Dwight Fletcher | God is the source

WE NEED money to operate in our society. It’s essential for survival. It’s the means of exchange by which we acquire goods and services of value for our lives and our family. God knows that we need money, and, as people of God, He’s our source. Scripture teaches that God gives us money and allows us to earn sufficiently to fulfil His purposes in our lives, families, and the wider world. “Wealth and honour come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”. 1 Chronicles 29:12 (NIV). God is our supply, and we must accept this by faith. “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 (NIV). We need to trust that God will do His best by us.

As a good Father, His promise is to supply our needs. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV). It’s God’s desire to satisfy our financial needs, and He wants more for us than just survival. “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.” Proverbs 13:22 (NIV). This isn’t saying that He will make us all millionaires. It’s not about the amount of money that we have.

Many who aren’t ‘rich’ leave an inheritance. It has to do with the approach we have to money. We need to adopt a godly approach, and, if done right, it will shift our financial prospects. The Scripture says “… a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous”, this doesn’t mean that miraculously money will appear in our bank accounts. It means that the wrong approach to money strips it from us, and the person with the right, godly approach will eventually appropriate it.

If we don’t manage our finances, our finances will manage us. God provides direction in His Word about how we’re to approach our money. We must listen to Him and trust His ways in managing our money.We must also trust God for the courage to face our financial problems. Some of us live as if our financial constraints or problems don’t exist. For example, some ignore bills and payments to be made as if by ignoring them it will make them go away.

FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

Many of us think that we are under financial pressure. We tend to worry about money rather than making steps to solve the problem. Worry won’t solve our financial problems. The Word of God is packed with the principles we need. Financial ups and downs are a part of life. “Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realise that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.” Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NIV). All of us will go through ups and downs financially. It’s going to be a part of our lives for the rest of our lives. Don’t be surprised by it. If it worked another way, we would begin to depend on our things instead of God.

It’s only in Him that we can find certainty, and He will give us what we need when we need it. “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation … 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV). This is the confidence that will give us the strength to face the struggles.