How do I respond to financial trials and uncertainty by using my faith?

Ralph Estep Jr.:
00:00

Have you ever found yourself staring at a pile of bills, feeling utterly overwhelmed and wondering, "where's God in all of this?" Well, my friends, today we're going to explore exactly that. How we can use our faith not to just survive, but to thrive in times of financial hardship? And equally important, how do we praise God when our bank accounts are overflowing? Well, stay tuned, because we've got some life changing insights coming your way.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
00:26

You know, I once found myself in a situation where I had more month than money. The bills were piling up, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of red ink. But then I remembered a powerful scripture that changed everything. Stick around and I'll share that game-changing verse with you in just a few moments.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
00:46

Now, before we dive in, let's take a quick look back at yesterday's show. We tackled the question, how do I respond to financial trials and uncertainty by using my faith? We laid the groundwork, but today, we're going even deeper. If you miss it, just head over to askralph.com.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
01:12

Let's hear from one of our amazing listeners. This letter comes from Henry in Flagstaff, Arizona. Henry writes, "Dear Ralph, I've been a faithful listener of your show for months now and it's been such a blessing. But lately, I've been struggling. My small business is facing some serious challenges and I'm scared we might actually have to close our doors. I don't know. Should I trust God, but it's so hard when the numbers just aren't adding up. How do I keep my faith strong when everything around me seems to be falling apart? And on the flip side, if things do turn around, how do I make sure I'm giving God the glory and not getting caught up in my own success?" And signed sincerely, Henry.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
01:57

Wow, Henry. First off, thank you for your vulnerability in sharing this. I know it's not easy to open up about our struggles, especially when it comes to finances. But let me tell you, you're not alone in this. So many of us have been right where you are and I'm so glad you reached out. Now, before we dive into Henry's question, I want to welcome all of you for tuning in today. Whether you're a longtime listener or if this is your first time joining us, I am so grateful you're here. This is The Ask Ralph Show. We're all about mastering your finances from a Christian perspective. I'm your host, Ralph, and I'm here to help you navigate the often-turbulent waters of personal finance with the steady compass of faith.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
02:41

Now let's start with a powerful scripture that I think speaks directly to Henry's situation, maybe yours too. It's from Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight." Truthfully, my friends, these words have been a lifeline for me in times of financial uncertainty and I hope they'll be the same for you today.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
03:12

All right. Well, let's dive into the meat of today's topic. How do we respond to financial trials and uncertainty using our faith? And equally important, how do we praise God during times of financial victory? First, let's talk about those trials. Henry, I hear the fear in your words, and I want you to know that it's okay to be scared. The truth is, even Jesus experienced fear and anxiety in the Garden of Gethsemane. But here's the thing. Fear doesn't have to be the end of the story.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
03:44

When we're facing financial trials, it's easy to fall into panic mode. We see the numbers, we feel the pressure, and suddenly, it's like we're Peter, stepping out of the boat and starting to sink. But remember what happened next? Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!" And immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. That's our first core biblical principle. Cry out to God. Don't try to handle it all on your own. In Philippians chapter 4, verses 6-7, Paul tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Ralph Estep Jr.:
04:29

I know what some of you might be thinking, "Ralph, that does sound great, but how does prayer pay my bills?" Well, let me tell you a quick story. A few years back, my business was in trouble. We had a major client pull out unexpectedly and suddenly we were looking at a massive shortfall. I was stressed, I was scared, and I was trying to figure it all out on my own. But then I remembered this verse and I decided to take it seriously. I spent an entire day in prayer. I laid out all my fears, all my needs before God. And you know what? By the end of that day, I didn't have a miracle check in the mail.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
05:03

The situation hadn't magically resolved itself. But what I did have was peace. And with that peace came clarity. I was able to look at our situation with fresh eyes. I saw opportunities for cost cutting that I'd missed before. I had the idea to reach out to a former client, which led to a new contract that helped bridge that gap. And most importantly, I was reminded that my worth, my security, doesn't come from my bank account. It comes from God.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
05:36

This brings us to our second core biblical principle. Remember where your true wealth lies. In the book of Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, where thieves do not break in and steal." And this is the important part. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." So when we're facing financial trials, it's easy to feel like we're losing everything.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
06:13

