God Helps Those Who Trust in Him
by Candice Watters on 04/07/2008 at 12:31 PM
Last week during the vigorous discussion about how career pursuits can undermine a woman's desire for having children, this comment came in, chiding me for suggesting it's good to "budget for everything but the babies."
Oy, Candice.
I was raised that G-d helps those who help themselves. The idea that you will be provided for regardless of how poorly you plan is irresponsible and reckless. As much as you have been lucky up to this point, you won't always be in that position.
Sorry, but I've been through enough to know better than to have a safety net of savings and "Plan B," if my current situation goes south.
I grew up watching a family member suffer through a serious illness that sapped our finances. Sure we got through it (and I have a book filled with a million ways to cook beans), but we "cowboyed up" and took charge of the situation, not sit passively by and expect the Almighty to take care of the situation.
Maybe this is a topic for another blog post, but I'd love to hear how you expect to take care of things should someone become seriously ill, unable to work or the work dries up while home heating bills skyrocket.
Throughout Scripture, children are a blessing and wealth. Nowhere are God's people told to delay or forgo having babies because they are too poor, or as you say, may end up that way due to some catastrophe. Even God's own Son was born into a poor family who quite possibly faced the types of hardships you mentioned. In fact, up until recent history, the majority of people did struggle for mere survival. What's interesting is how many of them said the one thing that gave them joy in the midst of their trials was their children.
Am I saying that you shouldn't begin saving money now in the event you need it for something unexpected later? Certainly not. I'm a big fan of Dave Ramsey and other wise money advisers. By all means, be wise (Proverbs about not fearing for the days to come). But don't be afraid. Don't make decisions based on what could or might happen. And certainly don't say no to the one wealth we're encouraged to embrace—children—simply because you're not quite sure how all the finances will work out. Since the beginning of time, couples have figured things out as needed. It's time we stop being so calculated that we cut ourselves off from one of the highest joys in life.
So, does God help those who help themselves? According to GotQuestions.org,
"God helps those who help themselves" is probably the most often quoted phrase that is not found in the Bible. This is actually a quote from Ben Franklin and it appeared in Poor Richard's Almanac in 1757. In fact the Bible teaches the opposite. God helps the helpless! Isaiah 25:4 declares, "For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat..." Romans 5:6 tells us, "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."
It's a uniquely western notion that what children need most is money. The most important thing is not money, but a God-honoring, secure, committed and healthy marriage. What matters is marriage.
1. Christina (in green) said the following at 12:43 PM on Apr 7:
Thanks Candice =)
Good response to the "God helps those who help themselves."
2. Amir Larijani said the following at 1:49 PM on Apr 7:
I remember the story of Chuck Colson--as a new Christian--who tried to find that favorite Bible verse ("God helps those who help themselves"), only to find that it wasn't in the Bible.
3. a sassy sister said the following at 1:50 PM on Apr 7:
Candice,
I don't believe the OP of that comment was saying that parents should not have children until they have a six-figure income. I believe the OP was saying that she doesn't believe it to be wise to have children and not have ANY BIT OF FINANCIAL STABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR THEM.(I capitalized because I don't know how to italicize on posts, so for the record, I'm not yelling.)
You have a lot of people who said that "God will provide", have several children, and are steeped in debt upt to their eyeballs. What kind of example does that send to their children 20 years later when they are faced with the same decision?Granted there are plenty of people regardless of marital status that struggle financially. But this is not about the financial comfort of the parent; this is about the ability to provide basic needs (food, water, clothing,shelter) to children.
And as far as being too "calculated?" You have got to be kidding me, Candice. We are talking about provding for the the needs of another person's life here, not our concern for trying to create the "perfect" family, or even trying to make things "perfect".
The sad part is that from this posting, it seems that you believe that a Christian's success in life is dependent upon their marital status and how many children they have. Silly me---I thought success meant doing God's will FOR MY LIFE, DAY BY DAY AND STEP BY STEP.
4. The G said the following at 2:45 PM on Apr 7:
Thank you for addressing the "God helps those who help themselves" line. I hear it so often from Christians and non-Christians alike, it bothers me that people think it's somewhere in Scripture.
