by Elizabeth Burgard Fulgaro (c) 2011
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jer 29:11-13a NIV)
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt. 6:31-34 NIV)
4…and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:4b NIV)
2 “This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ (Jer. 33:2-3)
God promises to speak to us if we will listen. He promises we can recognize His voice, which means He will teach us the difference between His voice and the other that is in our heads if we seek to learn.
Jesus went to God about everything. He didn’t do anything that He didn’t see the Father doing. (John 14) Jesus is our example. We are to do the same. This includes decisions about our finances.
Everything belongs to God. He enables us to have money as He enabled our ancestors to find game and grow crops so that we are provided for as long as we are on assignment as His ambassadors here during our physical lives.
(Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that money is only a tool he enables us to have for the brief time we will be on earth. It has no use in eternity!)
It is as if the funds He provides are on loan to us while here. He charges no interest, but remains the owner, expecting us to put the funds to use in the way He would want. As with all things, what God provides is not random; He actually has a plan for all of it. Thus, we are mere stewards. This means the decision for how to spend, save, gift or invest each amount of money is not ours, but God’s.
Before we spend a penny we should consult God. Lord, how would you like this sum put to use?
Then we must obey, how we believe He is leading us – again, as Jesus did (and His leading will never contradict His Word, or motivate us with guilt, greed, shame, anger, envy, etc. – all those lovely attributes which are not His, though often His promptings may seem illogical when considered according to human wisdom).
The more we obey, the more He will surprise us with what He does with our obedience. His supernatural will invade our natural. Others around us will be blessed and He will show Himself as faithful provider, when we give room for His surprises through our obedience to His promptings.
Each time He shows up to save the day, it builds our faith and we are encouraged to step out in obedience again. Eventually, instead of holding our money with tightly closed fists, afraid to let go because we are afraid we will run out or not have enough, we will delight to hold all He provides with open hands. We joyfully, in full trust in Him, will let it flow from us to others as He directs, knowing more will flow back to us in return. Enough. It will be enough. It will be enough for all.
Of course, the key is letting His money flow through us where He directs in the amount He nudges us with – not in the way we think is a “good idea”. God honors our obedience, not our good ideas. (His are better!)
We need to seek and hear His voice, so we can follow where He is leading!
Selah (pause, and calmly think of that)! END
UPCOMING DEVOTION: GOD & The Financial Markets
RESTORE is a worship CD recorded by Elizabeth Fulgaro filled with Holy Spirit inspired new worship music with which to worship GOD as we walk out the steps each of us will be called to take, to help us be restored to a GOD-honoring lifestyle and culture. The CD is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro on itunes and at www.holyspiritpress.org
PLEASE remember to view the new song, “ONE NATION UNDER GOD” on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d593RguxQI8&feature=share SHARE the link! Let’s let everyone know that the USA is and remains one nation under God and be encouraged in how God values every individual.
Elizabeth Fulgaro is a wife, mother, writer, inspirational speaker, worship leader, composer, singer & recording artist. She is also a Certified Financial Planner and Accredited Financial Counselor with a heart for helping Christians understand and steward their finances God’s way.
For books, worship cds, Bible studies and teachings written by Elizabeth Fulgaro or to schedule her to come speak to your group please visit www.holyspiritpress.org Worship music audio clips can be found at www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ElizabethFulgaro For information on her work for the military and their families please visit www.eaglesnestfoundation.org Eagles Nest Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible.
