Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: money

  • Sharing What We Have

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Hebrews 13 –     There certainly is a problem with today’s economy.  You need go no further than the mirror to find a solution. 

    I was reminded of a story about a tribe long ago.  The tribe would send the hunters into the forest to kill and bring back food.  As long as the hunters were successful, everyone ate.  One day one of the hunters said, “I kill more than anyone here.  Why should I have to share my portion with those that do nothing!”  So he ate his portion that he killed and did not give.  Other hunters started doing the same.  Soon the hunters started a hierarchy and only the ones that worked got food.  The weak and suppressed did not get to eat and were at the mercy of the hunters.  The tribe then started raising their children to fend for themselves and not to rely on what the hunters would bring.  This became a practice that kept others isolating and only caring for themselves and what they had. 

    Unfortunately this is the same model that we see today.  If those that had more still shared with those that were suffering, what would the world be like?  Think about if we all sacrificed to help each other.  Today try to share with someone that does not have as much as you and show the Love of Christ in your actions to glorify God.  God is pleased with the cheerful giver!

    Vs 16 – “Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.”

    Walking in the Word – I love to give and praise God that He has made me a cheerful giver.  What a shame to have your cup filled by God and not pour out to others.  Empty your cup so you may be filled again.  I will continue to help those that the Lord has given me to care for.  I will love others, as Christ loves me, and share what I have so God may be glorified!

    Prayer Response to the Word – Abba, Father, thank You for blessings and for giving me a heart to share.  I enjoy sharing because I know I always have enough.  Lord, You are my portion and my salvation.  I thank You that I have peace and protection.  Lord please help me to help others and give me a heart to love people through their situations and circumstances.  Let me not be a judge, but instead a listener, helper, and comforter in time of need.  I pray I please You in my actions, thoughts, and words.  I thank You for my loved ones and for always caring for us no matter what the condition.  Your Love is a model of what true Unconditional Love is!  Thank You Lord!  In Jesus’ name, Amen and Amen!

  • Powerful Hands

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Deuteronomy 8 –     Pride is probably one of the greatest downfalls of man.  With it man takes credit upon himself and rebels agains power greater than himself.  Is wrong to take pride in your work or accomplishments?  No.  Absolutely not!  But, give credit where credit is due.  As a Christian I account for all of my success to God.  There is no magic or person that helped me to where I am.  God has allowed me to experience lessons for learning as well as great accomplishments.  The only time I have really regretted something I have done is when I try to take the glory.  In doing so I magnify myself for everyone to see my imperfection.  In God there is no imperfection.  It is better to magnify Him.

    Vs 17-18 – “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,’ but remember that the LORD your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant He swore to your fathers, as it is today.”

    Walking in the Word – I will maginfy God in what I do.  I pray who I am and what I do glorifies God and brings others to the knowledge of His grace, mercy, and love.  I desire to have success in life and use what I have gained and learned to help others who are in need.  In all things I desire to show obedience to God through our Lord Jesus Christ by obeying His commands and loving others through Him.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, I thank You for Your gifts to me in this life.  There are not many things left in this world that are not being corrupted.  I thank You that Your gifts cannot be destroyed, the greatest ones being salvation and love.  I pray that in having success I do not forget it was by Your hands alone I was allowed to have what I have.  I pray that I not only use what I have to glorify You, but that I may be a good steward of all things.  All good things belong to You.  I pray that I make good use of time as well as money.  May You be magnified through the Son in my life and others!  Amen and Amen!

  • No Slave of Money

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Romans 13 –     These days it is very easy for someone to start a financially destructive path by taking on credit and loans.  I could write several pages on this topic alone, speaking from experience in the past but I am going to keep it brief for readability.  One piece of advice I heard was, “if God didn’t provide me with the money to obtain it, I don’t need it.”  I agree with that.  Unfortunately most people aren’t taught the rules of money until after they have their first credit card.  They start spending money left and right and justify taking on more debt if they can squeeze in another low monthly payment.  Biblically we are to not owe anyone anything except to love them.  We enslave ourselves by losing that freedom of choice that we had before we went into debt.  To keep it short, aggressively pay off your debt and spend cash only.  If you work out the math you may find it takes less time than you think.  Most people can reverse debts by living on a strict budget and making sacrifices to start.  After this they can pay each debt off one at a time aggressively.  My testimoney also attributes to tithing!  Give the FULL 10% always.  Everything we have belongs to the Lord.  Give to Him what He asks for.  How foolish to rob the Lord and ask for His blessings.  The LORD is always faithful in what He promises!  Always remember to enjoy the small victories in everything!

    Vs 8 – “Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
    Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.”
    Malachi 3:7-12 – “Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from My statutes; you have not kept [them].  Return to Me, and I will return to you,”says the LORD of Hosts. 
    But you ask: “How can we return?”
    “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!”
    You ask: “How do we rob You?”
    “[By not making the payments] of 10 percent and the contributions.  You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are [still] robbing Me.  Bring the full 10 percent into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.  I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not ruin the produce of your ground, and your vine in your field will not be barren,” says the LORD of Hosts.  “Then all the nations will consider you fortunate, for you will be a delightful land,” says the LORD of Hosts.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to live a life free of financial burden.  I also desire to help others with what the Lord has blessed me with.  I want to teach others how to become financially free and be able to enjoy the life that God has designed for them.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord God, thank You for allowing me to achieve success financially.  You have given in abundance and I pray that out of my abundance I can help others that need it.  Lord I pray that You help me to have the heart to give and care for those that You would have me to care for.  Lord I thank You that You have taught me how to care for what You have given me.  I pray that when I help others that You alone be glorified, for it is because of You I am able to do so.  Glory and praise to You my Father!  There is none like You.  You give good gifts and love unconditionally.  We are blessed to have such LOVE from our Father in heaven.  I pray that we all come to know this TRUTH to be evident in each of our lives!  Lord I lift Your name on high in Jesus’ precious name, Amen!