Financial Understanding For The Remnant Body
Submitted by Clay Sikes
August 14th, 2004

First comes a word in due season, that brings God's order to produce God's purpose. God does nothing in the earth lest He first reveal it to His prophets.

In order to reveal timely prophetic truth relative to material and financial favor some foundations must first be laid. These foundations will serve to identify where we individually fit in this path to truth. As we cover this subject, we will perhaps recognize OUR particular relationship to a particular part of what is revealed here. It is also important to note that this word is not for the entire Body of Christ, but for those who know themselves to be in a remnant company of believers, moving in or towards a remnant mandate. It is for those who have ears to hear, whose purpose requires material blessing.

As the Spirit continues to shake the Body of Christ, separating us from some and joining us to others, various occurrences are beginning to happen. As those who are called to be joined make the connection with those they are to be joined to, we are seeing evidences OF PURPOSE as it relates to the joining. Spirit-led joining will ultimately reveal purpose, as well as the fact that occasionally purpose can necessitate joining. Better-said, sometimes common purpose can create a God-appointed joining.

An accepted worldwide phenomenon among God's remnant company is the extraordinary separating and joining taking place throughout the Body of Christ today. This extraordinary move of God is primarily known by the Spirit and seen via the Internet on various prophetic websites. As these events continue throughout the Body of Christ, we must begin to understand some of the distinctions concerning these joinings.

First and probably foremost, as a preparation, it is important to recognize that some of these couplings can be initially uncomfortable, particularly in the initial stages, until each person understands their relative fit in the joining process. We do not choose those with whom we are baptized into the Body: God makes that choice, as well as choosing the times and places in which we should live (Acts 17:26). Again, this is a Spiritual leading, not a natural one.

Secondly, it is important to recognize that joining has purpose: the JOINING of men to other men has Godly purpose. No joining is simply for the sake of joining, but as stated, has specific purpose. To further establish our foundation, let us examine but a few of these purposes: some listed here are redundant but mentioned for clarification. Some of the purposes for joining are edification, order, spiritual support, financial support, direction, redirection, validation, verification, calling, etc., all of which point us to a single objective called DESTINY. Said differently, people are Spiritually appointed to other people to point and direct us to our destiny.

As we are enjoined, and the purposes are revealed, we collectively and individually begin to see "The Vision" - that purpose for which God has joined us. Our individual vision and understanding of purpose will march us toward a collective, as well as individual destiny. Our spiritual families will likely be a major catalyst in pointing us to destiny. To divorce our self from these appointments is to hinder our ultimate purpose.

With an ever so brief foundation laid, let us delve into the crux of this word relative to the provision so necessary in these end times. If the current Body of Christ has been devoid of one element in its makeup, it would resoundingly be its inability to match provision to true Godly vision. As more of God's children move into "Sonship" status, the provision of God is becoming more readily available, as God's true vision replaces the vision of men. Provision is part of the package of Godly joining. As my friend Arthur Burt says, "WHERE THE APPOINTMENT IS THE PROVISION IS." Another powerful quote from Arthur is, "The greater (hearing and obeying God), always includes the lesser" (my needs being met). Many testimonies are beginning to arise as to this NOW PROVEN aspect of Kingdom life.

While it has been unfashionable of late, especially for out of church Christians, to talk about finances, I strongly sense God directing us to hear Him for this much needed element of our destiny. Every vision man will ever have will likely require some form of provision. While we can certainly speak of our personal needs, let us for the moment speak of those needs corporately.

Shortly after the Spirit of God joins men to other men, there arises a need for provision to support the individual needs and collective visions within the group. It is here that this blessing can be easily missed. It is here that some, perhaps hearing this word, could delay God's flow into their life. A key scripture to understand this major revelation is found in John 21: 4-6.

"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."

I am convinced that Christians miss many opportunities simply because they do not realize who is speaking; they do not recognize Jesus standing on the shore speaking specific provisional instructions to them, or more importantly, use their natural minds to determine if something is feasible. Let us look at this same circumstance in Luke 5: 5 after Jesus had spoken to "Let your nets down..."

"Simon answered, "Master," we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything."

We need to pray, "Lord let us be sensitive to your Spirit AND RECOGNIZE YOU and your instruction no matter what form you may come in." The simple truth is that Jesus' provisional instruction can and often does come through human suggestion and instruction, and if we are improperly discerning who is speaking to us, or Jesus' commands through them, we will miss His provision. Simon used reasoning and logic to almost void his own blessing.