The expression exists in other languages/cultures as well, so I doubt Franklin came up with it. At the same time, hearing the phrase makes me picture atheists/pantheists using this sentiment to highlight their own efforts and calling that "god."
5. Sarah22 said the following at 2:54 PM on Apr 7:
Good response Candice. I wouldn't have known where to start as that whole message was a little muddled and confusing...
6. Marci said the following at 2:59 PM on Apr 7:
Hey All,
this is a great post. It really is sad that some societies have de-emphsized marriage and committment, while shoring up notions that money will more than compensate for a rocky home life. Yes, we must be wise with everything we're blessed with, but women should pay attention to the optimal times *biologically* to have children...
What I think is sad is how many women/couples put off having children till they have "enough money/security" ...only to find out that because of biology, it's harder to have children than they thought. Worse still, some couples end up spending a good deal of money (some even mortgage their homes) to have children if medical intervention is needed because the optimal biological time for conceiving is past. It's ironic, that's for sure....
If I listened to some people talk, I'd never even start trying to have a child until my career was established (hopefully in my 30s? Doing grad studies right now...)...but that would not be the best time to try to conceive. Some female profs in the program have really been encouraging women to have kids in grad school, so that they won't end up locked out of childbearing for biological reasons while they strive for tenure....not that the mat leave situation is great in grad school, but I'd rather try in grad school than not have kids at all (not that you can't have kids later...it's just considered by some profs to be the kiss of death career- wise to have kids before getting tenure if you don't have kids in grad school).
Obviously thinking too much at present,
Marci
7. Rachel said the following at 3:07 PM on Apr 7:
I've too often met women who abort their unborn babies because they don't "have enough money" -- and I'm not talking about just our "poverty line" clients, but also about our $70,000+ a year clients. There's a mentality that children should have "everything they need" growing up and that doesn't mean love, shelter, food, medical care but also every toy, movie, club, activity, etc. imaginable and if you're unable to provide that, well... I think it's good to *plan* for children and the kind of financial stability you want to have in order to provide a good life for them, but I think we need to seriously reevaluate what we think it "costs" to have a child.
8. Tara said the following at 3:21 PM on Apr 7:
I wonder if the expression would read better as "God helps us help ourselves and others". We often need to do the work to get things done but the strength and resources come from God.
9. P&P said the following at 3:35 PM on Apr 7:
Wow, I'm called out in an official blog post. I'm flattered.
You mentioned Dave Ramsey in your post and from what I can gather, even he thinks it's a good idea to be in sound financial shape before you start a family. I'm sure it's because he of all people knows that money troubles are the fastest way to sink an otherwise strong and committed marriage.
Platitudes might make for a nice blog post, but they certainly don't pay the bills. My feeling is if you aren't fiscally responsible (minimal debt, good budget, emergency fund, etc.) before you have children, you're asking for trouble once they're born, both in your marriage and in your finances.
This may be a bit cheeky, but since FOTF seems to have a relationship with Mr. Ramsey, I'd be curious as to whether he would respond if you passed this along to him.
10. J Dubya said the following at 4:01 PM on Apr 7:
THANK YOU! I am glad someone is pointing out the stupidity of that statement "God helps those who help themselves." I hate that statement almost as much as this one "everyone goes through problems" that's spoken when you're trying to talk to someone about something you're going through. With the intension of wanting you to feel like you're not alone, it has the opposite effect.
"God helps those who help themselves" is a smack in the face to those born with defects, learning disabilities or people who have had arms and limbs amputated in war. It is one of the most self-absorbed, egotistical pieces of philosophical crap I've ever heard.
11. B.M. said the following at 4:40 PM on Apr 7:
Good points! That said, I think many Christians come down unnecessarily hard only Franklin's pithy saying that "God helps those who help themselves." He is merely making the very valid point that those who call themselves Christians should be diligent, industrious and wise. It's reading a little too much into the phrase to assume that "helping yourself" necessarily means trusting in yourself and not God.
12. David said the following at 5:09 PM on Apr 7:
While I would never not have children because of my financial situation. I believe it is important to do your best to create a financially secure environment. While money is not the be all and end all, it is good to have around when things go wrong. My father often comments on how because he was financially secure, he was able to help his children more. Being the recipient of this, I would like to reciprocate to my own children. Again, I am not saying that money is more important than having a loving, godly family (which I had and would gladly take over money) rather it is an extra blessing when money is available. Therefore it would be prudent for each of us to be fiscally responsible and be good stewards of GOD'S money.
