Sunday’s Reflection
DEAR GOD, help me to be wise but not obsessed with thriftiness. Help me to loosen my grip on money and to grab hold of you instead. In the uncertainties of life, I will trust in you. For the length of my days is a sacred mystery.
- Missy Buchanan
Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms
From p. 14 of Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms. Copyright ©: 2010 by Missy Buchanan. Used with Permission. All Rights Reserved. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
What would you say to someone who is worried about money? Share your reflections.
Today’s Scripture Reading
They had come to hear [Jesus] and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.
- Luke 6:18, NRSV
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for weather and seasons. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Centering Prayer is a type of prayer that goes deeper than verbal communication. Try a Centering Prayer exercise.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Elizabeth Lange (February 03).
- Lectionary Readings:
Sponsored by The Upper Room daily devotional guide. Subscribe Today.
Copyright © 2009 The Upper Room | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
{ 10 comments }
“What would I say to someone who is worried about money?” Well, I would speak from my own experience.
I have had money, the brand new cars, brand new homes in my life…and, I have struggled….currently, I have a rented home, I don’t have a car, my husband is on lay off and we are struggling, but, I have peace and contentment in my heart that has been put there by my Savior Jesus Christ. The material things that I once had did not make me happy…I had become addicted to drugs and was living a very self absorbed life, always seeking happiness through ‘things’ or substances. When the most important person in my life died suddenly, (my mom), it devastated me and I spiraled further into my addiction. Four months after her death, I checked into rehab and I reconnected with my Savior.
I have been clean for quite some time now and I take no credit, I give all the glory to the Lord. Through all these trials of my life, it was all meant to show me His Face, to seek Him and that’s where I’ve found true happiness. My mom loved the Lord so much, this ‘new life’ that I have, well, I wish she could be here to witness this. But, I know I will go Home one day and be with her and my Savior in Heaven. And she will be there to welcome me with her arms wide open, a smile on her face, and I’ll hear that old familiar “hey honey”…Yep, then I’ll know I’m Home.
The things that have made me the happiest in my life are not things that money can buy. The love of God, so faithful and everlasting. The love of my husband and children and all the ones who have loved me and gone on before me. My Son sent me a card on Thanksgiving one year that said “Our lives are our Thanksgiving.” I hope to live my life always striving to do God’s will for me. (it will be a challenge, though, because I can be strong-willed and judgemental at times!)
This is our second period of living on unemployment,our bank acct has been assaulted. But while on this 2yr unemployment we’ve paid off more bills cars everything its about being a good stewart over what God gives you. I seek Him on what bills to pay off (credit cards) and at what time. His name is Jehovah Jirrah it means The Lord our Provider, and that’s what he is, we must seek Him for direction in every area of our life. When I had more money I didn’t head in the direction of being debt free. He tells us to owe no man nothing but to love him. When we come to the realization that we are on God’s welfare and that we have what we have because of God, and what we don’t have praise the Lord it’s because of God, He is sparing us the trama of having unneccessary things that may take us from Him. We are to trust Him with all our heart, for where your heart is that’s where your treasure is a place that moth and rust can’t decay, robbers can’t destroy. I’ve learned on welfare (gov), working, and unemployment in all these circumstances to tithe and He does bless me where I always have some money be it a dollar or more. Another thing God’s addition isn’t like ours I had a bill due and according to my calculation I didn’t have enough money so I wasn’t going to write the check but I heard God say pay it, I’m like Lord I can’t afford a bounce check that would be more money the voice said pay it, I said okay Lord and the check cleared which shouldn’t of cleared now I’m good at math I love numbers I can add up and know my change before the cashiers get through I love working with numbers and I correct when the cashiers are wrong because math is always calculating in my head. So I know it was nobody but God who provided.
I have been giving this a lot of thought this morning. It would be easy to remind the Christian that Jesus told us not to worry but to trust God. (Matt 5-6) To tell them to do what they can and trust God for the rest. The old “pray for potatoes but dig with the hoe.” But what do you say to a worldly person with no faith in God? I could share my testimony about how God has met my needs every time. And I sure would pray for them.
I have never been with out money. How can I tell some one that is without money to trust in the Lord and he will provide?
I just do and I pray that somewhere down the road they will understand that he does.
Blessings
I would share my experience where I have been in situations without money and not knowing where I would get it.We do have to trust in God to supply our needs.When we do have money we need to share with others,a tight fist cant recieve or give.In all things pray,trust,and give thanks
Money is the root of all evil. Let God be the guidence for your finances and not to worry if you believe in him and prayers. He is always there for us.
In his name we pray….Amen
Sometimes it can sound so shallow, even unfeeling, to say to someone in difficulty, ‘Trust God to provide’. I find it helps, as some have done here, to share some of the ways he has provided. Personal experience of faith issues is often so powerful.
Having vastly reduced income has helped me learn a lot about being a better steward of what he does give. It gives me real
‘on-the-job training’ in trusting him and his faithfulness. There are things I would never learn otherwise.
I agree Molly. After retiring from a good paying job and now living on SS I have learned to do with out a lot. It is surprising the older you get the less you need.
I still tithe off the top and I firmly believe that when I do that God takes care of the rest.
Blessings
Thank you all for the input this morning, it is good to hear what God is doing in lives. I especially like the line “we are all on Gods welfare”
May God Bless you all indeed.
Comments on this entry are closed.