Shows
Godliness with ContentmentPlease Forgive Me, I Don't UnderstandIn the Bible, many individuals are called by God, but often resist His call, as exemplified by Gideon from the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon regarded himself as the least among his clan, reflecting a profound sense of inadequacy in the face of Israel's current situation, which stemmed from disobedience to God and the worship of foreign gods. Despite his self-perception as the weakest man in Israel, God recognized him as a mighty warrior. This episode highlights the contrast between human self-view vs God's perspective, and allows us to ask questions about our own calling and resistance to God’s pu...2025-07-2118 minGodliness with ContentmentEmbrace The Journey Of The MiddleIn the biblical narrative of Joseph found in Genesis, we observe a profound journey of struggle and faith. Joseph, favored by his father Jacob, faced intense hatred from his brothers after sharing dreams that foretold his future prominence. Their animosity led them to sell him into slavery. Despite enduring false accusations and imprisonment in Egypt, Joseph remained steadfast in his faith and integrity. His eventual rise to power enabled him to save his family during a famine, highlighting that the struggles in the middle of our journeys are crucial for growth and reliance on God. This account serves as...2025-06-2408 minGodliness with ContentmentIf Not Now, Then When?The text for this episode comes from the account of Elisha and Naaman and Gehazi from 2 Kings 5. After deceiving Naaman to get what he wanted, Gehazi was posed with a question from Elisha the prophet - 'Is this the time...?' It wasn't. It is never the time to deceive and lie to get what we want. It is never the time to say we will help the poor and needy when our plan is to get for ourselves.
Check out the website: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
2025-06-0215 minGodliness with ContentmentWhere Would You Rather Be?The truth is - some believers can feel dissatisfied despite being in God's kingdom, yearning for unmet desires such as relationships or material possessions. True contentment is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, and is of great value.
Psalm 84, illustrates the joy of serving God, emphasizing that the psalmist's affection lies not in the temple itself but in God's enduring presence. As believers traverse through challenges, their reliance on God leads to transformation from sorrow to joy. Emphasizing the importance of seeking God's favor, the psalmist prefers a humble position in God's house to worldly luxury. Moreover...2025-05-2013 minGodliness with ContentmentWork with Dignity, Joy, and GratitudeThis episode is drawn from Matthew 20:1-6. Jesus tells a parable about a land owner who agrees to pay a denarius to the very first workers presumably at 6am. To the others throughout the day, no agreement was made to a specific amount, but 'whatever is right'.
A full days labor was about 12 hours.
The land owner goes out at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 11th hour and finds men in the marketplace in need of work. About the 3rd hour he goes out and finds some in the marketplace doing nothing. He gives them dign...2025-05-0311 minGodliness with ContentmentYes, Stupid is in the Bible!Yes, the word "stupid" does appear in some English translations of the Bible. The use of the word depends on the version of the Bible you're reading. For example, in my NIV, it showed up five times either as "stupid" or "stupidly". Sometimes, we see down right stupid stuff in the world. Stupid is a valid word. But then, there is wickedness that transcends stupidity. Know when to call stupid, stupid and wickedness, wicked.
Connect with Keyno on Instagram @godlinesswcontentment
Check out the website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
2025-04-1110 minGodliness with ContentmentBe Thankful For What You've GotThe essence of gratitude and the seriousness of coveting is captured in the context of the 10th commandment from Exodus 20:17, which warns against desiring what belongs to others. The term "covet" indicates an inordinate longing for another's possessions or relationships, which is in itself sin and can lead one to other sins, like theft or adultery. This inner desire may remain hidden, acknowledged only by the individual, yet it signifies a lack of appreciation for one's own blessings from God. To cultivate gratitude for what one has is crucial to avoiding the pitfalls of covetousness. Ultimately, it is emphasized...2025-03-2011 minGodliness with ContentmentUnlock the Miracles with Obedience!In a recent Sunday sermon, a friend of mine reflected on the narrative of Elijah from 1 Kings 17, highlighting his confrontation with King Ahab regarding the stopping of rain for a few years until God said so due to the Israelites' idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal. Baal, often regarded as a weather deity, was rendered powerless by Elijah's proclamation, which stemmed from God’s authority. Following this declaration, Elijah was instructed by God to retreat to the Kerith ravine, where divine provision awaited him in the form of ravens delivering food and a brook supplying water. The text emphasizes El...2025-03-0314 minGodliness with ContentmentKnow who you are, know who you are notIn order to lead a fulfilling life, it is essential to maintain both a to-do list and a to-don't list. Understanding one’s identity entails recognizing not only who one is but also who one is not. The example of John the Baptist illustrates this point; he clearly identified his purpose as a forerunner to the Messiah while firmly declaring that he was not the Messiah himself. This self-awareness prevents the wastage of time and energy on false aspirations. In a world dominated by social media portrayals, it is critical to discern reality from illusion and to avoid adopting as...2025-02-1812 minGodliness with ContentmentMaster The Long Game,TodayIn episode 101 of "Godliness with Contentment," Keyno discusses the importance of patience and faith, using the story of Abraham as an example of unwavering belief in God's promises despite seemingly impossible circumstances. Keyno urges listeners to develop a long-term mindset and reliance on God, encouraging them to remain steadfast even in the face of challenges. He advises against expecting rapid results, instead suggesting that one's goals should be firmly established in faith, unaffected by short-term struggles.
