God Will Provide - By John Bradshaw

7/28/2019 God Will Provide - By John Bradshaw

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God Will Provide

Desires o the Heart Carloarrived inBoston in theyear1916,intentonmakinghisfortune.Hehadjustbeen

released from prison and was looking for anewstart.Hehadpreviouslyheldanumberofdifferentjobs:groceryclerk,dishwasher,factoryhand and painter. But when he discoveredInternational Reply Coupons, Carlo began tobelievehecouldreallyhitthebigtime. InternationalReplyCouponswerepostagecoupons that couldbe bought in one countryandexchangedforpostagestampsinanother.A person writing to someone abroad couldinclude aReplyCoupon in the envelopein

effectpayingthepostageforareturnletter. Carlocalculatedhecouldbuythesecouponsinanothercountrywheretheyweresomewhatlessexpensive,havethembroughttotheUnitedStates, and sell them at a handsome prot.

Investors poured money into Carlosbusiness venture. In less than ve years, theseindividuals hadmade investments totaling inthemillionsofdollars.Initially,thereturnontheseinvestmentswasverygood.Beforelong,


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somepeopleweremortgagingtheirhomesandinvestingtheirlifesavingswithCarlo,whowasmaking$50,000adayin190! Butallwasnotasitappearedtobe.Carloscompany wasnt actually generating protsof anykind. Itwasusingmoney investedbynewclientstopaydividendstoexistingclients.

Fortunately for Carlobut unfortunately forsome investorsmany clients chose not totake their prots out of the business; insteadtheyreinvestedinthehopeofanevenbiggerpayday. When investors started asking Carlofor their money, it became apparent that thecupboard was almost bare.While Carlo waslivingalifeofluxury,hisinvestorswereaboutto lose everything theyhad entrusted tohim.Carlo(Charles)PonziwasarrestedinAugustof190,withliabilitiesofaround$7milliontheequivalent of more than $80million in011dollars, and his investors lost $0 millionabout$5milliontoday. Theressomethingaboutthelureofmoneythatoftenhasadevastatingeffectonapersonsmoralityandbehavior.Understandingthis,PaulwrotetotheyoungchurchleaderTimothywiththe advice that those who desire to be richfallintotemptationandasnare,andintomany

foolishandharmfullustswhichdrownmenindestructionandperdition.(1Timothy6:9) CharlesPonzicertainlydidntneedthekindof wealth he was dishonestly accumulating.Hecouldhavebeenhappyearningmuchlessmoney and living a far simpler life. Yet hewasntcontentwithless.Ponziwantedmore.

And it is the desire for more that can oftenleadapersonastray,evenintodestructionandperdition. TheBiblemakesitclearthatthereisnothingwrong withmoney in and of itself, and thattheres nothingwrongwith wealth. Solomonwasextremelywealthy,Davidwasaveryrichman,andAbrahamwasamanofconsiderablemeans. ButproblemsoftenarisewhenapersonsdesireformoneycausesthatpersontolosesightofGodsplanforhisorherlife.AsPaulwentontosaytoTimothyin1Timothy6:10,theloveofmoneyisarootofallkindsofevil,forwhichsomehavestrayedfromthefaithintheirgreediness, and pierced themselves throughwithmanysorrows. Althoughtherearecurrentlymorebillion-aires in the world than ever before, wholenations have plunged into nancial crisis andhuge numbers of people have lost their jobs


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andhomes.Whatsapersontodoinordertosurvive nancially in these troubled times?

Interestingly, the Bible speaks about nancemore than it does about almost any othertopic. It is clear that God cares about nance,and about our nancial well-being. There arenumerousprinciplesGodgivestohelpusmake

wise nancial decisions.Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, But seek rst

thekingdomofGodandHisrighteousness,andallthesethingsshallbeaddedtoyou. InthispassageoftheSermonontheMount,Jesuswastalkingaboutourdailyneeds, suchasfoodandclothing.Hepledgesthatwhena

person puts God rst in his or her life, God willprovide.ThereforeIsaytoyou,donotworryaboutyourlife,whatyouwilleatorwhatyouwill drink; nor about your body, what you willputon.Isnotlifemorethanfoodandthebodymore than clothing? Look at the birds of the air,for theyneither sow nor reapnor gather into

barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Areyou not of more value than they? (Matthew6:5, 6) The message from Jesus is clear:Godwillprovide!In adayof job lossandforeclosure, this is real assurance. Seek rstthe kingdom ofGod and His righteousness,andGodwillprovide.

