Caleb Company Perspective

John Parks - Raising Up a Generation of Calebs

2010-01-20T21:42:00.008-06:00

John Parks is one of our students from last summer's Caleb Leadership Training School. John has been in ministry all his adult life, and been strongly used in worship, prophetic ministry, and teaching. He has felt called to the nations, especially to Arab people, and had just recently spent time in Indonesia, before the Lord started talking to him about Israel. As he began to see the connection between the revival in the nations and the return of Jewish people to their ancient homeland and hundreds of thousands to faith in their Jewish Messiah Yeshua, John got in touch with us and came to our summer training. John received with a teachable heart and served with excellence.

By the end of the summer training, he began to believe that he was to be more connected to our Caleb team. We sensed a confirmation, so he stayed in Nashville, got a job and began to meet with and serve with us. As the two of us were praying together one day last fall, we both began to believe that John is to go to the Gateways Beyond training school in the first half of 2010. Gateways is indeed an excellent "gateway" into ministry among operated by our close associates, David and Emma Rudolph, with their family and extended spiritual family. We both teach annually in their discipleship school.

Now John's time of departure is fast approaching and he does not have the needed funds. He does have enough to travel to Cyprus, but little for the several thousand dollars needed for the training and outreach. Would you ask the Lord if you could participate with us in this? Even a small amount from a lot of people could bring the needed expenses. And we will pray with you that the Lord will return your gifts to you multiplied, and that even the giving will bring added joy to your hearts.

To contribute, please visit our site and put John Parks in the special instructions.

Blessings in the Name of our King Yeshua/Jesus,
Don Finto/Tod McDowell

CLT Grad Faith Gilmore's Israel Trip

2009-12-15T14:10:00.005-06:00

I took a trip to Israel with high expectations of how God would reveal Himself to me because I’d heard so much from others about how they wept when they arrived on the land or how the Word of God open up their eyes like never before when they walked where Jesus walked.

My experience was much different, however. Jesus used this trip to break me of all my dictates of how He was to speak to me. He even used other people to “strip” me, as it were. In that place I was able to surrender to His ways and His agenda afresh, a process that felt like brokenness.

While there, I learned about the people of Israel and how warm they are…warm and blunt! I learned how ready they are to welcome in strangers as friends and how faithful they are to pass down the stories of their forefathers. It was amazing to learn about their ability to face crisis and threat head on over the course of history in the many wars that have ensued.

What was more amazing was to learn how true God has been to His character and to His Word as He helped this small group of people overcome insurmountable odds impossible to achieve by any human means. This has been true in every war fought, in the reconvening of the people in the state, in the resurrection of the language, and in the culture and traditions staying alive over 2,000 years.

Then, I learned of the bravery of the Messianic body exhibits in the face of persecution from her own people. The warfare over her is the greatest of this believing part of the apple of God’s eye, because she is like a weapon boldly proclaiming truth without mixture. She needs our prayers and support. I also felt the Lord’s heart for the Arabs while on the Temple Mount as He longs for all His children to be gathered in His bosom.

God asked me to bring my guitar to sing to His people in Jerusalem so that’s what I did. On Ben Yehuda Street, I sang songs He gave me: some themes from the Psalms and some from Zachariah. People connected to the cry to dwell in God’s presence and inquire in His temple and to the promise of not being forgotten as the recipient of His everlasting covenant. Four days I sang, and each time God sent different believers in Yeshua to walk by and pray for me as there were a few angry responses to what I was doing.

Over and over again, God showed His faithfulness to me, confirming He is not limited to time and space and He is ready to keep anyone willing to receive Him.

Faith Gilmore

Faith For All is Launched by Thomas Boehm!

2009-11-03T20:22:00.003-06:00

I want to announce the formal launch of my new disability advocacy non-profit geared to help faith communities open their doors and their hearts to include people with disabilities!

Please check out our website and what the vision is all about at: www.faith-for-all.com.

If anything on the site does not seem to work well, doesn’t look right, or otherwise could use my attention, please drop me a note and let me know! Any new start up has some kinks and I’d like to correct them as quickly as possible.

