Financial Sanctification: Are We Set Apart?

As the world goes, so goes the church. The recent economic turmoil has once again served as a reminder of how most of us in the church still haven’t figured it out. We have been called to be separate, set apart, different. As the hackneyed maxim goes, our lives (and our finances) are supposed to be in the world but not of the world. However, just a little research will quickly reveal that the divorce rate, abortion rates, and even the existence of poverty, is the same in the church as it is in the secular world. We should not be affected by the economic cycles and shifting winds of Wall Street. But inevitably we are…

God longs to bless us even in the midst of economic downturns. He wants us to be the city on the hill, the ones to which the lost and hurting are looking to and asking themselves, “Why do they seem to be immune from what the rest of us are dealing with?” In fact, Paul speaks to this fact in what I believe is his call to an entrepreneurial church in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 & 12;

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." (NIV)

Paul admonishes the church to work hard and mind their business for 2 very important reasons. The second one, which we will focus on more in later entries, is to become financially free so that you “will not be dependent on anybody.” The first reason, however, is so that “your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.” Who are the outsiders? It’s the lost; those who don’t know Christ as their Lord & Savior. Those who are “outside” of the church are always watching those who are “inside.” In the same way that we are called to be set apart from sin and depravity, we should also be an example to the lost in our independence from the typical ups & downs that come from the economic cycles of the world.

However, because we spend WAY above our means (just like the rest of the world) and because we don’t tap into the divine creativity that has been placed inside of us to start successful businesses and profitable endeavors, we suffer the same fate as those who have no heavenly blessing at all. Therefore, when the “outside” looks “inside” they don’t see any real significant difference. What is there then to draw them to take a closer look? We have become so much like the world in both actions and appearance that we have lost the ability to “win the respect of the outsiders” when they take a peek inside our walls.

These words are certainly not intended to discourage you, but rather to challenge you to take a closer look at your life, finances, and career. Perhaps you need a heavenly paradigm shift, so that you can begin to see your career or business as a spiritual calling rather than a secular annoyance. It is (or should be) part of your contribution to the advancement of the Kingdom of God, and thus should constantly be examined and perfected by the wisdom that comes only from above.

In the coming months, (& years if the Lord tarries) I will be sharing some powerful scriptures that reveal God’s desire for a prosperous church of entrepreneurs and successful business owners. I will also be bringing you insightful interviews with Christian leaders, weekly motivation, and various online seminars to help you take your idea, invention, or service and turn it into a profitable reality in your life & business. If you would like to receive regular e-mail updates on our powerful training, you can register anytime at www.e-mandate.org.

Looking forward to lifting you higher,

Matt Robinson
Portico Wealth Training