Fulfllment Throughout the entireBible,wesee howGod has provided for His people. In the

beginning God created a magnicent planetand lled it with everything needed to secureour rst parents happiness and prosperity.The world was pollution-free, stress-free

and populated with extraordinarily beautifulanimals.GodHimselfmadepersonalvisitstotheplanetandspenttimewithits inhabitants.Hecouldnthavegiventhemmore. Everything about that arrangement wasperfect,untilAdamandEvedecidedGodhadntactuallygiventhemenough.OnedaywhileEvewaswalkingneartheTreeoftheKnowledgeofGoodandEvil, a serpent used bySatan as amediumofcommunicationspoketoher.

He offered her the one food she wasforbiddentoeat.(Genesis:)SatanconvincedEvethatGodwaswithholdingablessingfromher.Hesaid,Godknowsthatinthedayyoueatofityoureyeswillbeopened,andyouwillbelikeGod,knowinggoodandevil.(Genesis:5) In effect, Satanwas saying, Eve,whatGodhasgivenyouisntenough.Theresmore.Theres noreasonfor youtobecontentwithwhat youhave,whenhavingmorecanmakeyoutrulyhappy.


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Andjustaspeoplehavedoneforthousandsofyearssincethatfatefulday,EveagreedwithSatan that in order to be truly fullled, sheneededmorethanwhatGodhadgivenher. EvesdesireformorecausedseparationfromGod(Isaiah59:)andplungedtheplanetintosinandmisery.ShedlosttrustinGods

abilitytoprovideforherneedsand,likeCharlesPonzi,hadresortedtoadangerousschemeinordertoimproveherlot. Godhasaproventrackrecordofprovidingfor His people. When a terrible faminethreatenedtheveryexistenceofGodspeople,Godhadalreadyforeordainedthattheywouldbe provided for from the food stores of theEgyptianpharaoh. He even sent a man before themJosephwho was sold as a slave (Psalm105:17),whowaslaterabletoensurethathisfatherandbrotherswouldhaveadequatefood. When Israel left Egypt and wandered inanarid,inhospitablewilderness,Godprovidedfor them by bringing water from a rock andcarpetingthegroundwithbread. But the Israelites wished for more. TheyactuallyresentedwhatGodhaddoneforthem,andclamoredforareturntoEgyptianslavery.Theysaid,Oh,thatwehaddiedbythehandof

theLordinthelandofEgypt,whenwesatbythepotsofmeatandwhenweatebreadtothefull!(Exodus16:) Freed slaveswere longingfor areturn totyranny and abuse, rather than trusting andrejoicinginthefreedomgrantedthembyGod!Theywantedmore.

In spiteofhavingseenGodsendplaguesfromHeaven,opentheRedSea,deliverIsraelfrom the armies of Egypt, and miraculouslyprovidewaterand foodalong their journeyandeventhoughapillarofcloudledthembyday and a pillar of re led them by nighttheywantedmorethanwhatGodwasgivingthem.(Exodus1:1,) When Gods people decided He wasnot giving them enough, they took it uponthemselvestogetmoreofwhattheywanted.AgoldencalfinplaceofGod,akinginplaceofaprophet,andthegodsoftheheathenintheplaceoftheGodofHeaven. When Gods people trusted Him, soughtHim, and were satised with what He provided,thingsransmoothly.WhentheywantedmorethanwhatGodwas prepared togive, troublecame. Isthesametrueforhumanitylivingattheedge of the Second Coming of Jesus? Could it


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bethatwhenpeopletrustinGod,andseekHisKingdomandrighteousness,thenHewilladdto us all things that we need? Philippians:19containsoneofthemostremarkablepromisesintheentireBible.AndmyGodshallsupplyallyourneedaccordingtoHisrichesinglorybyChristJesus.What

makes that promise especially remarkable istheuseoftwosmallwords:shallandall. MyGodshall supply all your neednotmyGodmightsupplyallyourneedHeshalldoso.Themeaningofthewordshallisevident.Godwilldothis.Hehassaidso.ForGodnottodowhatHehassaidwouldmakeGodaliar.Inthisverse,GodsaysHeisgoingtosupplyourneed,andHewilldoit. ThentheversesaysthatGodwillprovideforallourneeds.Thatwordallisacomprehensiveword.Wewouldrightlythinkofthewordallasmeaningevery,eachone,everyneedwithoutexception. ThatswhattheBiblesays.MyGodshallsupplyall your need. How will He do that?According to His riches in glory by ChristJesus. Can God afford to do this? Does God