There is also a Facebook Page that you can access from the website by clicking on the icon; or directly at:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Faith-for-ALL/161554306614#/pages/Faith-for-ALL/161554306614?v=info

Thomas L. Boehm

FAITH FOR ALL

PO Box 210106

Nashville, TN 37221

(615) 260-1522

www.faith-for-all.com

Africa by Kim Bischoff

2009-10-31T15:06:00.010-05:00

Tenacious Love

I have been back from Africa a little while now. I feel like I’m still adjusting to the culture shock! I have to say this has been one of the most life changing trips I have ever been on. I knew that going into this trip God was really going to stretch me. I honestly never thought I would go to Africa, it was never on my list of countries, but when God said go back in early spring, I had to obey, so glad I did.

It’s hard to narrow down what impacted you most from the kids, to the culture, to the atmosphere, but I have to say it would be the love. Heidi shared on tenacious love the last day that I was in Pemba. She put into words what God has been doing in me for the last few months. It’s all about the love! But it’s more than just that. It’s Tenacious, holding tightly to, not letting go, persistent. She shared from Philippians, and called us to be tenacious and loving. To be poured out like a drink offering again and again. Life isn’t about us; it’s about spreading the Love of Jesus. She told us a story about what it took to get to this village that God had given her a vision about. It took over 2 years, many obstacles, and cost her much. She said”you give up too easily.” This struck a chord in my heart. I realized that I have given up way to easily in many places of my life and on people. We see things that get in our way as a door shut, instead of a test or something that God is using. We assume that things will be given to us, instead of us having to pay a cost, or even partnering with the vision that God gives us. Jesus never said I will make everything easy for you; He said “I will be with you.”

We can’t do anything out of our own strength, it will surly run out. We have to do it through the eyes of love, through Jesus. Through Him EVERYTHING is possible. I don’t know how to put into words what God did in my heart and in my life through Africa, but I do know this I’m a puddle. I feel like I fell into the Father’s arms in a deeper more intimate way. He has placed this tenacious love in my heart, and I have adeeper faith in Him. I don’t doubt that what He says is truth, and I knowthat I have to be poured out again and again. But I have this promise, Hewill be with me, and He will pour into me more than I can ever be poured out. I know it’s worth the cost, and I’ve decided I will do whatever I need

to, to love people, to spread His fame. I just want more of Him. All the signs and wonders aAWESOME, but we can’t be about just the signs we will be empty. We must be about Him, because He is the way the truth and the life.

For the Kingdom of God is among you… One of my favorite stories is when the disciples came back to Jesus. They were so excited because they had just cast out demons, healed the sick and many other things. Jesus’ response was that’s great but don’t rejoice that these things happened rejoice because your name is known in heaven. How can your name be “known”, it’s simply by spending time with your beloved Yeshua, your healer, deliver, salvation. The more time you spend with Him, the more you act like his child. The more we act like His child the more we are like Him. The more we become like Him the more we love, and the more our vision changes it becomes clearer. Our love becomes pure, and we begin to really see.

In sharing what little of have shared of my trip to Africa, my hope is this. That God will do in you what He has done in me. Show you how much He loves you. Show you what He sees when He looks at you, and pour out His love over you. That you will be touched by the amazing unchangeable love of the Father, and that you will be like a puddle in His arms. Because when this world fades, and there is nothing left of material things, His love will stay because we were created for eternity with Him.

Much love and MANY blessings… Kim Bischoff

2009-10-28T09:30:00.004-05:00

Shalom!

I went with Tod to Trevecca University in Nashville last Monday night as we spoke in two 30 min. sessions to the freshman. We were amazed that the school is right there in our back yard - it's a pretty nice campus! There were 600 students gathered in the auditorium for instructions and short time of prayer for the presenters beforedispersing to the various presentations. They could choose two to go to. We had about 50 or so studentscome to our room for each session. You gotta love college chapel programs, the students get fined in increasingamounts if they don't attend - they were eager to get their I.D.'s scanned at the end of each session :)

Tod did an excellent job of presenting Caleb's vision and God's love for the Jewish people and we did get about a dozen students sign up for more information and several took business cards. I shared as well about Siloam Family Health Clinic our desire to extend the love of Jesus to the refugees and patients and extended an invitation for them to connect there as well.

