Do You Have Peace In Your Financial Life?
Before we even begin, I want to stop and rephrase the question: is it even possible to have peace in our financial lives?
As I was listening to a sermon titled, “Our Peace: God’s Will” by the late Dr. Charles Stanley, the question of whether we can have peace in our financial lives began percolating in my mind.
We are used to discussing peace in our lives in the general sense of what we believe peace to be, but my mind started thinking about the correlation between peace in our lives and peace in our financial lives.
Contemplating Peace
As I contemplated this topic, a verse came to mind. It’s found in Proverbs 31:25b NIV “She can laugh at the days to come”. This verse was one that was given to me as I believed the Lord had called me to leave my corporate role, and I was wondering how life would be - including my own financial situation.
Proverbs 31:25a NIV states, “She is clothed in strength and dignity”, and then leads into “She can laugh at the days to come” - because of the first part of the verse, we know that she is in her right mind, so when she is laughing at the future, it is one of utter trust and peace. She does not need to fully understand what is happening, but she knows Who she can trust.
Financial Uncertainty
There are times in our financial lives that we have to wonder how things will work out. And, I truly don’t believe this only has an implication for those who have little. I believe there are individuals who have much, and are still worried as to how things will work out.
Those with much may wonder:
Will the stock market go down and I lose a large portion of my wealth?
Will the real estate market crash, as we have seen in the 2008 crisis, causing my assets to lose significant value?
Will interest rates remain this high so that I am unable to do some of the things I had originally intended to do?
Who will take care of my assets when I am gone? Are they prepared for this wealth?
Those with little may wonder:
How will I feed and clothe my family?
When will my situation ever change and I will have enough?
Is there anything I can do to make my financial situation better?
Is it that I am not trusting God enough to provide for my need?
Regardless of where you find yourself on the spectrum of questions to God, I know that He can offer peace in your financial lives.
God’s Sovereign Peace
Below are just a few passages of scripture that remind us that we can have peace in our lives, and finances, no matter what our financial situations look like. I am reminded that He is the author and finisher of my faith, and I can wholeheartedly trust Him.
“But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philipians 4:19 (KJV)
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
As I listened to Dr. Charles Stanley, he shared one of the requirements in being able to enjoy the peace that God promises. He shared that we needed to act in obedience to what God had directed us to do, even when we didn’t understand the directive. He explained that if we were not living in harmony with what God called us to do, it would be difficult to enjoy His peace.
As I’ve contemplated the message and especially in relation to our financial lives, God asks us to return a faithful tithe and offering. Sometimes it’s easy to dismiss that thought and say we barely have enough to care for our own needs, how are we to then return a tithe and offering?
Sometimes, He will ask us to take care of the needy amongst us. Will we be obedient, even as we look at our own resources and may not consider that it is enough?
I am reminded of the story of the widow of Zarephath with the small amount of flour and oil in 1 Kings 17:8-24. When Elijah, the prophet met her, she was gathering sticks to prepare the last of her meal for her and her son and then were preparing that they would die after that. She is then asked to make a meal for Elijah, before she and her son are to eat. By some miracle, she trusts the prophet and the flour and oil do not run out until the Lord sent rain. (I love this reference!)
What situation do you find yourself in that you need to trust God with all your resources so that you can experience the peace that our Father has promised?
After reading this, is it possible for you to experience peace in your financial life, no matter how much or how little you may have?
If you're looking for a professional to help guide you towards peace on your stewardship journey, feel free to reach out to one or more of our advisors.
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