possess the riches to supply our need? Everyneed we have? He surely does. The Bible saysinPsalm:1theearthistheLords,andall

its fullness, the world and those who dwelltherein. Very evidently, God isnt strappednancially. The silver is Mine, and the goldisMine,saystheLordofhosts.(Haggai:8) Godownsitall,sotheresnoquestionthatHehasthewherewithaltomakegoodonHispromise.AcheckcashedattheBankofHeaven

will never come back marked insufcientfunds. Philippians :19 also promises that Godshallsupplyallourneedsby Christ Jesus.Paulcouldhardlyhavemadeamoreforcefulpointincompletingthisverse.ThebelieversatPhilippiwerewellawarethatJesusistheCreatoroftheworld.(John1:,Colossians1:16) Ifanybodycouldsupplyapersonsneeds,surelytheCreatoroftheworldcoulddoso!ThenameofJesusissynonymouswithgiving,forasJohnpointedoutinJohn:16,GodsolovedtheworldthatHegaveJesustotheworld. AndasPaulwrotetotheRomans,HewhodidnotspareHisownSon,butdeliveredHimupforusall,howshallHenotwithHimalsofreely give us all things? (Romans 8:32) In other words, if God was prepared togiveJesusforyou,Hesclearlywillingtogiveyou all things. This is what the promise ofPhilippians:19states.


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Need vs. Want Animportantquestiontoaskis,Whatareour needs? When I was about 13 years old, Ihad a good friend who desperatelywanted aYamahaTT50motorbike.

After pondering his situation, he guredouthowhemightgetone:hewouldprayand

askGodforone!HehadneverattendedchurchandIdont thinkhehadever prayed.Buthereasonedthatifheprayed,andifGodwasreal,thenhedgethismotorbike.HeknewenoughaboutChristianitytoknowthatGodissupposedtoanswerprayers.

I never could gure out just what hedhavedoneifGodprovidedthatYamaha.Asheprayed inhis bedroom,heaskedGod togivehimamotorbikerighttherebesidehisbed.

Iremembermyfriendsroomwasnotlarge.PerhapsGoddidhimmorethanonefavorinnotgivinghimthatmotorcycle.Hewouldhavehad todisassemble it to get it outside, and Iknowforsurehisparentswouldnthavebeenimpressedwiththeheadacheallofthatwouldhavecreated. GodspromisetousinPhilippians:19isthatHewillsupplyourneed.Myfriendneededamotorbikelikeheneededmeasles.Somepeoplewhoprayforapromotiondontgetitbecause

thereismoreforthemtogainfromstayingintheir current position than therewould be inthemascendingarungonthecompanyladder. WhatGodhaspromisedisthatHewouldsupply our need. That is what He promisedAdamandEve.ItwaswhenEvedecidedsheneededmore thanGodwas giving that the

planetendedupinchaos. Sometimes itcan seem as thoughGod isoblivious to our needs. Surely a seven-year-oldgirlneedstobehealedfromcancer.Surelysomeonesdyingmotherneedstoberestoredtohealth.Isntittruethatsomeonewhohasbeenimprisonedunjustlyneedstobereleasedrightaway? Realisticallyspeaking,itisntalwayseasyforustoseethroughtheeyesofGod.Frommypoint of view, the people in theTwinTowerson 9/11 needed to be evacuated from thosebuildingsbeforetheplaneshitthebuildings.

I nd it hard to imagine that my neighborneededtolosehisjobandhavehishomegointoforeclosuremorethanheneededtokeephis job, keep his home and keep his familytogether. There is something that is important toremember. A vital factor in the Christianexperience is trust. Life doesnt always go


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smoothlyforChristians.Sinsentranceintotheworldbroughtwithitallmannerofhorribleandtragiccircumstances,andbelieversinJesusarenotimmunetocalamity. We are not always protected from theeffectsofEvestransgressionintheGardenofEden.Accidentshappen,illnessesareendured,

people die prematurely, and oods and tornadoswipeouthomes. BeforewebegintothinkthatGoddoesnotintervene to save His children from trouble,however,wehaveevidencethatHetrulydoes.Mary,JosephandJesusescapedthewrathofHerodowingtothedirectinterventionofGod.(Matthew:1) Paul was spirited away from trouble thatwouldhaveresultedinthelossofhislife(Acts9:5),andhesurvivedadisastrousshipwreck.(Acts7:9-)Peterwasmiraculouslyreleasedfromprisononmorethanoneoccasion.(Acts5:19; 12:7, 8) So does God provide our need only