Personally, attending this function has allowed God to drive and attitude deeper into my "knower" that we carry truth that it vital for people to believers to understand and be awakened to in these days.

It was a pleasure to be invited to Trevecca and be warmly received. This in contrast to the two pieces below on American education:

The first I read on World View Weekend - it's a quote from an educator in 1987

Dr. Raymond English gave a speech before the National Advisory Council on Educational Research and improvement on april 2, 1987. In his speech, Dr. English defined critical thinking as follows;

"Critical thinking means not only learning how to think for oneself, but it also meanslearning how to subvert the traditional values in your society. You're not thinking critical if you're accepting the values that mommy and daddy taught you. That's not critical.

The second is from Frontpagemag.com. A new book has come out detailing US academias wide spread support of Nazi atrocities against the Jews - excerpt from the news post and link below:

"Norwood’s book is a must-read, but also a sad and uncomfortable read. He details the reactions of America’s professors and universities to the rise of Hitler. The responses on American campuses ranged from complete indifference and refusal to join in campaigns against Nazi Germany to widespread support for German Nazism, including for German atrocities committed against Jews. This was not mere Yankee provincial ignorance of what was happening outside the country."

http://frontpagemag.com/2009/10/26/nazis-in-the-ivory-tower-%e2%80%93-by-steven-plaut/

God has indeed blessed us with His knowledge and truth. May we be strengthened each day by the power of His love as we run the race set before us, engaging in more opportunities like Trevecca.

Blessings,

Jon

Faith Comes to New York!

2009-10-02T19:47:00.004-05:00

Faith Gilmore is a graduate of Caleb Leadership Training and writes about her recent trip to New York City.

I felt God ask me to give the trip to Him, since it was the first of the Jewish New Year and He's been teaching me the principle of first fruits. When we give the first of anything (in this case the year) to God, He multiplies it:

Jesus was God's first son and His death and resurrection produced a multiplied harvest for God, Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord and was given more children, we give God our tithe and He supernaturally blesses the remainder of our finances and so on.

So, I looked up on the internet to see what Jewish activities were going on and found a tour of Lower East Side as it relates to Jewish History. However, before this scheduled tour I started seeing Jews everywhere on 34th street. I felt like God ask me to ask for their forgiveness on behalf of the church for all the hundreds of years of persecution they've endured.

The first two looked shocked and hurried by, not sure how to respond and appeared somewhat bothered, but then I continued on and said the same to about 100 more Jews. Out of than number, only 4 men didn't respond or look at me and I think it's because they were Orthodox Men who couldn't look at me because I was a woman. But, the others all appeared shocked in a good way, and their jaws dropped as they said either "thank you," "I appreciate it," "bless you this year," "I am in awe this is really happening," or "it's not necessary for you to take on that guilt."

I spoke first mostly to the elderly the first day, middle age men and men in their 30s the second day and a group of Jewish youth the second night. All were so thankful and receptive to this.

On the third day, I decided to ask random people who appeared Jewish yet I wasn't sure because they weren't Orthodox nor did they have a kippah on their heads. "Are you Jewish by any chance?" Almost all of them were either older women or older married couples and most said "yes." So, I was able to ask their forgiveness as well and all received me. One couple got tears in their eyes and held my hands. I felt God in our encounter.

When I went on the Jewish tour, I was one of only two people who took the tour--the other was Jew from Israel and the tour guide was Jewish. What was to be a 90 minute tour lasted 5 hours and the tour guide invited me and the other woman to dinner with he and his wife. I let them know I'm a Christian and then asked their forgiveness. They said "wow!," then became silent, and then said it's not necessary for me to say that or take the guilt. I told them I want to acknowledge the injustice and say it's not Yeshua's way.

