Learn 3 ways on how to manage financial need: if God clothes the grass of the field, how much more will he clothe you?
When we battle with financial need, what we need to remember is that money is a constant. Seeing as we live in a life that regularly requires money, we are therefore always reminded of its power or absence in our lives.
I understand personally that being in need financially is hard to be strong about at times. It is far easier to panic, to cry or to just run from one person to the next in search for comfort and help. But this is just another important spiritual battle. It may not seem like it, but many of us separate our finances and our usual faith-based battles. But provision is just as important, if not one of the most important. Money is actually a topic that is mentioned in the Bible over 800 times. It is the second most talked about topic. So let's just say, it is good to be aware of its importance in your journey as children of God on this earth.
The structure of the way in which we are made as children of God is all set in the identity we carry as warriors and fighters for the kingdom of heaven. In reality, no matter your individual ministry, we are all called to fight. Fighting is required as a chosen child of God. And that is because we live in a world where the enemy rules, so we need to be in constant awareness of attacks coming, when to attack and how to defend ourselves. And our battles with money are no different.
Here are three important points to remember when battling the chains of poverty:
1. Do it again
Like mentioned above, money is a constant battle. It is hard to battle its power once and then never be affected again. It’ll keep coming back. Keep tempting you, keep pulling from you. So what we need is perseverance. This is a battle that needs to be won daily. Even if you think you aren’t really fighting one day, keep yourself aware and stay close to the Lord in order that it doesn’t sneak up on you. Also remember that it is a repetitive thing. Sure, over time it will have less power over you, but it’ll still go back and forth. Let’s be honest, money never sits still.
So keep remembering to face money with the awareness that it can easily turn into an enemy. Face it with delicacy and wisdom and especially when it comes to financial need, keep yourself strong in the Lord day by day. It helps to remain faithful in the prayer for provision. Not just to ask the Lord once but to keep proclaiming that over yourself daily until you see breakthrough. For when you speak it, it will manifest itself into the real.
2. The Sword of the Spirit
Remember that our weapon is the Word of God. God Himself is the Truth, therefore it is practically impossible to face anything in Jesus without having truth in it.
Proclaim His promises, open the Bible daily, even if it’s just for one verse. Declare the Lord’s truth over your life whenever things worsen. Your identity needs to be as solid as a rock in order that no matter the waves or winds, you are set in stone and nothing can move you. Nothing can disturb your confidence, faith, and total trust in Jesus Christ. It sounds hard -- and it is -- but imagine the miracles that‘ll result and the testimonies you will birth. Remember that "God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”*
3. Rejoice
Keeping your eyes on Jesus in the middle of financial need means being able to remain in joy even when it seems like there is nothing to be joyful about. I’ve been learning from the Holy Ghost how much just a few songs of worship and praise can lift up the spirit. How much it always reminds me that God is bigger and greater. Sometimes I even just choose to worship through my tears instead of wallow in my sadness: and this has that much more power to lift me up. All because my faith is in what God is capable of and not in how things look. Our focus is Him and He's a good father, friend and provider.
Remember He is the very definition of love and joy. Therefore when you spend time with Him, if you don’t come out singing in love or filled with a supernatural peace or joy, then you weren’t speaking to your real Heavenly Father. Trusting Him means rejoicing in times of hardship. As James writes, "count it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds". And money is just another one of those trials to be joyful about. Not only because it offers the Lord an opportunity to move in your life, but because it is able to test your trust and faith in who your Heavenly Father really is.
So I challenge you to really keep your eyes open in the next week, and to keep yourself firmly planted in the word of God, remembering all that you have in Him daily, and never ceasing to worship and rejoice in heavenly celebration. Are you truly able to trust Him in this time of need? Are you able to say that your heart is joyful and crying in praise and worship, even as your bank account is lowering?
It is certainly difficult, but I promise you that Jesus will never break His promise. He is not a God that wanders between yes and no, as it says in 2 Corinthians 1*. He does as He says. And one of the firm promises He never breaks is that He is our ultimate provider in everything -- money included -- as it clearly states in 2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
* Luke 12:28 -- "God clothes the grass of the field, how much more will he clothe you?"
* Philippians 4:19 -- "God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
* James 1:2 -- "Count it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds"
* 2 Corinthians 1:19 -- "For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between "yes" and "No"...He always does as He says.
*2 Corinthians 9:8 -- "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
very useful thoughts!