What Does The Bible Say About Money?

What Does The Bible Say About Money?

Almost everyone agrees that the Bible contains great advice about life, from improving your marriage to getting along with your boss at work. But does the Bible really say much about money? Does it really give us advice that we can apply to our own life in today’s world?
The Good News is Yes! Absolutely! We believe the Bible is as relevant and helpful today as when it was written, and God has a lot to say about money.

Did you know money is mentioned in the Bible over 800 times?

God must be pretty serious about this subject to talk about it that much.
In fact, Jesus says in Luke 16:11, “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” It appears from this verse that God uses money as a test of our management and stewardship skills before entrusting us with spiritual things. See more below.

Money in the Bible
1. Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” indicating that God wants us to make a difference, financially, in our family tree.
2. Proverbs 21:20 “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” This gives us an idea of how God wants us to save for a rainy day, to set something back for safekeeping.
3. Proverbs 22:7 states that “The rich rule over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.” Really? The Bible discourages debt? Does God really want me to pay my debts off and avoid debt?
4. Luke 14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.” Does Jesus really want me to save up and pay for the things I buy?
5. Matt. 6:24 “You cannot serve both God and money”.

If money is this important to God, why are there so few classes/sermons on this topic? Why don’t we see lots of small group studies on “Managing Your Finances” or “Getting Out of Debt”, “Faithfulness in Finances”, etc.? Why aren’t there more sermons in this area?
There are many reasons, but the top reason is that most people don’t realize how much of a problem managing money is for the average family. Look at the statistics below:

Financial Statistics
1. Marital Problems – 37 percent (the highest rate) of marital problems derive from financial situations
2. Cash Flow – 70 percent of all consumers live paycheck to paycheck, meaning they run out of money before the end of the month
3. Savings – The average family would have to use a credit card to pay a $1,500 unexpected expense (ex: home or car repair).
4. Retirement – Nearly half of all Americans (46%) have less than $10,000 saved for their retirement.

Being faithful in managing what God has given us is no accident, and it will not just happen on it’s own. In order to be faithful over what God has given us we have to be “On Purpose”. We have to direct our money. We must “name it” as Dave Ramsey would say. We have to determine (no matter how much money we make) who or what is going to get paid, and in what order. That makes us stewards. We have this responsibility to direct the money. Some of it we direct to GA Power, some of it to Walmart, a large portion to the Gas Station, and the list goes on and on. But for the Christian, we are told in God’s Word to direct the first 10% to God. I have learned that if I do this I will have the blessings of God upon the other 90%, and it will go further than the total 100% would have gone; not to mention, I would have been unfaithful in what God had blessed me with.

My giving shows my level of devotion to God. It shows my desire to honor His Word and obey His commands. My giving shows my dependence upon the promises of God to His children. My giving coupled with my attendance in God’s House shows the high priority that I have placed on being faithful to the One that I call Lord.

This is just some of what the Bible has to say about money. I hope it blesses and inspires you today!

I would also take this opportunity to say a hardy “Thank You” to all of the faithful stewards of God out there for their constance in giving, and their priority on being in the House of the Lord.

Be Blessed!

Mike Sanes
Pastor, The Harbor Worship Center

Leadership Luau--Sunday Evening 5/20/12 @ 5 p.m.

You don't want to miss The Leadership Luau this Sunday night at 5 p.m. It will be different, it will be fun,and it will be free!  However, I can't stress enough the wealth of knowledge that will be coming out of this conference. It is so important for every leader and potential leader to be in attendance. Here is the schedule:

5:00-5:45 Eat/Games/Giveaways 
5:45-5:50 Transit to Classes 
5:50-6:20 Session One 
6:20-6:25 Break to Switch Classes 
6:25-6:55 Session Two 
6:55-7:00 Transit to Sanctuary 
7:00-7:40 Special Presentation / Vision Casting

Sessions will involve training with a New Leadership Model that will be presented on this night, on Conflict Resolution, Effective Leadership, and Event Planning.

The Biblical Model of Leadership... The next day Moses took his place to judge the people. People were standing before him all day long, from morning to night. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What's going on here? Why are you doing all this, and all by yourself, letting everybody line up before you from morning to night?" Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me with questions about God. When something comes up, they come to me. I judge between a man and his neighbor and teach them God's laws and instructions." Moses' father-in-law said, "This is no way to go about it. You'll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you—you can't do this alone. Now listen to me. Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God. Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do. And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men—men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible—and appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten. They'll be responsible for the everyday work of judging among the people. They'll bring the hard cases to you, but in the routine cases they'll be the judges. They will share your load and that will make it easier for you. If you handle the work this way, you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also." (Exodus 18:13, 15, 17 MSG)

The question was asked: "Why are you doing this all by yourself?"
These statements were made: 1. "This is no way to go about it; you will burn yourself out, and the people right along with you." 2. "This is too much for you--you can't do it alone".  3. Let me show you how to do this so that God will be in this with you."

