you
To share Foundation Baptist Church this Sunday morning. If you're happy to be in church say amen
All right, let's all stand take your songbooks and go to number
405 the banner of the cross
Let's sing it like soldiers say church
Sing it out with power church on that first stanza.
There's a royal banner given for display
to the soldiers of the king.
As an inside fair we lift it up to date
while as ransom once we.
Sing it out church.
Marching on, marching on, for Christ
And tomorrow he'll chant,
Toil and sing,
Neath the banner of the cross.
Second stanza,
Though the foe may rage and gather as the flood,
Let the standard be displayed,
And beneath it's folds as soldiers of the Lord,
For the truth be...
not dismayed. Sing it out, church! Marching on, marching on, for Christ
count everything but loss, and to crown Him king, toll and sing,
neath the banner of the cross. Overland and sea, wherever men may dwell,
the crimson banner now the story tell while the Lord shall claim his own
with power marching on marching on for Christ count everything but loss and to
crown him king toll and sing needs the banner on that fort stands up
When the glory dawns, his drawing very near is hasting day by day.
Then before our King the foe shall disappear and across the world shall...
I want to hear you guys marching on!
For Christ count everything but laws and to crown him king...
Brother Brett, welcome back. Can you praise and say service, please?
Hey man, let's go to number 419. Sound the battle cry.
419, sound the battle cry, see the foe is nigh, raise the standard high for the Lord.
Gird your armor on Stanford, everyone, rest your cause upon his holy seat of church.
Rouse then soldiers, rally round the banner, ready, steady, pass the word along.
Onward, forward, shout out loud, Hosanna, Christ is captain of the might.
Second stands strong to meet the foe, marching on we go, while our cause we no must prevail.
Shield and banner bright, gleaming in the light, battling for the right we near can fall.
soldiers rally round the banner ready steady past the word along onward
forward shout aloud Hosanna Christ is captain of the mob on that third oh
thou God of all hear us when we call sound good church like here you guys
The victory's won. May we wear the crown before the...
Seat out church!
I love hearing you guys sing.
It's enough to make a Methodist shot right there, amen.
All right, let's all be seated.
This moment we'll have evangelist Justin Zong come
and give us some announcements.
All right, welcome to Sure Foundation Baptist Church
on the morning service.
Where's the hand if you need a bulletin
and the outro will bring one to you.
I hope you guys had a great church picnic yesterday.
We got some great food and great fellowship.
And if you ever wonder why am I wearing this shirt,
come back this afternoon and brother Brad will.
explain that to you. It's a Filipino formal garment, you know, and Brother
Braddock just came back from the Philippines after his almost two-week
mission trip, have over 400 salvations, so come back this afternoon and he'll
talk about his trip to the Philippines. So the verse the week is Matthew chapter
5 verse number 16, the Bible says, let your life so shine before men that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
And just based on the recent event,
I think this verse is pretty applicable
because we need to speak the truth, right?
We need to be bold about what we believe, OK?
And obviously, we should learn from Charlie Kirk
about his boldness, about he's not afraid of speaking the truth.
But that's also not idolizing him to a point
that he's equal to Jesus Christ because I've
seen some posts online.
People try to elevate him, claiming
he's the best Christians I've ever lived.
I think he's a great guy.
I think he's bold.
I think he's trying to do the best he can.
But let's not lift him up.
OK, let us have good works.
Let our life shine before men.
OK, so have a balanced perspective.
So obviously, things are, you know,
everyone is so emotional right now.
And, you know, people are literally.
equating him with, you know, the best creation ever to live.
You know, I don't think people should make that comparison.
And again, just by saying that does not mean
I'm like condoning murder,
I think the murder should be, you know, executed publicly,
but just have a balanced perspective, okay?
Let's not lift him up.
Also, we should also learn from him, okay?
So, I may preach a sermon about Charlie Kirk next week.
Ha ha.
So,
Let's look at the inside page follow us on YouTube Facebook rumble and X to stay up to day with what's going on
We have service time this morning
Of course at 11 Sunday afternoon service at 4 p.m. And Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m.
We'll be going through we'll be going through ecclesiastical chapter number
9 this coming Wednesday, and then we have someone in this afternoon at 1 30 p.m. And Saturday morning
at 10 30 a.m. and actually this coming Saturday we will not have a local so-in time because we'll be
in Detroit okay so Detroit so many marathon is this coming Friday and Saturday so if you have
not RSVP please email us tell us that if you are coming so see this see the video for the for the
Also, Dr. Phil Stringer will be preaching both services for us on Sunday, November 30th.
So please invite family, friends, people that you know to come and listen to him preaching.
And then please help us with the cleaning right after the afternoon service.
That will be hugely appreciated.
and then if you want to know how to be saved or needs to be baptized please see
and usher on myself after the service and type and offerings for you to see
below if you flip on the back side you can see the birthdays and the
anniversary for the month of September if your if your if your information is
not on there please let me know so I can keep your information up to date and we
will
be seeing happy birthday to Ms. Linda during the afternoon service and you know it's great to
have a cello player so hopefully we can build up an orchestra in the future so and with that being
said let's sing one more song and then we'll take up the offering. Amen let's all stand for this last
song we're gonna be there in number 316 I have decided to follow Jesus number 316
I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow
Still I will follow
Though none go with me
Still I will follow
Though none go with me
Still I will follow
No turning back
The world behind me
The cross before
The world behind me, the cross before me, the world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back, no turning back.
