May the wisdom of the Lord be with you!

When I was considering graduate school, tuition costs were always looming in
my mind. How was I going to pay for it? Loans? Those were daunting as well.
After reading news articles about crippling college debt, I knew for sure
that I did not want to take that route. Yet, it was not just the news
articles. There was also the conviction of the Holy Spirit after He led me to
Proverbs 22:7. Conviction is something that a Christian cannot prosper
without, spiritually or materially.

John 16:7-8
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go
away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if
I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will
convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.

3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health,
just as your soul prospers.

When I received an acceptance letter from Johns Hopkins University, I knew

that I could not let the opportunity pass by. I was willing to take on the
financial burden, yet I did not have to.

The Word of God says that the earth and everything in it belongs to Him
(Psalm 24:1). I also know that I am a daughter of the Heavenly Father, and He
is the Father who takes care of His children without fail (Matthew 7:11).
Therefore, I went to my Father in prayer to surrender my financial burdens
into His hands.

Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory
by Christ Jesus.

For my first semester, I was able to pay of pocket without touching my

savings. – I already testified of this. – I thank my heavenly Father for
that. For the second semester, I was not able to do the same. So, I took out
a loan. Despite that, I kept my prayer before the Lord. Then, I entered 2021.
Third semester, He blessed me to pay out of pocket without touching my
savings. Fourth semester, He blessed me to pay both that semester and the
loan at the same time without touching my savings and before the loan
amounted interest. Then, He kept on working and working the same way. Now,
all of my graduate tuition expenses and books are paid off. Glory to my
wonderful Father!!! My Provider!!

2021 was my year of overflow. I spoke Psalm 23:5 over my life, and what I
bounded on earth, God bounded in heaven (Matthew 18:18). So, not only did He
anoint my head with oil as I grew in consecration and discipline, He also
blessed my financial cup to overflow to provide for my needs.

Yet, it was not simply a matter of prayer and declaring the Word of God over
my life. I also had to apply the Lord’s biblical principles.
Just as I said, for my ministerial life, I had to grow in consecration and
discipline. Emery in Christ is more of a discipleship platform than a
ministerial platform. Basically, I am ministering to myself and anyone who
wants to be blessed with me will be blessed. For my real ministry, I serve at
a Christian organization. The consecration part was between me and God. For
discipline, it was me, God, and the ministry.

It is not that I was rebellious. I was not. Instead, I became intentional in

submitting to all regulations of the ministry. The ministry already had high
standards for Christian living. They also have additional standards to
protect the ministry and to make sure that it remains effective. Every time,
the ministry posted a regulation that I was not aligned to, I made sure to
align myself no matter how hard I found it. As a result of consecration and
discipline, I became more effective in my ministerial works. There was no
barrier to God using me at a high level.

1 Peter 5:5
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all
of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

Yet, if an authority acts out of wickedness or speaks an unbiblical order, we

are not to submit. You may already know the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego.

Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O
Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If
that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the
burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O
king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve
your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

In terms of the overflow of my financial cup, here are the principles that
the Lord has taught me:

1. Do not steal from the Lord

Constantly pay your tithes. Pay 10% of every paycheck and revenue. Also,
round up. It is better to overpay than underpay.

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Malachi 3:8-10
“Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
‘In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.
9 You are cursed with a curse,

For you have robbed Me,

Even this whole nation.
 10Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

2. Sow with a joyful heart

Give offering as the Lord leads you. Also, if you say that you will
contribute, do so. Let your “yes” be “yes” (Matthew 5:37). If it is not in
your heart to give, do not give or say that you will give. Never give the
Lord an offering with bitterness or regret.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken
together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same
measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who
sows [a]bountifully will also reap [b]bountifully. 7 So let each one give as
he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of [c]necessity; for God loves a
cheerful giver.

3. Make God owe you

When it comes to salvation, we owed God. Yet, He paid our debt through the
death of His Son, Jesus Christ. When we give to the needy, God owes us
financially, and He pays back. His Word says so.

Colossians 2:13-14
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all
trespasses, 14 having wiped out the [a]handwriting of requirements that
was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of
the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Proverbs 19:17
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.

4. See the ant; be the ant

Be a diligent worker. Do the work that you need to do and seek to do it well.
Diligence leads to promotions, raises, and bonuses.

Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no [a]captain,

Overseer or ruler,
8 Provides her [b]supplies in the summer,

And gathers her food in the harvest.

9 How long will you [c]slumber, O sluggard?

When will you rise from your sleep?

