Finding money for 6 months straight!
I lived 38 years of my life never having any concern about finances. Then divorce hit, and suddenly fear pulsed inside me.
Knowing spousal support wouldn't last forever, and considering the chronic pain and incredible limitations I've had since 2007, I wondered how I would provide for my daughter and myself. My daily rhythmic question was "what are we gonna do, Lord? How am I going to provide for Ellie and I? How will we survive and live well in Los Angeles?"
I knew I wasn’t alone—most people going through divorce struggle with concern of finances. And, I kept sharing with the Lord about my concerns. However, talking about it with Him surprisingly didn't seem to ease the fear as much as I had hoped, I needed more.
The book of Malachi says that if we are faithful with our tithes and our offerings that God will pour out an abundance for us, so much so that it will overflow to others (3:10-12). This principle was instilled in me from my generous-hearted parents since I was a little girl—they were continuously faithful with giving to those in need.
I followed in their footsteps, faithful with my tithes and offerings. And whatever amount was on my heart to give someone, or to give an organization, I would give it. And I loved giving generously—it was fun for me.
During divorce, however, the fear of my financial future caused me to clench my fists tight around my money. For a little time during the divorce process, I stopped tithing. I questioned whether or not I really needed to do this. After all, I was in need of financial help. But, I was wrong… my highest need wasn’t of financial help necessarily, I believe my highest need was deeper… of trust in God as Provider.
I shared with God about my lack of trust and asked for help to rebuild confidence in his provision, clinging to several scriptures. (see below)
God showed up in 3 incredible ways:
A friend randomly sent a large check. I had never received a large check like this before—a surprise check in the mail! She and her husband felt led by God to give that amount to Ellie and I as a love offering, to encourage me.
Then, two other friends sent me checks, with messages saying that they felt led to give me their tithes for that month. Wow!
Along with the checks, God set me up to find money on a daily basis for 6 months straight. Everywhere I went, I would find a penny here, a dime there, a quarter here, a dollar there, etc. It ended up becoming a fun game between me and the Lord: "Where are you going to leave money for me today, Lord?" He was assuring me that He knows where all the money is around the world and He can gather it to intersect me with it. He KNOWS my needs—He SEES my concern, and He CARES deeply about me and Ellie.
Now, people don't like being called names, but God does—He calls Himself Jehovah Jireh, our great Provider. Psalm 50:12 says, "For all the world is Mine and everything in it." Jesus threw out a fishing line and caught a fish that had a gold coin in it to provide for someone’s need. God knows where all the money is around the world. He can transfer wealth from one place to another—see my story about this. He caused a fig tree to wither because of His spoken command. He can speak things into existence, and it happens. He also can help increase our energy and creativity for an increase in income.
Matthew 6:26 says, "The birds of the air don't work, reap, or gather crops in the barns for a later day (the equivalent to saving money), yet your Heavenly Father feeds and takes care of them. You are more valuable than they are." I cluuuuung to this scripture, when fear crept in about my physical limitations to work. —Now, this isn’t a scripture encouraging laziness or simply not working, it’s saying that if a person can’t work to provide for themselves to not fear because God will come through.
God is faithful to provide for me, and He is faithful to provide for you. He won't leave you abandoned without His help. If you are struggling in this area, ask the Lord to help grow your confidence in His provision for you. Ask Him how He wants to help provide!
Scriptures you can depend on.
| 1 |
Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
| 2 |
Psalm 132:15 "I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food."
| 3 |
Psalm 34:10 "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing."
| 4 |
2 Corinthians 9:8-11 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God."
| 5 |
Matthew 7:11 "If you, then, though you are sinful, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
| 6 |
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
| 7 |
Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
| 8 |
Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."
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