In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist bombing and destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City, many people were overcome with fear and intimidation. The magnitude of physical destruction and the sense of violation penetrated people to the core of their being. As different people responded to this tragedy differently, I heard one Christian ministry that felt led of the Lord to confront the fear that was associated with it. They scheduled a meeting on the one year anniversary, right in Manhattan, to confront any intimidation or fear people were feeling in regards to this terrorist attack. This really got my attention as the right thing to do, so my son and I traveled to New York for the one year anniversary of 9/11. It was a great night, and as you know there were no follow up attacks. It proved to be a great lesson for my son in confronting opposition and fear.

We need to face the spirit of poverty head on and confront it. If we are just brutally honest, this is how we develop a prosperous soul. It will take risk and financial courage. Remember the parable of the talents? The one steward did not understand God’s nature and so he did not take a risk with his talent. He was punished by the master for not taking a risk. For those of us who want to understand God’s nature, we are required to take risks. Without faith it is impossible to please God.