It's funny, isn't it? Our money motto since 1864 has been "In God We Trust" written on our very dollars. It's like our founding fathers had some special foresight that anticipated the modern world's drive for wealth, and in a desperate attempt to still those insatiable appetites, decided to engrave a directional motto on our dollars and cents.
And yet, so many of us - Christians, no less - transfer our trust from God to the dollar.
I had a discussion with someone recently who said that he would never marry because no one would ever marry someone in his line of work since it basically didn't provide a lot of financial security.
His statement has troubled me for a week now because I wish I'd had the courage to say, "I'm sorry...what? What God do you serve that leads you to believe that your financial stability and security rests upon your own profession?"
So many people believe that higher education and well-paying jobs are the only way to have financial security in this country. They may agree that a college education is not always necessary in those rare cases of entrepreneurial geniuses, but for the most part, higher education assures people of a promising bank account. Now, I'm certainly not trying to diss higher education; I, too, am a graduate and post-graduate with a few degrees and someday anticipate the opportunity for even more. Perhaps doctoral studies in history so that I can teach history at a university when my hair is grey and before my life is over. Higher education serves a fantastic purpose for the expansion of the intellect and it feeds our need to study and educate ourselves.
But of course, a higher education doesn't always insure a fat bank account, anyway. Some degrees are for the love of learning and not for a huge payout. But for those successful individuals, I see so many of them who credit themselves with their financial gain as a result of their own efforts. But what happens when the economy tanks and even high-paying jobs take a hit? What happens when a debilitating injury occurs and you can't work? What happens when a lawsuit takes place and you are bankrupt and have to move out of your 4000 sq. foot home? If a person believes that their financial security rests upon their own shoulders, those kinds of hits could take a person down to the ground...and then out the door.
I choose to believe that God leads. Regardless of what type of job you're doing - physician, professor, burrito maker, teacher, minister, factory worker, computer tech - your heavenly Father is watching over you and giving you what you need, when you need it.
Now some will continue to argue this idea, stating that it is just foolishness to choose a low-paying job (with education or not) and that God gave us brains so that we can use them and pad ourselves nicely with a full wallet and a large bottom line. They may argue that people who work in minimum-pay jobs don't get to have the luxuries that those with higher education get to have. Minimum-wage workers don't get to take their children to Disneyland or on a cruise. They don't have the luxury of providing professional music lessons for their budding musicians or fancy clothes for a fashion-forward teenager. The argument can be made that as a result, those individuals feel like they're getting the short end of the stick sometimes. Some may argue that people with low income are often depressed and discouraged about their inability to provide everything their families desire.
But I will argue that God is providing them with everything they need if they choose to depend on His goodness and grace and accept that He has led them to the place at which they are. Those who accept that their circumstances are in God's sight may not feel that Disneyland is a necessity, and that our hope for Heaven will satisfy every need for thrill and excitement and family fun. Those that wait upon God may discover that the constant drive for more and more earthly things does not bring satisfaction and they turn away from those appetites. Those who depend on God's care may find that when they are hungry and go without a meal, they are more compassionate towards others that are also suffering. And their compassion may draw others into a closer relationship with God as well.
Some may say that depending on God as our financial advisor should, and will, provide us with wealth and riches, like for Abraham and David and Lot (after his losses). It's true, God does bless, but that's not the point of this blog. The point is that it doesn't matter what your W-2 forms say. You are not the ultimate provider. God is, obviously. And what He provides is not always in the form of greenbacks.
He provides security.
He provides happiness.
He provides peace and contentment.
He provides compassion and tenderness.
He provides riches in ways that cannot be measured by the balances of this earth.
And the sooner we come to accept that, the less anxiety we will suffer about how we will provide for our families. Don't be lazy and sit around and expect God to bring you stuff like a mother bird brings her baby worms. Sheesh, I hope you don't get that from this blog. But do make an honest effort to utilize the God-given talents with which He has provided you and go on your merry, little way, singing your praises to Him and He will satisfy your needs. He knows what you need; don't doubt that. You think you know what you need. But too many times we're confused by messages bombarding us in this world. Just trust Him. He knows what you need.
Has God gifted you with a talent by His own generosity? Then it is likely that is the way in which He desires you to walk. Walk in it with assurance and continue to praise Him.
Another plus side of having this kind of faith in God's leading is that when things are going swimmingly, you can praise Him all the more and draw others to Him with your testimony. And when things are going not-so-swimmingly, you can turn to Him and say, "Lord, what is it that you want me to learn through this trial? How would you like to refine me for your work?" And He will show you. And He will mold you. And you will come through and sing His praises once again and draw others to Him with your testimony.
Kind of sounds like a win-win to me, so what's the problem?
And my God will fully supply your every need according to His glorious riches in the Messiah Jesus. Phil 4:19.