sometimes? No, God alwaysprovides.ButonlyGodaccuratelyseesandunderstandsourneeds.God sees the big picture while we are onlycapableofseeingafractionofwhatHesees. JustaswecanseetheMilkyWaybutcannotseethebillionsofgalaxiesoutofourview,we

donthavethecompletepictureofourlifethatGodhas.WhileitmightsometimesseemthatGoddoesnotacknowledgeourneedsasweseethem,wecan know that nothing escapesHisview. WhileGodmightnotalwaysgiveyouthemoney,health,libertyoropportunitythatyou

feel you need, you can be totally condent thatGodalwaysgivesuswhatHeknowswereallyneedinanygivensituation.(Philippians:19) And most importantly, God will alwaysgive uswhatwe need for salvation.Always.Ifweunderstand this right,well realize thatevery circumstance in which we nd ourselvesis helpful tous in lightof eternity. (Romans8:8)Andeventhoughitmightnotalwaysfeelthatway,thatswhatismostimportant.

Gods Promises In 00, a successful 9-year-old realestateentrepreneurfromtheLosAngelesareacameacrossanexcitinginvestmentopportunitypromisinga1percentreturnevery90days. He realized investment involves risk, soariskhetook.Hisinitial$5,000investmentbrought healthy returns, so within a year heincreased his investment to $500,000. Not longafterthat,thecompanyinwhichhehadbeen


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investingwasexposedasaPonzischeme.Helosteverything. Itseemstheresanotherscamorget-rich-quick scheme born every minute. Ive met

people who have fallen victim to nancialscams. Ive received e-mails from peoplesupposedly in a foreign country sending the

inexplicablenewsthatIhavebeenselectedtoreceiveapayoutofthousandsofdollarsifIonly send a specied amount of money aheadoftimetosecuremygoodfortune. Ive met people who have perpetratednancial scams, causing others to be wiped outnancially. A common thread runs through allofthesesituations:adesiretogetrichquick.

Nowhere in the Bible does God promisethat well get rich quick. Although manyreligiousorganizationshavebeenirresponsibleinthewaytheyhavepromisedpeoplethatGodwouldmakethemwealthy,Goddidntpromiseanyoneamilliondollarsoramansionwithanoceanview.WhatHehaspromisedistosupplyourneed. Itsimportantto be carefulwithhowweinterpret that word,promise. Ive promisedmychildrenthatwewouldgoswimmingthefollowingday, but then I had toexplain thatwhen theres lightning ashing, we just cant

goswimminginspiteofwhatImighthavesaidyesterday.OrsincewehavetovisitGrandmain the hospital, swimming isnt going to be

possible. Or because they disobeyed a specicinstruction,Daddyhas decided a privilegeortwowillbewithdrawn. Most promises are conditional.Tidy your

room, and you can have ice cream.Be hereby 4:30,andIwillgiveyouaride. Come to

practice,andyoucanplayontheteam.Godspromises are conditional, too. If you arewilling and obedient, you shall eat the goodof the land. (Isaiah 1:19) In all your waysacknowledge Him, and He shall direct yourpaths.(Proverbs:6) When God says He will supply all ourneeds,HemeansexactlywhatHesays.ButitisourattitudetowardGodthateitherenablesHimtoblessusorpreventsHimfromblessingusaswedlikeHimto. Remember Matthew 6:. It says, Seekrst the kingdom of God and His righteousness,and...[then]...allthesethingsshallbeaddeduntoyou. MakingGodourtoppriorityenablesHimtoblessusasHewishestoblessus.WemustnotthinkthatGodhastobeconvincedtoblessus; He wantstodothat.Ifyouthen,beingevil,


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knowhowtogivegoodgiftstoyourchildren,howmuch more will your Father who is inHeavengivegoodgiftstothosewhoaskHim!(Matthew7:11) God wants to provide for His children,just as earthly parents want to provide fortheirchildren.WhatmakesitpossibleforGod

totrulyleadourlivesisthatwesurrendertoHim.WhenwevelaidourlivesatHisfeetandaccepted His will for our life, whatever thatwillis,thenGodcantrulyblessus.(Galatians2:20; Philippians 2:13)

When Less Is More Iwasastonishedtoreadaboutaprofessionalbasketballplayerwhoearned$110millionover13 seasons in the NBA, then went bankrupt.Evidently, even the very wealthy can haveserious nancial needs. Apersonclosetotheprofessionalbasketballlockout in 2011 told me that the NBA PlayersUnion gave advice to the non-working (andthereforenon-earning)professionalbasketballplayers regarding how they could make itthrough the lockout. In essence, themessagewas, Dont spendmoney you dont need tospend.Itsasimplemessagethatsuggestsourneedsandourwantsmightnotbethesame.

