Financial Discipleship – the Bible on God's PartSample

It was the fall of 2021. Nate and I had just begun planning our wedding. And it didn’t take long to learn that planning one of the best days of our lives was going to be tough.

One of the first things I did was look up how much the average couple spent on their wedding, and I was shocked. Upwards of $30,000! Needless to say, we were determined not to go down the same path—no matter how many opinions we would receive from others.

But as the days went by, everything started to add up quickly. Of course, we saved as much as possible every chance we could get and found ways to cut costs. Even still, some things were just going to be expensive. “Okay, so we can’t book that venue. We’ll find somewhere better,” we said. “Okay, the catering is going to cost more than we thought. But we are still within our budget,” we reassured ourselves. Then, the unexpected happened: Nate lost his job… Two months before the big day…

I was ready to say, “Forget it. We don’t need to have a ceremony or anything like that.” But friends and family protested, so... we continued planning. And all the additional support we received afterward was simply remarkable.

One of our family members paid for the reception; our planner found floral arrangements and extra items we needed at no cost; and we started getting cash from folks who didn’t even know about all the obstacles we were facing. Even someone I’d only met over Zoom called me one day to say God told her to give to us! I wouldn’t have believed any of this if I hadn’t experienced it firsthand. What other explanation for all of this is there but God?!

That’s why I share this story: Because I learned during that season of our lives that God’s role in our lives is bigger than I realized. See, while Nate and I were busy planning and saving, thinking we were going to get everything done ourselves, the Lord already knew He would get it done for us...

Even though I knew that God plays a part in every area of our lives, in all the excitement of that season... I lost sight of that... God quickly reminded me that my math and His math are two completely different things (Isaiah 55:8-9)... Why should we think that we have to do everything either on our own or with God as the sidekick, when His Word tells us to cast all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7)?

Whatever "it" is in your life—health, work, family, love, or money—remember that God cares about all of it. If it matters to you, then it matters to Him. Like any good parent, our Heavenly Father wants the best for His children.

God wants you to allow Him to play an active part in your life. Let Him play the leading role.

With gratitude,

Melody Stampley

Managing Editor, Compass Global

(excerpt taken from “Who Has the Leading Role in Your Life?”, 2023)