 10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep—
11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,

And your need like an armed man.

Proverbs 10:4
He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 12:11
He who [a]tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
But he who follows [b]frivolity is devoid of [c]understanding.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

5. Excess is a sin

Gluttony is when one overconsumes. This does not only apply to food. One can
overconsume in any area of one’s life.

When it comes to finances, first, do not overwork. It is counterproductive to

do so. When you destroy your health today, how will you work tomorrow?

Those who overwork tend to neglect a healthy diet, physical activity,

adequate sleep, and self-care. All these constructs are essential for a
healthy and productive brain and body.

People are dying in Japan because they are overworking – karoshi.

Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!

Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better a handful with quietness
Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

Food

Let us talk about a healthy diet. Our body needs healthy carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, minerals, and water to properly function.

There are good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates. Good carbohydrates often
come in the form of natural glucose. Glucose provides energy to the brain and
body. When we use areas of our brains, glucose runs to those areas as fuel.
High-order functioning – intellectual functioning – is even more dependent on
glucose. The brain, which is only 2.5% of the body metabolizes 50% of the
glucose we consume (Melmed, 2020). Neuroscientists have found that brains low
on glucose can become delirious (Miller-Rhodes et al., 2020).

Healthy carbohydrates include whole grains such as wheat, rye, barley,

quinoa, oatmeal, and rice. Beans and vegetables also provide healthy
carbohydrates (Harvard School of Public Health, n.d.). Fruits are also a
healthy source of glucose. The great thing about fruits is that they also
contain fiber, which is another important nutrient. Fiber helps us to control
our blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, and helps with bowels (Mayo
Clinic, 2021). Other sources of fiber are whole grains, vegetables, legumes,
such as beans and peas, nuts, and seeds.

Bad carbohydrates include refined grains, sodas, pastries, some alcoholic

drinks, chips, and candy. Snacking often leads people to consume some of
these bad carbohydrates which provide a sharp momentary increase of energy
that later cause them to be tired and unfocused. I recommend snacking on
clean popcorn that is low in oil and salt. Popcorn is a source of fiber. I
also recommend snacking on nuts (with no additives) and fresh fruits. Harvard
Health Letter (n.d.) reported that those who consume five servings of
vegetables and fruits everyday instead of two were less likely die from heart
disease (12% less), cancer (10% less), and respiratory disease (35% less)

Protein is important for “muscle, bone, skin, hair, and virtually every other
body part or tissue” (Harvard School of Public Health, n.d.). Healthy sources
of protein are fish, poultry, beans, and nuts. Other sources of protein are
red meat and cheese, but we should consume them in small quantities.
Unhealthy sources of protein that we should not consume are “bacon, cold
cuts, and other processed meats” (Harvard School of Public Health, n.d.).

Fats are essential for optimal health. Good fats. Unsaturated fats such as
monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats decrease the likelihood of disease.
Sources of these good fats are fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil, canola oil,
sunflower oil, soy oil, and corn oil. Saturated fats are bad fats, which
increase the likelihood of disease, and they are often in red meat, cheese,
butter, ice-cream, coconut oil, and palm oil. Trans fats are also bad. We
find trans fats in processed foods, which often contain hydrogenated oils.
(Harvard School of Public Health, n.d.).

Some minerals that you cannot live without are sodium. Sodium channels in the
brain permit the intercommunication of neurons. As long as you are eating
healthy foods, you will get your dose of sodium. Whole grains, meats,
vegetables, nuts, and fruits all contain sodium. Yet too much sodium can
cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney damage (Harvard School
of Public Health, n.d.). Again, please keep a distance from processed foods,
which tend to be high in sodium.

Other essential vitamins and minerals include vitamin A, the B vitamins,

vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, chlorine, chromium, iodine, iron,
magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, sodium, zinc, etc. Unless you
have some medical condition, you do not need to take supplements. Instead, it
is best to obtain these essential nutrients by consuming healthy foods.

To end, do not skip out on healthy meals to be “productive.” It will only

work against your productivity. A healthy body is a healthy brain, and that
is where productivity lies. Also, even for what is healthy, do not
overconsume. We cannot live without water. Yet even too much water can kill.

Since we are talking about liquids, alcohol is a toxin that damages the
heart, liver, and pancreas. Think about all of the medical bills for
something so avoidable.

Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
Physical Activity

Between a healthy diet and physical activity, a healthy diet is more

important. Some people eat however they want and then exercise to make up for
their bad eating habits. Learn self-control, which is a form of godliness.