Amen. You may be said this moment will have the ushers come up and get ready for the offering.
Heavenly Father, thank You for this offering, Lord.
I ask You, Lord, to please bless this offering,
continue to multiply and provide for our church.
Lord, in Christ's name I pray, amen.
Alright, we'll be in 1st Timothy chapter 6 this morning.
Get that little fixed. Alright, thank you. We'll be in 1st Timothy chapter 6 this morning. Fina Bible,
please raise your hand and usher. We'll provide one for you.
1st Timothy chapter 6. Warrior Turner, I'll begin reading the chapter.
What as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all oh wait
Yeah, all honor that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed and they that have believing masters
Let them not despise them because they are brethren
But rather do them service because they are faithful and beloved partakers of the benefit
These things teach and exhort if any man teach otherwise and can said not to hold some words
Even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ
into the doctrine which is according to golliness,
he is proud, knowing nothing,
but doting about questions and strives of words,
or of cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds
and destitute of truth,
supposing that gain is golliness,
from such withdraw thyself,
but golliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into his world
and is certain that we can carry nothing out,
and having food and raiment was be there with content,
Will be rich
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many force and hurtful lusts
Which drown men and destruction and perdition 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 many sorrow with many sorrows
But thou, O man of God, flee these things and fall after righteousness
Godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, fight the good fight of faith, lay hold unto eternal life,
Warranty thou art also called in as professed a good profession before many witnesses.
I give thee charge in the sight of God who quickeneth all things and before Christ Jesus
who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession,
and thou keep this commandment without spot,
unrebukeable unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which in his times he shall show,
who is the blessed and only Pontinent,
the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Who only have immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man
Have seen or can see to whom be honor and power everlasting amen
Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded nor trust and uncertain riches
But in the living God who give of us richly all things to enjoy
That they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate
laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay
hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoid and
profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so-called, which some professing,
having erred concerning to faith, grace be with thee. Amen. Brother, wait, could you
pray for the message?
Amen. You are in 1st Timothy chapter 6. Look at verse number 10. 1st Timothy chapter 6 verse 10.
The Bible says for the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after,
they have earth from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. And I just
realized I have not, you know, I can just use the appropriate mic. Sorry. I forgot my lapel mic. So,
yeah. So, so the title of the sermon this morning is How to Have Financial Success.
How to have financial success, because money is not evil.
But the love of money is evil, okay?
So some people would twist first Timothy 6 verse 10 by saying that this verse is not really true
Because because it's not really the love of money. That's the root of all evil, but pride is okay
We've heard people saying that but that's a false interpretation of this verse
Okay, they think the love of money is the only cause of all the evil in the world
But that's not what this verse is saying, okay?
This verse is saying that if you love money,
you can do all evils under the sun, okay?
The love of money can be the cause of all evil,
but that does not mean only the love of money
is the cause of all evil.
But if you love money, you can do all evils, right?
That's why the Bible says for the love of money
is the root of all evil, okay?
Obviously, if you are prideful,
you can do all these evil things, okay?
Again, the correct way to view this verse is if you love money, if your whole goal is to make money, you are capable of doing all evil, okay?
So, but we should not also to go to the extreme like some hyper religious crowd by saying that having money is a sin, right?
Because having money is not a sin, okay?
Because God does not want us to be broke.
He wants you to be financially stable so you can serve God better, right?
Yeah, so you can have gas to go to church
So you can provide for your family so you can buy clothing food having money in and himself is not a sin
Okay, turn the Bible to Genesis chapter 13
Genesis chapter 13
but I also am against prosperity, gospel, okay,
because some people, they go to the other extreme
by saying that if you love God, God will bless you
with all the fancy cars, private jets,
and that's not biblical either, okay.
Genesis 13, look at verse number two.
Genesis 13, verse number two, the Bible says,
Abram was very rich in cattle in silver and in gold. Here we have a person
named Abram or Abraham. The Bible says he was very rich in different
possessions in cattle and gold and silver. Okay, go to Genesis chapter 26.
Genesis chapter 26. I want to show you some of the examples of, you know,
The patriarchs, if you will, Abraham, different people in the Old Testament, how they were blessed by God and they were rich.
Genesis 26, look at verse number 12.
The Bible says then Isaac sold in that land and and received in the same year and hundredfold and the Lord blessed him and
The man waxed great and went forward and grew until he became very
Great, so God blessed him in you know in the harvest right Isaac was a
Rich person he became great because God has blessed him go to Genesis chapter 30
In Genesis chapter 30 look at verse 42 Genesis 30 verse 42 the Bible says
But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in, talking about Jacob, so the feeblers were labors and the stronger
Jacobs and the men. Jacob increased
exceedingly and had much cattle and maidservants and manservants and camels and
asses. Okay, so Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, all three of them, they were rich, right?
You know, God blessed them with, with riches.
In fact, think about King Solomon.
The Bible says in 1st, King 10, verse number 23,
so King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth
for riches and for wisdom.
So Solomon at one point was the richest person ever lived, right?
That means being a rich person does not mean, you know,
that person is bad inherently, okay?