Connect with Keyno on Instagram @godlinesswcontentment
Check out the website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
2025-01-2208 minGodliness with ContentmentNew Year Is Here, Now What?This episode of "Godliness with Contentment," hosted by Keyno Hanna, celebrates its milestone of 100 episodes, focusing on biblical teachings related to money, wealth, and practical living. The central message draws from Isaiah 43:16-21, where God announces His intention to bring about a new and greater deliverance than that of the Exodus. This prophecy not only pertains to the return from Babylon but signifies a broader gathering of God's people from the ends of the earth into His kingdom. The host encourages listeners to embrace the future with faith, urging them not to dwell on past achievements but to look...2025-01-0313 minGodliness with ContentmentFind Your Calm This ChristmasLuke 2:8-14 recounts the night of Jesus' birth, highlighting the shepherds who received the angelic announcement of this momentous event. The angels proclaimed joy for all mankind, emphasizing that Jesus is the Savior, the promised Messiah, and Lord. This episode encourages reflection on the significance of Jesus in one's life, urging individuals to prioritize biblical teachings over worldly distractions, particularly during the commercialized celebration of Christmas. The narrative stresses that true peace from God is available to those who align with His will, contrasting this peace with the discontent experienced by those who reject it. Jesus' assurance of peace...2024-12-2212 minGodliness with ContentmentGuess What? We crushed all of our debts!In this episode, I celebrate becoming debt-free after paying off our (my wife and I) mortgage, which I attribute to divine blessings. Proverbs 22:7 illustrates the weight of debt and the opposite subsequent liberation experienced upon its removal. There are now newfound options in our professional lives coming out of being free from debt. I reflect on five years of financial education and personal growth. I also open my time up for any in need of assistance.
Connect with Keyno on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godlinesswcontentment/
Check out the new website here: https://godlinesswithcontentment.com
2024-12-0207 minGodliness with ContentmentReports Of My Downfall Are Wildly OverstatedI want to clear up any rumors that I’ve quit—I'm still here, just taking a moment to reflect on my journey. Recently, I’ve been thinking about how to create content that I can stick with consistently, even though I've been doing it weekly for nearly two years. A few weeks ago, I went to a financial conference in Atlanta, which had a different vibe for me this time. I'm trying to find my direction by keeping busy and exploring opportunities, instead of just waiting for a sign. It was really eye-opening when I ran into someone from m...2024-11-1907 minGodliness with ContentmentHave you made the wrong thing the main thing?The Scriptures I focus on in this episode are found in Matthew 13:22 and Colossians 3:2. Jesus in the parable of the Sower speaks about the thorns as the cares of this life and the riches and pleasures and describes them as the deceitfulness of wealth. Paul wrote to the Colossians that they set their minds on things above, not on earthly things.
We have the ability to focus on God or on something else, but not both at the same time. One of the biggest challenges for us is being sucked in by the deceitfulness of wealth.
2024-10-1413 minGodliness with ContentmentTo Give or Not? Find Out!To give or not to give, that is the question. Around us in our cities and places where we live, in fact wherever we go, there are needs. We are faced almost daily with the question of whether or not to give. We get some help I believe from what we see in Acts 3:1-10. Peter and John did not have money, but had the gift of healing from the Holy Spirit.
We are to give from what we have. We cannot give from what we don't have.
Connect with Keyno on Instagram: https://www...2024-09-2808 minGodliness with ContentmentAct Now: Procrastination Costs You!Les Brown has a quote about potential: “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.”
We look at the parable of the talents (bags of gold) in Matthew 25 and focus on the servant who was g...2024-09-1611 minGodliness with ContentmentStop Believing 'Can't': Start Doing!This episode came to life because of what I am calling 'the garage opener incident'. But more about that in the actual recording.
In Numbers 11:23, I find one of my favorite passages in the whole Bible. Here, God tells Moses, in a summarized version, that nothing is impossible for God, and that God would show Moses that God could do anything.
There are times when we hit a task that is too great for us or so we think. We know the Scriptures....nothing is impossible for God, yet we can forget this crucial fact...2024-09-0711 minGodliness with ContentmentGo to the land God shows youIn Genesis 12, we find Abram with a call on his life from God. God called Abram and told Abram what to do and where to go...well not quite. Abram was to leave his father's house and go to a place God would show him. Along with this call, God told Abram that He would bless him. Then we see in vs 4 that Abram left as God told him.
What was missing? God did not tell Abram where to go, just to go. God would show him later.
Is your faith like this? Abram believed...2024-08-2511 minGodliness with Contentment4 things to do with worldy wealthWe plan for retirement but our life does not come to an end there.... We go into eternity, so we have to plan for eternity.
Plan for your future! Heaven, not hell.
Don’t miss the point! Eternity awaits. We cannot take worldly wealth with us, but rewards await us based on how we lived on earth.
As an example Proverbs 19:17 'Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.'
God has an amazing accounting system!
But w...2024-08-1410 minGodliness with ContentmentThe RockIn Matthew 7:24-27 we find that the rock to build on is the words of Jesus.
We are to build our houses on the Rock i.e. on Jesus' words. To go a little further, practically, we need to live our lives based on Jesus in order to win despite the storms of life. Storms will come, the winds will blow and beat against our house, but when we have Jesus as our foundation, our house will withstand the storms. As simple as it gets.
