Posted on Friday, March 14, 2025

Jesus Christ Was Made Sin For Us

Every year around Easter, this verse comes up: God made Jesus to be sin for us, or that Jesus became sin for us. All translations read almost exactly the same. Many sermons are preached on Jesus becoming the sins of the world. And because Jesus was so laden with our sins and the sins of the world, God walked away from him for hours because sin can not be in the presence of God.

Here are a couple of quotes I found on the internet:

… Because in that moment, Jesus was enduring the ultimate agony. In that moment, there was a tremor in the Trinity, as God the Father turned His back on His only Son and poured out His wrath—His anger for all of the sin of humanity—on Jesus. Greg Stier

But as He died, all our sins were placed on Him, and He became the final and complete sacrifice for our sins. And in that moment, He was banished from the presence of God, for sin cannot exist in God’s presence. His cry speaks of this truth; He endured the separation from God that you and I deserve. Billy Graham Association

This verse has always been a mystery to me. What does it really mean? If I pictured sin as something black, Jesus would have been black with sin through and through.

Apparently, this verse has caught the attention of many people over the years. The reason is because it is a figure of speech, as I will explain. Figures of speech are designed to arrest our attention, and this verse has arrested the attention of many.

2Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him

One of the great researchers of the Bible was EW Bullinger. In his book Figures of Speech Used in the Bible he notes that 2 Corinthians 5:21 uses the figure of speech Metonymy. Sin is put for the sin offering. This usage of Metonymy is where the object is put for that which it pertains or relates to.

I found a couple of translations from the 1700s that use the words sin offering.

For he hath made him, who knew no sin, to be a sin offering for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Haweis New Testament

For he hath made him who knew no sin to be a sin-offering for us, that we might be justified by God thro’ him. Mace New Testament

It is entirely possible that many translators knew that the word “sin” was put for the reality of “sin offering” and assumed most people would understand that. But for folks who are slow like me, it needs to be spelled out or explained so that it makes sense.

In other places where God talks about Jesus’s death, God does not use that figure, but He says it straight out.

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Exodus here explains how they were to pick the offering for the Passover each year.

Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats

Then, we find in the church epistles that Jesus was the Passover lamb, the perfect sacrifice for sin that year.

1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Rather than Adam dying a physical death for his sin, God allowed a substitute to die in his place. God sacrificed some animals and took their skins to clothe Adam and Eve. God accepted the death of those animals in the place of Adam and Eve’s physical death. Although their spirit died. It has been this way down through history. Many sacrifices were made as substitute offerings for sin. When Jesus, as God’s only begotten son, was finally here on the earth, God accepted Jesus’s obedient death as the final sacrifice for all sins for all time. Jesus was the perfect SIN OFFERING that year. So, the verse could read without the figure of speech, “Jesus was made or became a perfect offering or sacrifice for sin.” The sinless for the sinful. God never abandoned him or turned his back on him. God was right there setting the great joy before Jesus of what his death would do for all mankind. Jesus was not black with sin but was the perfect sin offering, the lamb of God of the first year that was promised to Adam in the garden—a redeemer.

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

So, that year, Jesus Christ was not forsaken on the cross; he was doing exactly as his Father asked. His Father was right there with him, showing him the great things that Jesus’s death would accomplish. He gave his life as the perfect offering/sacrifice for sin, for you and me and all mankind. On the third day, God raised his son from the dead. Marking Jesus out as The Son of God. He was the perfect, sinless man, the only begotten of his Father, and that year, he was the Passover lamb, the sin offering, once and for all, for all time. So that all who accept him as their lord and savior can have eternal life and the righteousness of God now as we live here waiting for the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin (a sin offering) for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him

Posted on Saturday, January 4, 2025

I Shall Not Want Part 2 Restored

A Short on Prosperity

Have you ever lost everything? Your income? Your home? Your business? This could put you into serious want mode. But God has promises in His Word to deal with the losses we experience. In most of these records, people did not lose what they had because of stupidity or laziness. The god of this world orchestrates situations around us, as we will read, that tend toward loss, yet your Father is bigger than the circumstances we face in this life.

2 Kings 8:1 Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.

This woman had her husband build an apartment on the roof of their home for the man of God when he traveled by their home. Elisha also raised her son from the dead. Now, God knew there was going to be a famine on the land and told her, by way of Elisha, how to prepare.

We know God does not cause famines. Though, the devil, the god of this world, does. Our Father has said He makes it rain and makes the sun shine on the just and the unjust. If you work in an office or have a factory job, it makes no difference to you if it is cloudy or if you are in a drought. In Bible times, the people were mainly agricultural. They depended on the rain and the sun for their crops to grow, or they would starve to death. They were very subject to the ups and downs of the weather cycles. We, on the other hand, are subject to the ups and downs of our economies.