They were kind to me about it and reminded me the following Sunday is Yom Kippur, the day of repentance. I thought to myself how cool it was that God positioned me there to repent right in between Rosh Hoshannah and Yom Kippur.

Caleb Leadership Training School ~ A Brief Pictoral Essay

2009-08-11T14:03:00.022-05:00

Letter from Caleb Leadership Training Graduate Zachary Garza:

Just wanted to say thank you so much for investing in me these past three weeks. I can't tell you how grateful I am. I feel as if i have opened the door to a great adventure I never knew existed. Watching you and the other leaders and your unwavering faith in God has been something I have never seen before. For the first time in a long time, I see something that you guys have that I want: wholehearted devotion to God. A new standard has most definitely been set. I can't wait to get home to see what God has in store for me. I am so excited to see the path that he is going to lay before me. Each one of you have been so uniquely blessed as a leader for Christ. It has been my pleasure to watch you and learn from your daily walk.

Don & Tod prepping for the class

Practicing the shofar

Raring to Go!

Worship was a huge part of everything we did

Larry Randolph imparting wisdom

Mike Niebur was a blessing!

Praying for Thomas

Matt speaking out his vision statement...

Made Steve a happy man!

Don's demo of how to make a luggage I.D.

Caleb kids at Michael W's barn

Walking down to Caleb quarters Jerusalem!

Praying for kids in the Hinnon Valley

City of David viewed from Caleb quarters

Our very first day was in Beer Sheva

with Avner & Rachel Boskey

Amazing sculptures by Rick Wienecke

Praying for Rick & Dafna

Our Arab van driver took us through Hevron

and Bethlehem

Going through the Old City streets

Praying at the Western Wall

Couple of cuties!

John Gere teaching about the Eastern Gate

Muslim ladies on the temple mount.

Alex leading worship at Succat Hallel

Praying out over Jerusalem

Door of Hope ministry in Tel Aviv

Praying over pictures of ladies

imprisoned by prostitution

Worshipping near the beach in Tel Aviv

Geri talking to Arab family drawn in by

the music

Our home in the desert!

Matt talking to kids - his favorite thing!

Putting love to action - pouring cement in

future worship & prayer center.

We loved connecting with Avishai and Idan

and family!

Praise on the Sea of Galilee

Casting out on the 'other side.'

Caught a big one!

New little friends on the Mount of Beatitutes

Wonderful time with David Shishkoff family!

Friends are friends forever

Geri had a word & blessing for each student

Graduation prayer & blessing in

Nashville

Happy Days!

All the peoples of the earth will be

blessed through you! Gen 12:3

Blessings from Jerusalem

2009-07-23T22:11:00.007-05:00

Just wanted to send you a few pictures of the team. You'd be so proud of them! They are really stepping up and giving all, working together in love and servanthood, being a blessing and encouragement to the people here and taking in the Father's heart in every way! I know He is impacting their lives daily in all they are experiencing as well as the lessons we are learning together as a team! The joy of the Lord has truly been our strength and we appreciate all your faithful prayers! We feel them!!!

The Caleb house is great Don and we have had some amazing times of worship and intercession in and all around it!

Thank you for everything! Love you all and pray God's blessings from Zion upon you!

The King is coming!!!

Geri

Praying over Hinnon Valley

Reflecting at the garden tomb

In the garden after communion together. He's alive!

The three amigos

On the Mount of Olives

Praying for Freddie at the Caleb house

A kiss from Zachary for Papa Don :)

Caleb Vision - June 2008

2008-07-15T17:44:00.011-05:00

June 2008

Jaffa – Praying west in Jaffa the place `where both Jonah & Peter reluctantly got the message to preach to Gentiles

For those of you who are carrying the “Caleb vision” with us, thank you! We are inexpressibly grateful for you who stand with us through encouragement, prayers and provisions. “The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike” (1 Samuel 30:24).

What is this “Caleb vision?” It is the realization that we are in prophecy-fulfilling times, that our relationship to Israel, especially also to the Jewish believers in Jesus (Yeshua) is a key to God’s work in our day, and to challenge young and old to join together to conquer the mountains, inherit the Land in our generation. (See Number 14:24).