Thetruthisthatmostpeopleearnenoughmoney, but huge numbers of people livebeyondtheirmeans.Andalltoooften,theOnewhogivesuseverythinggetslittleornothinginreturn.IntheBible,Godmakesan incrediblepromisewhereHe offers to give us farmorethanwelleverneed.Yetasurprisinglysmall

numberofpeopletakeGoduponHisoffer.Malachi 3:10 says, Bring all the tithes

into thestorehouse,thattheremaybefoodinMy house, and tryMe now in this, says theLord of hosts, if I will not open for you thewindowsofHeavenandpouroutforyousuchblessingthattherewillnotberoomenoughtoreceiveit. HereGodpresentstheonefail-safemethodof securing nancial security: asking us to returntoHimatitheoratenthofourincrease.Infact,Heasksustoreturntithesandofferings.(Malachi:8) TitheisdedicatedtothesupportofGospelministers, while offerings can be given tosustain other endeavors we feel God wouldhaveussupport. Here were given a very direct promisefromGod thatHewillblessus. In fact,Godsays: Try Me now in this; put me to the test!Seewhathappens!


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LikelytherearefewpeoplewhowouldntacceptthispropositionifitcamefromBillGatesorWarrenBuffett,twooftherichestmenintheworld.Askyourself:ifeithermanguaranteedyouan incredible return onyour investment,asking for only10percent of your earnings,wouldnt you trust him to keep his word? No

onewoulddoubtMr.Gatesabilitytokeepapromiselike that.ThereshouldbenodoubtinanyonesmindthatGodisabletokeepHis. Whenwetakethat10percentandinfaithgiveittoGodoutofloveforHim,wemakeGod responsible for our nancial well-being.This doesnt remove personal responsibilityfrom the equation, but in honoring God wepermitHimtoblessourlivesandtoprovideforourneeds. IwanttourgeyoutotakeGodatHisWordand,ifyouvenotdoneso,maketithingpartof your life. Before you pay the rent or themortgage,ortaxes,oracreditcardbill,returnthetithetoGod. Of course, some people will say, But Icantaffordto tithe!Letmeassureyou:youcantaffordnottotithe.RememberwhatGodsaidaboutopeningthewindowsofHeavenandpouringoutsomuchblessingyouwontbeableto receive it all?

In order tomake thiswork, some peoplewill have to make some changes to theircurrent habits. Maybe cable television hasgot to go. Perhaps vacations can be takencloser to homeat national parks instead ofDisneyland or Paris. Fewer meals eaten atrestaurants,lesspizzaorderedin,agoodused

carboughtforcashinsteadofanewcarwithaheftymonthlypayment,andevenusinglesselectricityathomecanallpositivelyaffectyourbottomlinefreeingupmoneyfortithingthatwouldotherwisegoelsewhere.Therearemanymoney-savingideas that canmake tithingfareasier.

Ive heard many rsthand accounts frompeoplewhomadethedecisiontotitheandhaveenjoyed enormous blessings.These blessingsare not only nancial in nature. While checksdosometimesarriveinthemailjustintime,tireslastlongerthanexpected,anditemsneededare found at bargain prices, Gods blessingsfrequentlycomeintheformofhealth,securityor personal peace. In whatever manner theycome, blessings received from God will beperfecteverytime. Tithingshouldnotbedonejustsoapersonmightexperiencesomekindoftemporaladvan-tage.Tithingistobealoveresponsetothegreat


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goodnessofGod,anactofworshipthatsays,Lord,Imtrustingyouwithmylife,andIwanttobefaithfultoyouinallthings.Itispartofseeking rst the kingdom of God, knowing thatallthesethingsshallbeaddedtoyou.

God Provides

When I was in the midst of making thedecision to surrender my life to Christ, Iconsideredtheenormousimpactthatdecisionwould have. One certainty was that as aChristian,Icouldntgobacktomycareerasaradiobroadcaster.