13. Sarah22 said the following at 5:16 PM on Apr 7:
SASSY SISTER: IT SEEMS YOU ARE OFTEN INTERESTED IN BEING THE DISSENTING VIEW TO EVERY BLOG ON THIS SITE SIMPLY FOR THE SAKE OF BEING DISSENTING. I FIND IT INTERESTING AS I PERSONALLY DON'T ENJOY INJESTING A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH; I QUICKLY LOSE INTEREST AND MOVE ON, BUT YOU ARE QUITE DELIGENT IN MAKING YOUR DISSATISFACTION WITH CANDICE AND THE REST OF THE WRITERS QUITE CLEAR. I GUESS YOU SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR YOUR DEDICATION? Sorry for the caps, I didn’t want you to miss anything. It’s hard to respond to your thoughts because what I gather from them is that you’ve completely exaggerated the idea presented and then argued with that exaggeration so the end result is relatively confusing.
14. P&P said the following at 6:26 PM on Apr 7:
J Dubya (#10)
"It is one of the most self-absorbed, egotistical pieces of philosophical crap I've ever heard."
I think you're overreacting just a tad.
Certainly the most disadvantaged should have as much assistance, whether it be from us or from the divine. However, if you have a strong back and a half-decent education there's no excuse for not helping yourself, rather than sit idly by with an air of entitlement that everything will be fine regardless of how foolish the decision.
15. Candice Watters said the following at 6:51 PM on Apr 7:
To a sassy sister: it's easy to italicize words with a simply html tag. To see the basics: bold, underline, italic, go here.
I just learned that the new way to do it is use "em" for "I". The "em" is for "emphasis." Whether "em" or "I," the tags will make whatever you put between those them italicized.
Like this:
I'm not yelling, I'm just italicizing.
Hope that makes sense.
16. BDB said the following at 7:00 PM on Apr 7:
>>Some female profs in the program have really been encouraging women to have kids in grad school, <<
Actually, grad school and mothering toddlers can go quite well together. For one thing, it's a great balance of adult intellectual stimulation. For another, it's possible to "pace" yourself and take a lighter load in many graduate programs. Going to grad school part-time while not working is much more flexible on the time schedule. And going through it at a leisurely pace may make it possible to pay cash instead of taking out loans.
Incidentally, it may be more accurate that God helps those who Trust Him and Obey his Commands. If God tells you to pay off your credit cards before having a kid, or buying a house, you should do it!
17. DannieA said the following at 7:10 PM on Apr 7:
Candice...
couples should be financially mature before having kids. Notice I said financially mature, not well-off or financially rich.
The reason is, that we are called to be stewards of everything in our lives. How on earth can we raise kids responsibly when our finances are a mess and there is a lazy attitude about it?
That being said if steps have already been taken to reduce debt...live frugally etc. then by all means have kids and don't wait for the 'perfect time'
18. Heidi said the following at 7:17 PM on Apr 7:
A certain verse places a connection with righteousness, children, and poverty: "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." - Psalm 37:25
19. em said the following at 7:45 PM on Apr 7:
Candice, I think you and the commenter are both right and seeing just two sides of the same coin. Truly, you are correct that "God helps those who helps themselves" is not a biblical phrase, rather "God gives grace to the humble." But there is also "go to ant, thou sluggard." And Scripture presents not a contradiction but a compatibalism between a wise person's planning and the direction of the Lord. "The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps." A wise person prepares AND trusts God.
20. Leah said the following at 8:20 PM on Apr 7:
a sassy sister- basic html code.
< i > will start italics (without the spaces) while < / i > will finish the italics.
< b > and < / b > for bold
< u > and < / u > for underline
As for the OP, I agree with most of it, but I also believe God gave us common sense and that we should try to help ourselves as much as possible. There is a difference between being irresponsible with what you have and being helpless.
