Wouldn’t it be nice if having a relationship with God meant not having to stress or worry about money again? It’s actually possible, but not because God fills our bank accounts with money when we give our lives to Him. As with every aspect of our lives, God wants a relationship with us where we’re dependent on Him and trusting Him with all we have.
He wants us to keep Him as our God, not what we have or would like to have. God will always provide everything you need and much of what you want. Here are some ways that we can lean on and trust God, even when money is tight.
Understand that it’s not about the money.
Some people believe that our financial stability depends on how much we trust God instead of how much we make. It’s not about how hard you work, the money, or how wisely you’ve invested. Our financial circumstances are almost always about trust. It’s not about whether God has the money and can assist us. It’s about what He wants to do in and through us as we rely on Him for our needs. God can take any financial situation you’re in and build into you hope, character, and a future. See every financial battle as an opportunity to trust God more and a path where you can discover God’s provision, grace, and fatherly love.
Trust God with today.
It’s easy to look a month ahead and estimate how much money you’ll need to pay your bills and stress about the shortcomings. However, Jesus must have known we’d tend to do that. With that knowledge, He told His followers to look around and see how God provides clothing for the lilies of the field and food for the birds. Then, as Matthew 6:30 tells us, if God cares for wildflowers, He will care for you, so why do you have so little faith? Jesus summarized His teachings by saying don’t worry about what you’ll eat, wear, or drink because He already knows your needs. Instead, seek the kingdom of God, and He’ll give you everything you need. Jesus gave us a formula for trusting Him with our daily provision and not stressing about money by worrying about the future.
Remember how rich you already are.
God owns it all, making us His heirs of all He has, as detailed in Galatians 3:29. We may not feel like we have much on this earth, but we can read Ephesians 1:13-14 to remind ourselves of what’s ours in the heavenly realm. As you look at what God gives you through redemption, you can be uplifted by what’s yours today, not just someday in heaven. Consider this: if God can take care of our eternal life by providing His Son for our salvation, then He can take care of our everyday lives, including any financial burdens we bear. If you have to, read Ephesians 1 every day to remember what’s yours in Jesus Christ. It’ll give you a different viewpoint, and it may cause you to thank Him more often than you ask Him regarding your financial needs.
Give it back to God.
We’re only managers, not owners of the money God has trusted us with, making it all His in the first place. Therefore, He expects us to give from what we have to Him as a reminder that He owns it all and as a way of honoring Him. The Old Covenant Law required all of God’s people to tithe, meaning you give God a tenth of your income. However, under the New Covenant, Jesus instructed us to give generously in proportion to how we’d like God to be generous to us, as detailed in Luke 6:38. He wanted to ensure that our desire to please Him was more robust than our desire for money. God is faithful to His children who give to Him, even as they struggle to be financially faithful to Him. Ask God to challenge you with what He wants you to give, then trust Him with every month.
Embrace the faith adventure.
Trusting God for provision when it looks grim is truly an adventure in faith. Still, we have a God who’s not only pleased by our faith but who loves to show up for His children. Do you know the feeling of getting an unexpected check for the exact amount of an unexpected bill you received? Your unexpected financial situations don’t surprise God, and as you trust and honor Him with what you have, you’ll continually see Him come through for you. See your unexpected financial situation as the start of an exciting adventure God is waiting to guide you through.
Gain knowledge through God’s Word.
Sometimes, we’re foolish regarding borrowing, spending, and handling our finances. Debt is typically the consequence, as it feels like we’re under too heavy of a burden to repay or face financial freedom again. However, this doesn’t mean God can’t still work in our lives, teach us valuable lessons, and get us back on the path to financial recovery. The Book of Proverbs is filled with financial wisdom and warnings about living beyond your means, getting into debt, and going into business with someone untrustworthy.
If you need to, read it and take its advice regarding business dealings, paying excessive interest, or spending money you don’t have. You can also use other available resources to help believers who want to start doing things right financially. Do what you must to become wiser and more responsible regarding the money God trusted you with.
Can you be happy with little to nothing if that’s what God ordained for you? There’s joy in living simply, giving things away, or tossing out clutter. Most of us don’t know how much excess we have and how little we need not only to sustain but also to be happy. Practice contentment, and you may realize that your financial worries aren’t what they used to be.
