How I Learned That “Money Moves by the Spirit”

Years ago, a prophet I had never met prophesied over me regarding my finances. He put his hand on my shoulder and, by the Spirit of the Lord, said, “The Father says I’m going to cause money to move by the Spirit in your life.” That simple word galvanized my faith and has been a guiding light in my understanding of divine provision and the act of giving.

At the time I was in financial straights and really facing some challenges but as I wrapped my faith around that decree things begin to change almost immediately and it is from that testimony (which I rarely give) I want to share with those of you reading this that are believing God to be free from debt, blessed beyond measure and equipped with the provision to fulfill God’s call on your life.

Note: This isn’t about manipulation or soliciting an offering, but about showing you how to align yourselves with the supernatural flow of God’s abundance. It’s a journey that moves beyond mere financial transactions into the realm of profound and actionable spiritual principles that will radically transform your life.

The Heart of Giving: Surplus vs. Need

The way we approach giving reveals much about our faith and understanding. We often consider giving from our excess, which is commendable. However, the scriptures highlight a deeper level of sacrifice and trust:

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:1 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living2 that she had.

Luke 21:1-4 (KJV)

The widow’s offering, though small in monetary value, was immense in its demonstration of faith. This reflects two different ways to give: 1) Giving out of your surplus, and 2) Giving out of your need. The Lord specifically instructed me to give from my surplus, promising sustained provision. Specifically, he spoke to me, “If you give of your surplus, I will keep you in surplus.” Are you ready for that in your life? Then take just a moment to set aside any attitude, judgment, or offense that might challenge you because this is a subject that can bring out the worst in Christians or the best, and God wants you to have His best. 

Giving out of your surplus is just the beginning. God wants you to learn how to give out of your need. Why? Because what you give out of your surplus TO THE POOR sanctions the blessing on what you give, tithe out of your “penury” or poverty, like the widow in Luke 21. I learned to give out of my surplus as a very young man when a mentor encouraged me to identify any surplus, no matter how insignificant, and release it in faith. The principle is clear:

He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Luke 3:11 (KJV)

Old Testament Foundations: A Legacy of Generosity

The Old Testament lays a significant foundation for understanding the importance of giving. The Levites, who served in the temple, were not only recipients of tithes but were also mandated to be givers:

And thou shalt speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe (for the poor).

Numbers 18:26 (KJV)

This highlights a continuous cycle of blessing, where we receive so that we can give. Many are so “spiritual” that they say this is wrong, but reciprocity of blessing in giving is taught throughout the scriptures, period. This principle of consistent generosity has been a lifelong practice for me. Remember this – don’t delay because your response time to God in this is a metric of His response time to you. I believe in responding promptly to identified needs in the personal lives of those around me, and when no immediate personal connection exists, directing resources to poverty-focused programs within the church or other reputable organizations. This consistent act of faith has unlocked tremendous blessings in my life.

The Challenge of “Poverty Giving”

Beyond giving from surplus, there’s a profound lesson in giving when it stretches you, when it feels like a sacrifice. This isn’t about irresponsibly depleting your resources but about an act of faith that tests your reliance on God:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:38 (KJV)

I recall times when giving even $100 felt significant, escalating to challenges from God to give $500, or $1,000. The ultimate test came with a prompting to give $10,000 when it felt like everything was at stake. It was a moment of profound reliance on God’s promise. This act of giving from what felt like “poverty” became a powerful seed sown into the anointing.

Supernatural Increase: Testimonies of Faith

One particular experience vividly illustrates the principle of “money moves by the Spirit.” After giving $1,000 while traveling with limited resources, the Lord spoke of the plowman overtaking the reaper, signifying a harvest connected to the seed sown (Amos 9:13). We had never given $1000 up to that particular time and were definitely not in financial surplus. If we gave and God didn’t reciprocate promptly, we would be in trouble. But we did give, and let me tell you that within seconds of giving that gift, a $10,000 gift was sent to the ministry, and it was a total miracle.