We have been challenged by recent prophetic words spoken to us:
*Your message is not a local, but an international broadcast. Get up on a high mountain – get the message out.
*You have sown the seed, now train and build; multiply yourselves – use the bridge (to and from Israel) you’ve built
*Expect young leaders to come to you to learn how your revelation will help them accomplish their own calling
*God will bring together His mature leaders to accomplish this.

We are seeing these things happen. Pray for us for greater clarity on what all this means. We recently returned from one of the most satisfying trips we have ever made to Israel.

Our purpose for being in the Land was threefold:

To pray for the Land and from the Land - for the salvation of Israel and the nations, specifically also “for the peace of Jerusalem,” and that “those who love you [will] be secure” (Psalm 122:6).

Masada – Praying east

Syrian border – Praying north

To encourage our Jewish family of believers in Jesus in the Land. In some ways they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders; their destiny is to be a “light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6). Their fullness will bring “greater riches” to the whole world (See Romans 11:12).

Rick Wienecke & Steve Garrett – We also got prayed for along the way!

The Call – Don leading the prayer

The tribes of brothers from Israel & Nashville receiving together

Avi Mizrachi, D Lazarus, Tod, Don –United in Him

To bring together a group of leaders from the nations who, after being together for a few days in the Land, will have this “Israel dimension” so thoroughly imbedded within them, that they will not only carry it for the rest of their lives, but they will impart this prophetic understanding to all around them.

Auntie Mary, and three others from Hawaii honored the leaders wherever they went

Alister, Jade, Paul & Michelle from Australia

Worship on the boat – we worshipped from Dan to Beersheva

Under the tree – 2 couples from Tacoma, Washington were also with us

Brian and Steve in the Security jackets – our team served at both One Thing Jerusalem and The Call Jerusalem

Dabney ministering at the One Thing Jerusalem

Richard & Mindy Rose and family were in the Land for a month and joined us in much of the ministry.

May the commanded blessings of Psalm 133, including an increase of anointing and of refreshing, be on you as we unite in Him.

Don Finto & Tod McDowell

Caleb’s Call

2008-02-03T14:01:00.001-06:00

Connecting to believers….

“Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10

We are experiencing a time of great revelation in our generation. The Church is coming alive to the Jewish roots of her faith and are learning that “if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” (Romans 15:27)

Genesis 12:3 is re-shaping the world Christian landscape. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” We are understanding the need to bless the Jewish people – this chosen family of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob who have borne the weight of hatred from the Christian community for centuries of forced conversions, cruel accusations and mocking, crusades, pogroms, inquisitions, and the holocaust. With increased force we are standing with the nation of Israel, not because of any political position, but because she is God’s chosen nation to bring blessings to the world.

We have re-read the admonition from the prophet Isaiah and are appropriating it to ourselves. “You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth (62:8).” We are listening to the plea of the Psalmist (122:6), “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”

Some of us go so far as to pray the prayer from Psalm 137:5, “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.”

Amidst the turmoil and terror, these are good days. God is bringing revelation to our hearts. Praise God for every believer in Jesus and every believing organization around the world who love the Jewish people and who support the resurrected State of Israel. Thank God for the tens of thousands of international believers who bring both financial and moral support to the Jewish people.

But I would like to challenge you to take the next step. Notice carefully Paul’s words to the Galatians, “especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

There is a neglected group of people among many Zionists – the Jewish believers in Jesus.

Thousands of Christians visit Israel annually. Most never touch a Jewish believer. Some do not even know they exist, nor that they are often poor and often harassed because of their faith in Jesus.

Tens of thousands attend rallies designed to bring unity between Christians and Jews. Jewish believers in Jesus are rarely if ever invited to these functions, sometimes out of fear that the unity movement might be thwarted. Imagine that in the context of life during the time of the apostles.

