Faith as Currency in Our Finances预览

If you open a news app on your phone, you’ll probably find a bunch of the top stories relating to the cost-of-living crisis, the global financial recession, poverty, unemployment, or famine in some part of the world. There isn’t a lot of good news right now when it comes to the economy. Perhaps you’re worrying about your personal finances or the financial well-being of someone you love. But God’s Word reminds us we have a generous Father who provides. No matter how bleak your current or future outlook is, you can draw upon the currency of your faith.

God’s people throughout scripture exercised their faith expecting supernatural provision from God to meet their needs. Hebrews 11 specifically credits some well-known biblical figures for their faith, and it’s possible for us to exhibit the same faith and expect the same miracles they experienced.

Without faith, it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus tells us not to worry, but instead to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness – and all these other things will be added (Matthew 6:25–33). Imagine for a moment what would change in your life if you lived with this kind of anxiety-free faith, hope, and expectancy.

To begin seeking first God’s Kingdom, ask yourself:

(1) Do I believe God loves me? (Take a look at Isaiah 43:1!)

(2) Do I believe He also loves my neighbour?

Then commit to listening for His voice and following His lead. As you pray and read the Bible, trust the Holy Spirit to direct you to those ‘neighbours’ you need to reach. Maybe someone who looks like they’re doing just fine is really struggling financially or in some other way, and God may use you to meet a need in that person’s life.

The flip side of practising generosity is trusting God to use others’ generosity to provide for us when we’re the ones in need. If it’s hard for you to accept financial help from others, take heart. Humble yourself. Don’t allow pride to stop you from experiencing God’s supernatural provision. He knows your needs long before you even ask Him and delights in meeting them (Isaiah 65:24, Matthew 6:8).

In a challenging economic climate, it figures that more people will struggle financially. God may nudge you to give to someone else even though your resources are stretched too. Your obedient faith may be the catalyst for someone else’s miracle. Jesus fed the 5000 with only five loaves and two fish, and He can do something just as marvellous with whatever you have to offer Him. You might also think about ways to reduce home waste to conserve resources you can then give to others in need.

No matter how hopeless your circumstances appear, don’t be afraid. Put your faith in Jesus. He’ll provide. Let’s not forget that our dominant currency is faith, not finances. Let’s generously spend that faith currency, loving our neighbours in word and deed, and trusting God to meet our needs too.