2023 - In God We Trust
"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding." (Proverbs 3:5)
As we cross over into a new year of 2023, let us dig into God's Word about trusting Him, reinforce what that looks like and endeavor to abide in Him.
First, let me comment on the top half of the picture above - the photographer made a wonderful capture of the nickel coin showing Thomas Jefferson's gaze straight up, towards the heavens and not to the right or left. It should be in that same manner with us, not looking to the supposed wisdom of others but only to God.
In 1 Corinthians 2:14 it is written "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him..." Those of this world and who instruct others out of this world will direct you to a different way than God's Word shows, because it is folly to them.
Let's begin with our giving to the Lord in tithes and offerings. With the world this is folly, they see it as giving unto "religion" or to an "institution", but in His Word God makes it clear this is unto Him personally (bringing food into His house)... even to the degree that He promises in Malachi 3 to personally respond, by Him "opening the windows of heaven and pouring out a blessing" and "rebuking the devourer for our sakes".
Think about how you already trust the Lord with your eternal salvation.
Compare that to trusting Him with just 10 percent of the money you've earned.
Looking at debt, many "financial experts" instruct you to not pay off your mortgage for the tax break. The truth is your interest rate is not really the 3-7% advertised in the large print (unless you pay it off in one year) - for most it is actually in the 60-80% range. Just look at your amortization schedule, there you'll see how much is paid to interest (well over half) and how much to principal reduction each month (much less than half). Click on the archives section of this page to December 2020 "The Death Pledge" to see this in detail.
These "financial experts" also advise you to simultaneously purchase their stocks and mutual funds while continuing to pay high interest rates in debt. Remember this, you will not receive a guaranteed rate of return for investing to outgain what you are paying in debt interest rates. Think of it like having a hole in your bucket draining out faster than you can put in. The "expert", who receives a commission when you buy stocks and mutual funds from them will not get paid for that advice, will they?
I am not trying to sell you anything... just presenting God's Word and the sound fundamentals that are evident from what is written there. And what is written there in Romans 13:8 encourages us to "owe no man any thing but to love one another", and also warns us in Proverbs 22:7 that "the borrower is slave to the lender".
This is another area we place our trust in God, following His Word rather than the world around us. It requires trust in Him to put down our flesh that wants to buy everything placed before it immediately. It requires trust in Him to have a more reasonable and modest home, cars, clothing or other things for a time rather than attempt to "keep up with the Joneses" or to try and impress those around us. The fact is most of those you may be trying to impress are deep in debt dealing with financial stress and trying to impress those around them.
Looking to others in need, there may be times to trust in God, when giving generously. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah came upon a widow and her son, down to their last morsel and asked her to make a small portion for him. The widow obliged, and the Lord supernaturally multiplied their provisions until rain came to their land, and later restored life to her son, who had stopped breathing.
We are also encouraged in Psalms 126:6 - "He who goes forth bearing seed and weeping (at needing his precious supply of grain for sowing) shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." God promises to respond to those who trust Him, whether it is in giving to Him, following His ways for our finances, or in giving to others.
Lastly, for 2023 carry with you this simple verse like you would a bill in your wallet to spend at the time needed:
"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act" (Psalm 37:5)
God Bless you and may He show Himself greatly to you,
Paul
