Here are four biblical things you can do when you find yourself in a financial crisis…
1. Be Upfront and Honest
If you owe money to some of your debtors, there’s nothing wrong with asking them to structure your payments over a period of time. That’s what I did.
Years ago, I got way behind in my gas and electric bills because I was unemployed for about three months, and since I was young and hadn’t paid enough into unemployment for the state to allow me some help, I had to take little odd jobs: babysitting, housecleaning, tutoring etc.
Whatever I could find to do, I did it. I ask people for help by allowing me to work for them to pay some of my debtors off, and my utility company divided what I owed them and spread it out over six months.
Most people don’t want others to know when they are going through hard times financially and I get it. I’m a pretty private person myself. I’m not saying you need to broadcast it to everyone, but I guarantee you… keeping it a secret won’t help your situation one bit.
James says, “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). It costs nothing to ask for help.
2. Increase your Giving
This might sound a little crazy considering you’re already having a financial crisis, right? You may be thinking… ” I don’t have anything to give.” But here’s the thing… Even when you’re going through a financial crisis, you should be giving…at least something.
When we don’t give anything, God cannot bless our giving. We cannot out-give God, so when you’re faced with a financial issue, give to others who have little or nothing.
Jesus tells us to “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
If your giving doesn’t measure out to very much or nothing at all, that may be the reason you’re having financial troubles in the first place.
3. Seek Counsel
I once had a co-worker who was a single mother of two. From the outside looking in she seemed as though she lived a good life financially. While I on the other hand (single with no kids) was barely making ends meet. We both lived off the same salary. So what made the difference? She kept a strict budget while I splurged.
Sometimes it’s just a matter of keeping a budget. In the least, you can write down your monthly expenses to see where some of your spending might not be necessary or important.
There are rock-solid Christian financial counselors available who are ready to help you today. Just give them a call. That is their calling; to help believers make sense of their financial mess and to help them learn how to sort it all out.
The Bible tells us that “in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).
4. Fall to Your Knees
I don’t literally mean we literally “fall down” except to say, when we’re in any kind of trouble, financial or otherwise, we would do well to fall to our knees and cry out to God.
The psalmist says, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18), so don’t try to make it on your own. Fall on your face, cry out to God, and He will save “the crushed in spirit,” no matter what you’re going through.
Overcoming Your Financial Crisis
When you’re in a financial straight, fall to your knees (if it’s physically possible) and cry out to God. Of course, you can pray in any position, but my point is show God you’re serious by coming to Him in prayer.
At least give a little of what little you have and sow it into the kingdom.
Make sure you seek godly counsel from a church leader or Christian counselor, and finally, ask for help.
People (including those you owe money too) might surprise you by being more than willing to work with you.
Even when it seems like nothing is coming your way, God always knows how to miraculously provide!
