Trusting God By Francine E. Shaw
Most of us, as believers, seem to pick and choose what we believe, when it comes to the Word of God. We treat God’s Word, as if it is some kind of smorgasbord. What I have notice about one verse in particularly, is Malachi 3:10, which says: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” We do not want to choose or claim this verse. Why? It involves money. It involves us giving back to God. We always want from God, but now, the shoe is on the other foot. Do we really trust God, or are we relying on another, or ourselves? Trusting God is the first step to becoming financially successful from a Biblical perspective. Sometimes, the most pressing difficulties facing the believer, is in the area of finances, simply because, we have not learned how to develop self-control, and discipline. Courage, on the other hand, is the ability to face difficulty or danger with firmness, and without fear. When we truly trust God, we receive courage to face the uncertainties of life. It is difficult enough to be relaxed and efficient at work when one is perpetually worried about our finances. Our financial problems come because of our attitudes toward money, and inefficiencies in handling it wisely. We must view money realistically. In one of Jesus’ parables, he described a man whose life had been spent
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in the accumulation of wealth. Then the man died, unprepared to meet God and forced to leave his precious possessions to someone else. Jesus called this man a fool. He was rich in worldly possessions, but poor in his relationship with God. (Luke 2:16-21). God gives us the ability to prosper, to become wealthy, or He sometimes only supplies our needs, and expects us to trust Him. This was seen in the life of the Prophet Elijah (Deuteronomy 8:17; 1Kings 17; 3 John 2). In trusting God, we must come to realize that everything that is made was made by Him. There is nothing that was not made by Him, and that all things consist in Him. He has the power and authority to give us everything we need, and the desires of our hearts. Even though God is sovereign, some of His blessings are conditional (John1:1-3; Deuteronomy 28). The key to trusting God is obedience, when God speak to our hearts. He wants us to obey. The divine favor of the LORD is given to those who love and honor Him. Those who seek Him for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding needed to become obedient to His will. Proverbs 8:33-35 says: “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD (Proverbs 8:17-21; Proverbs 10:22).
SISTAH TALK | APRIL – JUNE, 2013 | WWW.THESISTAHSMINISTRY.COM