Yet, let us talk about the little gain that physical activity has. It helps
to fight against heart disease, lowers the risk of cancers, and strengthens
bones and muscles (CDC). Overall, it helps you to experience greater
vitality. Excess exercise can also harm or kill, so be careful.

Proverbs 25:27-28 A(ESV)

It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.[a]
28 A man without self-control

is like a city broken into and left without walls.

1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for
all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is
to come.

Sleep

God created the human with an internal clock called the circadian rhythm.
Genes, such as the Period gene and Cryptochrome gene, and light control the
circadian rhythm, and its neuronal centers are the Thalamus, Hypothalamus,
and Suprachiasmatic Nucleus. The circadian clock tells our bodies when to
wake up and when to go to sleep. The circadian clock tells the person that it
is time to sleep by producing melatonin, which causes one to be sleepy. It
also affects our hormones, eating habits, and body temperatures.

Yet, there are three things that mess with the circadian clock: genetic
mutations, being nocturnal, and staying up at night on technology. These bad
habits can cause weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, and mood
disorders such as depression (NIH). It is recommended that one closes off all
technology at least one hour before the time one plans to go to sleep. Take a
shower or, if you have showered, take some time to read the Bible and pray.

We need sleep. How much should we sleep? It depends on the age. All those 18
years old or older should sleep at least 7 hours. For other ages, please
refer to this: https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/how_much_sleep.html

It is when we sleep that the brain rejuvenates, maintaining neuroplasticity,

which allows us to learn. When we do not sleep properly, it negatively
affects learning, memory, focus, and productivity. Lastly, lack of sleep can
cause neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer’s (NIH).

Psalm 127:2
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Self-Care
No, I am not talking about filling up your bathroom with candles and taking a
milk bubble bath. Self-care is not about being extra. Instead, it is about
maintaining good hygiene and mental health. Take time in the morning and at
night to cleanse and care for yourself. Read, post, watch, listen, and play
what is pure and will help you to grow. Take time to relax. Spend time with
family and friends. Have fun while remembering the Lord. Reading and creating
helps you to maintain your cognitive health. Laughter is medicine for your
emotional health.

Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He
rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

Proverbs 3:7-8
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your [a]flesh,

And strength[b] to your bones.

Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart makes a cheerful [a]countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 15:20
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
And a good report makes the bones [a]healthy.

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart [a]does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Second, do not overspend. In capitalist countries, it is typical for

individuals to overwork so that they can overspend.

Luke 12:15
And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of [a]covetousness, for one’s
life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Savings

A person should have about three savings accounts. The first is for a large
yet important expenditure such as college, a car, a wedding, or a house. The
second account should be for financial emergencies. We are in an unexpected
season right now. The third is for retirement. Even in countries in which
there is some of kind of program, such as social security, if one wants a
comfortable life at old age, it is best to save for retirement.

For the first savings account, you want to apply long term planning. Look at
your income and monthly financial responsibilities and calculate how much you
would need to contribute to the account to be ready for the expenditure by a
certain date. It is not necessary to open an account for each expenditure. If
you are saving for multiple expenditures, calculate the needed percentage for
each.
 Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Proverbs 24:25
Prepare your outside work,
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house.

Luke 14:28-30
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first
and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he
has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who
see it begin to mock him,30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not
able to finish’?

For the emergency savings account, you can start off with a base and add a
small quantity to it every month. A rule is to have at least three-month’s
worth of monthly expenses saved.

Genesis 41:43-46
“Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set
him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him
appoint [c]officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of
the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. 35 And let them gather
all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain
under the [d]authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the
cities. 36 Then that food shall be as a [e]reserve for the land for the
seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the
land may not [f]perish during the famine.”

For the retirement savings account, most people have a 401K or IRA. Yet, this
should be the case only if the employer matches contributions. Do not pay a
fee for your employer to hold your money if you are not getting a surplus out
of it. If you cannot multiply your retirement savings in a 401K or IRA
account, place your retirement money in a high interest savings account at a
bank. Remember that retirement money is money that you simply do not touch
until you are retired.

Genesis 24:1
Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed
Abraham in all things.

I will not advertise for Wall Street, which I see as high-class gambling.

Proverbs 21:20
There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.