But if our treasure is in heaven, if our identity is in Christ, then no economic downturn can touch our true wealth. But this doesn't mean we ignore our earthly responsibilities. Which brings us to our third principle. You got to be a good steward. In the parable of the talents, Jesus teaches us about the importance of managing well what we've been given.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
06:36

Even in times of scarcity, we're called to be wise with our resources. This might mean creating a strict budget, looking for additional sources of income or making some tough decisions about expenses. It might mean reaching out for help, whether that's financial counseling or assistance from your church community. Remember, there's no shame in asking for help. That's what the body of Christ is for.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
07:02

But what about when things are going well financially? "Ralph, how do we praise God in times of plenty?" Well, first and foremost, we need to remember the source of our blessings. The book of Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us, "but remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth."

Ralph Estep Jr.:
07:21

When we're experiencing financial success, it's easy to start patting ourselves on the back. We think about how hard we've worked, how smart our investments were, how savvy our business decisions have been. And while it's okay to feel good about these things, we need to remember that ultimately, all good things come from God. So how do we practically give God the glory in times of financial blessings?

Ralph Estep Jr.:
07:43

Well, here's a few suggestions. Number 1. Tithe faithfully. When our income increases, our giving should increase as well. This isn't about earning God's favor. It's about acknowledging that everything we have comes from Him. Go listen to the episode I did a few Sundays ago about tithing. It will truly give you some ideas here. Number 2. Be generous. Look for opportunities to bless others with your abundance. This could be through charitable giving, could be through supporting missions or directly helping those in need.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
08:17

Number 3. This one is tough. Stay humble. Remember that your worth isn't in your net worth. Continue to rely on God just as much in times of plenty as you do in times of want. And that's hard my friends. When things are plentiful, we don't really feel like we need God as much. But that's the time when we need to be consistent. Number 4. Use your resources wisely. Success can sometimes lead to careless spending. Instead, see your increased resources as an increased responsibility to be a good steward.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
08:53

And number 5. This one is crucially important. Share your testimony. If God has brought you through financial hardship into a place of blessing, share that story with others. Your experience could be the encouragement someone else needs to keep going. They might be where you were when you were worried, and you were stressed and you were scared. Share your story with them.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
09:18

So to recap, when facing financial trials, remember to cry out to God, keep your focus on your true wealth in Christ, and be a good steward of what you have. In those times of financial blessing, remember the source of your wealth, be generous, stay humble, use your resources wisely, and most importantly, share your testimony.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
09:41

Well, let's pray together. Heavenly Father, we come before you today with grateful hearts. Thank you for your faithfulness, both in times of plenty and in times of want. For those of us facing financial trials right now, we ask for your peace that passes all understanding. Help us to trust in you, even when the numbers don't add up. Give us wisdom to be good stewards of what we have and the courage to reach out for help when we need it. For those experiencing financial blessings, we thank you for the provision. Help us to hold these blessings with open hands, always ready to use them for your glory. Lord, keep us humble. Keep us generous and mindful of those in need. Most of all, Lord, help us to keep our eyes fixed on you. Remind us daily that our true wealth is not in our bank accounts. But it's in our relationship with you. I asked this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
10:36

All right, my friends, as we wrap up today's episode, I want to encourage you to take action on what you've heard. Maybe that means setting aside some time for focused prayer about your finances. Maybe it means creating a budget. Yes. Ralph said budget. And reaching out for help. Whatever it is. Don't let this just be something you listen to and forget. Let it be the start of a real change in how you approach your finances. And more importantly, your faith.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
11:03

And hey, if you found value in today's episode, I want you to share it with a friend or family member. Share with everybody you know. They might be needing this exact message today. And don't forget to visit our website. That's at askralph.com and join our community. When you do, you'll get a free copy of my book, Mastering Your Finances. That's a $10 value on Amazon, but it's my gift to you just for joining our email list.

Ralph Estep Jr.:
11:28

Now, I know many of you out there might be parenting. You might be lying awake at night, wondering, how will I ever find the money to pay for my children's college education? Well, guess what? That's exactly what we'll be tackling on tomorrow's show. So you don't want to miss it. Remember folks. God is with you in the valleys and on the mountain tops of your financial journey. So keep the faith, stay financially savvy, and God bless you.