2 Kings 8:2-6 And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. And it came to pass at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.

Remember these verses from Psalms?

Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

We shall not want even in times of drought or economic downturns. Here is another promise God made to His people in the Old Testament. At times, we, as they, could lose it all, but He promises to restore what was lost. The situation in Joel was a time of war.

Joel 2:20-26 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

What a wonderful promise. God said He would restore what was taken from them, just like He restored the land and the harvests to the woman in 2 Kings.

The record in Job shows that the loss he experienced was caused by the god of this world afflicting Job.

Job 1:9-12 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

So Job lost everything he had in this life — all his prosperity, and Satan killed all his children. All he had left was his life and his wife. But in the end, God restored all he had to Job and doubled his earthly prosperity. And at the resurrection, he will have double the children.

Job 42:12-13 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters.

Our adversary can steal away our prosperity through the wrong doctrines taught in the church, our being influenced by our culture, and perhaps a multitude of other ways. But our Father’s will is that we prosper and be in health even as our soul prospers because we are His children. Just as He promised to restore prosperity to His people in the Old Testament, He will do the same for His sons and daughters today in the church.

It starts by learning the fundamental principles of prosperity our Father has laid out in His Word and practicing them. It may not happen overnight. Nothing much happens that way. But looking to Him and His Word and putting the principles into action, along with your trust in what He has promised, will lead your life in a totally different direction. Just as you would wish prosperity and health for your children, our Father wishes that we might live The Prosperous Life and not be in want as we wait for that glorious day.

Posted on Tuesday, December 24, 2024

I Shall Not Want — Part 1

A Short on Prosperity

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

In my mind, a “want” is more than what is really needed. And anything more than a “need” would come close to being “greed.” (see Need vs Greed Revisited) Yet God’s will is that we shall not “want” any good thing.

Psalm 34:10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

There are a couple of words that God uses in this manner of “want.” The word “want” can mean – need – poverty – lack – to be without. In the verses we are looking at here, there is a negative in front of them. NOT want! Or not be in poverty or not lack any good things. This is similar to Romans that he will freely give us all things.

Judges 18:10 When ye go, ye shall come unto a people secure, and to a large land: for God hath given it into your hands; a place where there is no want of any thing that is in the earth.

When Israel was to go into the Promised Land, God told them that there would be no want of anything that is in the earth. God’s wish for His children is that they are prosperous and healthy.

Psalm 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

So, you could ask yourself, “What do you want?” Your Father wants you to have your wants met.

Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

The world’s attitude, and many times the church’s attitude, is that the poor are the truly pious and the poor are the ones who walk with God. We are not striving here to be greatly rich but to rise up to the standard of life God has set out for us to live.

There is another record that is interesting on the topic that a person should only have what is “needed.” When Nathan, the prophet, confronted King David about Bathsheba and Uriah, God said this:

2 Samuel 12:7-8 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. (NLT)…I would have given you much, much more.

One of the biggest problems we have when it comes to prosperity is our attitude. We may feel that we don’t deserve certain things. Or we may say to ourselves, “I don’t need that,” or we would feel guilty about owning certain things. Sometimes, we have low self-esteem or a hangdog attitude about ourselves. However, none of these attitudes come from what God says in His Word.

We can rise up and claim the promises God has laid out before us. Then we can manifest the truth that our Father has greatly provided for us not only in the life to come but in this life we have to live here on the earth while we wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will leave you with this great record.

1Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Posted on Friday, November 1, 2024

The Order of the Manifestations in 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

This listing of the manifestations always seemed random to me. But when you put these manifestations in order in a list, it gets interesting. God listed these manifestations in a specific order:

Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Faith
Gifts of Healing
Working of Miracles
Prophecy
Discerning of Spirits
Kinds of Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues

Word of Wisdom

Word of Knowledge

Notice that Word of Wisdom is first. That is the first thing that struck me when I saw the manifestations listed this way. One of the great things the spirit of God brings into your life is wisdom, as it has done for many others throughout the Bible.

Throughout history, one of man’s greatest needs has been for wisdom. Wisdom is spoken about and given to people all through God’s Word. When God asked Soloman what he wanted, Soloman asked for wisdom and understanding, and God granted him his desire.

What is wisdom? Well, once you see the problem, wisdom is what to do about it: it is how to solve the problem. We need to know many times:

How to handle the problems – at work, in family life, in your church – we need solutions.

