ANNOUNCER: THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE
BY THE FRIENDS AND PARTNERS OF JOYCE MEYER MINISTRIES.
[MUSIC]
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: WELL, WELCOME TO "ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE."
I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE WITH US TODAY AND GLAD TO HAVE OUR
STUDIO AUDIENCE HERE WITH US, SO I'VE GOT SOME PEOPLE
TO TALK TO HERE IN THE STUDIO AS WELL AS TALKING TO ALL OF YOU
BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, HANDSOME, AMAZING PEOPLE THAT ARE WATCHING
THE PROGRAM TODAY.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT?
YOU REALLY ARE AMAZING.
GOD CREATED YOU WITH HIS VERY OWN HAND, AND HE'S GOT A REALLY,
REALLY, REALLY GOOD PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.
AND I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU WATCHING TODAY,
YOU'RE PROBABLY HURTING, AND YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF
DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE, BUT I WANT YOU
TO KNOW THAT DON'T EVER THINK THAT NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOU
BECAUSE GOD CARES ABOUT YOU.
HE SEES YOU.
HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE, AND HE HAS ALREADY
PLANNED YOUR PRISON BREAK.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LISTEN TO HIM AND KNOW EXACTLY THAT
HE LOVES YOU, THAT HE CARES ABOUT YOU, THAT YOUR SINS ARE
FORGIVEN, AND THAT WHATEVER'S HOLDING YOU IN BONDAGE,
WHATEVER'S GOT YOU IN SOME KIND OF EMOTIONAL PRISON
OR MENTAL PRISON OR FINANCIAL PRISON,
THAT GOD HAS GOT A WAY FOR YOU TO GET OUT.
TODAY I WANNA TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT MONEY.
DO YOU KNOW THAT JESUS SAID MORE ABOUT MONEY
THAN HE DID HEAVEN OR HELL?
I THINK THAT'S INTERESTING, IN OVER HALF OF THE PARABLES,
JESUS TALKS ABOUT MONEY.
SO MONEY IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S A BAD THING TO TALK ABOUT.
MATTER OF FACT, I THINK IF WE TALKED ABOUT IT
IN A RIGHT WAY A LITTLE MORE THAN WHAT WE DO
PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE A LOT LESS TROUBLE WITH IT,
AND I JUST WANT US TO THINK ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT THIS
DOES AND ALL THE THINGS THAT IT CAUSES.
THIS BUYS THINGS.
TO GET THIS, PEOPLE STEAL.
THEY LIE.
THEY MISTREAT PEOPLE.
SOME PEOPLE WILL EVEN KILL TO GET IT.
PEOPLE COMMIT ALL KINDS OF CRIMES TO GET IT.
DIVORCES ARE CAUSED BECAUSE OF IT.
TO GET MORE OF IT, PEOPLE SOMETIMES DON'T PAY
ENOUGH ATTENTION TO THEIR CHILDREN.
I DON'T THINK IT'S QUITE AS IMPORTANT AS WE MAKE IT
OUT TO BE.
AND WE ALL KNOW THAT WE DO NEED MONEY.
IT'S WHAT WE USE IN THE WORLD TODAY TO GET THE THINGS THAT
WE NEED, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING
OF THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR NEEDS AND OUR WANTS.
IT'S NOT THAT WE SHOULDN'T ALL BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME OF
THE THINGS WE WANT, BUT TO BE HONEST, NOBODY NEEDS
TO HAVE EVERYTHING THAT THEY WANT.
AND THE QUEST FOR MATERIALISM AND FOR STUFF IS ACTUALLY
DESTROYING OUR SOCIETY.
GREED CAN DESTROY A FAMILY.
IT CAN DESTROY A PERSON.
IT CAN DESTROY AN ENTIRE SOCIETY.
WELL, WHAT REALLY IS GREED?
REALLY, GREED IS NO MORE THAN JUST SAYING, "NO MATTER WHAT
I HAVE I'M NOT SATISFIED WITH IT FOR VERY LONG, AND THEN
I THINK I HAVE TO HAVE MORE."
AND I BELIEVE THAT GREED IS AN EVIL SPIRIT THAT COMES
AGAINST EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US.
I'VE EXPERIENCED FEELINGS OF GREED IN MY LIFE,
AND I'VE LEARNED THE WAY TO FIGHT GREED IS WITH GENEROSITY,
AND I REALLY, TRULY MEAN THAT.
YOU CAN FIGHT GREED, YOU CAN KEEP GREED
OUT OF YOUR LIFE, BY BEING GENEROUS ON PURPOSE.
I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE BIBLE TELLS US
THAT WE ARE TO GIVE BACK A TITHE OF ALL OF OUR INCREASE
TO THE HOUSE OF GOD, WHICH THEN SHOULD BE USED
TO HELP PEOPLE.
SO, IN EFFECT, WE'RE GIVING A PART OF EVERYTHING THAT COMES
TO US TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE, AND THAT KEEPS OUR MINDS
OFF OF JUST US.
THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN JUST LIVING A SELFISH,
SELF-CENTERED LIFE THAT'S TOTALLY ABSORBED IN
"WHAT CAN I DO, AND WHAT CAN I GET?"
AND I WANT MORE OF IT.
AND THEN HAVING TO HAVE SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY
ELSE YOU KNOW HAS ONE, AND MAYBE THEY CAN AFFORD ONE,
AND YOU CAN'T AFFORD ONE.
