You’re Not A Spiritual Orphan

Rick Warren writes:

As kids, we often go to a parent when we have a need for money. If you did that as a kid, you probably didn’t wonder where your mom or dad would find the money. You just knew it was their job. Parents make money, and kids spend it.

Many people act like spiritual orphans and forget they have a heavenly Father: “Your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need [food and clothes], and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to” (Matthew 6:32-33 TLB).

Nothing in all creation worries except human beings. Everything else trusts the Creator to care for their needs. Worry is really just a form of atheism. Every time you worry, you’re acting like an atheist. You’re saying, “It all depends on me.” Worry is a warning light that you doubt the love of God.

Psalm 111:5 says, “[God] gives food to those who trust him; he never forgets his promises” (TLB). The Bible tells us that God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for you to pay for your salvation. If God loves you enough to send his own Son to die for you, doesn’t he love you enough to take care of your bills? If he solved your biggest problem when he saved you, doesn’t any other problem seem minor by comparison?

Here’s the bottom line: Are you going to believe God to do what he says he will do? He has promised to give you what you need if you give him first place in your life. Are you going to believe him enough to do what he tells you to do as evidence of that faith?

Psalm 34 talks about being delivered from our fears when we seek the Lord. When you have fears about your finances, it’s because you’ve forgotten who God is and what he’s promised to do.

If you’re serious about being set free from financial fears, you must make daily choices to obey God and trust him to provide for you. He’s laid it out. Now he’s waiting for you to follow the premise to his promise and seek him first in your finances.

Think About It:

• What is your biggest fear about your finances? Do you believe that God can help you with that fear? Why or why not?
• What are some promises from God’s Word that you can remember when you start to worry about money?
• What one step can you take today to be obedient in your finances and show God that you trust him to provide for you?

Adapted from “You’re Not A Spiritual Orphan“