Because riches are not inherently sinful.
but riches can certainly be a test, okay?
Go to Proverbs chapter 30, Proverbs chapter 30.
Here's the thing, that if God blesses you with money,
with riches, yeah, we should give God glory,
but we should not desire to be rich.
Okay, obviously if we work hard, God may choose to bless us, but we should not desire to be rich
But we should desire to be to be enough, right? To have to to have to have enough
Proverbs 30 look at verse number seven
The Bible says two things have I required of the did I mean
Them not before I die remove me
Remove far from me vanity and lies give me neither poverty nor riches fee me with food convenient for me
Let's die before and deny thee and say who is the Lord or let's die be poor and still and take the name of my God in vain
So here we have the proverbs by a guy named, you know, Ager, okay?
Ager's prayer is, you know, give me, give me two things, don't make me too rich.
If I'm too rich, I may, you know, deny you, I may not trust in you anymore,
but don't let me be poor either, otherwise I may covet things that's not mine, okay?
So we should desire to have just enough...
Obviously God again may choose to bless you, but when God bless you realize that it is God that that gave you power to get wealth
Right, don't lift yourself up if God blesses you with you know riches and the fancy, you know house
You know give give God glory use the money for the glory of God, but not lifting yourself up
Go to Proverbs chapter 10 Proverbs chapter 10
A lot of rich people stop trusting in God when they become rich. They stop giving God thanks after they became rich
But but as Christians, we should realize that everything we have
Every good thing we have is obtained through the power of God
Okay, because true prosperity is not just financial wealth. Okay, because true prosperity is wealth with God's blessing
Some people they are rich people, but it but you know, they don't have God's blessing in them
Proverbs chapter 10 look at verse number 22
Proverbs 10 verse 22 the Bible says
The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich
Don't miss the next phrase and he added no sorrow with it. That is wealth with God's blessing
You will not feel sorrowful. You will not feel suicidal, right?
Because you know God bless you with riches and God will make you you know
God will add no sorrow to it because you have a clear conscience that you gain those money because of honesty, right?
So, Gloshing 118 says this, and he is the head of the body, the church who is the beginning,
the first born from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
The word preeminence means presidents, priority of place, superiority in rank or dignity.
in everything we do, right?
We should think about God in everything we do.
That's why we must let God govern our money,
not the other way around.
Because the moment we start letting money govern us,
the moment we start letting money control what we do,
that's a wrong decision automatically, okay?
If we don't let God govern our money,
then money will govern us.
We've seen many, you know, similar stories from the so-called rich people in this world
that monies are governed in, and they are capable of doing all evils, right?
Killing people even, stealing from people, ripping people off.
Go to Numbers Chapter 18.
Numbers Chapter 18.
Now, uh, there are a lot I can talk about finances, but this morning, uh, um, I just want to give you three main points
My goal is every single one of you here is financially stable because I want you to succeed in life while putting God first
Okay, so point number one
the priority of giving the priority of giving and
the first thing I want to talk about is
It's the concept of tithing. Tithing is a commandment from God. There's no way else to put it.
Numbers 18, look at verse 21. Numbers 18, verse 21. The Bible says...
And behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance for their service,
while they serve even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
So, tithing is the tenth of your increase, right?
The Bible says, you know, the Levites get all the tenth of the children of Israel.
For the service, which they serve right back in the Old Testament. They are trying to run the temple
Sacrificing food, you know, it's the Levi's full-time job to you know, run the sacrifices
And just like just and just expound the word of God to people
It's a full-time position and when they burn the sacrifices and you know
Sometimes they can eat part of the sacrifices and because you know, that's their food. Okay, so go to
Do you know how many chapter 14?
Do you know how many chapter number 14?
Look at verse 22.
Do you know how many chapter 14?
Verse 22, the Bible says,
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed that the field bring forth ear by ear
Okay, so here the Bible says thou shalt truly tithe
There were truly is pretty interesting because when I first you know read that that made me think of that most people
They are not truly tithing. They may be tithing quote-unquote, but they're not truly tithing
Well, what I mean by that is tithing is 10% of your of your increase, not what you can find in your pocket
right
That's important because you know most people they don't really think about tithing is the 10%
It's the 10th not a $5 bill you can find your pocket now
You know whatever you carry on Sunday, right because we need to be be purposefully to pay God back first
okay, so
But some people will always say that's the Old Testament. Okay, so let let's go to Matthew 23
Matthew 23
So if you have been tithing make sure you are truly tithing right ten percent not nine percent not
Not five percent because partial obedience is
disobedience
Mac 23 look at verse 23
Matthew 23 verse 23 the Bible says here's the Lord Jesus Christ
Rebuke the scribes and Pharisees the Bible says we want to use scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for a
pay type of maint and and his end up coming and have omitted the waiter matters of the law judgment mercy and faith
These ought eat to have done and not to leave the other undone. So here Jesus Christ is a
rebuking them for being imbalanced. The Lord Jesus Christ is actually telling them that you should
have paid tithe. But don't leave out judgment, mercy, and faith.
Notice that he noticed that Christ said these RT have done you should be paying tithe
But also make sure you are following judgment mercy and faith, okay?