What kind of storms are you facing right now? Maybe...2024-08-0114 minGodliness with ContentmentSmall AxeSo, I love the music of Bob Marley - most of his songs. One of them is called 'Small Axe' and actually uses the first part Proverbs 26:27 in the song. 'Whosoever diggeth a pit shall fall in it…'.
I cannot recall why this was on my mind the other day, but the concept of a small axe is huge. A small axe can fell a big tree.
Yes, It will take a long time, but, it will happen once the person swinging the axe continues and does not stop until the tree falls. In fa...2024-07-2113 minGodliness with ContentmentWhat are you looking for?In Genesis 15:1-6 we find God telling Abram (later Abraham) that God is Abram's protector and reward. Mind blowing right? Is God enough for you? Abram was at a place where he had no children but wanted them badly. So even though God says what he said, Abram was thinking - give me children. God takes Abram outside and shows him the stars in the sky. Abram's offspring would be like that i.e. not able to be numbered.
God knew what Abram wanted as he knows what we want. Yet, our main objective in a relationship...2024-07-0713 minGodliness with ContentmentOpen DoorIn Acts 16:6-10, Paul and Silas and company travel through Galatia and Phrygia having been kept from preaching in the Roman province of Asia (In Asia were places like Colossae, Ephesus, Thyatira, and others) by the Holy Spirit. They come to the border of another place Bithynia and are denied entry by the Spirit here described as the Spirit of Jesus. There being no difference between the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus. So they go to another place (to catch themselves) and while there, Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia begging him to come...2024-06-2808 minGodliness with ContentmentWould you know a miracle if you saw one?Sometimes, God does amazing things in our lives and we think oh, that was a coincidence or it just happened. Amazing I said, not just everyday stuff. If it is a miracle then it is God's hand moving.
So we need to recognize the miracle and we will see God moving.
Then we need to give glory to God. The only way this happened was because God did it. When God does a miracle in our lives, we need to recognize that it is Him, then give him the glory. We did not do it. It did...2024-06-2106 minGodliness with ContentmentWhat Happens In Vegas...What indeed? I returned from Las Vegas on Friday after a few days at Cisco Live! That was my 2nd time in Vegas, and both times were with my wife Pam. So, unfortunately for you who may be looking for stories, I don't have any spicy ones to tell.
But what happens there? Gambling, and plenty of it. When you get off the plane at the airport, the first thing you see are slot machines. Each hotel has their own share of slots and tables etc..
One thing I noticed was that the room rates were really l...2024-06-1208 minGodliness with ContentmentBring On The RainOver the past few weeks I was reintroduced to JoDee Messina a country artist with an amazing voice. I used to listen to her back in the 90s …..and 90s country music is a real thing. She has a song called "Bring On The Rain". I have not heard it for years until recently, now it's in my head. Bad song! In it she says stuff like "I'm not gonna let it get me down, I'm not gonna cry and I'm not gonna lose any sleep, tonight. Tomorrow's another day, and I'm thirsty anyway, so bring on the rain."...2024-05-2709 minGodliness with ContentmentWisdom v Folly and taking personal responsibilityIn this episode, we are reminded from the Scriptures that there are consequences to our every decision. Proverbs 9 shows us two invitations - one from Wisdom and the other from Folly. Both call out to us. The question is - which invite will you accept? I the midst of this chapter is vs 12 that says that there is a reward from Wisdom and suffering for the mocker. We get consequences from our decisions but so do our spouses and children. We need to think before we act, bearing in mind that each action brings a reaction.
2024-05-1912 minGodliness with ContentmentRise Up!In this episode, I remind us that we are gonna have tough times in life. We will fall from time to time, yet those who trust in God have Him there to deliver us. Proverbs 24:16 tells that though a righteous man/woman fall seven times, they get up. Indeed, God gives us the strength to get up. Even when we are up, He gives us the strength to be up. I encourage you - don't stay down long. Rise up!
Connect with Keyno on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godlinesswcontentment/
2024-05-1310 minGodliness with ContentmentThe little manIn this episode, I call out the disrespect that people who have money can at times display towards the rest of us. I was reminded of this recently when a basketball player in the NBA decided to throw a ball at fans, then neglected to give an interview because the reporter did not subscribe to his podcast. We are to give respect whether people are with money or without. We are to give respect because they are human beings.
Connect with Keyno on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godlinesswcontentment/
2024-05-0509 minGodliness with ContentmentDavid can still beat GoliathIn this episode, we are reminded that David can still beat Goliath. I was reminded a few nights ago as I watched my undermanned Miami Heat beat the juggernaut called the Boston Celtics. Jimmy Butler was out, Terry Rozier was out, and we beat the giant hitting 23 3-pointers along the way. This is why sports is so loved. It shows us what can be in real life. What are the giants in your life? Do you believe that you can slay them? With God, you can.
Connect with Keyno on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godlinesswcontentment/
2024-04-2706 minGodliness with ContentmentDeceptionIn this episode, we investigate what Jesus calls the deceitfulness of wealth when he explains the parable of the Sower. What we have in our minds and hearts about money can deceive us. When we trust in money, we believe that when we have it that all of our problems will vanish - not true. I believe that time, love and health are all higher on the priority scale than money. The Bible teaches us how to view money God's way i.e. the right way.