This is something that every leader should think about.  Why should any one leader of a department, or pastor of a church feel like they have to do everything?  That is NOT a healthy model of leadership, and Moses said, "You will wear yourself out, and the people right along with you".

Come to the Leadership Luau this Sunday night at 5 p.m. and we will equip you for the next step in church leadership~.  See you there!

Mike Sanes
Pastor, THWC

The Power of One

Harbor Friends,

Have you ever thought about the effect of one thought, one decision, or one action?  Sometimes "One" seems so insignificant.  When talking about money, one penny is worth very little value, for that matter one dollar, although its a 100x that of a penny, it is still worth little.  But in this series we will explore the significance of one.

Tomorrow we begin a brand new sermon series entitled: "The Power of One".  The message for tomorrow (Palm Sunday) is "The Power of One Decision".  Easter Sunday the message is: "The Power of One Promise". 

We look forward to seeing you there throughout the month as we discover The Power of One.

Pastor Mike Sanes

Has Church Become Optional?

Has Church Become Optional?

In this day in which we live, this is a valid question that must be asked.  The answer is obviously NO, but all of the evidence indicates otherwise.  When we look at the lives of those who call themselves Christians, by and large they feel like church is optional.  In fact, many people claim that they have said “Yes” to Jesus, but “NO” to the church.  First, let me say that it is impossible to say yes to Jesus and no to His church, for Jesus is the Head of the Church, and we are members of His body. 

I would like to present a few rationalizations that people have offered for their neglect of worshiping in the House of the Lord.

1.      There are hypocrites in that church—well, there are hypocrites on your job as well but you still go to work.  There were hypocrites in your college classes as well, but you kept going in order to get that degree.  There have been hypocrites since Jesus' day, in fact, He called them such, but they are not a reason for us to forsake the House of God.

2.      I have a ministry outside the church—this is a tactic that the devil has used to dupe good people into believing that they don’t need the church, or that they shouldn't be a part of the church because they operate a ministry to others outside of the church.  It could be jail and prison ministry, feeding and clothing the homeless, nursing home ministry, ministry to unwed mothers, and the list could go on and on.  However, I can’t find a single instance in the Bible where a ministry operated outside of the parameters and oversight of the church.  The church endorsed and set forth ministers and ministries; it was not as it is today where people say—“me and Jesus have got our own thing going, and we don’t need the church”.  If this is your philosophy concerning ministry, and you are completely outside the auspices of a Bible believing church; when and where are you being ministered to?  Who is mentoring you?  Who or what is your ministry accountable to?  These are valid questions that should be considered.

3.      Sunday is my only day off—typically church only last about an hour and a half; I don’t think that is too much to ask of anyone who calls themselves a Christian.  What if you gave your spouse that kind of excuse as to why you never showed up at home?  She would rightfully think that you didn’t love her as you once did, because there was a time when you made every effort to be there with her.  Likewise, in the church there are many that at one time felt strongly about being in the House of the Lord, and making sure their family was there also.  But something happened and church for them has somehow become optional.

4.      My children don’t want to go to church—I bet you that they don’t want to go to school either, but you make them go because you know that it’s in their best interest to be in school.  So don’t use children as an excuse, be the parent that you are called to be and say: this Sunday we are going to church as a family.  If you have to work on Sunday, then tell them we are going on Wednesday night.

5.      I don’t agree with what’s going on in that church—well we must ask, are you a member of that church or not?  If not, perhaps you should continue looking for a church that you do agree with.  You need to ask if this is something unbiblical or just something I personally don’t like—there is a big difference.  If you are a member, you have a right to express your opinion, but once you have done so, you should support your church regardless of your personal preference for the program, as long as it’s not something that is unethical or unscriptural.  Please understand that you are NEVER going to be happy with everything the church does regardless what church you attend. 

The bottom line is this, you can offer any excuse you want to offer, but there is NO excuse that will ever stand up under the scrutiny of God’s Word for not attending the House of Worship and fellowshipping on a regular basis with the saints of God.  This is where you gain your strength, by being around other Christians… “Iron sharpens Iron”.  You need to be in the atmosphere of worship in the House of Worship with the other members of the body.  You need to hear their testimony.  You need to hear the preached Word of God.  You need to be in the presence of anointed singing, teaching, and preaching.  To do otherwise is to abandon the biblical pattern that has been set before us and handed down for generations.

