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In small group and other places we’ve been talking quite a bit about the "credit crunch" and about how people may be starting to struggle financially and others have jobs that are at risk. As Christians we need not be worried about this like the world is, because we know we can trust God for our provision (read Matthew 26:25-34), but it’s also a challenge to us to use this opportunity to be generous to others and to share with one another. God has put us into community for a reason, so that we can love one another. Not with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). As the people of God, he has provided us with everything we need.  Some will have more, and some will have less, and it’s up to those of us who have jobs, food, finances and a roof over our heads to share with those who may be less well off at this present time, in order that no-one goes without and we all have plenty. Afterall, it all belongs to God anyway.

We also have a continuing mission to care for and give generously to those outside of the church who are in need. What a witness it can be when the world sees a generous giving church, in a time of hardship and struggle. That’s what will show people God’s love for them and his amazing provision for his people. As we seek to be Jesus’ hands on this earth we will stand out as a light in the darkness and give hope to people who may be feeling desperate and hopeless.

So let us not worry about our finances, we know that God will provide for our every need, let’s instead seek to give even more generously than we have done before as the needs around us increase, starting with taking care of our brothers and sisiters in Christ, and then in serving our local communities and beyond.

So that’s my Credit Crunch Challenge – will you take it up?

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

So often we try to figure out how God’s going to do something.. How he will provide something or step into a situation. We try to figure it out according to our own view on the circumstances and on the resources we can see around us. We can think that circumstances are hopeless if we don’t look at the bigger picture.

The truth is that God has unlimited resources and unending riches, and can meet all our needs in every circumstance. What he chooses to provide is not based on our limited view, but on the amazing unending resources that we have in Jesus!

He doesn’t provide for us based on our hourly rate or on the energy we have or the people we know, he provides for us based on what HE has (and incase you are in any doubt, this is everything¹ !!). God is Lord over all the earth² , all of earth’s and heaven’s riches were created by him and are for him to do with what He wills³ . Sometimes we forget this! Everything we own is God’s, everything owned even by people who don’t know God is still God’s! And he can give and take away according to his will.

If we have a loving father who has all things, can we not trust him to provide for all our needs? Because he’s a loving father he might not give us everything we want, he doesn’t want us to be spoilt children (!) But he will give us everything we need. Bear in mind that we may have slightly different ideas of our "needs" than God does, as we often might think we need something when really we just want it!

Do you have a need which you just can’t see in your mind, how God meet it? You don’t see where the finances, the support, the people, the energy, the perserverence, the dicipline or the time will come from? That’s good news! It’ll give you an opportunity to trust in God for your need, and to see how he provides for his children when they trust in him!

Ask him to provide for you according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus!!

Perhaps you currently don’t have any pressing needs? Perhaps you have plenty both spiritually and financially? Ask God to show you what/who he would like you to give to (time, money, care, support..) so that you can be his hands on the earth and help during another person’s time of need. Remember everything he’s given to you belongs to Him anyway!

¹⁾ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; Pslam 24:1

²⁾ My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth . Psalm 121:2

³⁾ For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him . Colossians 1:16