Connect with Keyno on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godlinesswcontentment/
2024-04-1909 minGodliness with ContentmentAge ain't nothin' but a numberIn this episode, I tackle the mindset of the late starter who believes it is too late. That somehow because we are starting late that we can never reach our goals. It is only in our mind. I say our, because I was there only five years ago. I am a late starter. But I am in good company. Colonel Harland Sanders at 62 started franchising the chicken business. Moses (from the Bible) at age 80 spoke to Pharoah to let God's people go. They did not allow age to stop them. Don't allow age to stop you. Go after your...2024-04-1311 minGodliness with ContentmentShare your 'lil bitIn this episode we are reminded that God is there when we have a 'lil bit, supplying us with what we need so that we can also help others. We take a look at this situation in the Old Testament - 1 Kings 17 with Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. God worked miraculously so that with the little she had, it would stretch to take care of her and her family as well as Elijah. She was tempted with taking care of only her and her family but God had an amazing plan to bless her and feed Elijah all...2024-04-0711 minGodliness with ContentmentWhen all else failsIn this episode we are reminded that God is there when all else fails. We take a look at a dire situation in the Old Testament - 2 Kings 4 and how God worked in an amazing way. We learn a few things:
-we always have something that God can bless
-God always has a plan
-keep doing what God tells you until you cannot do it anymore.
Connect with Keyno on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godlinesswcontentment/
2024-03-3112 minGodliness with ContentmentThirsty?In this episode I talk about the fact that we can be thirsty for basically two types of things i.e. spiritual or physical. God gives an invitation to the thirsty in Isaiah 55:1-3. Those who accept the invitation get water, milk and wine at no cost. They are encouraged to buy without money. Why? There are some things money cannot buy. Here, the things are spiritual. But that brings up a bigger question for us - what are we thirsty for?
Connect with Keyno on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godlinesswcontentment/
2024-03-2110 minGodliness with ContentmentEarned Wage AccessToday we talk about Earned Wage Access.
So full disclosure, I just came across this topic this week. We currently don’t have this service in the Bahamas, but from what I see, it is becoming a hot topic in the United States.
So what is EWA? It is a financial service that allows workers to access their earned wages before their payday.
Initially, it sounded like payday lenders, but it isn't.
As with most everything, there are pros and cons. Please read up on it before agreeing to it.
...2024-03-1514 minGodliness with ContentmentBeware Lifestyle CreepEpisode #73. I guide you through the essential aspects of lifestyle creep, and how to avoid it.
Key points:
-remind yourself often about your goals (spending without restraint won't get you there anytime soon)
-make a budget and live by it (the budget will give you permission to spend the money in the way it was planned)
-set up automatic savings methods. E.g. if you know you are getting a raise, increase your automatic savings deduction so that it goes straight to your savings vehicle and you never see it. I talk about t...2024-03-0805 minGodliness with ContentmentTime vs MoneyIf you had the choice between 1 million hours and 1 million dollars which would you choose? I would choose $1,000,000 and in the episode I tell you why. But don't shoot me until you have listened. To make matters worse, I give three reasons why time is greater than money:
-We could have all the money in the world and yet when our time is up on this earth we have to go. No amount of money can change that. When God calls that is it.
-money cannot buy more time (when your time is up), but...2024-02-2813 minGodliness with ContentmentToo Smart For Your Own Good?Sometimes, we can be too smart for our own good. We can over analyze things. We can be stuck in the Paralysis of analysis. We can be frozen by the Fear that keeps us from doing anything. Or even the Fear of change. Sometimes the mere weight of major decisions keep us from doing anything.
Then what? Stuck, cannot move…
Just start. Episode 2 of Godliness With Contentment was called 'Go small or go home'. I know that sounds strange. You have probably heard 'go big or go home'. But I believe that for some of us we...2024-02-2207 minGodliness with ContentmentDon't be a slackerProverbs 26:13-16 "A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!” As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly."
Proverbs 26 speaks to the fool, the sluggard and the gossip. What a triple play!
But today we talk about the sluggard.
Solomon writes that the sluggard i.e. the la...2024-02-1508 minGodliness with ContentmentEating Healthy Ain't CheapI went to the food store here on my island to buy some vegetables. I bought a cauliflower, two types of squash (butternut and spaghetti), a yam and some colorful bell peppers.
Don't scream but my total came to $32!
The big shock of all was that the head of cauliflower was around $14!
What I have done to deserve this?
So what should we do eat healthier or eat cheaper? New Year says eat healthier. My pocket says eat cheaper.
There is a balance to be found.
The...2024-02-0808 minGodliness with ContentmentDon't give up on your New Year's ResolutionHow are your New Year's resolutions going so far?
In an article by Forbes Health, it stated that - If you find yourself in the camp of setting lofty goals for the new year only to find yourself falling off the wagon just months (or weeks) later, rest assured that you’re not alone. In fact, failing at New Year’s resolutions is so common that there’s even a slew of (unofficial) dates commemorating such failures—some sources cite “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” as January 17 while others denote the second Friday in January as “Quitter’s Day.”2024-02-0111 minGodliness with ContentmentWhat about me?Don't look around and say what about me. Focus on your blessings not on other people's blessings. It is easy to look around and find people who have more....or look like they have more. Stop wasting time and stressing yourself out!