BUT YOU FIND SOME MANIPULATIVE WAY TO GET ONE JUST SO YOU CAN
FEEL LIKE YOU'RE AS GOOD AS THEY ARE, AND IT'S JUST REALLY KINDA
FOOLISH IF YOU LOOK AT IT, THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE PLACE
ON THINGS.
DO YOU KNOW THE BIBLE SAYS THAT EVERY SINGLE THING
THAT WE GO PURCHASE, EVERY SINGLE THING THAT WE HAVE,
IS ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF DECAY.
SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THE CAR THAT YOU BUY
IS ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF DECAY.
THE HOME YOU BUY IS ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF DECAY.
AND IF YOU DON'T THINK IT IS JUST GO DRIVE BY A JUNKYARD
SOMEWHERE AND REALIZE THAT WHAT IS NOW A PILE OF JUNK
AT ONE TIME WAS SOMEBODY'S DREAM,
AND THERE'S NO TELLING THE PRICE THAT THEY MAY HAVE PAID
IN FAMILY, IN RELATIONSHIPS, IN DOING DAMAGE TO THEIR HEALTH,
IN LOTS OF THINGS IN ORDER TO GET THAT THING THAT IS NOW
LAYING IN A JUNKYARD SOMEWHERE AND HAS NO VALUE TO THEM AT ALL.
NOW OBVIOUSLY I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE DON'T WANNA HAVE
NICE THINGS.
I BELIEVE GOD WANTS US TO HAVE NICE THINGS, BUT I DO BELIEVE
THAT THERE'S A VERY CLEAR DIRECTION IN THE WORD OF GOD IN
PSALM 37:4 THAT SAYS THAT, "IF WE DELIGHT OURSELVES
IN THE LORD, HE WILL GIVE US THE DESIRES OF OUR HEART."
AND THE GREAT THING ABOUT GOD IS WE CAN TRUST HIM TO GIVE US
WHAT IS SAFE FOR US.
THE FLESH FIGHTS AGAINST WISDOM.
WE HAVE WISDOM IN US FROM GOD, AND WE HAVE TO LEARN HOW
TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT.
SO WE CAN'T LET THE FLESH RULE, AND WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT IT
WILL IF WE DON'T STAND UP TO IT.
SO IT'S GOOD TO TRUST GOD TO GIVE WHAT IS SAFE FOR US TO
HAVE, AND I PRAY ALL THE TIME, "GOD, I WANT YOU TO GIVE ME
ANYTHING YOU WANT ME TO HAVE, BUT IF I ASK YOU FOR SOMETHING
AND IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR ME, THEN I'M ASKING YOU NOW
NOT TO GIVE IT TO ME."
NOW FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING BY TV, CAN YOU JUST START
TO DO THAT?
THAT'S A BOLD WAY TO PRAY AND NOT, "GOD, I WANT THIS.
I HAVE TO HAVE THIS. I NEED THIS.
I CAN'T BE HAPPY WITHOUT THIS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME THIS."
BUT, "GOD, I'D LIKE TO HAVE THIS, AND I'M ASKING YOU
FOR IT," BECAUSE THE BIBLE SAYS YOU CAN ASK GOD FOR ANYTHING,
"ASK ME FOR ANYTHING," "YOU HAVE NOT BECAUSE
YOU ASK NOT."
BUT THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THAT IS IF YOU'RE REALLY TRUSTING
GOD AND ABIDING IN HIM, YOU CAN TRUST THAT EVEN IF YOU
ASK FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT RIGHT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW
OR IT'S THE WRONG TIME, YOU CAN TRUST GOD NOT TO GIVE IT
TO YOU, AND THAT'S NOT REALLY EVEN A NO.
IT'S JUST, "I'VE GOT SOMETHING BETTER FOR YOU,
AND YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO ASK FOR THAT YET."
IT'S A WONDERFUL THING TO NOT CRAVE POSSESSIONS,
TO ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE BUT TO NOT CRAVE THEM TO THE
POINT WHERE YOU CANNOT BE HAPPY WITHOUT THEM.
SO I WANNA TALK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT BECOMING DEBT FREE,
AND I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE PROBABLY DON'T EVEN HAVE
IN YOUR MIND THAT THAT WOULD EVER BE A POSSIBILITY FOR YOU.
BUT I WANT YOU TO NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN MIRACLES,
AND A MIRACLE DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN THAT THERE'S NOTHING
FOR YOU TO DO.
IT MEANS THAT GOD WILL DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN'T DO,
BUT HE'S GONNA ASK YOU TO DO WHAT YOU CAN DO.
SO YOU MIGHT SAY, "WELL, YOU KNOW,
I CAN'T DO THIS AND THAT.
I CAN'T GIVE THIS AND THAT."
BUT WHAT CAN YOU GIVE?
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
IF WE START DOING WHAT WE CAN DO
AND WE DO IT TO HONOR GOD AND TO GLORIFY HIM,
NOW WE'VE GOT A WAY TO PRAY AND SAY, "GOD, I NEED A MIRACLE
FROM YOU."
BUT GOD'S NOT GONNA GIVE US A MIRACLE WHILE WE LAY ON THE
COUCH AND EAT DOUGHNUTS AND WATCH SOAP OPERAS ALL DAY.
YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU'RE IN DEBT
AND YOU WANNA GET OUT, THEN THAT MEANS YOU'RE PROBABLY
GONNA NEED A JOB AND MAYBE A JOB AND A HALF
OR MAYBE TWO JOBS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME,
AND IT MEANS THAT YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO GO BUY
EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE THAT YOU WANT.
