“The Steps to Becoming the Lender and Not the Borrower…
The Head and Not the Tail”
By
Matthew M. Carter II, J.D., Ph.D. and Rita T. Carter, Ph.D.
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to
observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy
God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: (Deuteronomy 28:1)
In this verse, Moses speaks to the generation of the Children of Israel who are about to
enter the Promised Land, giving them the foundation for their future. There is a precondition for
God’s blessings -- we must first obey Him.
If we are obedient to God, He will promote us high above all nations. The LORD shall
open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to
bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not
borrow. Thou shalt lend to many nations with interest, but thou shalt not have occasion to
borrow. And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only,
and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy
God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them. (Deuteronomy 28:12-13)
In these Scriptures, you see that God wants His people to be the example of prosperity in
the earth. We are to be lenders, not borrowers; we are also to be the head and not the tail.
Today, contrary to our theme scriptures, the world has questions about Christians and the
Christian Church. How can the world look at how poor, broke, and hungry some Christians are
and how torn apart their families are and still want to serve our God? Let me ask you this: Are
you living a life that can convince people that God blesses those who serve Him?
God’s message is that He is going to prosper His people so they can serve as great
witnesses for the Almighty God. When people look at you, they see God. Let me share
something I hope will amaze you. I want to share how we can be the lender, not the borrower;
the head, not the tail. God has made us His people and His example. We are His voice and His
manifestation, and we must learn about the force of prosperity. We do not have to be poor,
broke, and hungry any longer.
First, become a tither to receive a promised blessing from God. God’s Promise to you is:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me
now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour
you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:10)
Second, you need to know the New Testament principle for prosperity: Give, and it will be
given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured
into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38- NIV) This
principle says that you must make giving to God and being generous to others a part of your life
as a Christian.
Third, you need to know that God wants to be involved in your finances. However, for this
to happen, you must make God your first priority. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) God wants to bless
you so much that you are out of debt, all your needs are met, you have plenty more to put in
store and you have enough to share.
God is not going to drop money out of the sky to make you rich. However, God will give
you ideas, concepts, and insights to earn you millions of dollars in wealth. This book of the law
shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest
observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way
prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
Fourth and finally, you need to plant a seed for your prosperity. If you don’t sow, you can’t
reap; therefore, sow into God’s church first. And these are they which are sown on good ground;
such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some
an hundred. (Mark 4:20).
As Christians, we live by faith. It takes faith to be a tither and believe God will provide for
you abundantly. When you plant seeds in God’s Church, you will reap God’s Principles of
Prosperity. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So
shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. (Proverbs
3:9-10)
God expects us to have more than enough. God expects us to honor Him and to give to
the poor. He who gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes [from their want] will
have many a curse. (Proverbs 28:27 - Amplified). Beloved, I wish above all things that thou
mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 2)
In closing, remember we must first be obedient to the Word of God. We must also be
tithers; tithing makes it possible for God to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessing
after blessing that we may be the lender and not the borrower, the head and not the tail. Finally,
we must be givers, caring for our families and the poor and sowing seeds for prosperity. We
must trust and obey God.
© 2012 by Matthew M. Carter II, Ph.D. and Rita T. Carter, Ph.D. (Carter Ministries, Inc., Tallahassee, FL)
www.cmi4you.org