I have been through a lot of financial hardship like so many others. I have tried to lean on family and friends and sometimes this is not what God wants us to do. America has become a challenging country to live in if you are low-income for whatever reason. Maybe you have a disability so you cannot work as much as other people. You may not be able to work at all and depend on government assistance because of your disability limitations.
You could be someone that has limited skill sets and education, so you work a low paying job to survive. You may be a stay-at-home mom who is dedicated to meeting the needs of her family. These things are common issues for a lot of Americans. It can cause manipulation and abuse by the family and friends if you are not careful. So, where or who do we go to when we need support loved ones cannot provide consistently or at all?
Let’s see what God’s word says about meeting our needs.
Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Matthew 12:24-25)
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing (Psalm 34:10).
So, Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:21-22)
Looking at all these scriptures shows us that God sees and knows our needs. He will provide for us, but we have to remember to do our part. We have to remember to believe He will and that He can. We have to be wise enough to be a good steward over what God provides for us to have.
Sometimes that means saving our income or asking for support to understand how to manage what we have. That can mean financial counseling. We have to admit we need help and lack understanding of how to manage what we have. Sometimes we are asking God, but God may be expecting us to listen to that still voice that tells us how He will provide for us. It can also mean listening to God when He shows us ways to use our talents as income.
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord (Matthew 25:21)
Asking God to help you is one piece to the puzzle. God is no magician, and He wants to see us be good stewards over what He gives us. As we manage what He gives us He will gladly increase our territory and meet our needs abundantly. When we continuously squander what we have and are naive to it sometimes God will allow us to do so until we see the errors of our ways. When He sees that we are correcting our errors and making the changes necessary to move forward God begins to add more and more little by little. He does not add at our pace. He adds based on what are needs are and how we manage what we have.
One lesson that I am faced to learn more now than ever is being a good steward over what I have. I understand that generations before me lacked financial literacy. They knew to pay their bills but that was about it. This a major problem for so many Americans and it has nothing to do with race. You are either financial literate or you are not. You also have to apply the knowledge to your daily financial affairs.
God providing for us is not just about financial resources. Sometimes we need healing, opportunities or to see the people we love and care about have the things they need too. There are times when we face grief, and we need to be comforted. We may need peace in our lives or struggle to know what’s next and be confused. God can provide the peace and wisdom we need to move forward in any situation we face.
Whatever your needs are, remember God provides. Call on Him when you need Him.
Resources
Money Management International
Resilient Inspired Spiritual Excellence R.I.S.E. 