Another time, God spoke to my heart that He was going to show me how the “hundredfold return” works. This is another scriptural principle. Some years later, we had given another $10,000 to the gospel and were looking into the purchase of a $2 million property. The Lord had instructed me how to deal with the owner and what kind of offer to give him. I got him on the phone, and the first thing the man said was he was lowering the price to $1 million, a drastic savings. While the phone call was ongoing, the Lord struck up a conversation with me on the side (it’s so hard to have two conversations at once!). He pointed out that a $1 million return is a hundredfold on $10,000. In other words, if you have faith to give $10,000 (and actually do it), you have faith to receive $1 million. Many people say they are going to be a millionaire “one of these days” or “when my ship comes in,” but they aren’t taking advantage of the hundredfold return that is already available to them. What do I mean by this?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

You may not have $10,000 to give, but you do have an amount that you can give that goes beyond surplus and actually puts you in a position, “This better be God or I’m in trouble!” That’s how I know if I am giving like the widow who gave her all. By giving all she had, she created a crisis, not out of foolishness, but out of faith. This is a powerful concept (but be sure to liquidate everything in your life that represents surplus first!). Now, I’m going to get complaints about this post, and people will say it’s foolish, and for them, it is. They have more offense in their heart than they have faith. Peter complained about Paul’s teaching because people were taking Paul’s teachings and destroying their lives with them. Why? Was Paul wrong? No. Anything that is powerful (and this is a powerful principle) can hurt or harm, or bring blessing, depending on the individual, God’s timing, their faith, AND their follow-through. Follow through is as important as anything else!

These things that God taught me so long ago underscore that our giving, rooted in faith, can unlock supernatural opportunities and increase. It’s not about waiting for abundance to give; it’s about giving from our present reality with faith for future increase.

The Measure of Giving: Faith and Current Supply

It’s crucial to understand that God doesn’t expect us to give what we don’t have. The blessing comes from giving according to our capacity and the measure of our faith:

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not6 grudgingly, or of necessity: for7 God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (KJV)

The widow’s small offering was deemed greater because it represented her entire livelihood. Our giving should be a reflection of our faith in God as our provider, not a calculation based on future hypothetical wealth.

Beyond the Tithe: A Righteousness That Exceeds

While the concept of tithing is foundational, the Lord challenged me to consider a level of giving that surpasses mere obligation:

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:20 (KJV)

We want and need to get our finances in the kingdom, overshadowed by the kingdom, and under the influence of the kingdom. Applying this to our finances, the Lord prompted me to examine if my giving truly reflected a heart of generosity that exceeded the basic requirement. This led to a period of giving far beyond the tithe, not out of compulsion, but out of a desire to align my financial life with a higher standard of righteousness. What was the result? Being lifted from poverty into a place of provision beyond all measure. 

The Power of Radical Faith: God as Our Source

The principle of “money moves by the spirit” often requires a radical shift in our perspective on provision. It means acknowledging God as our ultimate source, even in our daily work:

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 8:18 (KJV)

I’ve witnessed individuals in my congregation who, in a demonstration of this radical faith, like Abraham after tithing to Melchizedek, returned the remaining 90% to the king of Sodom, acknowledging God as their true provider. The miraculous blessings that followed defied natural explanation.

Imparting the Blessing: A Heart’s Desire

My deepest desire is to impart this understanding of divine financial flow to others. However, discussions about financial blessings can often be met with skepticism or offense. It’s crucial to understand that this isn’t about personal exaltation but about revealing a pathway to experiencing God’s abundant provision.

The Lord has blessed me immensely, and I recognize that this blessing is meant to be shared. Just as C. Peter Wagner spoke of “field marshals and distributors of the wealth of the nations,” I believe God desires to entrust many with resources to advance His kingdom. This requires faith and corresponding action, rooted not in what we lack, but in what we currently possess.

A Personal Declaration of Blessing

Having experienced this unrestricted and unrestrained blessing, I release it to you, right now, in the name of Jesus. I declare that money will move by the Spirit in your life. You will be a conduit of God’s abundant provision.

Review and Reflection

The journey of understanding “money moves by the spirit” is one of continuous learning and deepening faith. It challenges our natural tendencies towards self-reliance and encourages us to embrace a supernatural perspective on our finances. The key takeaways from this exploration include:

• Giving is an act of faith: It’s not solely about the amount but the heart and intention behind it.
• God provides: Recognizing Him as our ultimate source frees us from the limitations of our natural circumstances.
• Generosity unlocks blessing: Releasing what we have in faith opens the door for God’s abundance to flow into our lives.
• Obedience is paramount: Following God’s specific instructions, even when they seem unconventional, leads to extraordinary results.
• Our giving should reflect a righteousness that goes beyond the minimum: It’s about a heart posture of generosity.

Reflecting on these principles encourages a shift in mindset from scarcity to abundance, from self-sufficiency to divine reliance. It’s an invitation to partner with the Spirit in the realm of finances, trusting that as we sow in faith, we will reap a bountiful harvest.

Call to Action

• Identify your surplus today, no matter how small, and give it in faith.
• Pray and ask God for specific guidance on where and how to give.
• Meditate on scriptures about giving and receiving, such as Luke 6:38 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
• Consider how you can give not just from your surplus, but also in ways that stretch your faith.
• Declare God as your ultimate source of provision in all areas of your life.