Thank God for Christian Zionists, but let’s take the next step. Develop relationships with “the family of believers.” With them we are doubly related: 1) as grafted-in members of their family and 2) as family members who share in the faith that Jesus is the Messiah.

Let us not ignore those clear words of Paul. That is “Caleb’s Call.” Let us help connect you to Jewish people who have come to faith in Yeshua. Remember them with your own personal support, with that of your home congregation, and from any foundations over which you have authority. Continue to support every God-ordained ministry designed to bring together these centuries-long estranged community of God-believers, but do good “especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Radical Faith

2008-02-03T11:37:00.002-06:00

One of the most impacting meetings I had in Israel this past November was with an amazing Arab believer, Mohammed (name is changed for security reasons). Mohammed goes into the West Bank and ministers to the radical Muslims, some of whom are former terrorists. After going through security checkpoints he pastors over one hundred beloved Muslims that he has led to the Lord. His life is in danger each time he witnesses, but God's supernatural protection and grace has covered him and his young family.

Muhammed shared with me that just a few days earlier, the owner of a Christian bookstore in Gaza was brutally murdered. Mohammed knew this man and his family. The man that was murdered left behind two young boys and his wife who is pregnant with a baby girl. Mohammed shared how some people came to her house and asked her how she felt about the death of her husband. "I am very, very sad that my husband was killed," she said, "but, I would be even sadder if he had come home alive. That would have meant that he had denied Jesus."

I sat stunned. This woman's faith rattled my worldview as a believer from the West.
The Muslim extremists will bribe or shame Christians to get them to renounce their faith, Muhammed continued. A Christian was bribed with a car, a home, and a good job, and converted to Islam. A Christian woman was brutally shamed into converting to Islam."

"Do many believers convert to Islam through bribery and fear?" I asked.
Mohammed looked shocked, "Oh no! Believers would never convert! They would much rather die for the Lord." He was nodding his head to confirm my agreement.

I then understood the difference. "Christian" is just a name, a family background into which one is born. "Believers" are the sold out ones who have already given up their lives to the Lord, who do "not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (Revelation 12:11)

This fearless lifestyle deeply impacted me as I reflected on my own commitment to live and even to die for the Lord.

Tod, Mohammed and Richard together in Israel

Blessings- Tod

todmcdowell@gmail.com

http://www.mcdowellsmessage.com/

http://www.calebcompany.com/
For tax-deductible donations to our ministry, make checks out to "The Caleb Company." Then send them to 68 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203- with a note that it is for the McDowells. Thanks!

Prosperity Gospel

2008-02-03T11:29:00.000-06:00

This outstanding article by Asher struck such a powerful note of affirmation in my heart, that I want all of you to be sure and get it, read it, and respond in whatever way the Lord leads.

Repent if you have believed a “poverty gospel” that the people of God were not intended to prosper for the sake of the advancement of the kingdom. God desires that His people prosper, so that, as the apostle Paul said to the Corinthians, “we may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work,” or, as he said on another occasion, that those who have been idle or lazy should work, so that “they may have to give to others who are in need.” In other words, our desire for financial blessing is so that we can provide for our own, AND ALSO for the work of God, NOT so that we can always increase our own standard of living, while others live in poverty and lack. This is God’s intention for His people.

Repent for having received a teaching about the “prosperity gospel” that appeals to the lusts of the flesh—giving in order to get luxuries that may actually stand in the way of doing God’s kingdom work. In other words, repent of greed.

Repent for not having used the wealth the Lord has given us for His kingdom advancement.

May the Lord open our hearts as we ponder the words given to us by our Jerusalem brother!

You may also want to sign up regularly to receive Asher’s email updates. If so, please go to www.revive-israel.org. For giving to his ministry, you may visit the http://www.tikkunministries.org/ website, pull down donation for Revive Israel.

June 2007
The Generosity Gospel - Asher Intrater

Sometimes I am asked if I believe in the "Prosperity" gospel. What I believe in is the "Generosity" gospel. There is a divine revelation of God's desire to bless His people in every way, including financially. The issue of blessing can be seen at the first covenant of God with Abraham:

Genesis 12:2 - I will bless you.
Genesis 12:3 - In you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

We are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others. The issue here is the intention of the heart. We desire to be blessed IN ORDER TO bless others. Every blessing of God also contains its own temptation and the moral test to steward it properly. Solomon was blessed financially, but in the end, he was lured away from the Lord.