21. Leah said the following at 8:25 PM on Apr 7:
P&P- there is a difference between financial responsibility and having lots of money saved up. Yes, parents should be financially responsible, but that does not mean they need lots of money saved up to have kids. Candice is not advocating financially irresponsible people have children without a thought towards finances, she is saying that you do not need lots of money saved up to have kids. That has nothing to do with financial responsibility/irresponsibility.
22. Louise said the following at 8:34 PM on Apr 7:
If anyone asked my advice about when to have children I would say, among other things, after you achieved some level of maturity, which to me includes financial security.
I would only offer advice if I were specifically asked however. Because when and if other people decide to have childen, and how many children to have, is not my business.
That being said, don't expect me to pay your bills for you if/when you are unable to pay them yourself.
Adults need to accept the consequences of their actions.
I am not trying to be mean here.
Just realistic.
23. amanda in taiwan said the following at 9:12 PM on Apr 7:
I appreciate your thoughtful response Candice. And am constantly telling others that Scripture says babies are blessings.
The only statement I disagree with is near the end you say "It's a uniquely western notion that what children need most is money."
It is NOT a uniquely *western* idea. It is alive and actively shaping families (or keeping families from forming at all) here in Asia as well. Many men and women do not want to marry because families are expensive and "troublesome." Many limit their children to just one because they are too expensive and require too much work.
An older Taiwanese gentleman was telling me just last week the only reason I should have two children is if the first one was a girl, it would be ok to try for a boy. Other than that--not ok--it'd be too expensive.
Seeing children as a burden and not a blessing is a problem that haunts all of our fallen, sinful world . . . not just the west.
24. Lauren T. said the following at 10:52 PM on Apr 7:
This discussion reminds me of a good story:
A man is told by the local fire/rescue squad to evacuate ahead of the flood, but he says, "I trust in God: he is taking care of me."
The floodwaters begin to rise and neighbors come by in a boat and try to rescue him. He says, "No, God's protecting me - he'll get me out of here!"
The flood gets even higher and the man's forced to climb out on the roof. A National Guard chopper comes by and tries to rescue him, but he waves them off saying, "No, God is going to rescue me!"
In the end, he drowns and winds up standing before God. He asks, "Why didn't you protect me, Lord?"
And God says, "I sent a fireman, a rowboat, and a helicopter. What more did you want?"
It's not that the man should've "helped himself" (because all those options were really gifts from God, so he was hardly helping himself): he should've recognized the opportunities God sent him instead of sitting back and expecting God to pick him up and move him out of harm's way.
People often think God reveals himself in a pillar of fire and parts the Red Sea when he helps people rather than recognizing God's often the "gentle whisper", sending the very ordinary rowboat as the miraculous rescue.
In that vein, I believe God often does miraculously provide for children. We have a story in our family about how God miraculously provided financially for me to be born...but he did it through the ordinary channels of helping my father get a good job after having been laid off from the old one right after my mother became pregnant.
If Dad had sat at home and not done a thing about finding a job, saying "God will provide"...I wonder if God would have just shaken his head and said, "I sent you this opportunity. What more did you want?" On the same hand, I'm convinced God did work a miracle: it was not just a happy accident or a result of Dad's serious job-hunting that got him the job.
I think that a man and woman need to be in a situation that will allow for children before they're married, though, so I suppose I already believe in having that foundation there before it's even possible to have kids.
I also think people have a very over-inflated view of all the ducks that need to be in the right rows for them to have children.
Having enough money saved up to deal with a possible serious illness requiring months in hospital is an extreme requirement for having kids.
Having regular money coming in so that hospital bills can be placed on account and payments made on them is much more of a reasonable way to look at it.
25. The G said the following at 1:27 AM on Apr 8:
To clarify, naturally people should put effort into their endeavors, but the context that I often hear the expression being used is at a point where someone feels like he has to take matters into his own hands in spite of something. When my non-Christians peers use the phrase, it sounds rather mocking, hence the interpretation, "What you call God, I call effort."
Franklin wasn't exactly Christian, so I wouldn't think he'd directly address Christians on their behavior -does anyone know the context of his utterance?
26. Farmer Pete said the following at 7:34 AM on Apr 8:
Could we please be wary - in such discussions - of using scripture to contradict scripture?
