In all our Creator's love, for his creation [earth] & his loved one's ~ from our [humans] beginnings in Eden, gaing prosperity from harvesting the land to financial wealth, has been provided in abundance.
God's people / Nation's, throughout history, have had their famine to feast eras of time. Many have lived in poverty, against their hearts desire, and others serving God have taken the vow of poverty and giving all to their mission in glorifying God. There are countless men & women, who are using their wealth in furthering the building of God's Kingdom on earth, as Jesus completed and sealed the deal for all believers, to live a life of more abundance. Jesus said that the poor / ill health / those with issues, would be amongst us, until the end of time / his return to dwell amongst his people, again.
'The Living Word' also states: 'To those that much is given, much will be expected.' In feeding / clothing / minstering medical & spiritual aid to those in under developed countries or in ravaged war zones [which is on Matt & his Mrs., 'To Do List'], we in North America are blessed ~ beyond words, while living in such a bountiful land. With the world being one of depressing world events, discovering Matt's teaching, through Sam Crowley's 'EDIS' course of life changing thinking, was the absolute breakthrough I was praying for, while setting up my home based business.
I just hope that the gal who first wrote - ties a knot in the end of that rope she seems to be dangling on, and holds tight! Shimmy up the rope, sit on the knot and feel the breeze while your swinging and waiting for the rescue squad.
With volunteering at a Mission Outreach for 4 years, I was blessed to have met numerous persons, who shared their life transforming stories with me. I could relate to many of their experiences, as I had walked similar paths / avenues, in my younger years. My only opinion to add to all the wisdom already shared for this gal that wrote in, is: If you cannot reach out to anyone at this time, reach up ~ as Jesus will never fail you. At this time, you might see / think things in your world are hopeless and impossible to overcome ... leaving you feeling helpless or beyond your reach, this is a lie that 'YOU' have come to accept. If no one knows your ID / pain ~ confused state of mind your in, or they do and don't know how to guide you out of the rut your in, that is just about the time that God / Holy Comforter sets in, to turn your darkness into HIS pure light.
After that experince, you should be walking in God's Son-shine, rather then trying to wlak on sunshine.
Keep well, and God bless in what ever choices you make, to reach your goals / dreams.

Unique Creations of God

One of the foundational assumptions is that every person,irrespective of real or perceived handicaps or deficiencies, is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation of God. There are four biblical principles we can use as an excellent place to begin:

a. We are unique creations of God. (Psalm 139:13-14: For you created my inmost
being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.)

b. God blesses us individually with work-related talents. (Romans 12:4-8: "Just as each
of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so
in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have
different gifts, according to the grace given us.)

c. We are to be excellent in our work and examples to others. Excellence comes from
development of our God-given talents. (Proverbs 22:29: Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.)

d. Our larger calling is to be witnesses for Christ and lights unto the world. This is
greatly enhanced when we are experiencing the joy of using our talents at work. (Matthew
5:14-16: Let your light so shine so that others will see your good works and they will praise
your Father in heaven.)

Every man should use the gifts and talents God has given Him/ Her to help and develop others for the purpose of the kindom of God. If your mortivation develops people, and leads them to be what God created them to be, then you are fulfilling God's purpose on earth but if not, then your have to re-examine your dreams, goals and ambitions.

I am a strong believer in God and I believe God knows where our priorities lie as He looks at our heart and not outside. I believe he/she who thinks he/she has no fault please cast the first stone to judge other. We are to build our faith and spread our gospel not judging other. That is God's business. So Matt I believe you are multiplying your talents that God has installed in you, we should do the very best what God has entrust in us, our potential and our talents in any ways to glorify Him! I end this with my favorite verse: :)

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. ~ Psalm 37:4,5

I have in the past struggled with this concept.

But two years ago God revealed to me my special calling (which I will not discuss here). Over the past couple of years I have fantasized about fulfilling God's call within my heart. I say "fantasized" because I NEVER would have the money to fund such a gargantuan dream unless I were in our industry, Matt.

And now... NOW I can dream those dreams with the full knowledge that the special calling I have been given by God WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED!

I used to dream of having a nice car and huge house, etc... and now I don't dream about those things anymore. Yes, it is nice to have those things and I won't refuse them WHEN they come to me in the next year or two, but now MY LIFE'S MISSION will be accomplished.

Yes, it will take money. ALOT of money!!! But it shall be used to the full glory of God. Praise Him!

I disagree with the young lady that sent you the email. I believe that some Christians, not all, have been taught to believe that having money is evil. It is not having money that is evil, it is the LOVE of money that is evil. I also believe that God has given each of us a unique set of talents and gifts to share with the rest of the world. If someone gains earthly riches as a result of sharing their talents and gifts with the world, how is that be bad? It is bad to bury and hide your talents and gifts. Some of us need (and appreciate) others to inspire and motivate us to live a prosperous and abundant life.

