Live Wellنموونە

Relational and Financial Wellbeing

Relational wellbeing and financial wellbeing are often inter-connected – but let’s start with our relationships. We’re designed for connection with other humans. Our relationships with others reflect our relational God, who exists in perfect, eternal fellowship – Father, Son, and Spirit.

Research reveals that people with strong relationships enjoy greater psychological and physical health. Conversely, the absence of meaningful connections (and the ensuing loneliness) negatively impacts overall wellbeing. A key factor in Elijah’s collapse was that, at the moment of his greatest vulnerability, he dismissed his servant and closest companion, heading into the wilderness alone. His sense of isolation went beyond his personal relationships. He said to God at Mount Horeb, ‘I am the only one left…’ Of course, this wasn’t true. God restored to Elijah a significant friendship in the form of Elisha, and this encouraged Elijah in the final years of his ministry. The enemy is bent on convincing you that you’re the only one who feels what you feel or faces what you face, but he’s a liar. Today, start telling yourself the truth.

What’s more, don’t push away the people God has designed to help you. As ever, Jesus is our ultimate example when it comes to relationships. He shared the highs and lows of His earthly life with his closest friends and disciples, prioritising time with them. Plug into a local church, cultivate healthy relationships, get good at asking forgiveness and forgiving others, and learn to lean on a community when the pressures of life threaten to overwhelm you.

Now, what about financial wellbeing? God is actually very interested in our finances and how we handle them. Our financial worries or misspending can have an extremely negative impact on other areas of our wellbeing.

The first key to financial wellbeing is good stewardship. God owns everything; we’re just called to manage what He gives us wisely and share what He gives us generously. The second key to financial wellbeing is a right perspective on poverty and prosperity. Jesus steered us away from both materialism and the fear of lack by commanding us to seek first His Kingdom and assuring us that all the rest – what we need, and then some – will be added to us.

In the first part of Elijah’s ministry, he was completely committed to God and His cause. He trusted God implicitly to provide, even in times of famine, and God miraculously did. Take time today to thank God for all the ways He has supernaturally met your financial or material needs, and consider whether He’s prompting you to be His hands and feet, providing materially for someone else.

Everything you have – your friends and finances – comes from God. Pray for the wisdom and capacity to foster healthy relationships and to manage your money in God-honouring ways. May you flourish in these significant areas of life, enjoying the abundant life Jesus came to bring.