And the word is pretty interesting because the Bible says for you pay tithe not that you give tithe
Obviously, I'm just playing on words here. I don't think
Don't think there's anything wrong by saying you are giving tithe because you can say you are you are you are giving back
You are you are giving God back what you know belongs to God
But I think the concept of paying tithe makes like more sense because you know the money is now yours in the first place
You're paying God back right the money belongs to God you are paying tithe you are not giving of you know
What is yours? Okay, so?
Go to first Corinthians chapter 9 first Corinthians chapter 9
Look at verse number nine first Corinthians chapter nine verse number nine
The Bible says for it is written in the law of Moses here, we have Apostle Paul
Referring back to the Old Testament laws right because the Old Testament is written for us
For it is written in the law of Moses thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the of the ox that tried to out the corn
That God take care for oxen or said he it altogether for our sakes
See the law of Moses is written for our sakes for our sakes. No doubt that
This is written that he that pop
Pallas should plow in hope and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker
of his hope. So if the Levi's back in the Old Testament, they were laboring, they should get
paid, they should get what they deserve due to their labor, right? Look at verse 11.
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal
Apostles preachers like us is, you know, teaching you, feeding you spiritually.
It's a great thing that we should reap carnal things, money, possession, and food, right?
Look at verse number 12.
If others be partakers of this power over you, are we not rudder?
Nevertheless, we have not used this power, but suffer all things,
lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Do we not know that day?
People in the Old Testament they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple and
They which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar
Even so had the Lord ordained that they which priests the gospel should live of of the gospel. Okay, so
Somehow this concept is being twisted attack, but you know the laborer is worthy of his reward
okay if you if you go to work you should get paid right i believe in just just wages okay
so if a pastor is you know laboring the ward ending the doctrine the pastor should be should
So the point is tithing is not just tithing is not just an Old Testament concept
Tithing is also a New Testament concept. Okay, tithing is not down the way with because Abraham and Jacob they mentioned the concept of tithing and
That's before the law of Moses. Okay, so go to Malachi chapter number three
Malachi chapter number three
So concerning financial success,
tithing is one of the very first things
that you have to make sure you are doing
when talking about finance.
If you tell me that you are struggling financially,
my very first question will be,
are you faithful in your tithe?
Right?
Malachi chapter three.
Look at version number eight.
Malachi chapter three.
verse number eight the bible says will a man rob god yet you have robbed me but you say wherein
have we robbed thee in tithe and offerings so if you are withholding what is gods
You are robbing God because you have not been paying what it's got in the first place
Okay, look at verse number nine. You are cursed with a curse
For you have robbed me even this whole nation. You are cursed if you do not tithe
That's why again if you tell me you are struggling financially speaking my first question is
Are you faithful in your tithe because if you don't you are cursed where they curse by God, okay?
Verse number nine, you are cursed with a curse for you have robbed me even this whole nation
Bring you all the tide into the storehouse
That there may be meat in my house and prove me hey test me now here with said the Lord of Hosts
If I will not open you the windows of heaven and pull you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough
To receive it so God literally is giving us a challenge, right? You know test God, you know try
You know God is saying try me
Let's give tithing a try and see if I will pull you out a blessing, okay?
That's a great promise from God, okay?
People will say I cannot afford to tithe, but the real statement is you cannot afford not to tithe
Because God will bless you tremendously speaking and and the blessing may not you know come
may not, oh, sorry my throat that has been bothering me
the last couple of days.
The blessing of God may not only come financially speaking,
but God may bless your job, right?
God can bless your family.
God can bless your vehicle so you don't have to spend
2000 bucks to like fix it, okay?
You can save your hospital bill.
God can keep you healthy, right?
So go to Proverbs chapter three.
Proverbs chapter number three.
So I think it boils down to do you believe the Bible, right?
Do you believe the promises of God? The Bible is the Bible is very clear
If you are truly tithing God will pull you out a blessing. Okay, so Proverbs chapter 3
Look at verse number 9
Proverbs chapter 3 verse 9 the Bible says
Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty and thy presses shall burst out with new wine
Okay, again, that's the principle of
That's the principle of you know giving back what belongs to God
That's the principle of honoring God with the first fruit
your increase and God will bless you with plenty, okay? So tithing is a command, okay?
So, but we, you know, hear this phrase, tithe and offering. So, like, tithe is a
command from God, tithing is the 10% of your increase, but offering is what
you give in addition to that 10%, okay? So, go forward to 1st Corinthians
So we technically don't give anything until we have paid God the 10% and just anything extra is a
Freewill offering, okay, and and the Bible actually mentions about the collection of tithes and offerings
In first 2016 look at verse number one
First 20 16 verse 1 the Bible says now concerning the collection for the saints as I have given
order to the churches of Galatia even so do ye upon the first day of the week that is Sunday
let every one of you lay by him in store as God had prospered him that there be no gathering when
Whosoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem,
and if it be meat that I go also, they shall go with me."
So, so here we have, here we see a case that
A love offering is given to the church that is in Jerusalem, okay?
So we have the church in Corinth taking up a love offering and when Paul comes,
he'll take that love offering and bring it to the church that is in Jerusalem.
So I believe in order for God to bless you financially speaking,
you first need to tithe out of obedience and faith.
