To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.
~Ecclesiastes 2:26
This week during my devotions, I read this verse and it resonated with me. You know if you weren't raised in church and you are choosing to come from a mostly comfortable lifestyle to one that requires sacrifice, physically and spiritually, it can be a difficult decision. I think even if we are able to rely on God emotionally and spiritually, it can be a leap to rely on God financially. Because God is spiritual and finances are physical, tangible.
And when we struggle that way, we look and see all the people who aren't serving God who have no financial struggles. And it doesn't seem fair. We may be tempted even for a moment to give up on God and do things the normal way. Not tithing, being greedy or selfish instead of giving and generous and take care of our own using our own ways.
And then there are verses like this one that remind us that God takes care of our financial needs even by allowing the unbeliever to earn wealth for our benefit. I like the idea of God using the wealth of those who have selfishly earned it for us who have chosen his way, even though it isn't the natural/normal way.
So no matter the need, God's got it under control! I used to have a college professor who would pray that God would sell one of his cattle on a thousand hills to provide for financial needs. Always made me giggle, but its true that God's resources are limitless.
On a kind of related note, if God asks you to help someone financially, do it. We've been in that situation multiple times and God has always rewarded our obedience and always taken care of us. How awesome it is to be God's hand extended. The very one God uses to prove his faithfulness to other believers going through tough times.
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