CHURCH IS NOT OPTIONAL!

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Michael D. Sanes, 

Pastor, The Harbor Worship Center

Church News

Harbor Family and Friends,

We started Revival tonight with the Shepherd's.  They will be singing and ministering tonight and Saturday night at 7pm, and at 10:30 on Sunday morning.  You can check them out at http://theshepherdsonline.net/bios.htm


We received approval from the bank last week to move forward with the construction of the Harbor Worship Center.  I am excited about what God is doing, and I am looking forward to seeing you get involved. 

We have 100% of the Harbor 301 graduates involved in ministry somewhere in the church at this point.  That's what I'm talking about!  I urge everyone to sign up for Harbor Discipleship Classes 101-401.

Our Family Matters Emphasis for the this month is going very well.  I urge you to log onto to Harbor TV from our website to check on this series. This Sunday night I will preach a message about Family Struggles, I hope to see you there. 

On March 25th we will will only have one morning service and it will be at 10:30am, then we will meet at Lion's Field for a family day together.  There will be no Night Service next week.

More info to come shortly...

Pastor Mike

Day 3

This is Day 3 of the Fast and things are going well.  I continue to hear great testimonies of what God is doing in the lives of many people that are participating in the fast.  I want everyone to know that we are calling your names in prayer before the Lord daily during this time of fasting and prayer.  I want everyone that will to take part in the discussion that I will post over the next day or so on http://www.facebook.com/ and on my blog site.  I think that everyone learns more when we all participate in the discussion.  It gives everyone an opportunity to get involved in the conversation, to express themselves, and interact with others.  This is something that we could not accomplish in a service or even in a classroom setting.  So I will be posting some questions and inviting discussion over the blog site and facebook.  I encourage you to take part when you can. 

Special Prayer Request: 

1. Please remember the Holmes and Frazier families in prayer.  Sister Viola Holmes lost her brother yesterday morning, so let us hold them up in prayer. 
2. Brigitte Barbery is still looking for a job.
3. The Scalon's are in need of a great miracle (God knows).

*Please post any other requests that I missed or am not aware of.


Michael D. Sanes
Pastor, THWC

Day 2 of Fast

Friends,

It is day two of our fast and I would like to thank those of you are taking an active part in it.  God is moving in ways that people cannot imagine.  Brother Glen called me this afternoon to tell me about the greatness of God.  He went on to tell me how Kristy was selected as a professors assistant, and that they would wave her tuition and pay her nicely each month also.  This is a huge financial blessing, and it came during the fast.  It was definitely the hand of the Lord.

As you pray today, please remember Jack Richardson's mom.  She had brain surgery this morning and is recovering now.  Let's ask God to completely hear and restore her.  There are many others in the church that are sick and in need of prayer.  Please feel free to use the comment button below to post any thoughts or prayer requests you may have.

We are having Bible reading and prayer every weekday morning at 6 a.m. I invite you to come and be with us.  It is good to see the new faces at prayer.

Today I ask you to pray for Harbor Class Discipleship Program; it will be starting up on Monday night at 6:30pm.  I invite you to sign up and take part.

Be Blessed!

Pastor Mike Sanes

The Fast Starts Today

Well friends, it is January 10th and the fast starts today.  I want to encourage everyone to spend as much time as they can today in the Word and in Prayer.  There is much to learn and apply from the Word and so much that we need to pray about. 

I would like to encourage any new believers that are fasting with us to begin their Bible reading in the book of St. John, and just continue pushing on through the New Testament during the fast.

Today I would like for us to concentrate on our relocation project.  Things are going well, but there are always wrinkles to be ironed out. 

1. Pray that God will give us wisdom to do things HIS way and not our own. 
2. Pray that God will be glorified and lifted up throughout the process.
3. Pray that He will send un-thought of blessings and provisions for His church.
4. Pray that this project will touch the lives of many people who pass by and participate in the building process.
5. Pray that we select and use the right people throughout the whole process, not just the building process, but also the staffing process.
6. Pray about how you can be used in the process.
7. I would also like to ask as many as will to go to our property and walk through it, praying with Abraham-like faith that God will have His Way in this whole process, and that He will give us everything we need to make this vision come to pass. 

Also, when you pray, please remember Bro. David (Kathy Hopkin's father), Bro. Larry Lee, Bro. Josh Cribbs, Sis. Marylou Howell, Bro. Ray Ward.  There is probably others that I'm not aware of, but please feel free to use the comment button at the bottom to add your thoughts or prayer requests.