You can get the desires of your heart if they are in line with God's desires for you. Say what? Yes, focus on what is most important. Go after what God would want you to have, put them before him in prayer and you will get them. I am straying here, but e.g. wisdom...2024-01-2508 minGodliness with ContentmentWe've been here beforeWatch out for being the dreamer. You have come up with 100 business ideas but have never pull it off. Perhaps you say that you just didn't have the capital. But there are ways to start a business with little capital. For the 100 ideas, maybe there have been 1000 excuses why it did not work; why it won't work. Mere talk leads you to poverty. Don’t be a talker only, put in the work to make it happen.
When you scan through the pages of the Bible, you find Scriptures like Proverbs 14:23 that tells us that hard work br...2024-01-1714 minGodliness with ContentmentPlaying with house money - nothing to loseFirst off, this has nothing to do with gambling. This is coming from me - joyfully expressing how I feel after God's continuous blessings brought me to another birthday....a big one.
For those who don't know, my name is Keyno Hanna, and this is 'Godliness with Contentment'. Most times I talk about the Bible and money. Today there is no money, just Bible and God's grace.
Happy New Year!
2024-01-1114 minGodliness with ContentmentRecognize and avoid dream killersWe are now squarely in the first days of 2024.
This is typically when we go to the gym and start eating better and do whatever our resolutions are…well at least we start. The trouble is, most of us don’t continue. If we reach February 1st this is a big accomplishment since we normally stop a week or two before that from history.
But if you don’t go after and obtain your dreams in 2024, then when? Ok, they may take longer than 2024 for the dreams to be a reality, but if we stop going...2024-01-0311 minGodliness with ContentmentCleaning in ProgressGoing into 2024 (if we make it) I want to challenge you and me to take the signs down. Go after a clean slate and write on it whatever you believe God is telling you to write. In Isaiah 43:18-19, God promises to do a new thing here even greater than the Exodus. Wow! He says forget the past; don’t dwell on it for he is going to do a new thing even greater than the Exodus. We like to talk old stories and look back... Do you believe that God is going to do greater things in the futur...2023-12-2807 minGodliness with ContentmentJingle all the way!So there are many things we need to teach our children so that when they are old they don’t stray from it. One I will teach them is to stay away from Christmas debt. Christmas debt is crazy! Next Christmas you will still be paying this one off and the bank will send you a new email with a new loan promotion. They sell it as a loan - i.e. we want to help you. It is debt i.e. come and work for us for the foreseeable future.
The bank needs a new building, th...2023-12-1911 minGodliness with ContentmentCast your bread upon the watersToday we look at Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
It has been put forward that it talks about giving, investing, having many business ventures, diversification of one's portfolio, having a backup plan etc.. However, one Bible commentator says that 'for more than 18 centuries, there was never any doubt about what was meant here.' This was about giving. Nowadays however, our thoughts goes to business ventures and the like. This is about giving not knowing if you will get anything back in return. It is about generosity. Vs 2 says "Give" yet my NIV study Bible has there that give probably...2023-12-1210 minGodliness with ContentmentChicken or the Egg?Giving Tuesday comes after black Friday and Cyber Monday. I don’t think this is a good placement. The money goes out and by Tuesday very little is left. I mean I hope this is not the case for you, but for many it is. So perhaps givingtuesday.org can clamor for a change. I say put Giving Tuesday as the Tuesday before thanksgiving. That way we know when it is each year and we give before we spend. I understand that the spending includes purchasing gifts for loved ones, but in most times, if they don’t get that...2023-12-0509 minGodliness with ContentmentSimply SafeEvery day, I am getting older and slower. I can try and play Jedi mind tricks but that does not stop my aging. As I get older, my metabolism slows, my recovery time takes longer. This week I decided to schedule a meeting with my doctor. What I realize is that even though I don't like to go to the doctors or hospitals (I like my doctor btw), there are times when it is necessary. You start to feel strange stuff; it is time to go. I am reminded that money is good, but health is better. I prefer...2023-11-2908 minGodliness with ContentmentBlack Friday - think before you leapA few years ago, I heard it explained that Black Friday is about the retailers getting in the black. What does that mean? Well, 'in the black' is an accounting term signifying that a business is in a financially profitable position. So Black Friday is about businesses making a profit. Interestingly enough the opposite of black in accounting is not white but red.
I used to think that the retailers were doing us a favor by discounting their stuff. Black Friday is not about us, but about them.
How can you get in the black?2023-11-2111 minGodliness with ContentmentWhite ElephantHave you ever heard of a Christmas gift exchange game called 'white elephant'? Wikipedia says that 'The goal of a white elephant gift exchange is to entertain party-goers rather than to gain a genuinely valuable or highly sought-after item.' Clearly, Wikipedia has never played this game with the people I have played with. There is one gift that everyone wants that goes from hand to hand until all the numbers are exhausted. The last person has the chance to get any gift they want. One under the tree or the highly sought after one that has changed hands...2023-11-1515 minGodliness with ContentmentRain is a good thingOur dependence and worship should lay squarely at the feet of our God. He is the great Giver, the Source. In Jesus' pattern of prayer in Matthew 6, he lays out one of the petitions that we should put before the Father and it is 'give us this day our daily bread'. So we pray for our needs in this world. Bread here meaning all sustenance not just physical bread. This prayer is about God even though we are asking for our needs to be met since we ask Him and we recognize Him as the one who meets our...2023-11-0712 minGodliness with ContentmentYou have the answerDr. Myles Munroe said something like this before: "We are not meant to be seedful, but fruitful. There are chairs and tables are in the trees. Shoes are in the cows. The capacity to produce is in us." I don't think seedful is a real word, but hopefully you get the picture. And just how does the capacity to produce get in us? God put it there. The same God who Moses told the Israelites about in Deuteronomy 8:18 'But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,…' He has gi...2023-10-3113 minGodliness with ContentmentMoney or love on your mind?This week we take a look at Philemon. He was a Christian and wealthy and a slave owner. Onesimus was Philemon's slave who had run away and probably stolen something from him. Onesimus meets Paul in his travels and becomes a Christian.
