Maybe on the inside, though you desire and value God more than money, your actions and thoughts say differently.
"Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God." Luke 12:21 (NLT)
It felt like the wind had just been knocked out of my lungs—but in a good way. Maybe that's how everyone's experience with conviction goes. You feel like you can't breathe and are running out of air. But then, your head pops through the water. Fresh wind soars through your nose and you exhale out of your mouth. This time, you're ready to embrace the change.
I've never considered myself wealthy. I grew up in a home that struggled financially and often had a scarcity mindset. As an adult, I noticed I still have those fears. I can't tell you what amount of money or work is enough. Not because I'm obsessed with work, but because I fear poverty. I fear having enough money for basic needs. Perhaps this is why I struggle so badly with an addiction to productivity.
Are We Called to Work Hard?
Jesus says it's foolish to store up earthly wealth but not have a strong, steady, and rich relationship with God. However, this doesn't mean we aren't called to work hard.
-A worker deserves their wages (1 Timothy 5:18).
-We're not to be lazy ( Proverbs 13:4).
-Mere talk won't put bread on the table (Proverbs 14:23-24).
-We must provide for the family (1 Timothy 5:8).
-Even the Proverbs 31 Woman invested her time and energy from sunrise to sunset (Proverbs 31:15-20).
-Whatever we do, we're to work as if for God (Colossians 3:23-24).
But we're to trust God with our finances as we work hard—not be obsessed with them. This is why Luke reminds us a few verses earlier in chapter 12 that we're worth more than five sparrows and two copper coins. God knows the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:6-7), and He wants us to be content in what we do have (Luke 12:13-20), as in the parable of the rich fool. He also doesn't want us worried about scarcity or having enough (Luke 12:22-34).
Thankfully, and by the grace of God, I've never had to endure true poverty. I consider that a blessing. I don't know what it's like to live on the streets or not have a place to call home. If you've experienced that, please know my heart goes out to you, and God sees you in that place.
But there were times my family got food from a food pantry. There were times we struggled to pay rent or the bills. It wasn't because we didn't work hard or were lazy, but after my dad was placed on disability, funds were tight. We knew how to live frugally, but my dad struggled with impulsive spending. Meanwhile, my mom wasn't paid enough for a job of 31 years. And my student-worker wage didn't make a dent in what we owed.
Today, as an adult, I wish I could shake these fears. I wish I could rid my mind of the belief that something bad might happen. I'd give anything to break free from the chains of a scarcity mindset. But even financial trauma takes time and practice to recover from. More often than not, I find myself clinging to fear. An addiction to work and productivity doesn't make me any more a saint but rather a sinner with another struggle.
How Do We Trust God with Our Finances?
Leaving my teaching job in May was the second scariest decision I've ever made (the first would be getting married and moving out). Departing from a stable income and benefits and insurance in exchange for God's plan has been terrifying. God's continued to open doors to write full-time since that day, but any author will tell you that paycheck won't look like it did while teaching, and that's scary. Being an authorentreprenuer is hard work. Often unpredictable. But it requires me to trust the Lord with my finances more than I ever have before.
It's scary because I now love what I do, but if I wanted to be rich and make a stable, predictable income, this wouldn't be the career I'd choose. I chose this career because it chose me. It's what I feel deep in my bones called by God to do. No matter how hard or frustrating it gets, I love it. There's still a longing within me to go back to it, even after hard and grueling days.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to be a starving artist. The Author Conservatory has taught me well, and I have an entrepreneurial mindset. I also trust God to continue to provide. And I know He expects me to put in the hard work and effort! But I would be lying if I said it wasn't scary. Jumping from a predictable career to one that isn't always planned out asks for more than a mustard seed of faith.
Take Time to Be Honest with God
In these last few months, though, I've sensed a desire to have a richer and deeper relationship with God. This unique season has presented many challenges, including making my own schedule and learning how and when to take a much-needed break. Maybe you can relate? Maybe you know what it's like to desire to be closer to Jesus but the worries and fears of this life seem to be overbearing.
You trust God to provide financially but still find yourself clinging to 12+ hour workdays or an obsession with productivity. Maybe on the inside, though you desire and value God more than money, your actions and thoughts say differently.
Friend, this isn't to condemn you. Condemnation leads to guilt, but conviction leads to change, hope, and growth. That's what I believe God is convicting me of today. I'm in the same place, learning to put safeguards around my time with God. Learning to care more about talking to Him than getting that daily streak on YouVersion. Learning to rest, pray, and process when my anxiety wants me to send 30 freelance offers in a single day (yes, I say this from experience). Learning to embrace the changes and be better for it.
I value a rich relationship with God over money, even money not in the traditional sense of being rich or wealthy but in being assured that I have enough. I want my trust in Jesus to be enough. I long to fully believe and live out the truth that He will provide. Why? Because He always has.
I don't know how to explain it, but over and over again, I've seen God show up.
-When we didn't have money for bills, somehow, we'd have just the right funds.
-When our heater broke, my family won a scholarship for one.
-When my husband's family had medical concerns, the bill was paid in full.
-Even in my marriage now, I quit my job, hoping and trusting God to provide. And one step at a time, he has. Maybe it's all about one step at a time.
Who am I to doubt Him now? And why would I?
When God Becomes More Important Than Money (It's a Choice!)
Learning to trust God with our finances, even above trauma and a scarcity mindset, isn't easy. I have to work on this with my husband and counselor a lot. But be encouraged today, friend, that God sees you and your needs. He promises to provide (not for what we want, but what we need), and He will always keep His promises (Proverbs 30:5-6) because of who He is and His love for us.
But we have to choose Him over and over again. It's a choice. It's your choice.
God keeps His promises because He cares for us (Luke 12:22-31). Let Matthew 6:19-21 be our prayer today:
"Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be" (NLT).
Nothing will ever be more important or investment-worthy than your relationship with God. Let that soak in and saturate your soul today.
Let's Pray
Sweet Jesus, you know how hard it can be for us to trust you, especially when that trust comes to finances and money. Lord, help us to remember that you are sovereign over all, and you keep your promises to us. As we work hard, help us to not be obsessed with our work but find and lead others to you through the work we do. Remind us often that you will provide enough for our every need, and we don't need to worry. Though we're human and may continue to struggle, bring us peace and providence. We love you. Thank you for caring about us. Help us to look to you today. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©JP Valery/Unsplash