AND YOU MAY HAVE TO CUT UP ALL THE CREDIT CARDS.
YOU KNOW, I THINK SOME PEOPLE NEED PLASTIC SURGERY
AND IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN WHAT WE THINK ABOUT IT.
THEY NEED TO GET OUT THE SCISSORS AND CUT UP ALL
THOSE LITTLE PLASTIC CARDS THAT ARE CHARGED UP TO THE MAX
THAT THEY'RE PAYING ALL KINDS OF INTEREST ON PAYING FOR STUFF
THAT THEY COULDN'T EVEN FIND IT IN THEIR HOUSE IF THEY WENT
TO LOOK FOR IT RIGHT NOW.
AND SO WE ARE REALLY ADDICTED TO STUFF, AND WE DON'T WANNA BE.
LET'S TRUST GOD TO GIVE US WHAT WE REALLY NEED.
JAMES DOBSON SAID HE GOT A GREAT REVELATION
WHILE PLAYING THE BOARD GAME MONOPOLY.
HE WAS PLAYING IT VERY AGGRESSIVELY, GETTING HOMES,
TURNING 'EM INTO HOTELS, TAKING EVERYTHING THAT EVERYONE
ELSE HAD, PUTTING THEM OUT OF THE GAME.
SOON EVERYONE HAD LOST EVERYTHING THEY HAD,
AND HE HAD IT ALL.
ISN'T THAT OUR GOAL IN LIFE?
AS HE STARTED PUTTING THE GAME AWAY, HE BEGAN THROWING
THE PIECES BACK IN THE BOX WHEN HE SUDDENLY REALIZED
SOMETHING.
WHEN OUR LIVES ARE OVER, EVERYTHING WE HAVE GAINED
WILL SIMPLY GO BACK IN THE BOX, AND SOMEONE ELSE WILL COME ALONG
AND START ALL OVER WITH IT.
WHY NOT SPEND YOUR LIFE DOING SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO
LAST, AMEN?
NOW, YOU KNOW, SADLY A LARGE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, ANYONE WHO
DOESN'T KNOW THE WORD OF GOD, DOESN'T HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT WHAT
I'M TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.
THEY JUST THINK THAT THE WHOLE PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO SEE HOW
MUCH STUFF YOU CAN GET AND WALK ALL OVER WHOEVER YOU NEED TO
WALK ALL OVER TO GET IT, AND WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
ARE NOT LIKE THAT IN THE CHURCH.
THE BIBLE NEVER SAYS THAT MONEY IS EVIL.
IT SAYS, "THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL."
WE CAN ENJOY OUR MONEY, BUT WE SHOULD NOT LOVE OUR MONEY
TO THE POINT WHERE WE LOVE IT MORE THAN WE LOVE PEOPLE.
I MEAN I THINK WE ALL KNOW PEOPLE WHO, IN ORDER TO GET
MONEY, MISTREAT PEOPLE.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO USE MONEY TO BLESS PEOPLE,
NOT USE PEOPLE TO GET MONEY.
I THINK I'M GONNA SAY THAT AGAIN.
I THINK WE NEED TO USE MONEY TO BLESS PEOPLE,
NOT USE PEOPLE TO GET MONEY.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT GOD WOULD PUT ANYTHING IN A PERSON'S HANDS
THAT WOULD CAUSE THEM AS MUCH TORMENT AS MONEY HAS CAUSED
IN OUR WORLD IF HE DIDN'T INTEND THEM FOR IT TO BE A BLESSING.
TWO BOOKS I RECOMMEND FOR RESEARCH, "MONEY CAME
BY THE HOUSE THE OTHER DAY," BY ROBERT KATZ
AND "FINANCIAL PEACE" BY DAVE RAMSEY.
I'VE HAD BOTH OF THESE MEN ON MY TV SHOW, AND THEY HAVE
DETAILED PLANS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET OUT OF DEBT.
AND THEY WILL WORK FOR ANYBODY WHO WORKS THE PLAN.
WE EVEN HAVE PEOPLE WORKING RIGHT HERE
WHO READ THE MATERIAL.
AND I KNOW OF ONE CASE WHERE PEOPLE WERE DEEP IN DEBT AND HAD
PROBLEMS WITH THAT ALL THEIR LIFE AND NOW THEY ARE OUT OF
DEBT AND IT'S SO FREEING.
MOST PEOPLE IF THEY GET A RAISE, BEFORE THEY EVER GET THAT EXTRA
MONEY ON THEIR FIRST PAYCHECK, THEY GO FIND SOMETHING TO BUY.
"OH, AND NOW WE CAN GET THIS.
WELL, NOW WE CAN GET THIS."
AND SO THEN THEY'RE ALREADY MAKING A--THEY'RE ALREADY MAKING
A PAYMENT ON SOMETHING BEFORE THEY EVEN GET THE MONEY.
WELL, WHY NOT SAY, "WELL, I'M GONNA GET A RAISE THIS YEAR
AT WORK SO I'M GONNA TAKE THAT EXTRA MONEY NOW AND PAY IT ON
THIS BILL," INSTEAD OF GOING AND BUYING SOMETHING ELSE?
"WELL, THEN I DON'T GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT."
WELL, YEAH, YOU DO, DOWN THE ROAD,
YOU GET TO BE DEBT FREE.
AND SEE, THE PROBLEM IS IS WE WANT INSTANT GRATIFICATION.
