March 27, 2024

Financially Strapped?

Financially Strapped

By Diane A. Watt

Things are getting expensive.

You know how I can tell? The other day I got a Whopper Junior (I used to get a Whopper, but these days fitting into my jeans is a challenge, so I downgraded to a Whopper Junior. Sad story. I’ll cope somehow.) As I weaved through Killeen/Fort Hood traffic and finally made it home seventeen hours later (okay not seventeen; more like one) I unwrapped, with great anticipation, my delicious treasure.

Imagine my surprise when I saw it was the same size as my thumb. And I’ve got a small thumb.

I understand why Burger King has drastically reduced their product. I’ve been to Wal-Mart lately; I’m aware of the rising beef prices. I’ve watched enough Netflix documentaries to understand the ripple effect of high grain costs.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t help. My family still looks at me like I have two heads when I serve three grains of rice for dinner.

Listen, we all know why this is happening. As we approach the end of the age, food costs will rise until it takes a day’s wages to buy one crummy loaf of bread (Revelation 6:6).

Praise God, we haven’t reached that point yet; however, we still feel the pinch in a very real way. With the exception of a few retirees fortunate enough to receive both a pension and Social Security, almost everyone I know is struggling financially.

For Christians, this is where faith is crucial. God said it Himself: seek first MY kingdom, and all these things will be given you (Matthew 6:33).

The other day I was lamenting (okay, that’s just a spiritual way of saying complaining. I was complaining.  And not in a pretty, spiritual way.) I told God, really? I take care of the whole world it seems, and I can’t even buy a three-dollar pair of slippers without putting the family at financial risk.

Really, God? I said. I work day after day with no pay, I might add. And all I have to show for it is a broken-down car and a tube of lipstick that’s down to the bone. I don’t even have money to buy hair dye to cover these grays which result from worrying about money. What gives?

He stopped me right there and brought me to Matthew 6:33. Seek His kingdom first.

If we prioritize correctly – Heaven first, everything else later – He will give us all we need. In fact, if we are generous, He will give us more than we need so we can give to others (Luke 6:38). He is the Great Provider (Philippians 4:19). The one who multiplied the small to create the abundance (Mark 6:30-44). The one who told Peter where to cast his net to get an overflowing catch (John 21:6). How dare we – how dare I disbelieve Him?

I’m finished wringing my hands. I’ve done enough of that for a lifetime. For now, you’ll catch me believing Him more. Watching my money less. Laughing a little more and not worrying about all this. And you won’t find me stressing about where our needs come from (okay, maybe I will. A little. I am human, after all.)

Because if we call upon the name of Christ, the Great I Am, all of our needs will come from Him. And He is enough.

The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:10)