Paul encourages Onesimus to go back to Philemon and to put things right. In the letter to Philemon, Paul does not leverage any apostolic authority but appeals to Philemon on the basis of love. Paul also does not plead for Philemon to set Onesimus free but for him to accept and love him as a...2023-10-2518 minGodliness with ContentmentSuccessful womanToday we take a look at a strong successful woman in the Bible by the name of Lydia. In Lydia, we find a woman who loved God and was a businesswoman. There is not any word of a husband so she was what we may call an independent successful woman, but she is really dependent on God. She has a house, a business, and looks to be wealthy. When presented with the Word that saves, she did not allow her business or wealth to be obstacles. In fact, even prior to that, she was at the place of prayer...2023-10-1816 minGodliness with ContentmentLooking backward, upward, forwardMy 52nd episode! One year's worth. A time of reflection, a time of looking to God and a time for looking forward to keep doing what God's has put on my heart to do.
I have also been reminded of the things I did wrong with money over the years.
I did not do a good job of using my God given skills/talents to produce wealth. I wasn't trying to get out of debt or avoid it. I was afraid of money. I was not saving for my children or the future or an e...2023-10-1218 minGodliness with ContentmentPractice HospitalityThe book of Acts has many examples of women who are willing participants in the gospel. Their role was an important one in the advancement of the gospel. Today we look at one of them in Mary the mother of Mark in Acts 12. An angel breaks Peter out of prison. Once out and Peter realizes that this is real, he goes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. Many people were there praying for Peter's release. This house was one of the places where the Christians would have gathered. Early in the history of the church...2023-10-0313 minGodliness with ContentmentGifts reaching heavenCornelius seems to have been wealthy. Cornelius was not a chairman of a non-profit organization, he spent his own money to help the needy. He decided to be generous with what he had. He saw needs and went after meeting them. I believe that his giving was motivated by his relationship with God.
As a believer today, is your giving motivated by your relationship with God?
One of the principles I have seen in the Bible is that when we use money the way God desires, generosity is involved. A principle does not change because o...2023-09-2709 minGodliness with ContentmentRight money, right hands, right timeToday we take a look at Joseph of Arimathea in the gospels. He was described as a disciple in secret yet he stepped up at the right time to secure Jesus' body after the crucifixion and gave Jesus a respectful burial in his own tomb. Some of us have an issue with rich people and even rich Christians. Yet this man uses his wealth to serve Jesus when others did not or could not. He was blessed by God with wealth and used it now - for such a time as the burial of Jesus. Money was used by...2023-09-2016 minGodliness with ContentmentZacchaeus - Out On A LimbZacchaeus was wealthy. Some would say that he got his money by cheating people out of their taxes by overcharging them. But that is not what Luke says, nor Jesus nor Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus says "if" he had cheated anyone out of anything. Not that he did. Sometimes today we look at people who are wealthy and can wonder what illegal thing they did to get wealthy. Some people do it right. They work hard, they spend less than they make, they invest. It grows. I get the impression that Zacchaeus was like that. Honest and hard working - I...2023-09-1414 minGodliness with ContentmentYoung, Rich, Powerful, Yet SadIsn't money supposed to bring happiness? Isn't all our problems to go away with money? Apparently not. It didn't with this rich young man in mark 10:17-23. Don’t be fooled. It won't work with you either.
2023-09-0609 minGodliness with ContentmentGiving in SecretI get to talk about money from the Bible's perspective. God wants his followers to give to the needy. He has blessed you to give to the needy. In addition, this is focused on the individual. You may say that the church I attend gives to the needy - Amen for that, but here he speaks not to the church but the individual. Each of us as his followers should give to the needy.
So when we give, Jesus says:
-do not announce it in the synagogues or street corners (the hypocrites do it that...2023-08-3010 minGodliness with ContentmentThe Centurion - Are you managing money God’s way?This guy (Luke 7:1-10) had money and did good things with it, but he did not think that his money meant that he deserved anything. Money did not make him big up himself. He used it to serve others (he built the synagogue there in Capernaum), but also he did not expect something in return. In addition, this guy was a Roman centurion, so he had power as well, yet he understood that Jesus' authority was bigger than his. He respected Jesus. He knew that Jesus could heal long distance. Jesus need not be in the same place as...2023-08-2213 minGodliness with ContentmentLevi - GratitudeLevi leaves his job to follow Jesus and in his gratitude for Jesus throws the banquet but also invites the people he knew. He knew that they also needed Jesus. This was a way they could come in contact with Jesus. Levi is set free by Jesus and he wants those he knows to be set free by Jesus. He uses his time and resources to go after influencing others to follow Jesus. When you consider retirement or your 2nd act, how do you envision spending your time? it should be that you are thinking now about how God wa...2023-08-1515 minGodliness with ContentmentDaniel - neither corrupt nor negligentThe great focus of this episode is about Daniel's integrity and his work ethics. His coworkers could find nothing wrong with Daniel's work - he was not cooking the books or stealing or having an office affair. Daniel worked as if working for God. Daniel was about to be promoted. Because of this, his coworkers wanted to kill him. Yes, kill him - death by lion.