We need to pray, "Lord let us be sensitive to your Spirit AND RECOGNIZE YOU and your instruction no matter what form you may come in." The simple truth is that Jesus' provisional instruction can and often does come through human suggestion and instruction, and if we are improperly discerning who is speaking to us, or Jesus' commands through them, we will miss His provision. Simon used reasoning and logic to almost void his own blessing.

Often testimony is the greatest illustration of God's principles. As many of you know, I closed my real estate businesses of financial necessity in November of 1997. I returned to the office in my home and began building a national commercial real estate database containing all the major buyers of commercial real estate nationwide. With an easy to use query system, my subscribers could find large commercial buyers in minutes as compared to the tortuously long 'look up' system previously used by most commercial brokers. How could I fail? I had developed a product that would increase a brokers productivity and income by thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, and I could sell it at a price most anyone could afford. I poured four years of my life into this project and every dollar that came my way. It was my ticket to financial freedom, I thought!

At the end of the third year, a financially successful (unsaved) man came to my house and asked what I was doing. I explained my brilliant database idea and how it had taken me the better part of three years to get it to the market. He scoffed and said, "Clay, you are wasting your time. You need to get back into land." I was furious! My pride swelled and I thought, "Who are you to tell me what I ought to be doing?"

More time and continued financial lack began to 'open' me to the idea that just maybe this heathen had something of substance that I should look at. I finally embraced the idea and sought God. In very short order, a series of financial miracles began to happen which continue today, all in the arena of land. Should it take four years and a donkey speaking for us to hear God? God will often break our traditional way of 'hearing Him' just to reveal His desire for us to be flexible and willing to change our stiff-necked religiosity. The more stiff-necked we become, the more outrageous God will be is breaking down our traditions.

To route us back to the intent of this teaching, I reiterate that as we come closer to those we are indeed called to; the need for provision will present itself. Why? Because destiny is closer, purpose is clearer, BOTH OF WHICH REQUIRE PROVISION. Our Lord wants nothing more than to open the windows of heaven that this provision can flow; BUT, between the provision and us are pitfalls to keep us from finding the provision; however, we are not ignorant of the devices Satan uses to gain advantage over humans. God will always send His word to set us free, but we must recognize Jesus standing on the riverbank giving us instructions.

Most of the obstacles that keep us from God's flow are hurdles erected in the hearts of men that must be dealt with for material financial blessing to come. These hurdles could also be called "the traditions of men," or preconceived notions or mindsets, often Satan's grandest device to subtly trap us within our own selves. Often, a small adjustment of the heart will usher in a flow of favor and blessing. I will only focus on one such obstacle today, and while there are many, this one has the Body of Christ by the throat.

What I offer here is suggestive of the previously mentioned "heart adjustment" that will cause us to deal with the type of tradition that makes the word of God to no effect. Once this tradition is dealt with and put in its place, then and only then is the Holy Spirit able to bring forth His truth that ushers in His provision.

I sense God has revealed that this tradition, this single most mind-set, stops the flow of God's provision and thwarts destiny more than any single factor I know. What could be so subtle as to keep some of God's most ordained, anointed, and destiny filled men from ever attaining the fullness of God upon the earth? I submit to you that this subtle spirit is CHRISTIAN MAN'S ARROGANT SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT, not to be confused with CHRISTIAN MAN'S HUMBLE SENSE OF EXPECTATION. We will contrast the two.

The root of entitlement is selfishness of an 'I'M OWED' attitude, and stems from the much-taught false kingdom 'royalty' principle. You've heard it in many forms blasting from pulpit and Christian TV alike, but by no means is it limited to those two venues: "We are so special, we are king's kids and deserve this and that… We are royalty and consequently entitled to all our little heart desires." Then there are those "out of church" Christians who carry this spirit to an even greater degree, deeming their revelation to be much greater than the rest of the Body. A smug superiority travels richly in these circles. These teachings reveal 'a truth' that is not necessarily 'the truth.' The sum of embracing false 'superiority' beliefs has served to implant a false 'sense of entitlement' in our hearts. This 'entitlement' subtly produces a proud heart. God is drawn to our humility and resist our pride.

This type teaching says, "I deserve better," or, "I have it coming," or, one of the most current and heinous deceptions, "I do not have to work." While I won't argue that God has a better plan for our lives, our very attitude can be a strong hindrance to that plan ever materializing. This teaching serves as a warning to many who stand on the threshold of God's abundant provision. It is a call to repent and purge our hearts of our own arrogance and feelings of superiority: a presumptive superiority that would cause us to overstep boundaries in our own lives and in the lives and affairs of others. But let us delve deeper…

The 'Entitlement Spirit' falsely gives us the freedom to take liberties in places in which these liberties HAVE NOT BEEN GRANTED: It can promote a poor work ethic and even laziness. One of this false spirit's greatest evidences in our own lives are acts of presumption that later prove not to be God. The number of Ishmaels that we presently feed speaks volumes of the presence of this destructive spiritual force. Want to know where you stand in UNDERSTANDING this revelation? Count your Ishmaels and judge their fruit!

