Reason #760
God cares about every area of our lives. Not just some areas. Not just the big things or the long-term ones. He cares about it all. From the tiniest, miniscule, little details to the life changing decisions, God cares. He cares about your relationships, your heart, your health, your well-being, your needs, your heart's desires, your job, your concerns, and He even cares about your money.
I've never really considered this before. I knew God cared about what kind of stewards we were with our finances and possessions, and I knew God cared about giving, but I never really thought He cared about the daily little transactions, you know. I didn't think those really mattered all that much in the grand scheme of things. I figured it mattered most if it was a big investment or a bad investment. I figured those were good opportunities to consult Him. I never realized that God is fully vested in every aspect of our lives, daily spending included. He doesn't just partially care about some things, but He fully cares about everything. And, I suppose that it would make absolute sense that the one thing that affects our daily living the most would be something God would want to be a part of.
Let's get one thing straight, God doesn't operate on dollars. The world operates on dollars. God does what He wants however He wants regardless of how much money we do or don't have. Plus, like everything this world offers, money is fleeting. It's in your hands one second and out of it the next. God spoke the world into existence. He didn't purchase materials to make a single thing. He did it all by His word and His word alone, so if we're placing value on anything, then obviously the most valuable thing is God's word. Without, we'd have nothing.
And so God has a purpose for your life. We all know that. He has a purpose in everything He does. Everything He gives us is full of purpose, and so this must mean God has a purpose for your money, too. Have you ever thought about that? Besides being able to make sure you're provided for and that your needs are met, did you ever think that maybe there was a greater reason you had money in your bank account? Maybe the dollars showed up not for your own benefit, and due to your hard work, but because God had a purpose for giving them to you.
The truth is, I've never prayed about my entire budget. I've prayed about giving, I've prayed about really big purchases, and I've prayed about being a good steward, but I've never asked God what His purpose is for our bank account. I've never asked Him how He'd like for me to spend those dollars, or if He has a specific thing in mind for them. I've mostly thought, "Lord, here are the first fruits set aside for you. And, here is some extra to go towards other good causes that further your kingdom. Thank you for your provision." End of story. I've never said, "Lord, am I fully pleasing you with my finances? Is there more that you'd like me to do with what you've given me? What is the purpose you have for our money?"
Honestly, that's a pretty scary question for me. And who knows, maybe the Lord is honored and pleased the way things are. Or, maybe there is another purpose that has yet to be discovered because I've yet to ask. But what if we were intentional with our money each day because we realized that God has a purpose for it? His purpose may not be to add a lot of extra rooms to your home, or it might. His purpose may not be to get you that luxury SUV you've been dreaming about or for you to buy yourself more clothes, purses, jewelry, or electronics, or it might. I guess you never know if you don't ask.
Today, we talked about giving to the Lord. We talked about walking in complete obedience and surrendering every part of our life to God, and the truth is, that means our money is included. We decided that the one thing we can count on is that we'll never regret giving to the Lord or honoring Him with our finances. We'll never have "buyer's remorse" when we use it for the Lord's sake. And, ultimately, God is more concerned about being Lord of everything rather than if we actually have everything.
God has a purpose for your life, and that includes your finances. He cares how you spend it, every dollar. It's still your choice. After all, He has given it to you. But maybe there's a greater purpose if you just ask Him about it, and I can guarantee that any dollar placed in God's hand will never be wasted.
#760 - Because He has a purpose for every single aspect of our lives.
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." - Malachi 3:10
I've never really considered this before. I knew God cared about what kind of stewards we were with our finances and possessions, and I knew God cared about giving, but I never really thought He cared about the daily little transactions, you know. I didn't think those really mattered all that much in the grand scheme of things. I figured it mattered most if it was a big investment or a bad investment. I figured those were good opportunities to consult Him. I never realized that God is fully vested in every aspect of our lives, daily spending included. He doesn't just partially care about some things, but He fully cares about everything. And, I suppose that it would make absolute sense that the one thing that affects our daily living the most would be something God would want to be a part of.
Let's get one thing straight, God doesn't operate on dollars. The world operates on dollars. God does what He wants however He wants regardless of how much money we do or don't have. Plus, like everything this world offers, money is fleeting. It's in your hands one second and out of it the next. God spoke the world into existence. He didn't purchase materials to make a single thing. He did it all by His word and His word alone, so if we're placing value on anything, then obviously the most valuable thing is God's word. Without, we'd have nothing.
And so God has a purpose for your life. We all know that. He has a purpose in everything He does. Everything He gives us is full of purpose, and so this must mean God has a purpose for your money, too. Have you ever thought about that? Besides being able to make sure you're provided for and that your needs are met, did you ever think that maybe there was a greater reason you had money in your bank account? Maybe the dollars showed up not for your own benefit, and due to your hard work, but because God had a purpose for giving them to you.
The truth is, I've never prayed about my entire budget. I've prayed about giving, I've prayed about really big purchases, and I've prayed about being a good steward, but I've never asked God what His purpose is for our bank account. I've never asked Him how He'd like for me to spend those dollars, or if He has a specific thing in mind for them. I've mostly thought, "Lord, here are the first fruits set aside for you. And, here is some extra to go towards other good causes that further your kingdom. Thank you for your provision." End of story. I've never said, "Lord, am I fully pleasing you with my finances? Is there more that you'd like me to do with what you've given me? What is the purpose you have for our money?"
Honestly, that's a pretty scary question for me. And who knows, maybe the Lord is honored and pleased the way things are. Or, maybe there is another purpose that has yet to be discovered because I've yet to ask. But what if we were intentional with our money each day because we realized that God has a purpose for it? His purpose may not be to add a lot of extra rooms to your home, or it might. His purpose may not be to get you that luxury SUV you've been dreaming about or for you to buy yourself more clothes, purses, jewelry, or electronics, or it might. I guess you never know if you don't ask.
Today, we talked about giving to the Lord. We talked about walking in complete obedience and surrendering every part of our life to God, and the truth is, that means our money is included. We decided that the one thing we can count on is that we'll never regret giving to the Lord or honoring Him with our finances. We'll never have "buyer's remorse" when we use it for the Lord's sake. And, ultimately, God is more concerned about being Lord of everything rather than if we actually have everything.
God has a purpose for your life, and that includes your finances. He cares how you spend it, every dollar. It's still your choice. After all, He has given it to you. But maybe there's a greater purpose if you just ask Him about it, and I can guarantee that any dollar placed in God's hand will never be wasted.
#760 - Because He has a purpose for every single aspect of our lives.
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." - Malachi 3:10