Money and Faith

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for   he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

 

I used to shake my head at my mother because she was always worried about money, though she did not need to be. Now, I shake my head at myself because I think (ok, worry) too much about it.

November was one of those financial months that everyone dreads!

Our freezer died, one of our cars died, the other one needed minor repairs, but to the tune major money, and the washer needed a major repair. Then, to end the month well, I dropped my iPad, screen side down, on the brick around our fireplace…shattered.  $$$$$

While I am praising God that He has provided for every one of these “needs,” I am also, silently, adding it all up and wondering how to replace that money. Hebrews 13:5 (top) clearly says to be content with what we have. I can see how generous God has been, why is that not enough?

Fear. The fear that we will not have enough as we age. Fear that I will have no inheritance to leave my children or grandchildren. Fear that there won’t be enough money if some disaster strikes.

In this case, fear is equal to a lack of faith. God has provided way beyond our needs. He has given us more grace and mercy than we deserve, and more material goods and wealth than a large percentage of people in the world.

Contentment is a matter of faith. God has faithfully provided for us financially and spiritually; even in matters of health and relationships, we have been blessed. As promised, He has not left us nor forsaken us.

I am reminded that we “cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24).”  We have made many decisions over the years that have contributed to my fears. As I stayed home with small children or worked part-time, as we chose ministry over full time employment after our children were older, we knew we were forfeiting some worldly pleasures.

In His grace, God has honored our decisions and we could pay for every one of those “needs” this month.

Christ knew these issues would arise. Here is how He instructs us:

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34

Why do we (I) allow our (my) own fears to be weightier than His faithfulness?