This meant my signicant income wouldcompletelydisappearandwouldnoteasilybereplaced.ButaBibleverseIhadlearnedasachildkeptrepeatinginmymind:Forwhatwillit prot a man if he gains the whole world, andloses his own soul? (Mark 8:36) Themessageof theversewasvery clear.Icouldhaveeverythingtheworldhastooffer,yetifIdidntyieldmylifetoGod,Iwouldmissout onwhat wasmost important.What goodwould wealth do me then? Surely itwouldbewiserforme tohonorGod and choose to serve Him, and let nancialconsiderationsbesecondary.AnumberofotherBibleversesmakethesamepoint:

Thereisonewhomakeshimselfrich,yethas nothing; and one who makes himself poor,yethasgreatriches.(Proverbs1:7) Agoodnameistobechosenratherthangreatriches,lovingfavorratherthansilverandgold.(Proverbs:1) Willyou setyour eyes on thatwhich is

not? For riches certainly make themselveswings; they y away like an eagle towardHeaven.(Proverbs:5) Betterisalittlewithrighteousness,thanvastrevenueswithoutjustice.(Proverbs16:8) FromaBiblicalperspective,nomatterhowyou look at it, God has promised to providefor uswhenweputthe principles ofHeavenrst in our lives. The message of the Bible isclear:inaworldwherelittleiscertain,inanage of tremendous nancial insecurity, God haspromisedthatwhenwearefaithfultoHim,Hewillprovide. TheresadramaticBiblestorythatillustratesGodswillingnesstoprovideforallourneeds,nomatterthecosttoHimself.InGenesis,GodspeakstoAbrahamsaying,Takenowyourson,youronlysonIsaac,whomyoulove,andgotothelandofMoriah,andofferhimthereasaburntofferingononeofthemountainsofwhichIshalltellyou.(Genesis:)


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WhatashockingthingforAbrahamtohearfromGod! Not only did God ask Abraham tosacrice his son, but He emphasized the severenature of this request by pointing out thatAbraham was to sacrice his onlyson,themuchloved,miraclechildofhisoldage.Withaheavyheartyet full of love for GodAbraham,

Isaac, and two servants set out carrying thewood prepared for the burning of the sacrice. After traveling for two days, AbrahamandIsaaclefttheservantsandpressedtowardthe place of sacrice. Isaac realized then that,although his father had re and wood, thesacrice itself was conspicuously absent. Heasked, Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?(Genesis:7) Abrahams answer was prophetic. Myson,GodwillprovideforHimselfthelambforaburntoffering.(Genesis:8) ImaginewhatAbrahamwasexperiencing.Thisgodly,dedicatedcentenarianwasabouttotakethelifeofhisonlyson,basedonthesimplefactthatGodhadaskedhimtodoso. Even though Abraham believed Godwas able to resurrect Isaac (Hebrews 11:19),the emotional and spiritual battle that ragedwithinhimwasundoubtedlyintense.Butashestruggled in bitter anguish through whatwas

taking place, he was condent that God wouldprovideawayout. Indeed, the Lorddid stopAbraham fromtaking Isaacs life. (Genesis :1) ThenAbrahamliftedhiseyesandlooked,andtherebehindhimwasaramcaughtinathicketbyitshorns.SoAbrahamwentandtooktheram,and

offereditupforaburntofferinginsteadofhisson.(Genesis:1) God had provided. Abraham was calleduponbyGod to offer up the one thingmostprecioustohim:thelifeofhisonlyson.WhenhedemonstratedhiswillingnesstofollowGodswillirrespectiveofthecircumstanceshewasfacingandwhenheshowedhewaswillingto seek rst the kingdom of God and Hisrighteousness,GodprovidedforAbraham. And Abraham called the name of the

place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said tothis day, In the Mount of the Lord it shall beprovided.(Genesis:1) God told Abraham that He was able toblesshimabundantlybecauseyouhavedonethisthing,andhavenotwithheldyourson,youronlyson.(Genesis:16) In providing for Abraham and Isaacingivinga lamb totake the placeof theyoungmanGoddemonstratedtohumanitythatHe


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willprovideforourneed:notonlyourdaily,temporalneeds,butourspiritualneedsaswell.ProvidingalambtotaketheplaceofIsaacwasa prophecy enacted that revealedGod wouldsendaLambtobearthesinsoftheworld.

What is your pressing need today? God hasassuredyouthatifyoubringyourneedtoJesus,

He will provide. Whether your need is nancial,physical,emotionalorspiritual,Godpledgestoprovide for the needs of all who seek rst thekingdomofGodandHisrighteousness.

