The key steps to building your dream are to pay God, pay
yourself and then pay your bills.
Pay God
Quite a few of us learned to pay our bills, then pay our bills and
then pay some more bills, because those providing our example
lived above their means. I pay God between 15% and 25% of my
gross income each year, and through my example, I teach others to
do the same.
As I studied the Holy Scriptures on this matter, I noticed that the
children of Israel paid upwards of 50% of their gross yearly income,
even though God commanded them to give a tenth. I also discovered
that when God wanted more resources for His purposes, He hosted a
feast. Each feast required an offering that God set for a specific purpose.
Make sure that your church, mosque, temple or tabernacle has
a vision for increase and abundance. Make sure your pastor, cleric,
rabbi or teacher challenges you to give beyond your comfort zone.
“And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will
surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt
offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth
cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor
and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”
(2nd Samuel 24:24)
King David understood the importance of giving to God. He
would not offer anything to the Lord that was meaningless to him.
Let me break it down for you – those trinity ($3) offerings you have
been giving to the Lord will not involve Him in your dream. You
may dream about a big flat screen television, and you are willing to
pay thousands of dollars for one. You may dream of a fine automobile
and will pay handsomely for it. Your home may have the finest
furnishings and artwork you dreamed of as a kid. (If it does not,
you should be working toward that vision.) The point is, we are all
willing to pay what it takes to get the things we desire, but along the
way, we forget the One who brought us to the dance. God wants to
fund your dream, but He wants His purpose taken care of first.
When I first taught this many years ago, a number of people
were offended by my understanding of God. He is about Him –
self first. He sent His only begotten Son because he wanted
more children to serve Him. He showed Moses His great Glory
(wealth) and then asked for an of fering. (The word glory in this
text means wealth.)
Devin Oten
DO Enterprises
www.DevinOten.com
Writer, Public Speaker and Philanthropist
February 26, 2013