Entitlement falsely assumes "that my royalty" allows me special treatment. Expectation, on the other hand, knows any blessing is from the Lord, and He alone is the reason for it.

Let us look further into the dichotomous nature of Entitlement as compared to Expectation. With Entitlement, the emphasis is you; with Expectation, the emphasis is Him. It is a minor heart adjustment that takes us from the world of almost, to a world of fulfillment, yet to make this heart adjustment we must ask ourselves some honest questions. How do I know to which of these two I am attached? Here are some questions that will provide the answer. What are you facing today? What do you yearn for, particularly in the area of material or financial arenas? And here is the revealing question. Are you looking for the harvest, or are you looking for the stalk?

"He also said, This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts up and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come" (Luke 4:26-29).

What I submit to you here is that if you find yourself constantly looking for "the harvest," instead of "the stalk," you perhaps fit into the 'Entitlement' category. Perhaps you think nothing is wrong with wanting the whole enchilada now; but if you do not recognize the Kingdom principle of "first the stalk," you are a victim of the World and its influence, and you will not eat from the Kingdom of God. The Entitlement Spirit is impatient and wants it all now, while 'Expectation' humbly and patiently understands the Kingdom principle - "The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you can plant in the ground. Yet when planted, IT GROWS AND BECOMES THE LARGEST OF ALL GARDEN PLANTS, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in the shade." Expectation knows where it is ultimately going so it confidently and expectedly "does not despise small beginnings."

'Entitlement's' view is always "This is too small; this is not enough," while 'Expectation' understands the Kingdom principle that all too soon this thing will be plenty big enough. 'Entitlement' has little knowledge of the fact that the Kingdom of God is a process that almost always starts small, yet GROWS AND BECOMES WITHOUT US REALLY KNOWING HOW. 'Expectation' will be wary of anything other than the process that starts with modest beginnings.

Some of us in earshot of this very word are facing, or soon to face financial needs for both subsistence, and a means of fulfilling the vision God has put in us. Let us not be caught short with a mindset of 'Entitlement,' but rather transition to the calming effect of 'Expectation,' a place in which we will not expect to see the "full corn in the ear," but simply the stalk.

Restlessness is a characteristic of 'Entitlement,' just as rest is a characteristic of 'Expectation.' God once said to me relating to my business affairs, "When you start, I stop: When you stop, I start." When I find myself pushing and toiling to obtain, I have entered into my own works and will not receive from the Kingdom of God.

Vocation, outside of church is full of traps. These traps are education, training, history, tradition and many more. These traps are designed to have us hit the rock rather than speak to it. As Arthur Burt says, "My best is my greatest enemy before God." What I do best; what I am most trained in; what I am most comfortable doing can be my worst enemy in flowing with the Holy Spirit's direction. Why? Because I have reassumed an area of my life that I am comfortable guiding. In a ministry environment I am dependent upon God; in a business environment I am prone to be dependent upon my education, my 35 years of experience, my own false sense of comfort and identity. My best is my greatest threat to hearing and following the flow of the Spirit.

As God leads us into income producing endeavors, He desires the same obedience, the same listening as in ministry, or dealings in the church. In fact, He is calling us to this in all areas of life including home, marriage, children, friends, social occasions, for it is here that Sonship begins… "Those that are led by the Spirit of God ARE the SONS of God. Anything less is not true Sonship.

In conclusion, I offer this word to be tested and judged as a prophetic word to those who hear it:

IT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION FOR MAN TO LIVE WITHOUT A LIFE OF ABUNDANCE. I SENT MY SON TO SHED BLOOD AND DIE THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY, EVEN IN THE EARTHLY SPHERE IN WHICH YOU NOW LIVE; YET MY KINGDOM PRINCIPLES MUST BE UNDERSTOOD TO ENJOY MY KINGDOM LIFE UPON EARTH.

PRAY IN MATTERS OF RELATIONSHIPS; PRAY IN MATTERS OF VOCATION, BUSINESS, AND FINANCE; PRAY FOR A HEARING EAR IN ALL MATTERS AND BE OPEN TO WHAT YOU HEAR. I WILL CHALLENGE YOUR TRADITIONS AND ERADICATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND REPLACE THEM WITH MINE IF YOU'LL BUT HEED THIS WORD AND HEAR ME IN MATTERS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH HOUSE.

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