Next that we need to be a cheerful giver. Okay, go to 2nd Corinthians chapter 9
2nd Corinthians chapter 9
This may sound a little bit counterintuitive, but
It is biblical
2nd Corinthians chapter 9
Look at verse number 6
2nd green chapter 9 verse number 6 the Bible says
But this I say he which so as sparingly shall reap also sparingly
But and he which so as bountifully shall reap also bountifully
Every man according as he purposes in his heart
So let him give not grudgingly or of necessity for God leveled a cheerful giver. Okay, so
giving is
One of the best ways
To do make sure that you will be blessed as well, right?
So again, it's counterintuitive. They may not seem logical, but it's biblical. Okay, because God's thoughts are not our thoughts
So if you struggle financially just like ask yourself, do I take do I tie faithfully?
Am I you know actually tied in 10% or just whatever I can find in my pocket?
Next question is am I a cheerful giver?
Am I a generous person?
Okay, so point number one,
I said the priority of giving.
That's the most important thing
that you can think about
if you are struggling financially.
So point number two,
I wanna talk about the plan of budgeting.
The plan of budgeting.
Okay, go to Luke chapter 16.
Luke chapter 16.
Now let's delve into some practical ways to be a good steward of your money in Luke 16 look at verse number 10
Luke 16 verse number 10
The Bible says he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much and he that is unjust
In the least is unjust also in much if therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous
mammon who will commit to your trust the true riches.
The word mammon means material possession, some people equating that with money.
I think you know you can't equate mammon with money but notice the Bible is saying that
that if you cannot even be faithful
in something as stupid as money,
why would God give you true riches, right?
Because money is stupid, money is unrighteous, right?
If you cannot even be faithful in that, which is least,
how can God give you more riches for you to take care of?
See, if God gives you a job that earns money,
he wants you to take care of it.
He wants you to use it wisely, right?
Because God gives you the job.
God gives you the skill to work that job, right?
So God gives you the money that you earn
and he wants you to take good care of it.
Because money is unrighteous, money is stupid, okay?
Money is the least of the possessions
that you can take care of.
Go to Proverbs 23.
Proverbs 23.
One of the best things that you can do is having a budget
Here's the reason look at Proverbs 23 verse number 4
Proverbs 23 verse number 4
The Bible says labor not to be rich sees from thine own wisdom
Without said thine eyes upon that which is not
So money is like, you know, so money doesn't seem to exist in the first place, right?
You're setting your eyes upon that which is not for riches certainly make themselves wings
They fly away as an eagle toward heaven
So the Bible is saying that money has a tendency to disappear
It will fly away, right?
Money gives you wings, rape will give you wings, you know?
Anyway, they fly away as an eagle toward heaven, okay?
So money has a tendency to just be gone.
That's why we need a budget, okay?
Because if you don't have a written budget, money will be gone, okay?
Go to Proverbs 21.
Proverbs 21.
Look at verse number 20.
Proverbs 21, verse number 20.
Lapo says there is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise
But the foolish men spend it up. Okay. I mean a foolish person
Does not have a budget. He just spends whatever, you know, he wants to
Whenever he sees some kind of sale, he just spends all of his money. Okay, so
I look up some of the stats, around 74 to 86 percent of the Americans, they report that
they budget regularly, however only 32 percent use formal tools like a written budget or
some software, while other people, they manage their finance informally.
If you think you can track everything you spent in your head
That's not possible because no even the Chinese can do that
It's way more than the Chinese math you're dealing with okay
52% to 62% of the Americans they live paycheck by paycheck
That that's pretty bad
Based on a bank rate study in 2025
24% of the Americans have no emergency savings.
46% just have enough to cover three month of living expense.
30% have some savings, but it's less than three months worth of living expense.
59% of all Americans don't have enough savings to cover an emergency cost of $1,000.
That's really, really bad because, let me just ask you this, that if your AC goes out,
if your car breaks down that needs a major fix that will cost $1,000, will you be struggling
If the answer is yes, you need a budget, because life happens, right?
If you lose your job tomorrow, how many months can you cover your expenses without borrowing from other people?
Because, again, things happen.
Do you know where every dollar of your paycheck went last month?
Do you have a written budget or do you just win it?
Do you know exactly how much debt you are carrying right now?
Credit cards, loans, cars, mortgage, you know, do you know exactly what type of loan debt you're carrying?
Do you pay a credit card in full every month or are you carrying balances with, you know, hefty interest?
Do you know how much you have saved for retirement right now?
we need to know the state of our flux okay know exactly what you have go to
Proverbs 27 Proverbs 27 look at verse 23 Proverbs 27 verse 23 that was as be
thou diligent to know the state of thy flux hey know what kind of possessions
and that the crown endured to every generation.
So we should know the state of our flocks,
know what we can afford, right?
To know exactly what we have.
Because we all have some unexpected costs hitting us, right?
Car breaks down, flat tire.
Even if you are trying to buy a house, you are, you know, ripped off by all the hidden, you know, hidden costs, you know, damages,
closing costs, and just like all these things.
Go to Luke chapter 14.
Luke chapter 14.
Look at verse 28. Luke 14 verse 28.
Luke 14 verse 28, the Bible says,
For which of you intending to build a tower?
Said it's not down first and cutting the cost whether he have sufficient to finish it
Less happily after he had laid the foundation and is not able to finish it
All that behold it began to mock him saying this man began to build and was not able to finish
This is important if you are trying to save to save up to buy a house, right?