Matt, everyone isn't going to see the BIG picture. These are the ones that think small and want to live a small, comfortable life. However, there are those of us who aspire to live a life that blesses others, blesses our children and their children for many generations. Otherwise, are you really living if you don't leave a legacy for those to come after you?

What about the rich men and women discussed in the Bible? The God I serve is a God that wants to bless me (and others) beyond my wildest dreams and guess what?? I want to receive those blessings, so yes I seek a deeper relationship with him daily by trying to make sure that I involve him in everything I do and praying. I think the young lady that sent the email should do the same...seek God!

I haven't read all the comments but I think sometimes we forget the most basic thing about God. He is our Father. My earthly father would never say, "I love you, but you can only be a little blessed" Why would our Heavenly Father tell us the same thing? I want ALL the blessings God has for me so that I can share them with others, not to hoard them! Fill up my cup until it runs over Lord!

Hi Matt,
Firstly i will say your response was great,

Firstly if we really want to get into we need to go the start of the good book where in Genesis God gave Adam dominion over the land. This was not just over the animals it was over everything, which includes money.

Now i agree that we have some who's money has no purpose they serve just their own needs and we have people who's money serve a greater need. The best way to help the poor is by not being poor yourself look at the amazing things Melinda and Bill Gates has done, look at Oprah and Warren Buffet.

Yes God made us in his image and he is successful and great we have to honor the gifts we have been given.

Matt,

You don't have to beg Muslims to do their best so that they can give to Jihad.

You only have to beg Christians to strive for their best because they have been deceived into believing that Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, or any of the other leaders of God were anything but very wealthy.

Evil wants Christians to all be poor so that there isn't much of a battle.

But, more importantly just as with any advice you receive, consider the source. I wouldn't want to learn about what the Bible says on wealth from a poor minister who has never wanted to understand what the Bible says about sowing and reaping. Just like that I would rather learn about stock market success from someone who has been successful in the stock market. Only a shallow teacher would tell his listeners that he knows everything about everything.

So, I'd ask that lady does she know who she is listening to.

I know a very godly man who has made millions and billions and lived off 10% and given 90%. He has had at least one friend who struggled with wealth and giving and died in pain.

In the end, if that person doesn't want to strive toward the high call of the prize Christ has laid out before her, it is her choice.

Matt,

This person obviously believes that poverty is a virtue and probably relates humility with a small bank account. There's a whole population of people that claim to be follower's of Christ, but twist scripture so much they do more harm than good.

No wonder non-believers aren't attracted to the Kingdom because people like the person above is telling them they have to be broke to join.

God definitely doesn't require a vow of poverty and wants us all to achieve our highest and best use for him. For some, that means having wealth to distribute and fund His plans, for others, it's to be the worker bee's getting those done.

You're response was right now.

Enjoyed meeting you at SANG and am glad to share this faith with you!
-Josh

Someone suggested I add you as my friend. I read the title of your book and it helped give me the strength to end a relationship with a woman I have been working for the past couple of years. I had been selling my artwork to her and not signing my pieces, so that she could sell them as her own. I had been doing this for money and realized that I became a true millionaire the day I ended working for her. Being successful does not have to be about money. Thank you Matt

The truth is there is one who wants man to be financially free like God would want us to be: Proven below
Proverbs 13:18
He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

All you are doing here is teaching people discipline that will save them from poverty by being more hard working and believing in what God himself planted in them on creation.

You are telling us to live full and take nothing to the grave.

She was completely wrong in that accusation

Unfortunately, the person writing this message is clearly blinded by their faith and cannot see the possibilities God has presented. The person probably believes rich people are evil and that they are only rich because they strived for ungodly pleasures, which is rarely the case. Most wealthy people (business owners) have money because they provide a product or service that benefits others who are willing to pay for it. I completely agree with your response Matt and I hope all followers of God can open their minds to the financial possibilities in their lives.

Hi Matt,
I think your reply was right. In my opinion God wants us to be happy and wants to bless us with health and prosperity as long as we keep him first in our lives,and serve him by living right. We also need to give back when we are blessed.

I assume she bases her comments on the living WORD.

There is AMPLE the Word says about excellence and money:
philippians 4:8

(my comment: operative words here are excellence and "THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS"... The BIBLE tells us to THINK about these things.)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things

(the following are comments on money)

Proverbs 21:20

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.


Proverbs 22:7

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

Proverbs 13:22

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.

Matthew 25
19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. [5] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.

The Bible clearly states that it is God who has given us the power to create wealth. You can not further the Gospel without money so I believe that all Christians should strive for the very best they can in all areas including finances. Jeremiah 29:11 states 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' That means to prosper in every way which would include finances.