WE REALLY WANT EVERYTHING TO-- "I WANT IT TO FEEL GOOD
RIGHT NOW."
BUT WHAT ABOUT LATER?
NO DISCIPLINE FOR THE PRESENT SEEMS JOYOUS, NEVERTHELESS
LATER ON--CAN SOMEBODY CHEER FOR LATER ON?
NEVERTHELESS, LATER ON IT YIELDETH THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS TO THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY IT.
SCRIPTURE, HEBREWS CHAPTER 12.
DISCIPLINE DOESN'T FEEL GOOD RIGHT NOW.
BEFORE I CAME HERE TODAY, I HAD MY WORKOUT AT THE GYM
AND IT WAS LOWER BODY DAY.
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
JOYCE: AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT WAS NOT FUN.
AT ABOUT 3 O'CLOCK TOMORROW AFTERNOON, I WILL BE SORE,
I AM SURE.
BUT I TELL YOU WHAT, WHEN I CAN GET THOSE JEANS ON THAT I BOUGHT
AND BE COMFORTABLE IN THEM, MMM-MMM, I'M GONNA BE GLAD THEN.
AND SO WE HAVE TO STOP JUST BEING INSTANTLY GRATIFIED.
WHEN YOU GO OUT SHOPPING, DON'T GO BUY THINGS EMOTIONALLY.
I REMEMBER AN EXPERIENCE THAT I HAD AND I'LL NEVER
FORGET THIS.
I HAD SAVED SOME MONEY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I HAD, MAYBE A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
I'D SAVED FOR A LONG TIME AND HAD THIS MONEY.
AND SO I REALLY WANTED AND NEEDED A NEW WATCH.
AND SO WE WENT OUT SHOPPING, WENT INTO A JEWELRY STORE.
THEY HAD THIS BEAUTIFUL WATCH THERE.
OF COURSE, THE SALESMAN SAID, "IT'S ONLY ON SALE TODAY.
GOES OFF SALE AT 5 O'CLOCK.
THE STORE'S CLOSING IN 2 HOURS.
OH, THIS LOOKS GREAT ON YOU."
AND THERE WAS ALL THIS PRESSURE TO GET IT RIGHT NOW.
WELL, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE DISCOVERED
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS THEY DO TO THE LIGHTS IN STORES,
BUT I CAN TELL YOU STUFF LOOKS BETTER IN THE STORES THAN
IT DOES WHEN YOU GET IT HOME.
I MEAN, I'VE HAD THAT EXPERIENCE.
I'LL BUY IT IN THE STORE AND THEN GO HOME WITH IT AND THINK,
"WELL, THIS DON'T LOOK AS GOOD AS I THOUGHT IT DID.
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?" IT'S GOT SOMETHING TO DO
WITH THE KIND OF LIGHTS THAT THEY HAVE.
SO YOU BETTER TAKE THAT BABY SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU'RE
LOOKING AT IT IN REAL LIGHT BEFORE YOU TAKE IT HOME.
BUT ANYWAY, IT WAS PRETTY AND I ALMOST BOUGHT IT.
IT WAS GONNA TAKE ALL MY MONEY.
AND SO I SAID, "YOU KNOW WHAT?" 'CAUSE I WAS--BY THEN, I WAS
STARTING TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT FROM GOD ABOUT HOW TO WAIT
AND HOW TO WALK IN WISDOM.
AND I SAID, "I'M GONNA JUST WALK AROUND OUT HERE IN THE MALL FOR
A LITTLE BIT AND IF I WANT IT, I'LL COME BACK
BEFORE THE STORE CLOSES."
"WELL, YOU KNOW NOW THIS IS ONLY TODAY AND YOU CAN ONLY GET
IT TODAY," AND YOU KNOW.
I SAID, "I'LL COME BACK IF I WANT IT."
DON'T GET TALKED INTO DOING STUFF THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO.
DON'T GET TALKED INTO DOING STUFF THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO.
DON'T FOLLOW YOUR EMOTIONS, FOLLOW THE LEADERSHIP
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
SO I TOOK A LITTLE WALK AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S AMAZING WHEN YOU GET
AWAY FROM THE LOOK OF SOMETHING, HOW YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD IT
BEGINS TO CHANGE.
AND SO WHILE I WAS WALKING IN THE MALL, I SAW THIS DRESS
IN THE WINDOW.
IT WAS ACTUALLY A SUIT.
I LOVED IT.
OH, MY GOSH.
I MEAN, IT HAD JUST THE RIGHT LITTLE THING IN THE BACK.
I LIKE THESE SUITS THAT KIND OF FIT YOU AT THE WAIST
AND BACK THEN THEY HAD LITTLE RUFFLES BACK HERE.
AND I JUST--OH, THAT WAS SO CUTE.
AND THEN MY HUSBAND DIDN'T HELP, HE SAID, "OH, THAT'S GONNA
LOOK SO GOOD ON YOU.
YOU GOTTA TRY THAT ON."
SO I SAID, "WELL, IF I GET THAT, I CAN'T GET THE WATCH."
AND HE SAID, "WELL, JUST TRY IT ON."
SO I TRIED IT ON AND SURE ENOUGH, IT LOOKED ABSOLUTELY
AMAZING ON ME.
NOW I HAD A PROBLEM.
AM I GONNA GET THE SUIT, AM I GONNA GET THE WATCH?
SO AGAIN I SAID, "I'M GONNA TAKE A WALK OUT IN THE MALL
AND I WILL COME BACK AND LET YOU KNOW."
