“My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Have you ever heard of Renova Black? My guess is that most of you have not. It is designer toilet paper. I promise you I am not making this up. On the east coast, builders of luxury-track homes, known as McMansions, use Renova Black as part of their sales pitch. They advertise that they spare no expense, and I quote, “We sell what nobody needs.”
Now, what is funny to me is that it works. The human condition is, we need what nobody sells. Last week, I went to buy a toaster, and it came with a bank (for you younger people, long ago, banks gave away toasters as an incentive to open a new account).
Feeling safe and secure is not only a basic need, but one of our highest pursuits. And events like this virus only substantiate that. Investment strategists are taking great advantage of our current struggling market (and I am not criticizing their efforts, or advice, for being a good steward is a Godly principle).
But contrary to what the world says, financial security is not found in one’s bank account, or in a retirement fund. Financial security is found in having a relationship with the One who owns everything in heaven and on earth.
See, here is the deal when it comes to money – your money is not your money. Thus, we can stop worrying about it. We can let go and let God. We do not have to keep clutching it or even craving it. We can stop putting our identity in it, because our truest net-worth is not associated with our God-given self-worth. So, we will not be proud when it piles up, and we will not become anxious when it dwindles. Because it is not ours, it is God’s.
It is so liberating when we truly grasp the reality of this: none of us own anything, we are just stewards. You see, when we focus on, and start learning the principles of stewardship, rather than exhausting time in securing worldly wealth, we will begin to experience peace, contentment, and unspeakable joy.
You see, true financial security comes only when we use God’s money His way for His purposes. He alone knows the future and has the power to provide for our needs, whereas any financial strategies I devise are backed only by human effort and wisdom. Thus, God’s ways are better than my ways, and His ideas are greater than any of my good intentions.
So, trusting in the Lord’s provision and obeying His instructions will fill you with confidence when others are gripped by fear and uncertainty – especially during such a time as this.
