I’d like to bring up a point that needs to be said in our day where many are taught that faith can bring a financial windfall. This is not only false it is dangerous and can lead to a crisis in faith when things get tough. It is true that God does bless His people materially but that is based on His will not our faith. Yes, He does bless our efforts and the law of sowing and reaping applies even in the realm of hard work and rewards. However, if we view material things as the primary means of God’s blessing us then when and economic downturn takes place and Unforeseen Circumstances occur that change you financial status then we are left with this errant conclusion; If faith brought you financial blessing then a lapse of faith must have brought the downturn. This is a grievous error as there are many cases where people have had their faith increased by times of trial and financial struggle and a lapse of faith would hardly describe their spiritual condition. I say this because financial downturns causing spiritual ones is a two pronged concern. There is a danger of becoming consumed by the “why” of the situation and doubting or questioning the goodness of God, or having a spiritual downturn because of what someone heard or learned about financial blessings that wasn’t true. I have told the church on many occasions that faith is not the ability to actualize your own lifestyle of the rich and famous. Faith is trusting in proven truth, taking the word of God as absolute truth and applying it to everyday living.

This would include trusting through trials, being faithful through trials and not seeing trials as lapses of faith or divine discipline and certainly not of thinking God has forgotten or forsaken you because the bank account looks different than it used to.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire,  may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith —the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:6-9 

Let me close with a couple of summary conclusions. It is our nature to want recognition and acknowledgement for personal effort and achievements and also the rewards. This is and of itself is not bad per se, but it can be. What a disappointing existence it would be to never see any fruit from our labors. It is also true that God is trying to create something in us as we make our way through life and the trials are often how He does it. This is what Peter is saying, a genuine faith is more precious than material things. Peter also gives us a great tool when trials are being used to refine our faith, including financial trials and this reminds us of our “Future First” thinking as Peter points to the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls. This brings us to the final reminder, when Unforeseen Circumstances cause life and lifestyle changes and that is; You can never lose what matters most. The Bible assures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love and no one can snatch us from His hand. (Romans 8:38-39 and John 10:28-29 respectively). Your future home is heaven, a city whose Builder and maker is God. A city where the things we fret over losing in life are as common a dirt. Gold is used to pave the streets, pearls are so big they can be used as a city gate, precious stones so abundant and common they are used as a foundation for the city itself. Between here and our arrival there, there will be trials and those trials can even include financial ones. But this form of trial and every other are not without purpose, they “test by fire” meaning to refine, our faith and and refined faith, unwavering faith gives praise, honor and glory to Jesus Christ. How so? By your continuing to do good and share and not allowing a financial crisis to create a spiritual one. The enemy will try to exploit such times and even try to convince us to, as Job’s wife said to him, “curse God and die.” 

What you’re going through is hard and it hurts and it is a wound that can become a scar, testimony, if you will see it properly by remembering, the power to get wealth is from God and all that you had was His and the most important thing you have, can never be lost and you still have it. The end of your faith, the salvation of your soul!

Excerpt from “Dancing With the Scars” now available on Amazon.

BARRY STAGNER