Published by I absolutely believe in God. Because I have a personal relationship with him through Jesus Christ, I am assured that he will “take care of me.” But what does that mean, really? Frankly, if I were in control – if I had the power of a deity to provide for myself – then my life would be going much better.
In the past few months, my husband lost his job, my work was reduced, we moved across the country, and our car died. Now our bank account is empty, we’re alone in a new city, we have no steady income, and we don’t have enough money to pay rent next month.
Is God taking care of us?
Part I
Countless times, people have told me, “Don’t worry. God will take care of you.” I appreciate the sentiment, but I also find it frustrating. It presents a conundrum. On the one hand, I know that God will take care of me. On the other hand, I know that he has not specifically promised to provide money for rent. And it seems to me that if I don’t have enough money to pay the rent, and the rent is due soon, then it is legitimate to worry about not being able to pay the rent.
“But God always provides,” they would add with an air of finality. But the question is, What does he provide? The well-meaning well-wishers quote Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for good and not for evil, plans to give you a future and a hope.”
“God has plans to prosper you,” people declare. “He promised. Don’t you trust him?”
I do trust God, but I don’t know whether God will “prosper me” in a material sense. Technically, the promise in that Scripture wasn’t meant directly for me; God was speaking to the Israelites. It was a promise for a specific nation, not for believers in general. And it doesn’t specify whether “good,” “future,” and “hope” have anything to do with money. God has not promised every modern believer a financially successful life.
Still, I don’t mean to question God by wondering whether his plans for me are less good and less hopeful than I would like. The question is largely one of perspective – God knows the plans he has for me; I don’t. Maybe he can see the goodness in my future – and in my present circumstance – even though it might look dreary to me.
When people tell me “God will provide,” I always think of the martyrs. God hardly “provided” for them, at least not the way we view provision. But would the apostle Stephen, who was stoned to death, say that God did not take care of him? No; instead of complaining or doubting,
“He, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.’ . . . And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’” (Acts 7:55-56, 59)
If I were being stoned to death, would I have the faith to rejoice? I doubt it. That grieves me, but it’s true. If I can’t handle a hard financial situation, then how would I handle hard stones being hurled at my body? I feel like Peter, saying to Jesus, ”Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” and then later denying him three times. Lord, help my unbelief.
From one perspective, persecution is a horrible experience. From another (better) perspective,
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
Of course, struggling financially doesn’t bring the same rewards as persecution and martyrdom. Faith in times of trial, however, always brings great rewards:
“But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. . . . Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” (Romans 4:5, 6-7)
Financially debt-free right now, or spiritually debt-free for all eternity? I think it’s worth it to stop worrying and start rejoicing.
Part II
To return to the fundamental question: What exactly has God promised? Has he vowed to “provide,” per se? I think the answer is best found in Matthew 6:
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? . . . Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ . . . For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (30-32)
Although this passage is very comforting, it also makes me wonder. Plenty of people go hungry or even starve to death; what about them? Does God disregard half the world? What about people in third-world countries? Very poor people? People in countries that suffer from famines? Surely God knows their needs, too; does he simply choose to ignore them?
I really don’t know the answer to that. But I do know that an essential element of faith is trusting despite my imperfect understanding. Believing despite uncertainty, and following despite desperation:
“For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:32-34)
I think people often forget to consider this passage in its entirety. Yes, God promises that he knows our needs. But he doesn’t promise to fill them, at least not in the way that we would choose. On the contrary; he promises that each day will contain trouble. Jesus told us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread”; he didn’t tell us, “God will always give you your daily bread.” It doesn’t mean he’ll automatically put food on the table; it means we must depend on him.
“God will provide” doesn’t mean “God will make my life easy.” It means that he has a bigger perspective, an infinitely better sense of worthy priorities, and much more love for me than I can comprehend.
Each day may be difficult, but he will be there with me.
“And I will pray to the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; . . . I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:18)
As Paul (who experienced endless and horrible trials) reminded us,
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Paul doesn’t guarantee that God will give me what I want, but he promises that God knows, listens, and cares. Paul declared repeatedly that God took care of him, even though he suffered terribly. After thanking the Philippians for helping him (financially!), he said,
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (4:11-12)
Paul depends on God, maintains strong faith, and rejoices – even though he often goes hungry. Paul is able to do this because he trusts God, who strengthens him. We can do it too, I think, if we depend on God for strength and if we have this perspective:
“I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,” – (even income, housing, and food) – “and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ.” (Philippians 3:8-9)
Paul’s spiritual vision is much clearer than mine. I see next month’s bills, today’s bank account ledger, and my own desire to eat food and sleep in a bed. Paul sees lifetimes, eternity, and immortal souls.
Maybe if I become homeless, then God will use my faith in that trial to demonstrate his omnipresence and his ability to strengthen believers. Maybe he will work through me to reach people who would never be affected by my safe, middle-class life. Or maybe if God provides money, then I will be able to assist others who are suffering, thereby demonstrating his mercy and love. Either way, the rewards could be so much greater than merely keeping my furniture and address. I want to have this attitude:
“But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.” (Philippians 2:17)
Do I desperately want God to provide for my material necessities? Definitely. But will I still trust him if I lose the things that I think I need? Absolutely.
At the end of my life, I would much rather look back and say, “I followed God and served others,” than to say, “I paid rent and ate steak for dinner.”
Amen, preach it!