Here is the link that I mentioned yesterday for Pastor Jentezen Franklins thoughts on fasting.  http://jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/


Pastor Sanes

The New Year Fast

Well, it's that time again.  It is the first month of the new year and time for us to offer ourselves unto the Lord afresh and anew.  It's not that we don't offer ourselves throughout the year, but that this is the "first part" of the year, and it seems fitting that we would fast and devote ourselves to God, and pledge our faithfulness to Him for the rest of the year.  This is the fourth or fifth year that we have participated in the New Year's Fast at some level.  I don't know if he started the movement, but Pastor Jentezen Franklin champions the movement of fasting at the start of every year.  You can follow the link http://jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/ to find helpful information about fasting.  He has several links that will be of value for you as you participate in this fast.  I invite you to follow this link and participate with us at whatever level you feel led do.  I will be blogging everyday concerning the fast, and there will be a place for you to respond with comments, and I invite you to do so.

The Fast Starts Tomorrow!

Blessings!

Pastor Sanes

For Those Who Are Weary

A Place Called Weary 

Hebrews 12:1-3

Intro:  Sometimes we just don’t have the energy to accomplish all that must be done.  We may be faced with great responsibility or a marvelous opportunity, but there is no strength to go on.  We are weary, utterly tired, we need rest from the burden of over-work and the pressures of life.  Some need rest and time to recuperate because they have a body that is not well and they’ve already pushed it beyond its limits.

Sometimes our energy has been drained away by a heavy burden that has been placed on our backs.  Just remember, He will not allow more to be placed on you than you can bear.

No matter what we are going through God invites us to share that burden with Him.  “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” 1Pt.5:7

For He gives rest to the weary and strength to the burdened heart

Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)      Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. [29] He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. [30] Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: [31] But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Trans: Although you are weary, consider the following…

I.                   The Lord Knows You’re Weary

1.      Hebrews 4:13  “Nothing in all of creation is hidden from God’s sight, everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account”.

                                                              i.      So God sees through your painted on smile and outward appearance that says everything is okay. 

1.      I’m as strong as ever…

2.      Never been better…

                                                            ii.      God knows that deep inside, behind that outward appearance is a person who is:

1.      Weary and worn out…

2.      One who is utterly tired and is starting to weigh the options to determine if life is still worth living.

3.      One that is weak from fighting battles and cannot think clearly now.

2.      Great is our Lord, and mighty in power, His understanding has no limits

                                                              i.      God understands the place called weary, for He has been there too

II.                He Invites You to Come To Him

1.      Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

2.      The Lord has given us an invitation to come to Him

                                                              i.      He has offered help for our problems and rest for our souls

                                                            ii.      But often we turn to everyone but the right One.

1.      Illus:  Green Leaf, Charter by the Sea, Turning Point, Teen Challenge, Etc…

                                                          iii.      My question today is:  Since you’ve tried all of that, why not turn to Jesus?

III.             He Promises Strength, Rest and Help if You Will Come To Him

1.      Exodus 33:14 (KJV) And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

2.      Psalm 29:1 (KJV)  Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

3.      2 Cor. 12:9 (KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

4.      We may not understand it but, “the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men; and the weakness of God is stronger than the strength of men…

5.      When we have no strength to go on Jesus says: “Lean on Me”

IV.             He Promises That if We Endure In This Life, We Will Never Be Tired or Weary Again

1.      Galatians 6:9 (KJV)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

2.      IF we can just hold on a little while longer we will live in a place where the wicked will never be, they will trouble us no more

                                                              i.      The weary will lay down his burdens and rest

                                                            ii.      The warriors will beat their weapons into plowshares and learn the art or war no more

                                                          iii.      The Lion will lay down with the lamb

                                                          iv.      No more hostility, no more violence, no more crime

1.      What a Day That Will Be (Song says)
“There is coming a day, when no heartaches shall come
No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye
All is peace forever more, on that happy golden shore
What a day, glorious day that will be.

Chorus:
What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon his face,
The One who saved me by his grace;
When he takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
There'll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no more pain, no more parting over there,
But forever I will be with the one who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.”

Conclusion:  You may be weary of Failure, exhaustion, burnout, always coming up empty. 

Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)
¹ Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. ² Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. ³ When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

1. We have this cloud of witnesses.
2. Keep your eyes on Jesus—remember Peter walking to Him on the water.
3. Study how He did it—He did it by spending regular time with the Father.
1. He prayed often.