

The gambler desires to gain, without working, that which another must lose. The gambler is not thinking of the welfare of the other person, but only his own selfish interest. I Corinthians 13:5 states true love, "…seeketh not her own…" The gambler is showing no love for the other person as Christ declared in the second greatest commandment.

The Bible and Gambling – Secular

Not only is God against gambling, but also the secular magazine, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, dated March 14, 1994, carried the cover story, "How Casinos Empty Your Wallet". The magazine covered the subject from a "human viewpoint" and reports on the economic disasters that have been documented in communities that have legalized casinos. The article states that the casinos at first contribute money to the budgets of the towns but in time all other businesses in town (restaurants, clothing stores, grocery stores, drug stores, etc.) suffer loss of sales and lay off employees.

The article referred to the owner of a pawnshop in Tunica County, Mississippi (in the Memphis area), who stated, "gamblers frequently go bust and trade rings and jackets for gas money home".

A Police Chief declared, "The number of people failing to pay their rent and bills had doubled".

A county justice clerk stated, "Arrests for drunken driving has increased 500%".

The report concluded by stating the dollars that come into the community level off and the cost of police, fire protection, government, etc., increase.

Conclusion

The gambler is saying, What God has provided for me is not enough. I need more than God can provide. It is like saying being poor is bad and being rich is good. God does not need our gambling windfall for the furtherance of his kingdom. Everything is his.

Many churches are accepting offerings that come from gambling. Independence Baptist Church will not knowingly accept any funds that comes from gambling or "gaming".