Pastor, author and nancial expert Ed Reidhas appeared with me on It Is Writtens weeklytelevision program. I asked Pastor Reid if hewould share some principles to help people asthey manage their nances in these challengingeconomic times. Im thankful to him for his

powerful insights into successful personalnancial management. Heres what he wrote.

Managing Finances in

Difcult Times

By G. Edward Reid

The current global nancial crisis has sent

shockwaves throughout virtually everysectoroftheeconomy.Anditseemsthatscamartistsare ourishing everywhere. For example,BernardMadoff scammed some 5,000 other-wise intelligent people and institutional ad-ministrators out of an estimated $60 billiondollars. Itisthelargestinvestorfraudevercommittedbyoneperson.Businessleaders,churchleadersandindividualfamiliesareunderstandablyvery

concerned. WhatistheappropriateChristianresponseto all of this? The Bible has some answers. Aninterestingandamazingstoryisrecord-ed in the Old Testament ( Chronicles 0),where we nd principles that apply well to ourcurrenteconomiccrisis.Ourcrisis,liketheonefacedbythekingdom of Judah,has theveryrealpotentialtoharmGodschurchonearth,aswellasourownindividuallives.


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TowardthecloseofJehoshaphatsreign,aterriblearmybeforewhichtheinhabitantsofthelandhadreasontotremble,invadedthekingdomofJudah. Jehoshaphatwas aman of courageandvalor.Foryearshehadbeenstrengtheninghis armies and his fortied cities. He was well prepared to meet almost

any enemy, yet in this crisis he did not puthis condence in his own strength, but in thepowerofGod.HesethimselftoseektheLord,and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.Thepeoplegatheredtogetherinthecourtofthetempleas Solomon had prayed they wouldwhenfacedbydanger. AllthemenofJudahstoodbeforetheLordwith their wives and children. They prayedthatGodwouldconfusetheirenemies,thatHisname might be gloried. Then the king prayed,Wehavenopoweragainstthisgreatmultitudethat is coming against us; nor do we know whattodo,butoureyesareuponYou.(Chronicles0:1) AftertheycommittedthemselvestoGodinthismanner,theSpiritoftheLordcameuponamanofGodwhosaid,Donotbeafraidnordismayedbecauseofthis greatmultitude, forthebattleisnotyours,butGodsYouwillnotneed to ght in this battle. Position yourselves,

standstillandseethesalvationoftheLord.(Chronicles0:15,17) So,earlythenextmorning,withtheLeviticalchoirinthefront,thekingassembledthepeopletosingpraisestoGod.Thenheadmonishedthepeople,BelieveintheLordyourGod,andyoushall be established; believe His prophets, and

youshallprosper.(Chronicles0:0) The choir began to sing, their enemiesdestroyed one another, and no one hadescaped.(Chronicles0:-) IttookthemenofJudahthreedaysjusttocollectthespoilsofthebattle,andonthefourthdaytheyreturnedtoJerusalem,singingastheywent.

The Current ApplicationNo one ever trusted God in vain. He

neverdisappointsthosewhodependonHim.WheneveryoudobattlefortheLord,prepareyourself. Prepare well. Then recognize yourweaknessanddepend100percentonthepowerofGodforyourdeliverance. Itisverytemptingtotrustinthepowerofthe governmentor inour retirement account,butineverycrisismentionedintheBible,whenthe people trusted inGod, He honored theirtrustandprovidedforthem.


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InanotherBibleexample,thegiantGoliathtrusted in his armor. He terried the armies ofIsrael by his deant, savage boastings, whilehemadeamostimposingdisplaywearinghisarmor. Inresponsetohisboasting,Davidsaidtohim, Youcome tomewith a sword, witha

spear,andwithajavelin.ButIcometoyouinthenameoftheLordofhosts,theGodofthearmies of Israel, whom you have deed. ThisdaytheLordwilldeliveryouintomyhandThenallthisassemblyshallknowthattheLorddoes not save with sword and spear; for thebattleistheLords,andHewillgiveyouintoourhands.(1Samuel17:5-7)

Christian Principles of Finance The principles for Christian moneymanagement do not change with the times.They are always the same.The basis for therecommendationforahealthydietisthesamenomatterwhat your current healthconditionmay be: Eat a wide variety of unrened fruits,grains, nuts and vegetables in sufcient quantitytomaintainyouridealweight.Thiswillproducebetterresultsthanbendingwitheverynewfadthatcomesalong.Thisanalogyalsoworksfornancial management.