AND HONESTLY, I'M TELLING YOU THE TRUTH, WHILE I WAS WALKING
OUT IN THE MALL SAYING, "GOD, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
WHICH ONE, YOU KNOW, WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET?"
THE THING THAT CAME TO MY HEART WAS MORE THAN I WANTED THE WATCH
AND MORE THAN I WANTED THE SUIT, I WANTED TO KEEP MY MONEY SO
I WOULD HAVE THE LIBERTY TO GO TO LUNCH IF I WANTED TO, TAKE A
FRIEND TO LUNCH IF I WANTED TO.
THE THOUGHTS OF HAVING THAT $200 THAT I COULD SPEND IN LITTLE
PIECES OVER A PERIOD OF TIME WAS MUCH MORE DELIGHTFUL TO ME
THAN BUYING EITHER ONE OF THOSE THINGS AND THEN HAVING NOTHING.
SO I OBEYED GOD, DIDN'T GET EITHER ONE AND LO AND BEHOLD,
MY HUSBAND CAME HOME IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH THAT SUIT.
SO YOU SEE, IF WE WAIT ON GOD, GOD WILL DO FOR US WHAT WE WILL
NOT DO FOR OURSELVES OR SHOULD NOT BE DOING FOR OURSELVES.
SO THE BIBLE SAYS IN PROVERBS 27:23, "BE DILIGENT TO
KNOW THE STATE OF YOUR FLOCKS, AND LOOK WELL TO YOUR HERDS."
WELL, OBVIOUSLY MOST OF YOU DON'T HAVE FLOCKS OR HERDS.
WELL, WHAT WAS HE SAYING?
IF YOU GOT A FIELD FULL OF SHEEP OUT THERE, KNOW HOW MANY'S
OUT THERE.
IF YOU GOT A FIELD FULL OF COWS OUT THERE, DO YOU KNOW
HOW MANY THAT YOU HAVE?
WELL, DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY YOU REALLY HAVE?
YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT YOUR FIXED ASSETS ARE, WHAT YOUR ASSETS ARE
THAT YOU COULD TURN INTO CASH RIGHT AWAY IF YOU NEEDED TO,
WHAT ASSETS DO YOU HAVE THAT YEAH, THEY'RE NICE AND THEY'RE
WORTH SOMETHING BUT YOU PROBABLY COULDN'T EVEN SELL THEM
EVEN IF YOU WANTED TO.
I MEAN, I'VE HAD THAT EXPERIENCE BEFORE.
I'VE GOTTEN TALKED INTO INVESTING IN THINGS THAT PEOPLE
SAID, "OH, MAN, THIS IS WORTH THUS AND SO AND I'M GONNA
GIVE IT TO YOU FOR THIS."
I REMEMBER BUYING AN ANTIQUE ONE TIME.
IT WAS LIKE THIS BIG DECORATOR PIECE FROM THE VICTORIAN AGE,
AND I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS SO PRETTY.
IT WAS LIKE THIS BIG HORSE AND CARRIAGE AND
IT HAD SOMEBODY'S NAME ON IT AND THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE FAMOUS.
"AND THERE'S ONLY SO MANY OF THESE LEFT IN THE WORLD.
AND BOY, YOU CAN ENJOY THIS.
AND THEN WHEN YOU'RE READY TO SELL IT, IT WILL BE WORTH
THUS AND SO AND THUS AND SO."
WELL, TIME WENT BY AND I GOT TIRED OF THAT KIND OF ARTWORK,
DIDN'T WANT IT ANYMORE SO I THOUGHT, NOW I'M GONNA
MAKE MYSELF SOME MONEY.
WELL THE PROBLEM IS NOBODY WANTED IT.
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
JOYCE: AND SO NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE THAT YOU THINK IS WORTH
SOMETHING, IF NOBODY WANTS IT-- I DID THAT WITH A PAINTER.
THAT WAS A PAINTER THAT WAS REAL POPULAR.
I MEAN, I WASN'T SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY ON THESE PICTURES
BUT, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS,
TWO OR THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
AND PEOPLE WOULD SAY, "OH, MAN, 20 YEARS FROM NOW, THESE
PAINTINGS ARE GONNA BE WORTH $3,000, $4,000, $60-,
YOU KNOW, $50,000."
WELL, HERE AGAIN, I HAD A WHOLE BUNCH OF THESE THINGS AND THEN
THE GUY WASN'T SO POPULAR AND NOBODY HARDLY KNEW WHO HE WAS,
AND NOW YOU CAN'T EVEN HARDLY GIVE THEM AWAY.
AND SO WE HAVE TO REALIZE WHAT IS REALLY AN ASSET THAT CAN BE
TURNED INTO CASH AND WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY
YOU OWN IT BUT IT REALLY IS NOT REALLY WORTH ANYTHING.
KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE AND KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU OWE.
WRITE DOWN HOW MUCH YOU MAKE AND WRITE DOWN HOW MUCH YOU OWE
AND DON'T LEAVE OUT ANYTHING.
AND DON'T KEEP ADDING TO THE "I OWE" SIDE
WHEN THE "I MAKE" SIDE IS NOT GETTING BIGGER TOO.
KNOW THE STATE OF YOUR FLOCKS.
DO YOU REALLY OWN SOMETHING OR DOES IT JUST OWN YOU?