They'll save up to buy a car and don't just save for the
for the actual cost of a car
If you're buying a used car, hey figure out something extra for some fixes, right?
Even if you are buying a new car, hey figure out the warranty figure out the insurance cost
Figure out, you know, the extra registration cost, right?
because you know some people they buy a house and they only save up the actual
down payment of the house but then you know they got ripped off through all
the inspection fees damages and just no 5% clothing cost you know just like
completely destroying your finances okay make sure you are counting all the
cost when you are trying to buy something okay for example you know some
people ask me what gun should I buy it
How much should I budget to buy a rifle, right?
But my thing is, yeah, I mean, the rifle might be cheap,
but you have to figure out the ammo.
You have to figure out some kind of scope.
You probably need the sling if you want to collect
aerial rifle.
You probably need the belt to carry the magazines.
So it's not just the rifle.
It's like everything goes along with it, right?
It's the supporting equipment.
Okay, so so the point is counting all the cost. Okay, so you're not hit by some emergency expense
So now let me just give you an overview of how I create the budget for my family.
Again, this is just an overview.
If you want me to help you to make your own budget, feel free to let me know after the service.
But if you have your own budget and if that works, great.
Okay, but I'm just going to share how I budget for myself.
Personally, I create my budget on a monthly basis.
You can do it weekly, bi-weekly, bi-annually if you want,
but I think monthly is a good medium.
So you can do whatever you want.
I also track every single expense.
Even if I'm just grabbing a snack from the gas station,
I will log that expense, okay?
I will track every single expense that I spend
because money has wings, right?
So step number one is to figure out how much money you earn per month or per week or like whatever you want to budget
You can take your annual expense and divide by 12, you know, just like depends on
How much you get paid if you are paid by by weekly maybe, you know times that by 26
And just divide by 12 to like reach your monthly budget
So step number one is to figure out how much money you earn
Some of you don't know how much money you actually earn
Step number two is pay God first set aside 10% of your of your income for
tithing right away figure out how much money you earn and pay God first okay
that's why the Bible says tithing is that we should give God the first fruits
right pay God first so step number one figure out how much money you earn step
figure out how much money you earn, pay God first,
and pay yourself next.
What do I mean by that?
Decide how much money you want to save right away.
Not save your leftover money every single month.
Think about that.
Most people, they just save up whatever is left
on a certain budgeting period
and just dump that money to the saving.
But the most effective way to save money
is to decide how much money you are saving ahead of time.
Does that make sense?
Pay God first, pay yourself next, okay?
So, we can even pick different savings buckets
if it's necessary.
For example, that you should have a saving bucket
just for the emergency fund, right?
Ideally, you know, three to six months
of your expenses, ideally.
You might need another bucket
to save up for some vacation fund, mission trip.
Recreational Fund
You can also have a bucket for personal savings for some big purchases like you know a house a vehicle
you know saving up for the down payments, so
You can either track those things on a spreadsheet or you can have multiple saving account just to divert different like buckets
Okay, I do like recommend you
diversify your savings account into like different accounts just to prevent maybe a saving maybe a bank is like shutting it down
You're like losing everything
Okay. I've had that happen to me. So I think it may be better to put your savings, like,
put your, like, emergency fund into an account that's easier to be transferred out of. Because
some bank, they will take a week for you to transfer the funds to your actual checking account,
but some savings account, it'll only take a day, maybe like two days, okay?
So maybe put your vacation fund in some savings account
that may take a while to be transferred out of.
But especially concerning the emergency fund,
just put it in a high yield interest savings account that's
easy to be transferred out of.
Because if you need it, you need it right away.
So step number one, figure out how much money you earn.
Set number two, pay God first.
Set number three, pay yourself next.
Set number four, list your fixed spendings.
These are the spendings that's the same amount
every single month.
For example, your rent or your mortgage.
By the way, if you are paying for a mortgage,
pay extra in principle every single month.
Even $50 extra every month can go a long way.
You can save thousands in the interest cost, okay?
Dump money in the principal every month even like $10 a month will go a long way, okay?
so
You may have car payments list list those fixed spending out
Insurances health insurance life insurance anything you carry phone bills, you know list out of spending
fixed spending monthly subscriptions
Take a look at that
Take a look at your monthly
Subscriptions because people some people pay hundreds of dollars for some, you know
Netflix Hulu or like whatever, you know, they just spend a lot of money
So yeah, just list out your fixed spending. Okay?
So step number one figure out how much money you earn
Step number two pay God first step number three
Pay yourself next, diversify your spending, diversify your savings, if it's applicable.
And step number four, list your fixed endings, okay?
So step number five.
Now you want to budget your variable spendings such as your gas, you know natural gas bills
utilities
You know diapers groceries eating out and some fun money. Okay, these are the variable costs because they vary every single month
You should budget and depends on the month and seasons
For example, if it's in July, you may want to budget more on your like on your like electric bill if you're around AC
Right, maybe in December you can lower that budget. Maybe like increase your natural gas bill
That makes sense so so you're like variable spending should be varied per month and seasons
Okay, December you may want more money on the phone money to buy those gifts, right?
