Apply Your Faith to Your Finances: God Provides

Give It All To God by artist Kevin Williams

A couple of years ago I dreamed of a home. It had 2 levels. Not just any levels. The bottom level included 2 bedrooms with en suites, an open concept dining and living room with a walk out deck. It had a fully loaded kitchen, an arts & craft room and a storage room. The top level was laid out perfectly as well. This floor plan was embedded in my head . I prayed about it and added it to the list of my "in the cart prayers". You know those things you put in the cart because you truly desire to have them but you feel it has to wait or it's just a dream.

As the holidays begin to draw near, my family and I received an invitation to join some new friends for Christmas. We decided to not attend a week before our expected arrival. We were in a rough season financially and didn't deem it wise to travel. On the morning we were supposed to leave, I was awakened out of my sleep. I had this sudden urge to go on that trip. I woke my hubby and told him. He said okay, let's pack up and go.

We woke up the kids, packed and left home. We left empty handed. We didn't know what to expect but we were going by faith. Six hours later we arrived at our destination. We were welcomed by our friends, then embraced by their family. They were so happy we came. As we removed our coats, they offered a tour of the home before leading us to where we would be staying during the visit. As we followed them through several hallways and looked around every room, this house began to feel very familiar to me.

We journeyed to a staircase leading to a lower level that seemed hidden from the outside of the house. We walked into what seemed to be a second home. We unpacked and got settled before dinner was cooked and served. The next morning as we prepared for the day, the smell of breakfast filled both levels of the house. We were served a full spread. I looked up and we were sitting at the table with strangers that had begun to become family. We sat around all day, talking,playing games and eating. It was such a good time. I eventually asked them why did they have such a big house. They responded by saying, it is for the family. If anyone ever needed a place to stay, they would always have one.

The next day was Christmas. We all gathered around the Christmas tree as only the top of it was visible. It was surrounded by so many gifts. I thought to myself, they must really love Christmas. As we sat and watch our friends began to pass out gifts, I felt so blessed to be in that moment. I was slowly breathing it all in when I realized gifts were also being passed to my family and I. As we opened our gifts, I began to cry. They had given us all 2 years worth of Christmas gifts. Everything we desired from that Christmas and the last was now in our possession. I couldn't believe what was happening. They didn't have a clue but God did.

God knew every desire we had in our hearts. He set us up to be loved and cared for by this family. It had been hard for us financially as I stated before but we persevered and God showed up.Time after time He showed up. This time was no different. After returning home, I remember thinking about their home again. I still didn't understand why they had such a big house. Neither did I know why it felt as if I had been there before. Then it hit me, they were living in the floor plan I dreamed of. The exact layout. I felt God began to speak to me. He explained to me that He desired to give me all of that and more but I needed to change my mind set on how I saw myself and money.

The next few years, I embarked on a journey of healing and renewing my mind according to

finances. As I write to you , know I am living in increase. God has continued to do a work in me and my husband pertaining to our finances. He first exposed the hindrance, then He heals the broken places. Next He renews the mind , then you can see the blessings flow.

Just like anything else in our lives, we have to allow God to come in and pluck up the lies the enemy planted regarding our finances. Surrender your fears, cares and worries about money to Jesus. Listen to some of the things He has said about your money concerns.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) says: For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

John 15:5 NLT

[5] “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

[31] “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ [32] These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. [33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Philippians 4:19 NLT

[19] And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

There is a lot of things the bible tells us about finances and God's love for us. We often miss out on things because we don't allow God to be God when it comes to our finances. Now don't here what I am not saying. I am not instructing you to mismanage your finances. Quiet the opposite, actually. I am encouraging you to surrender them to God, do your best to manage (according to biblical principles), and let God handle the rest. Apply your faith to your finances and see what God does!