The Narrow Path Ministries

It seems if I may have asked a question like this in the past- although it may have been on the old forum and I can’t find it if I did. I am essentially looking for some differing opinions on this situation.

A family that is close to me is struggling financially. They are godly people who are pursuing the Lord and they are still faithful givers. They have 2 young children (ages 4 and 2).

Several months ago, the couple prayerfully reached a decision that the husband would quit a job that turned out to be a dead-end situation. When he took the job there was a reasonable hope of promotion and advancement, but as time went by the condition of the company etc led to this never occurring. He was a very hard worker, putting in more hours than required, but it got to the point that he was simply too much away from his young family, especially in the summer months when he would leave the house at 5 am and not return until 7 pm. They believe that God was leading him to quit this job and move on, which he did.

Soon thereafter he got another job that turned out to be worse that the first, due to travel that frequently took him out of town. When he took this job he was left to believe there would not be that much travel; turns out it was almost all travel. He stayed in that job a few months. They again, after much prayer, decided that he would quit that job as well.
That was a few months ago. The wife is working, but the financial situation is now to the point where all the bills are not being paid; they face being unable to pay their mortgage, etc. He is pounding the pavement looking for work but thus far has not been successful.

They are very discouraged in their faith. They believe that the Bible teaches that God will take care of their needs, especially if they are truly seeking Him. And I know that they are. But they can’t seem to catch a break. They have always struggled, either financially (when the husband want working) or as a family (when he was never home when he WAS working). They would much prefer to be in a situation where the husband is gainfully employed and the wife is staying home.

Their question is this: “We aren’t expecting to be rich; we just want to be able to pay our bills and raise our family. Why won’t God help us?”

They question what it means when the Bible promises that God will take care of them; especially in light of starving Christians in other parts of the world.

As Christians, what do we have a right to expect from God, if anything? If nothing, then what about the apparent promises? If the promises are real, then what exactly do the promises mean?

It is my personal belief that God is putting pressure on them to prepare them for some greater purpose, much like he put pressure on Hannah and other biblical characters.

However, this counsel only goes so far, especially when they are faced with financial disaster. Quite frankly, I really don’t know how to counsel them any further. “Trust God” only goes so far when the rubber is hitting the road.

TK

I think about this often.

The Bible doesn't say God will provide food and clothing for us in the ways we expect, through a job, in a vinyl-sided house, etc. The Lord said the birds and flowers DON'T work, and look at them... They don't even fill out job applications...?

I think, sometimes, as a test of faith, we have to "be still and know He is God". I was homeless before and I actually held back from applying for some jobs because I knew I was just doing it out of a fearful lack of faith. I knew they weren't really good situations. I was willing to work, but it just seemed like I really needed the guidance I was praying for. I had to really fight in my mind to overcome the fear of others saying that I was simply being irresponsible or lazy. Soon enough, what really seemed like a miracle came through. Full time work, a place to sleep, no application required. I also have some friendships now that I wouldn't have had without that experience. I'd go through it again just for the friendships.

The spirit of this world is so arrogant and unbelieving that it will accuse those who have patient faith of being irresponsible. But what does the world know about responsibility when they forsake God in their hearts?

It is a greater test of faith, in my opinion, when we have others in our care. But doesn't God know if we have a wife or children to take care of? Could He have forgotten about that when He told us not to give thought to tomorrow? Obviously not.

It could be that sometimes we have to stop trusting in our own desire to be responsible and just trust in God. If we only "trust God" as long as we feel like we are able to take care of things then do we really believe His comforting promises? If we only trust God to provide for us when we are presently providing for ourselves then what do we even trust? Our own hands?

I'm not saying this to make anyone feel guilty. I think it is great (in a sense) if we find out we have little faith in some area because it only means that there is good news that we have permission to believe now. Imagine if the world's dismal view of God's provision was really as good as we could expect? It'd be like a bad dream or something. I think the Lord would tell most of us that our faith is not even as big as a puny mustard seed.

ps - "God helps those who help themselves" is not in the Bible as far as I know.

