Everyday is full of learning! Earlier today at church I learned more about something I needed to be reminded of. Trusting God with our daily bread, or in other words, our daily needs. A huge part of this in our society today is our financial needs and wants.
Matthew 6:9-13 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”
Jesus taught us to pray like kids who expect provision from their father, knowing that God will provide just like most little kids know that their father will provide all their needs for them. That is the kind of relationship you should have with our heavenly father. To simply pray for daily bread, or in other words for our needs to be met by our Father and then knowing that he will eventually provide.
Financial management is an important aspect in life, and who you take advice from can go a long way. Take advice from people who are followers of Jesus Christ because then, their prospective will not only be on earthly things, but more of security in heaven. Jesus has a simple financial plan for us, “Daily bread for this life. A storehouse of treasures for the next life”. Jesus sees beyond the grave, and so will His followers. Those who aren’t believers, will not look beyond the grave for your financial needs but more likely have you stockpile your money to save on yourself. Don’t find security in how much money you’ve saved in the bank though. (Matthew 19-21)
If we put our treasures in heaven, we no longer have to live in financial fear. You can be reassured of this from Luke 12:32-34 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourself that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
A thing we have to know and remember is that we can’t serve two masters. We either will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. We cannot serve both the one true God and the god of men, which in this case, is money in our society. (Matthew 6:24) If you crave so much of serving the god of men, then you will end up despising the one true God.
I love the verse after it. Matthew 6:25 “ Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and body more than clothes?” This reminds us again to pray for what we need, and know that God will provide for us. Worrying is different from planning. Once you realize God will provide for your needs, then financials won’t matter as much. You won’t have to WORRY as much because you will simply be taken care of. This goes with all materialistic things, for which you need money to get. We focus so much on things we don’t have but obsess over wanting them. Another good verse for this is:
Matthew 6:33 - 34 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
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How we’re raised is a lot like how we view God’s love for us. Parent’s may fall short though. All kids know is how to trust, until that trust is broken. It all comes down to trust though, trusting that He will take care of us. I think for me this is really true. I still, at age 21, put so much trust in my dad to take care of me. Though there have been some rough patches in my family, we all have been well for the most part. I feel sad for those who don’t experience the love of parents, especially fathers as much. I could see how it compares to the view of God’s love. It would be a lot harder to understand a father’s love if you never felt it before on earth.
As for financially, I could definitely relate. I will admit that I do get so worried about my bank account some times and about the future of my financials. Especially right before a new semester, I was getting very low on money at the end of winter break and was so excited when my loan reimbursement came in. It’s so worrisome to think about all the college loans I will have to start paying at the end of the year. It puts so much pressure on. The whole direct path of needing to get a good job, needing to pay off my loans ASAP, needing to then move out when I save enough. It makes me so scared, and so worried. But really I should let go and let God. Not meaning that I shouldn’t plan anything, but meaning I should simply worry less because God will keep my path straight. I really do plan to save my money this year though, spending on less wants and just spending on needs. It’s definitely hard though, I’m a magnet for clearances and sales.
I think the best thing to do is: Constantly remind yourself that it’s not all for you, but all for Him. Put your trust in Him that He will give you your daily bread. Know that He wants to give you the mind of Christ, to give you perfect peace.
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