Biblical Answer

Understanding God's Sovereignty in Our Finances

The Bible teaches us that God is sovereign over all creation, including our finances. This means that He has a plan for our lives, and He is able to provide for our needs. In fact, Jesus said, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). This verse reminds us that our primary focus should be on living a life of faith and obedience to God, rather than worrying about our financial circumstances.

The Discipline of Living by Faith

When we say, "I can't afford it," what we often mean is that we can't afford to give up our own desires and priorities. We want to live for our own careers, our own families, or our own comforts, rather than living for God. However, the Bible teaches us that true wealth and riches come from living a life of faith and obedience to God. As the apostle Paul wrote, "I can be so rich in my own poverty, or in the awareness of the fact that I am nobody, that I will never be a disciple of Jesus. Or I can be so rich in the awareness that I am somebody that will never be a disciple" (2 Corinthians 6:10). This means that we must be willing to trust God and live by faith, even when it's hard.

Practicing Contentment and Trust

So, what does it mean to live by faith in our finances? It means being content with what we have, and trusting God to provide for our needs. It means being willing to give up our own desires and priorities, and living for God's kingdom and righteousness. As the Bible says, "For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (1 Timothy 6:7-8). This means that we don't have to worry about our financial circumstances, because God is sovereign over all creation, and He will provide for our needs. We can trust Him to guide us and provide for us, even when it's hard. In fact, Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). This means that we can live in confidence and trust, knowing that God is always with us and will always provide for our needs.