LET'S DON'T BE WHAT PEOPLE FONDLY CALL CONSUMER CRAZY,
HAVING TO HAVE STUFF, STUFF, STUFF, STUFF, STUFF.
LET ME READ YA A STORY.
THIS IS WRITTEN BY ADELINE HAWS, H-A-W-S.
IT'S CALLED "THE ROOSTER AND THE HEN."
"SAID THE LITTLE RED ROOSTER, BELIEVE ME THINGS ARE TOUGH.
SEEMS THE WORMS ARE GETTING SCARCER AND
I JUST CAN'T FIND ENOUGH.
WHAT'S BECOME OF ALL THOSE FAT ONES?
IT'S A MYSTERY TO ME.
THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF THEM THROUGH THE RAINY SPELL,
BUT NOW WHERE CAN THEY BE?" SO THAT'S THE PERSON WHO JUST
WANTS TO SIT AROUND AND HAVE EVERYTHING AND NOT DO VERY MUCH.
"BUT THE OLD, BLACK HEN WHO HEARD HIM DIDN'T GRUMBLE OR
COMPLAIN BECAUSE SHE HAD LIVED THROUGH LOTS OF DRY SPELLS.
SHE HAD LIVED THROUGH FLOODS OF RAIN.
SHE PICKED A NEW AND UN-DUG SPOT THE GROUND WAS HARD AND FIRM.
I MUST GO TO THE WORM, SHE SAID, BECAUSE THE WORMS
WON'T COME TO ME.
THE ROOSTER VAINLY SPENT HIS DAYS THROUGH HABIT
BY THE WAYS WHERE FAT, ROUND WORMS HAD PASSED IN SQUADS
BACK IN THE RAINY DAYS.
WHEN NIGHT FALL FOUND HIM SUPPERLESS, HE GROWLED
IN ANCIENT ROUGH.
I'M HUNGRY AS A FOWL CAN BE.
CONDITIONS SURE ARE TOUGH.
BUT THE OLD, BLACK HEN HOPPED TO HER PERCH AND DROPPED HER
EYES TO SLEEP AND MURMURED IN A DROWSY TONE, YOUNG MAN,
HEAR THIS AND WEEP.
I'M FULL OF WORMS AND HAPPY FOR I'VE EATEN LIKE A PIG.
THE WORMS WERE THERE AS ALWAYS, BUT BOY, I HAD TO DIG."
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
JOYCE: AND, YOU KNOW, THE TRUTH IS IS YOU CAN SIT
AND FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU'RE IN DEBT.
YOU CAN SAY, "WOE IS ME.
I'VE GOT ALL THESE BILLS.
I'M UNHAPPY 'CAUSE I'VE GOT ALL THESE BILLS,
AND I'M NOT PAID ENOUGH.
AND MY WIFE SPENDS TOO MUCH.
AND MY HUSBAND SPENDS TOO MUCH."
AND IT'S ALL EVERYBODY ELSE'S FAULT, EVERYBODY ELSE'S
RESPONSIBILITY.
OR YOU CAN GET SERIOUS, YOU CAN HAVE A--I ALWAYS SAY
HAVE A MEETING WITH YOURSELF.
WE'RE ALWAYS MAKING APPOINTMENTS, BUT SOMETIMES
WE DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH OURSELF
AND JUST SIT DOWN AND SAY, "WHAT AM I REALLY DOING?
HOW MUCH STUFF AM I IN DEBT FOR THAT REALLY HASN'T DONE
ME ONE BIT OF GOOD?" HEY, WE ALL LIKE SOMETHING NEW
ONCE IN A WHILE.
WE ALL LIKE SOMETHING PRETTY OR, YOU KNOW, THE GUYS LIKE
SOMETHING MANLY OR WHATEVER IT IS, A NEW GOLF BALL,
A NEW SOMETHING TO THROW AROUND OR BOUNCE AROUND OR, YOU KNOW,
A NEW RAKE OR A NEW HAMMER OR WHATEVER IT IS.
AND I BELIEVE THAT GOD DOES GIVE US THE DESIRES OF OUR HEART.
AND I FOUND IN MY LIFE THAT GOD WILL KEEP PEOPLE ENCOURAGED.
IF THEY'LL BE FAITHFUL OVER THE LITTLE THAT THEY HAVE, THEN
GOD WILL BRING IN, MIRACULOUSLY, THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU NEED.
AND I CAN TELL YOU IT IS SO MUCH MORE FUN TO TRUST GOD
AND WATCH GOD BRING YOU THINGS SUPERNATURALLY.
WHAT IF YOU REALLY NEED SOMETHING OR THERE'S SOMETHING
YOU--NOT EVEN NEED, THERE'S SOMETHING YOU'D REALLY LIKE TO
HAVE, BUT YOU'RE REFUSING TO GO OUT AND GO IN DEBT TO GET IT?
AND SUDDENLY, SOMEBODY THAT YOU WORK WITH COMES IN AND SAYS,
"YOU KNOW WHAT?
I JUST FELT LIKE GOD WANTED ME TO GIVE YOU THIS."
WELL, "AH!" MAN, YOU'RE SO EXCITED.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
THAT'S A WHOLE LOT MORE FUN THAN GOING OUT AND BUYING IT
AND A FLIPPING A CREDIT CARD AT SOMEBODY AND THEN HAVING TO PAY
IT OFF FOR THE NEXT NUMBER OF MONTHS AND FEELING KIND OF SICK
INSIDE BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT YOU DIDN'T DO THE RIGHT THING.