Spending

Budget, budget, and budget. Know how much you spend on necessities every
month. Some bills such as insurance and rent or mortgage are stable for the
year. Others such as food, utilities, and gas have estimates. Whatever it is,
make Excel your friend and monitor your spending.
Also monitor unusual spending. It is crazy how much it adds up, and it is
this type of spending that causes people to waste money. A trip to the mall
here and there. A meal at a favorite restaurant here and there. “It was 30%
off.” “It has been a while since I have had…”

If you do not need it, do not buy it, and do not

lie to yourself about needing it.
Coming for the ladies, as I have said before, how many bags do you need? How
many shoes do you need? Also, beauty care products are another trap for
wasting money.

I set limitations for myself. I search reliable sources with credentials on

what I need to properly take care of my hair, my face, and my body with the
Bible as my foundation. I also check out beauty care products by using EWG
Skin Deep to make sure that I do not use harmful products. It ends up being
that maintaining my natural beauty means that I do not purchase certain
expensive products, tools, and services. It also comes to be that the less
you change your beauty products, the healthier your hair and skin will be.
From that, I buy safe and good quality beauty products and tools that work
well for me. Sometimes I buy in bulk, especially when there is a sale. I do
so safely because I do not constantly change my products, so I do not waste
product and money. Also, it is so natural to want a good bargain (Proverbs
20:14). Overall, more money in my pocket and less money for fortune
companies.

As for clothes, bags, and shoes, an understanding is that most people wear
20% of their closets 80% of the time. Some people do not even pretend that
they need the items they wasted money on. I give myself limits for this area
as well. While I seek good quality items that will last a while, I do not
waste my money on the deception of luxury name brands. I know that the price
has more to do with the name than the quality.

Modesty is not just propriety but also self-control, moderation. It is not

just about the outside but also about the inside.

1 Timothy 2:9
in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with propriety and [a]moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls
or costly clothing,

Yet, it is not just women who waste money. Men can waste money to. Some men
waste money to project an appearance of wealth. It is better to be a wise man
who takes care of his family and home than to be a boastful man with no
sustenance.

1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of
his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Proverbs 13:7 (ESV)

One pretends to be rich,[a] yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor,[b] yet has great wealth.

Proverbs 13:22
 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Let us talk about food once again. You actually save money by buying
healthier food items at the grocery store. A large bag of chips can cost up
to $5. So can a bag of oranges. A person can usually eat a large bag of chips
in two sittings. Meanwhile a bag of oranges can have at least five servings.
Also, when you eat healthier, you eat less because your body is not
constantly hungry for nutrients.

Learn to cook. While $10 will get you a meal of one serving at a restaurant,
it will get you ingredients to cook a meal of multiple servings at home.
Cooking does not only keep you from wasting money at restaurants, but it also
helps you to eat healthier because you have greater control over the
ingredients.

One of the reasons I was able to graduate college as an undergraduate student

debt free is I was able to cook healthy and hearty Haitian meals for myself
once I was able to live in an apartment. I calculated how much I spent on
food, and it was half of what my mom paid when I was on the meal plan, and I
could access food in my living space on campus whenever I wanted.

The other reasons for why I was able to graduate debt free are I was in a
scholars program that advocated for me; I attended a college that gave great
financial aid packets with grant; I received a Chemistry scholarship after my
first year of college; I qualified for the Pell Grant for my last three
years, and I did work study. Of course, I had my Heavenly Father working in
all things. He is the ultimate reason.

In continuation, I usually eat at restaurants only when I am very hungry and

far from home or when I meet up with someone, which is all rare. I have also
sat down to research common restaurants and what I can order to eat as
healthy as I can. It is all about being proactive about your health and
spending!

1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [a]and

in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the
glory of God.

Credit Cards

Yes, do have a credit card so that you can build up your credit. Yet, here
are some good practices. First, pay your credit card bill and other bills on
time every month. That is a given. Second, pay your whole credit card bill
every month instead of just the minimum payment. This is something your bank
can help you to know. My bank has financial literacy articles that are very
helpful. Third, because of number two, do not spend more than you can pay.
Fourth, do not open multiple credit card accounts. It shows that you have
poor spending habits. Fifth, take up a card with rewards. If you follow at
least one to four, you will get a good credit score.

Proverbs 22:26-27
 Do not be one of those who [a]shakes hands in a pledge,
One of those who is [b]surety for debts;
27 If you have nothing with which to pay,

Why should he take away your bed from under you?

Enjoy Your Special Days

While you should be wise with your money, you should also treat yourself on
special days. Yet, special days would no longer be special if it is every
other day… Special days should be anniversaries, birthdays, and such.