Dear TK,

I certainly feel this family’s pain. I just wanted to share some thoughts I had as I read the account of your friends. I don’t want to sound judgmental, however, because there have been many times where I have not acted very wisely concerning jobs/finances. So, please take what I say with a grain of salt.

Did you ever hear the story about the guy who was on the roof of his house in the middle of a great flood, and he kept crying out to God to save him? Well, some guy comes by on a jet ski and offers him a ride but the man refuses to get on, insisting that God was going to deliver him. The same thing happens with a guy in a boat, and then a helicopter comes by but the man still refuses help because he is going to wait for God to deliver him. Finally the man drowns. In heaven, the man is frustrated at God for not saving him, whereupon God points out that He sent three separate individuals to him in order for him to be saved but that he didn’t take the opportunities that had been provided (I’m not a good story-teller but you get the gist, I hope).

I see a sort of parallel situation in what happened to your friends. It seems that God may have already provided this family with the income that they needed, albeit with some negative conditions, but that they either were not content with what God had provided—I consider that God is the one who provides me with employment even though it may not be the most desirable of jobs—or perhaps were mistaken in what they thought was the will of God for them in their situation.

Another thought I had was whether it is ever a good idea (or wise) to quit a job before acquiring a new one, something that they did twice, according to your account. Could it be that they acted presumptuously? Again, I’m not trying to cast judgment because I’ve been guilty of the same thing.

There are a lot of variables that you didn’t share which might make a difference in how one should look at the situation you described. For example, what kind of lifestyle has been maintained; have they always lived within their means; do they have a lot of credit card debt? On the spiritual side, did they seek counsel from others before making their decision—parents, friends, other Christians? What was it that convinced them that it was God’s will that He should quit his job? Is there any reason that God might be bringing discipline? These are questions that would have to be considered.

You wrote:They are very discouraged in their faith. They believe that the Bible teaches that God will take care of their needs, especially if they are truly seeking Him.

I’ve been through many hardships in my life so far, but I think one of the most important things that I’ve learned is to keep trusting the Lord and remain faithful to Him no matter how rough the situation may seem. It isn’t always easy but, as Christians, what alternative is there? I believe there are certain principles that God has set up (I’m talking general stuff here concerning general truths such as we might find in the book of Proverbs and suchlike) where if we follow them we can have a reasonable expectation that our lives will go well but as far as this present evil world, I don’t know that we have any specific promises in the Bible that God will meet all of our material/financial needs. God has promised to provide food and clothing and Paul tells us with these things we should be content, but I think that the scriptures teach that it won’t be until we pass from this life that we’ll ever escape the difficulties that this present life affords. Truly, if God wills, we will do this and that. This is the only way I can understand situations such as starving Christians, or tortured Christians or other horrific circumstances that we sometimes must face. But God still calls us to endure and to overcome and to pursue the crown of righteousness.

I’m afraid I haven’t really answered your questions but perhaps these thoughts may be helpful. I’ll be praying for your friends.

l2j

God helps those who help themselves" is not in the Bible as far as I know.






Yes it's not. The question "where's God?" is a bad path to travel because there will be a million occassions to ask this as everyone has issues and problems and tribulation. This family sounds like they have health, food to eat,clothes, a roof and air to breath. I really don't know why God has not given them what they want but he is still God and he is the one that gave them life. Yes their life is tough , yes they have to work hard and they may not be able to pay all their bills, but do they value their life which they did nothing to earn?
Sorry to sound harsh but they may have a lot more then they realize.

Thanks guys, for your responses.

You all bring up valid points... some that I have considered but some that I haven't.

I know that sometimes real-life situations are hard to discuss because we fear that we will sound harsh, as steve7150 put it, or judgmental. But I appreciate your willingness to provide input.

TK