Needed: A Steady Hand for Shaky Times
The news is shocking! Gas prices soaring, floods in the mid-west wiping out crops resulting in higher food prices, a weak dollar abroad raising the cost of just about everything—the future looks challenging indeed! Plus, for the next few months we will be hearing from politicians on both sides just how disastrous the future will be if the other side wins! It's enough to create anxiety in just about anyone! It appears that some hard financial times may loom ahead. As Christians, how do we respond? We know that we are not exempt from life's struggles, yet we also know that God cares for His own. Here are a few thoughts of encouragement when facing an uncertain future.
God Is Our Source
First, always remember that God supplies our needs. Don't let anxiety fill your heart. Jesus taught that if we will seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness that all of these other things will be added to us. Financial blessings are the byproduct of our spiritual search. God's ability to meet the needs of His children is not dependent on the economy or world conditions. In difficult times we must walk by faith more than ever. I try to regularly pray the Lord's Prayer and believe what I pray! When you say, “Give us this day our daily bread,” then trust God to do it! The word translated “daily bread” carries the meaning of "a shopping list” or "all that we need for today." God supplies ALL our needs, not just the financial ones. He is the source of all good things! In normal times God meets our needs through normal channels; but in times of famine or depression He supplies in more unusual ways. Whether manna from heaven or crops from the earth, God is the source! He supplies "our daily bread!" Remember, “Ask and you shall receive!”
Beware of Credit and Credit Cards!
This is an awful trap! In this day of easy credit it is also easy to get in a hole that is very difficult to ever get out of! I know, we think we will catch up when times are good again, but that day rarely comes. Interest will snowball debt into a mighty mountain! My dad taught me that if I would live on cash and hunt for bargains I could live on about half of what it took for other people to live. I have found this to be true. Don't buy it if you don't have the money to pay for it! He also taught me to pay my bills first and if there is anything left over then I could eat! I know, it tough advice from a dad who survived the Great Depression. If you use a credit card, use it wisely and for convenience only, and pay it off each month! If you don't have the discipline to do this, cut it up! If you are already loaded with credit card debt seek counsel on how to pay it off. Find God's plan for you and enjoy financial freedom! It can be done! If we pray and have faith in God He will supply our daily needs without us having to be in debt up to our ears just to survive! My general rule of thumb is to only borrow money for something that will increase you assets or your earning power. Don't borrow money to buy things that will soon wear out or be used up!
Be Faithful to Give
Finally, be faithful to tithe on you income and to give offerings. I know, it seems impossible when times are tough, but this is when you absolutely must be faithful to give God His tenth. It is very difficult to pray in faith for God's blessing if you are struggling with guilt because you spent God's money on your self! If you have failed in this, ask God to forgive you and start being faithful now! When you have a clear conscience you can pray with boldness and confidence for God to “give us this day our daily bread.” He is faithful! From personal experience I have found that increasing giving in the tough times is one of the best ways to victory! God responds to faith! After many decades of serving God, I can also say with the Psalmist David, “I once was young but now I am old, and never have I seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.”
Keep Your Priorities in Order
Financial challenges force us to look at our priorities. We learn what's really important and what we can do without. It's not a time to complain, go in debt, or slack up on giving. It is a time to exercise faith and to learn to “be content with such things as you have.” You will find that there are many wonderful blessings that you were never aware of when you life was so full of "stuff." God has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We may have to rethink how we do a lot of things, learn the art of home cooking, vacation closer to home, maybe even deny ourselves a few things, but it will be exciting to watch how God supplies our needs and what new doors He opens. Even in hard times God will still “Open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that you don't have room to receive!” Remember the words motto printed on our money, “In God We Trust!” Trust God's steady hand, be steadfast in your faith, and you will witness His awesome blessings and wonders!