I personally do not like the idea of cooking for myself on my birthday, so I

am willing to treat myself.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good
in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy
the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 6:1-6
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common
among men: 2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so
that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not
give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it.
This is vanity, and it is an evil [a]affliction.
3 If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the

days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with
goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a [b]stillborn
child is better than he— 4 for it comes in vanity and departs in
darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. 5 Though it has not
seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, 6 even
if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness. Do not
all go to one place?

6. Greed is a sin

There are three parts to this…

One, people can be so greedy that they pursue money instead of God. While you
are to work hard to provide for your needs, work and wealth should never come
before God. Remember that material blessings pursue us as we pursue God, and
we pursue God for God.

Deuteronomy 8:18
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you
power to get wealth, that He may [a]establish His covenant which He swore
to your fathers, as it is this day.

Proverbs 11:28
He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.

Ecclesiastes 6:7
All the labor of man is for his mouth,
And yet the soul is not satisfied.

Matthew 6:19-21
 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also.

Mark 8:36
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses
his own soul?

Luke 12:16-21
Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich
man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What
shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I
will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I
will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my
soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your
ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This
night your soul will be required of you ;then whose will those things
be which you have provided?’21 “So is he who lays up treasure for
himself, and is not rich toward God.”

1 Timothy 6:6-10
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing
into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And
having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those
who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and
perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for
which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced
themselves through with many sorrows.

Second, people can be so greedy that they never give gifts.

Psalm 37:21
The wicked borrows and does not repay,
But the righteous shows mercy and gives.

Matthew 5:42
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do
not turn away.

Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, [a]hoping for nothing in
return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most
High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Do good to everyone. You do not know who might repay you one day if you ever
become in need.

Ecclesiastes 11:1-2
Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
2 Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,

For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

Third, people can be so greedy that they are dishonest.

 Exodus 22:25
“If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you
shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge
him interest

Proverbs 11:1
Dishonest[a] scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a [b]just weight is His delight.

Proverbs 13:20
Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.

Proverbs 16:8
Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.

Proverbs 22:16
He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,
And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Ephesians 4:28
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working
with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who
has need.

Also, do not fall for the get-rich-quick schemes.

Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

7. Grace

There have been moments in my life when number one to six could have done
nothing for me. I needed a special grace from God. In 2020, when I lost my
work because of school shutdowns, I was numb, but I was not afraid. God
helped me to trust in Him and guided me. In two weeks, He blessed me with a
new position. Yes, again and again, I serve a faithful and responsible
Father.

Matthew 6:25-31
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at
the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into
barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value
than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [j]cubit to
his [k]stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that
even Solomon in all his glory was not [l]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now
if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow
is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of
little faith?
 31“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall
we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the
Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these
things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and
all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for
the day is its own trouble.

Last night, during my time of worship, the Lord spoke to me that when He
wants to raise up a person it does not matter what his or her race is. It
does matter what his or her socioeconomic background is. The Israelites were
in a place of exile in Babylon, yet the Lord rose up Daniel. The Israelites
were in a place of famine, yet the Lord rose up Joseph.

Men come with prejudices, discriminations and barriers, but God says I AM.

1 Samuel 17:45
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a
spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of
hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

Much love and blessings,

Emery in Christ

P.S. All Bible references were form the NKJK unless otherwise stated.

References:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Benefits of physical

activity. https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm

Harvard Health Publishing. (2021, September 1). How many fruits and
vegetables do we really need? https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/how-
many-fruits-and-vegetables-do-we-really-need

Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine. (n.d.). Sleep, learning,

and memory. http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-
sleep/learning-memory

Harvard School of Public Health. (n.d.) The Nutrition Source.

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-
depth/fiber/art-20043983

Miller-Rhodes, P., Gelbard, H. A., & Terrando, N. (2020). This is your brain
on (low) glucose. Trends Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2020.09.002

National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Alcohol’s effect

on the body. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-
effects-body

National Institute of General Medical Sciences. (2020, October). Circadian

rhythms. https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Documents/fact-
sheet-circadian-rhythms.pdf
National Institutes of Health. (2018, April 13). Lack of sleep may be linked
to risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/lack-
sleep-may-be-linked-risk-factor-alzheimers-disease

Sandoiu, A. (2020, August 6). What happens in the brain when we sleep.
Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-happens-
in-the-brain-when-you-sleep#Sleep,-memory,-and-learning

Science Direct. (n.d.). Glucose metabolism.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/glucose-
metabolism