Pray Till Pentecost – Finances Devotion (3/3)
By virtue of my training and career path I look at financial matters on the basis of facts and logic and generally see things as relatively black-and-white. This approach runs the risk of being at odds with a faith-based approach to finances, thus it is essential for me to begin this reflection with prayer and clear focus on the words of
to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”.
Luke 12:29 – 31 also directs us to not be concerned about what we will eat or drink but rather to trust the Father to provide these things. God wants us to seek Him first before anything else, because when we do we will receive all that we need.
I’m focusing on needs mindful of Luke 12:34 which states that “your heart will always be where your riches are.” I don’t believe that the Lord wants to withhold any good thing, indeed this is promised in Psalm 34:10. When praying for financial blessings however, we need to ask God to show us what He believes we need to see regarding our finances.
This may be the need for a plan, it may be that we are experiencing or are about to experience a shortfall, it may be that we need to cut expenses or change a lifestyle that is leading us away from His blessings for our life by putting possessions above God. He may want to show us a need to change jobs or careers, the need for a simpler lifestyle or even a need to re-evaluate goals and our definition of financial success. It is clear to me that often those with the most are the least satisfied and the most unhappy. Finances are an essential part of life and prosperity is something that God wants for us all if it’s achieved the right way and holds the right level of importance in our life.
In my own personal experiences I have often felt directed to give, to tithe and make other financial choices that have blessed someone else immeasurably at a small cost to myself. This, in turn, has freed me from becoming a slave to my own wants or lifestyle desires. I have discovered that when I make these choices, carefully discerning the voice of God and applying common sense, I have ended up with more than enough coupled with a freedom in my finances that I doubt I would have had if I continued down the path of self-indulgence.
In closing, I would encourage you to trust and believe that His plan for you is a heavenly crafted one that meets your every financial need and blesses you immeasurably in ways that we can’t always understand with our earthly view. Live according to his principles, prayerfully seek His guidance and wisdom in all financial matters – aided by astute and educated Christian counsel – and rest in the knowledge that He will financially bless you according to His perfect will.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I praise you for the abundance and blessings that you promise me according to my needs in every facet of my life. I commit to you my finances and thank you for the guidance you have given me through your word. It is my prayer that you bring abundance into my life and open the storehouse of heaven to financially bless me. I pray that I am a good steward of your riches and make wise decisions according to your will. I thank you for protection from foolishness, greed, envy or selfishness and I thank you for blessing my work with success.
Amen.
Acknowledgements: Stormie Omartian, The Power of a Praying Wife Devotion 2011 and Pastor Andrew Staggs for ideas and inspiration.
