Trust In the Lord- Not Money and Riches
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6).
My Story
Since I work in financial services, I talk a lot about money. Whether it’s my day job or my own business, I am talking to you about federal benefit payments and assistance; medical insurance and life insurance; tracking and budgeting; saving and investing; spending less and saving more; etc.
I even talk about how your employer’s leave program is money in your pocket. For example, I know people who have gotten sick and ended up scrambling to make ends meet because they burned up their leave as soon as they earned it. They earned a week, and they’d take a week’s vacation. Your creditors may express some empathy for your situation, but they are primarily concerned about when you will make good on the loan, they spotted you for.
I talk about real financial issues, and I enjoy it. There is so much I wish I had known, and because I didn’t, I ended up in so many precarious situations. So, when I learn something now, I’m excited to pass that on to someone else. I want us to conduct ourselves in the wisest way possible and make better financial decisions.
The Internal Dialogue
But, I still have that internal dialogue that says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith…” (1 Timothy 6:10). Lord knows, I don’t want to err from the faith. In fact,
I am constantly examining myself to make sure I am not trusting in riches, but in God; and that I am not teaching you to trust in riches, but to trust in God. You do know that, right?
Learning how to be better stewards; learning to apply sound financial principles is Christ honoring. The bible teaches us not to be lazy, but to work hard; to lend, but not borrow; and to lend, but not look to be repaid.
Those who have means, God uses to help care for the ministers of God and the house of God, and to care for the needy. It takes money to pay the rent, to keep the lights on, to buy bibles, to provide a meal to someone in need. By the grace of God, our wise stewardship may be how Christ does this and more.
That internal dialogue isn’t going to go away, I suspect. And I don’t want it to. It’s the Holy Spirit saying, “give diligence to make your calling and election sure [Yolanda]: for if you do these things, you can never fall” (2 Peter 1:10). This is my ministry; to give and to help. Sometimes, it’s time and energy, sometimes it’s information, and sometimes it’s money- but all for the glory of God. One thing I am convinced of is God is not honored by our shoddy finances.
Conclusion
When you read my posts, take what you find helpful and apply it. If I have “leaned to my own understanding” and have misspoken in some regard, reach out and let me know. Iron sharpens iron, you know.
Ultimately, though, let’s trust in the Lord with all our hearts and acknowledge Him in all our ways (faith, family, finances, etc). When we seek God’s Will through His Word, Jesus will direct our paths according. But if you don’t attend to these things, you are not acknowledging God in all your ways.
What’s your internal dialogue? You never know who your story may help.