2023-08-0814 minGodliness with ContentmentQueen Esther - great financial adviceEsther had a chance to get up to half of the kingdom and she chose to save her people instead. Who was giving her financial advice? Who indeed? Great advice! Money and riches and wealth can be for many people something to go after or die trying. For Esther, the rescuing of people's lives was more important. This can sound like a no-brainer, but there are some who choose the money instead. I believe that as a Christian, my wealth journey needs to be guided by God and his Word. I cannot do things against God and expect to...2023-08-0113 minGodliness with ContentmentHezekiah - Give glory to GodKing Hezekiah knew what to do when trouble came. He went to God in prayer. He also saw God move in amazing ways. The Assyrians were defeated, and God gives him fifteen more years when a terminal illness threatened his life. But, we also will see from the Scriptures that when the envoys from Babylon came he showed them everything. I believe that the missing piece is that he did not give the glory to God. Our call is to trust in God and go to him in trouble as Hezekiah did, but also to give God the glory...2023-07-2511 minGodliness with ContentmentProverbs 31 - the wife of noble characterThis wife of noble character is worth far more than rubies. She is a benefit to her husband and children and no doubt the community. She is a hard worker and provider with a head for business. She gets up early and stays up late burning the lamp at both ends. She takes care of the poor and needy whenever she can and prepares for winter when it isn't. What a woman!
2023-07-1813 minGodliness with ContentmentSolomon - prioritize wisdom over wealthIn a dream, God puts it to Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted. An interesting thing is that he knew it was God he was talking with. That means he could have asked for anything. It is not like your parent or friend saying ask for anything for your birthday. This is God saying whatever you want you will get it. Solomon chose wisdom. What would you have chosen?
God gives wisdom to you when you ask. Not just knowledge, but understanding how to apply the knowledge. Armed with wisdom, there is nothing you cannot do.2023-07-1113 minGodliness with ContentmentDavid - sacrificial giverDavid had an opportunity to get away scot-free without spending a dime but instead wants to sacrifice for God. Trust me when I tell you that I love free things just as much as the next guy, but there comes a time when each of us needs to put our hands in our pockets and contribute to God's work getting done. And here David shows that it isn't just contributing but sacrificing.
2023-07-0512 minGodliness with ContentmentJabez - breaking the mold'Jabez' sounds like the Hebrew for pain. His mother associated him with pain. Imagine growing up labeled as one who causes pain. He may have been picked on. He may have had an issue finding a girlfriend/wife. No one typically wants to hang around with someone who causes pain. This is the backdrop of Jabez' life.
At some point, he cries out to God. It was like there was a curse on him and he wanted to break free from it.
He went to the right place.
He asks God to bless him...2023-06-2711 minGodliness with ContentmentJoseph - dreamer and doerJoseph was not just a dreamer, but he had a plan. Sometimes this is where we fall down. We have countless dreams, but not many plans. In fact I challenge you to come up with a plan for your dream(s). Put them on paper and see if they are plausible. Are they profitable? If it looks profitable then figure out the best way to make them happen. I am not a dream killer, so don’t call me that. Put some meat on your dreams is all I am saying. And pray!
2023-06-1821 minGodliness with ContentmentJacob - Don’t wanna be a trickster no moreJacob tricks his brother out of his birthright and his father out of the blessing of the firstborn. He then flees to his mother's brother Laban another trickster. Quite a bit happens to Jacob including him becoming very wealthy while in Paddan Aram. He eventually leaves making a truce with Laban. One night he wrestles with a man who is able to injure him with just a touch. Jacob holds on for dear life. He encounters one he cannot deceive and asks for a blessing instead. His name is changed to Israel.
2023-06-1327 minGodliness with ContentmentIsaac - recipient of the inheritanceIsaac was the child of the promise. Through his descendants, all people on earth would be blessed. Last week we looked at Abraham, and how God had blessed him abundantly. Today we turn to Isaac his son. We will see that Isaac received an inheritance which is biblical, but did not become lazy. He was not afraid of hard work. God blessed him in his travels and in his agricultural endeavors. Men saw the blessings of God on Isaac's life and some were envious and tried to mess things up for him, but they could not overcome Isaac because...2023-06-0620 minGodliness with ContentmentAbraham - blessings upon blessingsThere is so much to talk about when we think about Abraham. I will try to focus on a few things. This means that I will miss out a lot of aspects you would think I should include. As I think about wealthy people in the Bible, I think that one big reason they got to be wealthy because God blessed them. That is how they got wealthy. In Abraham's case that is very clear. We will read a few verses from chapters 12-14 as we discuss God's blessings and Abraham's gratitude.
2023-05-2922 minGodliness with ContentmentJob - faithful in prosperity and adversityToday we are embarking on a journey through the Bible and will be looking at wealthy people in the Bible who were people of God. This week, we start out by looking at Job. God blesses, protects and provides.