How to carry out what God shows us by Word of Knowledge.

How to be kind.

How to walk in love.

How to teach.

How to forgive.

How to manage our finances.

How to raise our children.

How to deal with the widows of Acts 6.

How to deal with the famine of Joseph’s time.

How to make things for the tabernacle in Moses’s time.

The book of Proverbs says wisdom is more to be desired than great wealth. James says if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally.

When the world was faced with famine, God raised up Joseph with the spirit of God in him and gave him great wisdom to keep the world, Isreal (Jacob), and the Christ line alive.

When the first-century church was having trouble taking care of the widows, God raised up men with a long suit of wisdom and faith (believing) to keep the church from splitting.

Wisdom from God is such a need that the spirit of God many times is called a spirit of wisdom, or wisdom is one of the first things that comes up when the spirit from God is mentioned.

( As a side note: notice that the Spirit of Wisdom is first used in conjunction with a man working with his hands. If you read the context, God also gave him the Spirit of Wisdom to know how to teach. Moses explained what he needed for the Tabernacle, and God showed the man how to make the items and how to teach others to do the work, which is wisdom.)

Exodus 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments …

Exodus 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

Deuteronomy 34:9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: …

Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

Daniel 5:11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; …

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

So, we see in 1 Corinthians 12 that God set the Word of Wisdom first, followed by its companion, Word of Knowledge. Wisdom and knowledge are like traveling companions throughout God’s Word. Where we find one, we usually find the other. They provide us with information from God.

Sometimes, we need to be made aware of what is going on -Word of Knowledge – and then what to do about it, if anything, Word of Wisdom. Many times, God wants us as His children to just be aware of things that we could not see or know by our five senses. So, He gives us Word of Knowledge, and the wisdom might be, “This is for you; keep your mouth shut.”

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Isaiah 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, …

Daniel 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Notice in most of these verses that wisdom comes first and then knowledge.

God does not want His children to be ignorant. So, these two manifestations are number 1 and 2. Then comes number 3, which is faith.

Faith

Faith is more accurately translated as believing. It is our privilege and responsibility to believe what God has said in His written Word. When we believe what He tells us by Word of Wisdom and Word of Knowledge, that is the manifestation of Faith. This manifestation of Faith is also required to carry out Gifts of Healing and The Working of Miracles, which are the next two God listed.

Gifts of Healing

The Working of Miracles

The next two manifestations listed are Gifts of Healing and Miracles. Both of these take the manifestation of Faith as well. God sandwiched Faith between the revelation manifestations of Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, and Gifts of Healing, the Working of Miracles.

Although it takes believing (faith) to operate all the manifestations, and all the manifestations are available to all immediately upon the new birth, generally, these four manifestations are operated by more mature believers.

Act 6:1-8 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

They sought out mature men full of the spirit of God, and the first thing they looked for in them was wisdom. The Apostles knew what the problem was, so they needed men with wisdom and the faith to carry it out. Stephen was such a man AND he had the believing to do great wonders and miracles.

All of the first four manifestations are in these verses. There are many examples of these four manifestations in the Old Testament and the Gospels. Here in 1 Corinthians, there is no need for instruction on how to operate them other than the instruction to walk in love.

Prophecy

Discerning of Spirits

Now, the next two manifestations that are together are Prophecy and Discerning of Spirits. Why are these two together? In the record of 1 John 4:1-6, the first usages of the word “spirit” are put in a figure of speech for that which the spirit produces – Prophecy (words). How do you “try the spirits /prophecies/the words? With Discerning of Spirits.

1 John 4:1-6 Beloved, believe not every spirit (prophecy), but try the spirits (prophecies) whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit (prophecy) of God: Every spirit (prophecy) that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit (prophecy) that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit (God) of truth, and the spirit (devil spirit) of error.

So inside the church, in a believer’s meeting, a person could be called upon to operate the manifestation of Prophecy and yet actually be a false prophet. There were a good many wanna-be prophets in Corinth. Their prophecies may come from the imagination of their own heart.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

As devil spirits are very subtle, it may take Discerning of Spirits to try the Prophecy. God does not want His people deceived. To discern means to judge. In that light, part of 1 Corinthians 14 is interesting. Prophecy is the speaking forth the words of God whether it is the manifestation of Prophecy or the prophecy of a prophet.

1 Corinthians 14:29-32 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

Part of the lesson here is that when you hear Interpretation of Tongues or the manifestation of Prophecy, or the prophecy of a prophet, pay attention.