AND IF WE--NOW LISTEN TO WHAT I'M GONNA SAY--
IF WE WILL STOP GOING IN DEBT TO PROVIDE THINGS FOR OURSELF THAT
WE COULD WAIT ON, WE WILL SEE A LOT MORE MIRACLES FROM GOD.
HE WANTS TO DO MORE FOR US THAN WHAT WE'RE LETTING HIM DO, BUT
IF WE'RE GONNA GET IT THE WRONG WAY, THEN GOD WILL NOT BE ABLE
TO GIVE IT TO US THE RIGHT WAY.
AMEN?
CAN ANYBODY GIVE GOD A BIG PRAISE FOR THAT?
[APPLAUDING]
JOYCE: I LOVE 1 JOHN 2:15 THROUGH 17.
LET'S JUST LISTEN TO THIS.
"DO NOT LOVE OR CHERISH THE WORLD OR THE THINGS
THAT ARE IN THE WORLD.
FOR IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, LOVE FOR THE FATHER
IS NOT IN HIM."
NOW I KNOW THAT'S STRONG.
WE'RE NOT SAYING HERE THAT PEOPLE DON'T LOVE GOD,
BUT WE'RE JUST SAYING THAT ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE,
YOU CAN SERVE GOD OR MONEY, BUT YOU'RE NOT GONNA SERVE BOTH.
SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS SERVE GOD WITH OUR MONEY AND THE MORE
WE SERVE GOD WITH OUR MONEY, THAT MEANS PUTTING GOD FIRST
IN OUR MONEY, THE MORE OF IT WE'RE GONNA HAVE.
MY HUSBAND HAS A SIMPLE, REALLY, LITTLE FORMULA THAT HE USES AND,
YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU WATCHING KNOW THIS, HOW
MANY OF YOU EVEN HERE KNOW THIS, BUT OUR MINISTRY, THE MINISTRY
HERE, JOYCE MEYER MINISTRY HAS NO DEBT.
SO THE MONEY THAT YOU GIVE CAN REALLY GO TO HELPING PEOPLE.
IT'S NOT GOING TO PAY OFF DEBT THAT WE HAVE.
EVERY SINGLE THING THAT WE HAVE IS PAID FOR, INCLUDING
THE BUILDING THAT WE'RE IN.
AND THAT IS, OF COURSE, A CREDIT TO GOD,
BUT IT'S LARGELY A CREDIT TO MY HUSBAND'S PATIENCE AND WISDOM
IN REFUSING TO BUY THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR.
AND DAVE HAS ALWAYS HAD THIS LITTLE PATTERN THAT HE FOLLOWS
WHICH IS: SAVE SOME, SPEND SOME, GIVE SOME.
AND HE SAYS THAT IF YOU TAKE WHAT YOU HAVE, YOUR MEANS--
HE CALLS THEM OUR BORDERS-- AND OUT OF WHAT YOU HAVE,
YOU GIVE SOME, YOU SAVE SOME AND YOU SPEND SOME.
AND SPENDING SOME IS IMPORTANT.
YOU KNOW, YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR A WHILE IF YOU'RE
DEEP IN DEBT AND YOU NEED TO DIG YOUR WAY OUT.
YOU MAY HAVE TO DO WITHOUT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THAT WON'T
BE A TON OF FUN, BUT YOU'LL LIVE; YOU'LL SURVIVE.
AND, YOU KNOW, GOD WILL DO SPECIAL THINGS FOR YOU.
GOD--IF YOU'LL MAKE THAT COMMITMENT, GOD WILL MAKE THINGS
HAPPEN FOR YOU AND DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT IT.
DON'T COMPLAIN, "OH, THIS IS SO HARD AND IT'S TAKING SO LONG."
NO, YOU KNOW THE BEST THING TO SAY WOULD BE, "YOU KNOW WHAT?
I DIDN'T USE WISDOM.
I GOT MYSELF INTO THIS AND WITH GOD'S HELP,
I'M GONNA GET OUT OF IT.
HE'S GONNA SHOW ME WHAT TO DO.
HE'S GONNA GIVE ME THE GRACE TO DO IT, AND I BELIEVE THAT GOD
WILL GIVE ME WHAT I NEED ALL ALONG THE WAY, INCLUDING
ANY ENCOURAGEMENT THAT I NEED.
AND GOD IS MORE THAN ABLE TO PROVIDE A FEW LITTLE THINGS FOR
ME HERE AND THERE TO KEEP ME FROM GETTING TOO DISCOURAGED."
I THINK THAT YOU'LL SEE SOME MIRACLES HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE
THAT WILL ABSOLUTELY AMAZE YOU.
SO WE HAVE TO ALWAYS LOVE GOD, LOVE HIS WORD, MORE THAN
WE LOVE THE WORLD AND MORE THAN WE LOVE MONEY.
DON'T LOVE OR CHERISH THE WORLD OR THE THINGS THAT ARE IN IT.
ENJOY THEM, BUT DON'T FALL IN LOVE WITH THEM.
I ALWAYS SAY WE NEED TO HOLD EVERYTHING LOOSELY.
WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE NOT OWNERS, WE ARE STEWARDS.
ACTUALLY TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WE DON'T OWN ANYTHING.
EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE, WE'RE MANAGING IT FOR GOD.
WE'RE A STEWARD OF WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US,
AND WE NEED TO HANDLE IT WELL.
THE GOOD NEWS IS IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO LOVE THINGS.
WE CAN BE IN LOVE WITH GOD.