But like January you want to lower the phone money. So again very
variable per month, okay, so
Personally, I use a free app on my phone called every dollar
By like Dave Red by like Dave Ramsey again. I'm not you know
He's like anyway, but the app is good. The app is pretty good. Okay, brother Brad can preach a 10-part sermon on that
So it's an app called every dollar on my phone to track every single every single expense
Every time I spend money, I just log it and put it in the bucket that I have set
So at the beginning of each month, I would allocate certain found
to each variable category on the app.
So this is kind of like a cache envelope system,
but no digitally, okay?
So,
But if you are struggling financially a lot,
I do recommend some kind of cash available system.
You can track it on the spreadsheet,
or you can use actual cash, okay?
So, and then at the end of the month,
I would like log every single thing
for the previous month to a spreadsheet
so I can see all the chart and the data and the graph, okay?
I'm Chinese.
So...
That's helpful because maybe like this July, I spend 100 bucks, you know, on gas.
That will help me budget for next July.
Meaning for next month, right?
Because the month usually, you know, the bill usually stays around the same.
So it will help you develop, it will help you develop better like budget
if you are logging everything, tracking everything, okay?
Again, any questions about budgeting, feel free to let me know after the service.
So as a point number one, the priority of giving point number two, the plan of budgeting,
point number three, the perks of credit cards.
The perks of credit cards.
People who get free lounge access at the airport and people who stay at fancy hotels for free like me
I'm not rich, but I do partake of free stuff. Okay, so so lastly point number three. I want to talk about the credit card game
Because you know everything should be on the table when concerning biblical preaching right because different credit cards give you different points and different benefits
Okay
Some cards offer cash back, you know free hotel nights extra warranty on your purchases
trip cancellation insurance rental car insurance for free
Way better fraud protection than using debit card or cash
Here's the reason why because when you're using credit card, you are using the bank smart and you are using the bank's money
So it's so if so if you have a fraud they are more that they are more likely to give the money back to you
Versus using a debit card. Okay, so you actually have a way better fraud fraud protection
Even if you are just
Redeeming the points for just basic cash back say you spend two thousand dollars a month
I think it's okay, reasonable, depends on if you put your rent in, you know, there.
If you spend $2,000 a month on a credit card, that's $24,000 a year, $24,000 a year.
So if the card offers a 2% cash back, that's $480 extra in your pocket.
basic math right
Now now if you convert that to some travel point you can pretty much double the value
That can be a free round trip fly for a mission trip or a hotel stay for a family vacation
Think about that
So if you redeem through some travel portals, you can potentially get way more value from the simple cashback, okay?
So my honest opinion is if you can use a credit card, then don't use a debit card for any reason
Here's why because 99% of the debit card do not give you any money back
The next reason and the most important reason is almost every purchase that you make already has the credit card
Processing fee baked into it
Whether whether you use a whether you use your credit card debit card or even cash because merchants. They pay two to three percent
in
in the processing fee unlike every single purchase, right and and since most people they use a card
merchants simply build that cost
in the cost of the item
So if you are paying by cash, you are paying for the processing fee anyway, so why don't you just use a credit card while getting
points
Make sense?
So, go to Proverbs 22.
Proverbs chapter 22.
But here's the number one rule
when using credit cards, okay?
Use them as cash.
Use them as debit cards.
Never carry a balance where you pay interest, okay?
You know?
Let a credit card statement close so you can show the bank that you are using it, but I pay it off and don't pay any interest, okay?
Because if you are using the money that you don't have, that's being stupid, okay?
Use your credit card as a debit card, okay?
Proverbs 22 verse number seven the Bible says the rich ruled over the poor and the borrower is serving to the lender and
most credit card
The average APR is 21%
That you know, that's crazy. Don't carry any credit card interest
That's ridiculous. Okay
Because a proper use of credit card can build your credit score really really fast, you know
for example, I keep
I go from no credit to like you know to like you know 800 in like two years
because I play the credit card game I keep my usage rate really really low
because you know that's the perk of having you know several credit cards so
you have more like limit so if you spend a hundred bucks in a $10,000 limit you
That's what boosts your credit score, right?
The less you use, the more credit score that will show.
So I might post some of the videos on the credit card on the WhatsApp group
Just so you guys can learn more about it because I don't have time to delve too much into it
So I will post some of the you know nice like resources about how to get credit cards and what credit cards to get
You know, I will post a link on the church group. So
But let me just give you some basic steps so you can get into the credit card games
number one get a starter card okay but this is only for people who have low
score or or just no credit these are the secure cards student cards or just
basic cash back cards those are they those are starter cards okay maybe we
have a reasonable credit already then just get some basic basic credit cards
with no annual fees
Because some cars only give you cash back usually one to one to two percent
Other cards may give you more percent back on grocery
Dining, you know gas and so on right, you know
You can find those free credit cards that give you five percent on gas five percent back on grocery
Just just like use use those benefits. Okay, get some basic cards with no annual fees. Personally, I do
recommend the Chase ecosystem because it's pretty, you know, I mean the interface is pretty nice,
it's pretty user-friendly. Unless you are a high-spender, then maybe American Express ecosystem
may be better for you. Capital One also have a good ecosystem. And the reason to stay with
one ecosystem at first is that you can pull different points.
For example, I have probably five, six chase credit cards.
I have 10 total, but I have five chase credit card.
I can pull different points from different cards
to one card if I want to book a one-week vacation.
Makes sense?
