Fix your eyes on Jesus when you struggle financially

Our family has lived for several months at a time here and there overseas. Before we went the first time, we thought that Americans are worldly and materialistic because they have so much. Then we discovered that Christians overseas can be worldly and materialistic even though they have little. Their focus can be on what they don't have -- talking constantly about their high taxes, their low wages, how wonderful America must be, their frustrations over lacking this and lacking that . . . . Then we began thinking about Christians we know, American or otherwise, who are wealthy but not worldly, material-rich but not materialistic. They're responsible or even lavish in their giving: Their eyes are on Jesus. And we know "poor" Christians who are the same! And we thought, being materialistic means being too aware of the material, whether you have much or little. For years Ray and I knew a famous California orange rancher -- he's in heaven now -- who gave to the Lord of his time and money beyond all human reasoning. Elbow-deep in ministry, he had little time to oversee his ranches. Privately one time he said to me as he shook his head in wonder, "Anne, it seems as if the more I stay away from those oranges, the more the Lord makes them multiply!" This man's eyes were truly fixed on Jesus. Then Ray and I have a dear friend who spent most of her adult life as a nanny in a wealthy home, and when she reached retirement age ten years ago, they turned her out without a cent. I know very few of the miracle-stories about how God pays her apartment rent and keeps her from month to month, although I know her well. She's always too busy talking about other things: the schoolchildren's choir she helps with, the balloons she's blown up for somebody's birthday party, the fun she's having caring for some shut-in . . . Her eyes are continually on Jesus, and He Himself provides for her. Does this all sound too glib? Do I sound insensitive to your struggles? God has given Ray and me struggles, too. He gave us early-marriage poverty, with three babies and simply not enough food money to last between those small paychecks. He gave us later poverty, when at the age most people retire we got stripped of our life savings. And along the way He gave us sudden joblessness, not of our choosing . . . . Look, Jesus Himself lived His earthly life in both poverty and serenity. He had almost nothing, and yet -- for instance -- He was confident that His Father would provide an upper room for the Last Supper . . . . Our friend Jim says, "Boy, it was so freeing when I discovered that my income isn't my source of supply, God is! God knows my needs; my income doesn't know my needs! So I don't depend on my income, I depend on Him." The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:15-16). To be dependent on your own supplies is bondage. To be dependent on Him (the One who promises over and over to supply your need) -- this is freedom. But let me ask you a question: Is your cash shortage temporary or chronic? If it's temporary, wait upon Him for supply. If you're chronically cash-short, something is wrong, because that doesn't fit with all His promises. Think about them: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want (Psalm 23:1). He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever (Psalm 111:5). The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry (Proverbs 10:3). So what's the problem here? Search for it. Go to a financial advisor -- best of all, a godly older couple or person you know who seems to have been wise in handling money. Maybe you're overspending; you want too much too soon. The Lord says that's sin (Luke 15:13-18). Ask for help to set up a budget, and ask your advisor to hold you accountable to stick to it. Maybe you're under-giving; the Lord says that's sin, too (Haggai 1:5-9). At the top of your budget items put your tithe (ten percent of your income), and make that the first check you write with every incoming paycheck. Correct what you see isn't right -- and then trust Him, trust Him, trust Him! You can't support yourself any more than you could create yourself. leave to God the things that only God can do. So don't fix your eyes on your bills, your problems, your needs -- He "knows that you need them" (Matthew 6:32). Fix your eyes on Jesus. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let's pray to Him. Abba Father, Your Word is so full of Your wonderful promises to care for me. Then help me to relax in my heart, to live by faith and not by sight. O Lord, give me wisdom for earning, spending, saving, and giving. And then help me to fix my eyes on You for supply. I thank You for seasons of plenty, and I thank You for seasons of want -- both (Philippians 4:12,13). Both are from Your loving hand, according to my deepest need. I trust You! In Christ's strong name, amen. * * * * * "All things are yours; All are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God" (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). When you see that Christ is everything, and you make Him your everything, then you have everything.