Today on MoneyLife

I want to thank all of your for the email you've sent me at ChuckBentley@Crown.org. I intend to answer all of them personally if I'm able.

I've learned from reading your e-mail that many of you are afraid of the wheels coming off our economy and your own finances.

The Bible is full of stories about people going through bad times, but each story also shows the hope we have in God to bring us through those difficult times.

In 1 Samuel 21, we are shown how David reacted when Saul was set on killing him. David had to be resourceful to survive. I'm going to talk today about the biblical lessons of being resourceful and how to get through times when the wheels seem to be coming off.

I know these are tough times. Some of you are wondering how you’re going to make it through Christmas and into the new year of 2009. I want to compare that reality to the story of David escaping from Saul. What David went through is worse than anything any of us are facing. He became a fugitive, fleeing for his life, trying to survive with nothing.

David became very resourceful. He went to the priest Ahimelech and first asked for food. The priest gave him consecrated bread, which David could eat because he was pure. David was a man after God’s own heart.

David then asked the Ahimelech for a weapon. The priest gave him Goliath’s sword. This had to be so encouraging to David to see how God provided for his needs. The sword must have reminded David of God’s faithfulness and protection when he faced the giant.

God provided what David needed when he needed it. God also has been faithful to you in the past, and He will be faithful to you in the future. There is no need to be afraid; God knows your needs and when you need them. He wants you to look to Him to provide the resources you need.

Here are some practical steps to become resourceful:

1. Make a list, or inventory, of everything have right now. Even if you think you have nothing, you’re probably going to discover that you have more than you thought. Determine to be a great steward of whatever you have. Be thankful for what God has given you and ask Him for ideas about how to best use it. God once gave me the idea to an economy car and sell it at a profit. I did that several times and made enough money to provide for my famiy's needs at that time.
2. Make a list of what you need for the future. Determine which need is your top priority. Ask God if there’s anything He’s already given you that can be used to meet that top priority. This helps you become resourceful. For example, you could begin working an extra day, Saturday, to earn more income.
3. Make a list of the people you are called to serve and their needs. I understand the fear of not being able to provide for your family. Prioritize the needs and begin to pray and ask God to meet them.

We once befriended an elderly neighbor with some health issues and helped him out whenever we could. Later, the man's son moved into the neighborhood and wanted to repay our kindness, so he provided free classical guitar lessons to my son, saving us money.

God works in mysterious ways and He will provide. When you are most afraid, boast in the Lord and He will deliver the resources you need.

Fearing the Future

Many financial decisions that Christians make are motivated by fear of the future rather than by trust in God and in His provision.

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Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness

Regardless of what we have been through or what we will have to go through in the future, our Lord is there and will always be with His children.

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Prosper in a Declining Economy

Newscasts report daily that our economy is on a downward trend. We have compiled a list of things you can do to survive or thrive in our current economy.

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My God Shall Provide

We must realize that the Lord is our provider; our jobs are only instruments of His provision.

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Other Resources:

• ABCs of Money Package
• Career Direct
• God's Principles for Operating a Business
• Business By the Book
• Crown Mvelopes