IT SAYS, "EVERYTHING THAT'S IN THE WORLD
IS CURRENTLY PASSING AWAY."
VERSE 17 SAYS, "AND THE WORLD PASSES AWAY AND DISAPPEARS, AND
WITH IT THE FORBIDDEN CRAVINGS (THE PASSIONATE DESIRES,
THE LUST) OF IT; BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD AND CARRIES OUT
HIS PURPOSES IN LIFE LIVES (REMAINS) AND ABIDES FOREVER."
LET ME JUST FINISH BY SAYING, I'M GONNA ASK YOU TO BE CAREFUL
ABOUT WASTE.
YOU KNOW, ONE OF MY SONS TEASES ME BECAUSE I CAN'T STAND
TO THROW FOOD AWAY.
AND I JUST DON'T LIKE TO WASTE STUFF.
I EVEN KNOW A MAN ONE TIME, I HEARD THIS STORY, HE HAD SOME
FOOD LEFT OVER IN THE RESTAURANT AND HE HAD THEM BAG IT UP.
AND SOMEBODY WITH HIM SAID, "WHY ARE YOU TAKING THAT WITH YOU?
WE'RE JUST GOING BACK TO A HOTEL ROOM."
HE SAID, "OH, YOU NEVER KNOW, I MAY RUN INTO SOMEBODY
HOMELESS THAT'S HUNGRY."
WELL, HE DIDN'T GO VERY FAR AND HE SAW A HOMELESS MAN AND ASKED
HIM IF HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE FOOD THAT HE HAD LEFT OVER.
SO, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO WITH THAT YOU CAN DO
WITH IT, BUT I'M JUST SAYING WE GOTTA RESPECT MONEY
IF WE'RE GONNA EXPECT MONEY.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS WASTE STUFF.
JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT GETTING STUFF YOU DON'T EVEN
REALLY WANT, THEN YOU END UP POURING IT DOWN THE DRAIN OR,
YOU KNOW, "I DIDN'T REALLY WANT THAT TO START WITH."
AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE GONNA--IF YOU BUY SOMETHING TO
WEAR AND IT DOESN'T END UP BEING WHAT YOU REALLY LIKE OR YOU'RE
NOT GONNA REALLY USE IT, YOU WEAR IT ONCE AND DON'T LIKE IT,
DON'T JUST LEAVE IT HANGING IN THE CLOSET FOR 2 YEARS
IN CASE YOU EVER DECIDE THAT YOU WANT IT.
PASS IT ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
USE IT, THAT WAY YOU CAN INVEST IT.
IF YOU DON'T, YOU LOSE IT.
IT'S TIME FOR US TO BE A LOT MORE RESPONSIBLE WHERE MONEY
IS CONCERNED.
I HAVE PERSONAL NOTES ON FINANCES FROM TEACHING THAT I
HAVE DONE IN THE PAST, AND WE HAVE PUT THEM TOGETHER IN
A LITTLE BOOK FOR YOU.
AND GUESS WHAT.
I'M GONNA GIVE THESE AWAY TODAY TO ANYBODY WHO CALLS IN,
WRITES IN OR GETS ONLINE AND REQUESTS THEM.
THAT'S A BOLD STEP ON OUR PART BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY
THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF THESE PEOPLE ARE GONNA REQUEST.
WHY WOULD I DO THAT?
BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE DEBT THAT PEOPLE ARE UNDER TODAY
IS PRESSURING THEM IN AN UNBELIEVABLE WAY, AND I THINK
THE DEVIL IS LAUGHING HIS HEAD OFF AND WE NEED TO REALIZE
THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THAT.
IT'S GOD'S WILL FOR US TO BE BLESSED, BLESSED IN EVERY WAY
AND BE A BLESSING EVERYWHERE THAT WE GO.
AND I WANT TO TELL YOU, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO BEGIN AGAIN.
YOU ARE NOT SO DEEP IN DEBT THAT YOU CANNOT TURN IT AROUND WITH
GOD'S HELP AND SEE YOUR WAY FREE AT SOME TIME TO BE COMPLETELY
OUT OF DEBT.
I BELIEVE WITH YOU RIGHT NOW IN JESUS' NAME FOR EVERYONE
WATCHING AND EVERYBODY HERE IN THE STUDIO, I PRAY A NEW SPECIAL
ANOINTING ON YOU TO BE ABLE TO SAY YES TO WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY
YES TO AND NO TO WHAT YOU NEED TO SAY NO TO.
I PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS THAT IF YOU ARE IN DEBT THAT YOU WILL
SYSTEMATICALLY AND GRADUALLY, WITH GOD'S HELP, GET OUT OF DEBT
DAY AFTER DAY, MONTH AFTER MONTH, YEAR AFTER YEAR AND YOU
WILL SEE THE TIME WHEN YOU CAN SAY, "I DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE
A PAYMENT ON ANYTHING.
I AM DEBT FREE."
I DECLARE IT OVER YOU IN JESUS' NAME.
GOD BLESS YOU.
HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE DAY.
THANKS, EVERYBODY.
[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]
[MUSIC]
ANNOUNCER: WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED TODAY'S PROGRAM.
PLEASE CONTACT US OR VISIT JOYCEMEYER.ORG
TO SHARE YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS,
SEE THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE, OR PARTNER WITH US IN
SHARING CHRIST AND LOVING PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE GLOBE.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY
THE FRIENDS AND PARTNERS OF JOYCE MEYER MINISTRIES.
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