2023-05-2412 minGodliness with Contentment5 biblical principles for financial freedomI believe that God wants me to teach believers how to win with money. Financial problems/stress is one of the top reasons for divorce. Love of money or lack of it can keep people out of church because they are too busy working to get it. If we understand what God wants us to do with money, then we pass a big roadblock that Satan wants to use to keep us away from God.
Today I want to share with you 5 biblical principles for achieving financial freedom. We get there when we do it God’s way.2023-05-1310 minGodliness with ContentmentAre you a part of the sandwich generation?I respect that the sandwich generation guys are taking care of children and parents, but I also want you (if that is you) to find a way to get some margin so you can pay off debt, and save for later and give and enjoy some of the hard earned money. It is hard when we are living paycheck to paycheck.
2023-05-0211 minGodliness with ContentmentMoney Scams and how to avoid themOne of the biggest things for you to be aware of is a money scam. Scammers are after your money. Your hard earned money. Scams can come with the promise of fast and great returns. Other scams like charity scams or romance scams play on your heart strings. Unfortunately, they are all too good to be true.
2023-04-2608 minGodliness with ContentmentDo this before summer vacationBefore going on your summer vacation trip make sure you have a buffer. Stuff happens. Don’t just think budget for the trip - flight, hotel, car, food etc. but make sure you have a contingency. Missed flights, delays, hotel nights, food,…. It can pile up.
2023-04-1611 minGodliness with ContentmentHow serious are you?There are three levels of seriousness: normal, disciplined and in strict training. Which level are you at?
2023-04-1011 minGodliness with ContentmentYou won’t win by accidentYou will not win by accident. You will win because God is with you. But also, God is with you since you delight in him. You delight in Him meaning that in your life you are shooting after living the way God wants you to live, and every day you are trying to figure that on out as you read the Bible and pray.
2023-04-0110 minGodliness with ContentmentSomething else money can’t buyIt has been widely discussed that money cannot buy happiness, cannot buy love, cannot by peace of mind. Today, I talk about something else money cannot buy.
2023-03-2509 minGodliness with ContentmentDon’t leave your job without thisOne big lesson to learn before you leave you day job for greener pastures is about gratitude. The employer did not have to hire you. They took a risk in some cases hiring you or promoting you. God has been good to you. Work in your current job as unto God. This is the secret of good workmanship.
2023-03-2307 minGodliness with ContentmentThe Savings Superpower HackToday, I am not gonna suggest counting coins or turning the cable TV off. Not even rice and beans. Instead, I am suggesting saving without even knowing. Saving and not having to wrestle the money out of your hand to put in a savings account. Closing your eyes and saving!
2023-03-1510 minGodliness with ContentmentGetting enough rest?This week, grab some time to rest. You need it. Get some. Get back on track if you strayed off. Come back stronger. Come back determined to hit your goals.
2023-03-0706 minGodliness with ContentmentYou cannot serve both God and moneyServing money means that it becomes the most important part of our life. When we serve God, he becomes the most important part of our life.
2023-02-2605 minGodliness with ContentmentBring your umbrella to the rainWhen you get started on your money journey, the best thing to have is an emergency fund. I think of it like a cushion or buffer between you and life. Some call it a rainy day fund, an umbrella. It is a necessity.
2023-02-2315 minGodliness with ContentmentWith a little help from my friendsEven with friends, money can cause some weirdness. Don't make money the priority but find out how to navigate money and friendship. Use money to help people, not using people to gain money.
2023-02-1213 minGodliness with ContentmentLearning how to handle moneyWhere did you learn how to handle money? You may have learnt the same place I did. For the majority of my life, I learnt by trial and error. A lot of trial and tons of error.
2023-02-0113 minGodliness with ContentmentWhat did you do yesterday?A mic check, a gut check. You said you would spend wisely this year, you would save, you would stick to the budget, you would eat out less. How is it going? What you did yesterday would tell the story.
2023-01-2408 minGodliness with ContentmentFall down, then get back up!A lesson learnt from watching football. The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the LA Chargers 31-30 after being down 27-0 in the first half.
2023-01-1710 minGodliness with ContentmentHow risky is your 9-5?Hard word is honorable and brings a profit. The question is: Is a 9-5 job working for the man riskier than you having your own business where you are the employer employing others?
2023-01-1014 minGodliness with ContentmentDon’t dwell on the past; prepare for the breakthroughDon't get bummed out by what did not happen in 2022. What did or did not happen in 2022 has no bearing on what will happen in 2023.
2023-01-0212 minGodliness with ContentmentThe banks want to keep you in debtDon't buy in to the lie that consolidation is the best move. Getting out of debt is not easy, but imagine the day when you are debt free. Imagine the freedom… All the hard work and sacrifice would have been worth it!
2022-12-2707 minGodliness with ContentmentGoal setting for December 2023If you want to see the results next December, you need to start putting the work in now or at least in January (waiting until after Christmas). You will not automatically win with money or in any other area of your life. You must put in the work.
2022-12-1917 minGodliness with ContentmentUse contentment to fight Christmas stressPray for contentment. Change your mind set about Christmas and start the process of helping your family to do the same. Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Remember the good times, focus on them. Don’t dwell on the bad times and the losses.
2022-12-1114 min