Kinds of Tongues

Interpretation of Tongues

In God’s Word, there are a great many examples of men of God operating Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Gifts of Healing, and the Working of Miracles. In those examples, we learn how to best operate them. But the Manifestation of Prophecy, Speaking in Tongues, and the Interpretation of Tongues were new in this administration, and they were a mess at Corinth. These are usually the first manifestations a new believer utilizes. There are no examples in the Old Testament or the Gospels on how to properly operate them in the church. So God laid out, by the Apostle Paul, how to operate them in the church decently and in order. This, then, is what God addresses in I Corinthians 14.

This is the order in which God grouped the manifestations together in 1 Corinthians 12. I have presented this explanation here for your consideration.

Posted on Saturday, July 6, 2024

Slow and Steady

Many years ago, I worked on a remodeling crew in SW Oklahoma. We stripped an old house down to the studs to start over with a new interior and exterior. The house was built differently than the ones today. This house had 1 X 12 ship lathe boards set at an angle on the outside of the house. It was like whole walls of wind braces. Then, the inside of the house, nailed to the exterior studs, was a 1 x 12 ship lathe nailed horizontal. Over that was a layer of oil cloth to keep the wind out and then it had been upgraded to two layers of sheetrock. The house was built like a tank.

Interestingly, the studs were made of first-growth, virgin rough-cut pine. Those studs were hard as a rock. Very dense.

The Weyerhaeuser Company owns much timber in SE Oklahoma. They used to clear-cut the trees in large areas, and then I believe they went back and planted new pine saplings in the clear-cut areas.

In the book, Same as Ever, the author explains that these virgin trees sprouted up underneath the canopy that dropped the seeds. These new trees grew very slowly as they had little access to sunlight. So, they grew slowly and very dense since the growth was slow. Whereas trees that have full access to sunlight grow quickly, but they also have very soft wood. Slow and dense makes much better wood for building than fast and soft.

So, it is in many areas of life. God cautions us against being hasty or in a hurry to be rich. His Word says that the diligent will have plenty.

There are a great many get-rich-quick programs out there. Flipping real estate, setting appointments, buying apartments, tax liens, playing the lottery, and day trading to name a few. Have you ever met anyone that got rich quickly with any of these programs? Mostly it is the one selling the programs that are getting rich. They are appealing to our greed or fear. Most want the money but don’t want to work hard for it, and they want it quickly.

Proverbs 20:21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

An inheritance gotten quickly is not much different than winning a lottery or scoring it big on a get-rich-quick scheme. In the end, you will not be blessed. Some have said they wish they had never won the lottery because it destroyed their family. They had not had the slow growth of learning how to handle money properly.

Most people who are truly wealthy have learned the fundamentals of wealth. They don’t allow it to go to their head and cause them great grief like the next verse says.

Proverbs 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

In the area of money, it takes time to lay a good set of fundamentals for your finances.

First — learn to be a giver.
Second — learn to save.
Third — learn to invest.

Once you have these fundamentals going on a regular basis, then you need to rise up to the next level. Learn how to manage the small amount of savings that you have. Each level may take some time to get firmly established in your life. Find something to invest your savings in and study that area until you know it well. Find a good mentor in that field that has good Christian principles and learn from them. Or get some good books on the subject.

We have found that as we get accustomed to each new level of growth in our understanding of finances, we eventually see there is another level we need to put under our belts. It is like peeling back an onion. Each layer peeled reveals another one underneath. Remember to be diligent and study and not hasty to learn.

For example, once we started to save money, we learned that we needed to assign some of that money to certain jobs. Some is saved for retirement, and some is saved in funding accounts for future purchases like vehicle replacement, gifts, appliance replacement, emergency funding, or vacations. We call these accounts funding accounts and not savings because we are only saving to spend down the road. We are funding future purchases rather than putting them on credit cards or borrowing.

As we saved more, we divided the saved money up further. Recently we started keeping a journal on cash we have saved — where it came from and where it is spent. This gives us a current total without recounting it, and it reminds us of what we spent it on and where it came from.

Also, we had a small investment that was growing, and we saved cash in that same account. Eventually, we could not tell if the investment was growing or was the account growing because of the cash we saved. We divided it into two accounts. Now, we can see exactly what we have saved and how our investment is growing.

If you want to build lifelong success, you need to start thinking in terms of months and years. The growth of wealth is solid if you are diligent. Improve your skills every day. Grow in skills with your investments and your business.

As you do this you will compound your dollars. Slow and steady — learning as your wealth grows and compounds, you will be like the hard dense virgin cut pine, not the soft wood that grew quickly. Your growth will be solid as a rock and not easily washed away.

Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

Slow and Steady is The Prosperous Life.