Balanced: SpendingSample

ASK BEFORE YOU SPEND!

What would happen if you prayed more before deciding to spend? In 2 Chronicles chapters 14 through 16, we read about Asa, a king of Judah, who is commended as one who “did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.” (14:2) Asa offered a prayer seeking God’s help and declaring His reliance on the LORD. As a result, God gave the people of Judah a military victory over an army almost twice their size! (14: 8-13). Asa’s reliance on God resulted in peace for Judah for more than 30 years.

But then another army came against Judah, and Asa’s response was different. Rather than a prayer, Asa spent a great amount of silver and gold to secure the help of the King of Syria. At first, it appears that this wealth was well spent. But Hanani, the seer, tells Asa that the king chose to rely on Syria rather than on God. As a result, the seer says, “the army of the king of Syria has escaped you” and “from now on, you will have wars.”

What a sad story of one who had been very blessed as he learned to rely on God, but in a moment, chose to rely on his wealth to spend his way out of his problem. If only he had stopped to pray and seek the LORD as he had done before. Asa would have found help without the loss of great wealth and, more importantly, would have discovered God’s even greater plan for peace. Asa would not have gotten in the way of that plan if only he had prayed.

You may not be facing armies of hundreds of thousands, but every day God sees the challenges ahead of you. And he knows His plans and how he is working for you and even more for His Kingdom. Oh, how much heartache we may be bringing on ourselves by relying on our wisdom and spending before we put ourselves in a place of reliance on Him through prayer! It’s simple, costs you nothing, and takes a small amount of time! Ask before you spend!

Ask Yourself:

-How do my spending habits reveal my self-reliance?

-What spending decisions should I be praying about right now?

Pause to Pray: O Lord, there is none like you to help between the mighty and the weak. Help me, O Lord my God, for I rely on you, and in your name, I face the challenges ahead of me. O Lord, you are our God. Amen. (Based on the prayer of Asa)

Take a Next Step: Make a list of challenges you are facing that may require spending. Begin praying over this list, asking God for wisdom and direction. When answers come, and decisions are made, note the answers on the same paper. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the answers and guidance you have received.

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