[Notice that in this passage the financial blessing of God is connected to the restoration of Israel (Genesis 12:1 - "Go to a land which I will show you.") and to world evangelism (verse 3 - "All the families of the earth").]

There is a perfect balance to the word of God (a two edged sword). If we encourage people with the blessing of prosperity, we also have to warn them of the danger of greed. Greed is so dangerous that it can result in someone going to hell (Luke 12:16-21, Luke 16:19-26). The problem is not so much in what is preached by "prosperity" teachers, but in what they are not teaching. If you teach just half a message, even if it is true, then it becomes misleading.

This fault can be found on either side. If we teach only on God's will to prosper financially, without the character issues involved, people will ultimately become indulgent and greedy. Some preachers try to attract people to give to their ministry, or to come to their church, by giving a message that is basically an appeal to the lusts of this world.

However, if we do not teach God's will to prosper, the people will remain largely unfruitful and unbelieving. Many times people complain about those "prosperity" teachers, and then in the next breath they complain about their own lack of finances.

Yeshua's (Jesus') teaching is stunningly balanced and stunningly simple: Luke 6:38 - Give and it will be given to you. This is an example of "measure opposite measure," the law of equal action and reaction. I would summarize the basic principles of finances in Scripture this way:

INTEGRITY + GENEROSITY = PROSPERITY

Integrity includes hard work and honesty. Integrity demands paying taxes. If we are to pay all our taxes, give decent wages to our employees, provide for our children's education, we will quickly find that we need a lot more money than we ever imagined. Therefore, integrity demands prosperity.

If we want to help the poor, strengthen the body of Messiah, and spread the gospel, we will need even more provision. Thus generosity also demands prosperity.

Although Yeshua taught on the perfect balance of generosity and prosperity (Luke 6:38 above), He also taught that one is better than the other. Acts 20:35 - It is more blessed to give than to receive. We will be judged, not by what we have, but by what we give (Luke 12:15; 21:3, Acts 10:4).

We are to give no thought to our own provision (Matthew 6:25) - that is worry; nor to our own prosperity (Romans 13:14) - that is greed. We are to be focused on bearing MUCH fruit for the kingdom of God (John 15:8) - that takes generosity; and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) - that takes integrity.

Generosity is central to the plan of God. (John 3:16 - God so loved the world that He gave...) True faith in God will produce generosity of heart. Generosity may be seen both as character and as charisma.

Character means the personality qualities of God. We are to "give to all who ask (Luke 6:30)," so that we will become "sons of the Most High (Luke 6:35)." That is our reward - to be like Yeshua. God has great generosity of heart. I want to be like Him. Therefore I want to develop generosity in all things, including finances.

Giving is also a charisma, a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit. In speaking of financial giving, Shaul (Paul) said, "As you abound in faith, speech, knowledge, diligence and love, see that you abound in this grace (charisma) as well" - II Corinthians 8:7. So we are to grow in generosity as both a fruit and a gift of the Spirit.

Just as we are passionate to worship and share the word, so should we be passionate in our giving. We want to be like the "first century church." In that community of faith, there was supernatural giving. Apostolic restoration will include apostolic generosity. (And the businessmen were as much a part of the kingdom ministry as the prophets and evangelists.)

Acts 4:34-35 - All who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet.

This money was used for the needs of the congregation and for the world mission. These saints understood their destiny together to change the entire world (remember Genesis 12). That vision was so exciting that people wanted to give everything to be part of it. The same fire of Pentecost (Shavuot) revival and world evangelism also made them "burn" with excitement to give. Their supernatural giving was "vision motivated."

The gospel is exploding all over the world today, particularly in the poorer nations of Asia. The potential of our giving to multiply results for the kingdom is exponential. Let's go for it.