Some folks question whether it’s okay to ask God for financial help. So first off, let’s dispel the notion that God doesn’t care about your money or that it’s wrong to pray about your finances. Nothing in the Bible says that.
If it’s important to you, it’s important to God. He wants to be a part of your life — your whole life.
I John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
Now, there are two key points in that verse. First, you can ask God for anything.
Second, He will hear your prayer … if it’s according to His will. That’s where things get a bit trickier. How do we know what God’s will is for us, so that we can ask for things within it?
It’s critical to understand that throughout the Bible, God promises to meet your needs, not necessarily your wants and desires. If you feel a prayer has gone unanswered, you might be mistaking a need for a want.
So let’s make sure we understand the difference. A home and roof over your head is a need. A want could be a four-bedroom house with 3 ½ baths, a downstairs rec room, a three-car garage, and a jacuzzi.
Now, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with any of those things if it’s God’s plan for you and your family. Every circ*mstance is different and God’s plan for every family is different. The key is to find His will for your life and to learn to be content with what He provides, even when you see others in the neighborhood with more.
1 Timothy 6 tells us, “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
Notice the Apostle Paul isn’t even asking for a house, just food and clothing so he can continue to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. We’re not saying you should take a vow of poverty and head into the mission fields, we're just trying to give you perspective.
Contentment and gratitude are important because God owns everything and He is our ultimate provider. John 3:27 says, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”
We are simply His stewards, and as such, we’re expected to manage His resources according to His principles. If you’re not doing that, it’s a good place to start improving your financial picture. Otherwise, how can you expect God to provide more? 1 Corinthians 4:2 reads, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”
Something else to keep in mind, God’s plan for you may only be for a season. He may someday give you a big raise or make you the head of the company you work for or send you to the mission field. You must practice patience and wait on the Lord.
God is always faithful to meet our needs. He doesn’t delight in your struggles. Paul says in Romans 8:32, He who did not spare his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also with Him freely give us all things?
Okay, now you know the importance of praying within God’s will, is there anything else to consider? Yes, there is.
If you’re really struggling to keep a roof over your head and food on the table, it could be that God plans to meet your needs through the abundance of a fellow Christian. He gives abundance to some, so they can share with people in need, and by doing that, His love and glory are demonstrated to an unbelieving world.
Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians 8:14: “... At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.”
That means that if you struggle with an unmet need, let your church family know about it. You’ll have to set aside your pride, but God will be glorified as your needs are met through the church family.
Present yourself and your needs with humility to your church leaders and be grateful for whatever course they decide.
God has not abandoned you or overlooked your needs. His plan is to provide for you in a way that meets your needs — all according to His will.
On today’s program, Rob also answers listener questions:
- Are we moving toward a completely digital currency?
- When does it make sense to take money from savings to pay off a mortgage early?
- How can you determine roughly what you might owe in capital gains on a rental property?
- After receiving a piece of property that was in a trust, do you sell that as a beneficiary or as an owner?
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on theMoody Radio Network as well asAmerican Family Radio. Visit our website atFaithFi.comwhere you can join the FaithFi Community,and give as we expand our outreach.