The Recipe for Financial SuccessThe principles for sound nancial manage-

mentareassimpleasagooddiet.Ifyouarenot following them, your nancial security is atrisk.Theprimaryprinciplesare:

1. Put God rst.

The wise king Solomons counsel is stillvalid. Honor the Lord with your posses-

sions, and with the rstfruits of all yourincrease; so your barns will be lled with

plenty, and your vats will overow with newwine. (Proverbs:9, 10)And JesusHimselfsaid,But seek rst the kingdom of God and

His righteousness, and all these things(food,clothing and shelter) shall be added to you.(Matthew 6:)Current economic conditionsbringtomindthewordsofanoldsong,IfweeverneededtheLordbefore,wesuredoneedHim now. Now is the time to trust that Godwillsustainusandprovideforourneeds.(SeealsoDeuteronomy8:1-1.)

2. Spend less than you earn.We decry the governments debt of over

$11trillionandthebailoutofthebanksat$700billion, but American consumers are equallyguiltyofoverspending.Theoutstandingcredit


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cardbalancetotaltheamountthatisunpaidandcarriedoverfrommonthtomonthisnowover $915 billion in the United States. Theprinciple here is to be content with what wehave,andtolearntolivewithinourincome.(See1Timothy6:6-10.) Presently, about percentofAmericanfamiliesspendmorethan

theyearneachyear.Dontbeoneofthem.

3. Save money every pay period.Those who have followed this principle

andhaveatleastsixmonthsworthoflivingexpenses in cash savings in the bank are inmuchbettershapethanthosewhoareindebt.Asavingsaccountprovidesprotectionwhenthereisajobloss,carbreakdown,healthconcernorother occurrence that could hurt your nancialsecurity.A nice little nest egg can help youweatheraneconomicstorm.

4. Do everything you can to keep your job. The Bible says, Do you see amanwhoexcels in his work? He will stand beforekings; he will not stand before unknown men.(Proverbs:9)ThereismuchsaidaboutworkandintegrityintheBible.AskGodforwisdomto do your work efciently so that you will beabletocontinuetoworkinthesehardtimes.If

youshouldloseyourjob,bewillingtoworkatwhateverjobisavailablethatwouldnotviolateyourconscience.

5. Be conservative with your investments.Remember, there is no more secure

investment than investing in your own debt!

During times of uncertainty, in addition topayingoffyourdebts,thebetterpartofwisdomsuggeststhatinvestmentsbeontheconservativeside.ThismeansFDICinsuredaccounts.Ifyouhaveasurplusofmeans,itisagoodtimetoinvestinthecauseofGod.TheneedsoftheworkofGodcontinueeveninhardtimes.

6. Ask God for wisdom to make good earning,saving and spending decisions. Again, Gods Word directs us: Trust inthe Lord with all your heart, and lean not on

your own understanding; in all your waysacknowledge Him, and He shall direct your

paths. (Proverbs:5,6.SeealsoPhilippians:19andIsaiah6:.)AsCreatorandOwnerofeverything,Godhastheuniqueabilitytoguideus in life.Wemust trust Him in this area ofourlives.EnjoytheblessingsofGodbylivingprudently,and byhelpingotherswhoare lessfortunate.


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GODWILLPROVIDE

7. Dont lose sight of the goal.Our real home is in Heaven. The events

of this earth will grow strangely dim in thelightofGodsgloryandgrace.Somedaysoon,everythingonthisearthwillbeburnedup.TheBiblesays,But the day of the Lord will comeas a thief in the night, in which the heavens will

pass away with a great noise, and the elementswill melt with fervent heat; both the earth and theworks that are in it will be burned up.(Peter:10)ThiswillnotbeagreatdisappointmenttothetrueChristian.Hisorhertreasureswillbe

laidupsecurelyinHeaven.The nancial stresses of our economy canbegreatlyreducedoreliminatedbyfollowingthesesevenprinciples.Inlove,Godhasgiventhemtousforourowngood. In looking back on his life, David said,I have been young, and now am old; yet Ihave not seen the righteous forsaken, nor hisdescendants begging bread. (Psalm 7:5)Surely then, each of us can likewise see theblessingofGodshandinourlives.

*Emphasis added to verses via italics throughout

this book.


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Documents

God Will Provide - By John Bradshaw