I can pull the points from the grocery card,
from all the other cards to a travel card
to get more points.
That's why it's good to stay with an ecosystem, right?
That's why I will not switch to Android.
Because I have MacBook, iPad, iPhone.
It's a great ecosystem, OK?
Amen?
Oh, I'll lose half the people here.
Don't worry, Pastor Thompson hates Apple.
He loves Android, OK, so anyway.
All right, where am I at?
Okay, ecosystem. Okay, so so I have the chase freedom unlimited this car gave me 5% back on travel if
It's if it's booked through chase travel portal 3% back on dining 3% on drugstore
Medicines and just 1.5% on all other purchases. Okay, that's my that's my everyday card
1.5% back on everything else, 3% on dining,
and then the Chase Freedom Flex card that I have
gives 5% back on a quarterly rotating category.
For example, the first quarter,
it may give you 5% back on grocery,
second quarter of the year is 5% back on dining,
gas stations, so on and so forth.
So, and almost every single card in this category
has signed up bonuses.
For example, if you get a new credit card, if you spend $500 in the first 3 months, it
will give you a Santa bonus of $200.
Makes sense?
If you just get a new card, usually they will give you free money.
If you spend a certain amount of money, okay? Again free money get it, okay?
So step number one get starter cards set number two get some basic cards with no annual fees
With no annual fees set number three get some premium cards, okay?
Because some cards have annual fees it can range from 95 bucks to maybe a thousand dollars a year, okay?
You may think that's crazy to pay like a seven hundred bucks on an annual fee on one card
But many times it's actually worth the money if you can get that money back in benefits and perks, okay?
For example, I have a hired credit card and they marry a credit card
Both cards have a $95 annual fee. Okay, so I paid 95 bucks a year
But I get one free night every single year and a free night
Is usually over 200 bucks because we're talking about hide fancy hotels
Okay, so if I at least spend one night at a hotel in a year that card is worth it
Makes sense. So if I pay 95 bucks in a year, I get at least one free night
And if you've been to Hyde hotel that usually is 200 like 200 other parts plus, okay
So so that so that they're basically paying me for like keeping the card
Plus, you know, I spend way more than one night at a hotel in a year. Okay?
I also have a Capital One Venture X card where I pay $3.95 in annual fee.
You might think that's crazy, but even if I use zero benefits from that card, the card
gives me $300 of $300 bucks of travel credit every single year plus $100 worth of points.
That means even if I don't use the perks at all, they are paying me $5 every year just
Think about it. I'm paying 395 a year, but it gave me 400 bucks worth of value even if I'm not using anything else
Plus the car gave me long access free food at the airport. Okay, so again wait wait your options
Don't don't don't let the annual fee turn you away
Make sure the person can like covered can like cover your cost plus you can make more money from it
Okay, and some store cars can have some good good like benefits as well
I also have the Amazon Prime credit card. It's basically a free card if you if you have Amazon Prime
That call that call will give you 5% back on all Amazon purchases
I shop on I shop on Amazon Amazon a lot. So, you know 5% adds up, you know, very very quickly
Okay, the Apple card is also pretty cool. It's it's like made of titanium and and you know, that's the only reason I get it
You know, I'm like I'm like collecting credit cards. I have like 10 maybe 12 or something like that
You know
But I use them as a debit card and I you know pay everything off. That's why I get all the points
That's why you see me posting pictures of me, you know staying at fancy hotels
Not because I'm a prosperity preacher because I play the credit card game, okay?
Yeah, you know every time we go on vacation we stay out like you know
We find the best hotel to like, you know to redeem all the points when you know my wife and I went to went on a honeymoon
All five nights of the resort is paid for with credit card points.
The resort has five water parks, one private island.
It's a fancy place.
All paid for by credit card points for free.
So play the credit card game, please,
to have financial success.
Point number one I said the priority of giving point number two the plan of
budgeting and point number three the perks of credit cards so it's my hope
that everyone here who comes to this church is financially stable so if I
have any questions about the topics you know mentioned in the sermon feel
feel free to ask me because I want you guys to succeed okay obviously you know
Let God bless you, but you should be financially stable, right?
So you can serve God even better
That's close with a what a prayer. Thank you all for this
Dave well, I pray that everyone here will be a good stored of the finance
Well, I pray that everyone here will be financially stable so they can you know to serve you more so they can be on more
Missing trips they can travel more to preach the gospel and I pray this in Jesus name amen
man let's stick our song books and go to number 100 day by day number 100 day by day
let's all stand for this last song if we would
and uh we're gonna sing this song acapella and um
You know, there's a song that ties with the sermon because God provides for us day by day. So
Let's sing it a cappella on the first day by day
And with each passing
Moment
Strength I find to meet my trials here
Trusting in my father's wise bestow
Man, I've no car
for worry oh for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each
day what he deems best. Lovingly it's part of pain and pleasure mingling tall
Every day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour
All my cares He feigned would bear and cheer me
He whose name is counselor in power
The protection of his child and treasure is a charge that on himself he laid.
As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure, this the pledge.
On the third, help me then in every tribulation,
so to trust thy promises, O Lord,
that I lose not faith, sweet consolation,
offered me within thy holy word.
Help me, Lord.
Lord went all in trouble meeting
Here to take as from a father's hand
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting