Several weeks ago, I was praying and it was impressed upon my heart how much financial pressure affects people today. Whether it is the gas prices, foreclosure, unemployment, high gas & electric bills, food, etc., everyone is under financial pressure. Many families and businesses are suffering losses because of financial challenges. Many churches are seeing a decline in the weekly offerings. People are holding back in their giving because of the fear of not having enough money to sustain their everyday living expenses.

One of the truths that I learned when going through my financial devastation several years ago is that you must be willing to fight for your financial stability and success. Many people especially Christians will fight for everything else but not for their finances. They will fight for their children, relationships, health, and friendships but not take the courage needed to win the battle in their finances. I discovered after many days, months, and years of financial stress that no one was going to help me out of my dilemma but me. I realize that I had to want my own financial freedom for family and myself. I could not go to relatives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or even churchgoers because many of them were in the struggle like me. Therefore, I had to seek God’s will for my own financial destiny.

Many people are so hindered by their traditional mindset concerning money that they do not even believe their supposed to claim their victory and success in their finances. They are too busy saying, “God will make a way, somehow and somewhere.” My friend while that is correct, it is incomplete. When it comes down to finances, we also have a responsibility. My favorite book says, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” (Proverbs 10:4 NIV) This clearly lets us know that much of our financial state is not only in God’s hands but in ours also. When I truly understand this, then I can begin to take a more progressive attitude regarding my finances. There are so many things we can do with the help of Christ to change our financial condition.

There are solutions for increasing your income, getting out of debt, managing your budget, and cutting your living expenses. However, they will not easily come to you, you are going to have to get up and fight for your own financial freedom. The greatest book on earth also says, “It is he that gives you power (ability) to GET wealth…” Even God expects you to go for it. Do not forget He gave you the power to get it. In addition, He gave it for a specific purpose.

We are in a season that will require more focus and diligence in the area of finances. I believe we are in a season of spiritual warfare concerning our finances. There is much opposition coming against the saints of God for their money. Your enemy knows that your finances help promote and spread the message of the gospel. If he can keep your finances in bondage then he can stop you from doing well.

Therefore, you must not only fight for yourself but for your God. Let us look at this parallel in scripture. In I Kings 20:1-3, we see the King of Syria, an enemy to God’s people decides to war against them. In verse 3, He clearly tells them what he is after. “Your silver and gold is mine; your wives also and thy children, even the goodliest.” Take note here that the King of Syria has the audacity to tell them that their finances and family belongs to him. He is placing a demand on their livelihood. In this story, we can see what area our enemy targets in our lives our finances, family, and faith. However, notice the first claim made was on their silver and gold. Just think for a moment, how many families would be together if their finances were in order? More single persons should prepare for marriage with their finances being in order. As Christians, we must understand the tactics of our enemy. We need to know in what area he attacks us. For many of us, if not most of us, it is in our finances. The good news is Ahab, the King of Israel, decided to fight back. He eventually called the troops together and took a stand against for his finances, family, and even his God. He won the victory. (I Kings 20:7-21)

As Christians, we must be willing to stand up and fight for the victory in our finances. I want to give you a battle strategy plan to win in your finances. Here is the plan:

1. Locate your enemy in your finances – An area may be draining your money flow as well as your strength to fight. Let me help you with the (4) four C’s that may be your financial issue. (Credit cards, college student loans, clothes and car payments)

2. Equip your mind – Every soldier needs to be equipped to fight, especially mentally. The purpose of boot camp is to primarily to train your mentally to survive and thrive in warfare. To win the fight in finances you will need to increase your knowledge base by study first the scriptures regarding money and finances. In addition, I recommend you read other books on finances and attend financial seminars. You will learn what steps are necessary to change a mindset financially. (Romans 12:2)

3. Find people who are in fight – Too many Christians are ill equipped to fight for their finances. In every war, you need an army to fight. It is imperative if you are going to win in your finances to connect with people who are already winning. Unfortunately, some people are too heavenly minded to handle practical earthly matters like finances. To fight for your finances you must do more than pray. Good and honest financially successful people can show you what is required to get out of debt, increase your cash flow, market your services, make investments, buy real estate, etc…

4. Know that you already have the victory – This is critical in spiritual warfare. God gave us the victory in Christ in all things, even our finances. “…He became poor that through His poverty we might become rich.” (2 Cor. 8:9) “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Our fight for our finances is a fixed fight. We just need to apply our faith to our financial battles and watch God deliver us.

Hallelujah! I am a witness you can win the fight in your finances. Years ago, I learned in my fight over finances that ninety-five (95%) of this battle is won by knowing what you want and going for it. As you begin to take your stand and fight, expect to win in your finances.