In considering the role of "our" efforts in achieving provision, it might be tempting to note the number of times in scripture in which food was miraculously provided. Manna in the wilderness. Thousands fed with a few loaves and fishes. A prophet fed by ravens and fishermen achieving a miraculous catch. Apparently supported by the words of Christ; "Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?" .......
Yet it is ALSO written "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat." and "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Consider that Jesus himself ate more frequently of meals prepared by human hands and bought by human coin than He did of miraculous provision.
Therefore I believe that God's provision is far more frequently worked out through the use of the gifts that He has already given us, (2 Peter 1:3)and that this is in accord with the injunction in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:15), that we use what we have been given , including wisdom (James 1:5)for this purpose.
It appears to me that the clear pattern of New Testament scripture is that God acts through us, and that we are expected to do what we can to be both wise and productive , so that we will not only not be a burden - and too often "God's provision", is taken to mean being provided for through the efforts of others - but that we may be of benefit to others who are truly helpless.
I see nothing in scripture that encourages passivity or any form of spiritual cargo cult. God does indeed give the increase, but there is sowing and watering to be done first, and this is done by His people.
In this sense, God does indeed those who "help themselves".
Please consider....... Peter
27. Lovely said the following at 7:41 AM on Apr 8:
In regards to the skeptics why cry 'stability', so many warn that you have to be financially stable in order to have children. I believe that wisdom goes much further than finances. So many people to my left and to my right are so obsessed with the material world that their definition of success primarily consists of 'keeping up with the Joneses'. No your child does not need an ipod or a cellphone, yes your child will live without a PS3, and don't worry your child's life will go on(despite their crying)with out tickets to a Hannah Montana concert. All the financial planning or even prosperity is worth nothing without faith. Job was one of the richest men in the world and as a test of faith and to prove Satan wrong, Job lost everything he had. His wealth, his children...everything. Now I wonder, which do you think he was more concerned about losing, his money or his children? All the planning in the world could not have prevented it the despair he faced. I think its interesting that so many of us become nearly as money obsessed as those who are of this world when we are commanded not to be conformed to it. We are putting our faith in money instead of the God whom we serve. My mother raised three girls on her own, my father never gave her a dime. So she prayed and kept it pushin, within a span of two weeks my mom got laid off from a really good job at IBM and the house that she was two payments away from owning was mowed to the ground by a hurricane. Who saw that one coming? On top of the fact that IBM paid so much during the nineties that she had to take a significant cut in pay to finally land a job again. So no I didn't have the nicest things but there was always food on our table, clothes on our back, and a roof over our head. Regardless, God always came through. Sure, I didn't get my first pair of Nikes until I was in 9th grade but I got over it. And I was happy to finally have a new Easter dress for Sunday. So be wise and put your faith in God, not in money. If 30 grand a year could support 3 growing kids, the rebuilding of our home, and medical expenses for my older sister's surgery, it had nothing to do with money and everything to do with God.
28. Read said the following at 7:55 AM on Apr 8:
"God helps us help our selves and others" I see what you did there and I like it!
P&P in post 9, I believe you have a very valid point. You have to make responsible decisions. If you have lived irresponsibly then there are usually consequences for that behavior. If you spent wildly and didn't save a nest egg in your youth and suddenly are to old to have children well that was the consequences of irresponsible decisions.
Although I very much believe in what you are promoting Candice, I've also seen what happens when someone takes it to an extreme. The first girl I ever dated wanted nothing more out of life then to be married and have children. When it turned out I wasn't fitting her time table she brokeup with me and married another guy 8 months later. Apparently that guys commitment to following God's will was stronger than mine. Fast forward five years later. They both dropped out of college and had two kids. He makes less that 20k a year and they live off food stamps. She miscarried recently because they couldn't afford the medical care she needed. Can you honestly tell me you believe they've done the right thing?
29. Jonathan Wise said the following at 8:16 AM on Apr 8:
You're right, the Bible doesn't actually say "God helps those who help themselves." Here's what it DOES say:
(Proverbs 6:6) “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.”
(Proverbs 20:4) “The lazy man will not plow because of winter; he will beg during harvest and have nothing.”
(Hebrews 6:10) “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name.”
(2 Thessalonians 3:10) “. . . If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
(1 Timothy 5:8) “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
I think its pretty obvious that God DOES want us to work hard, to plan ahead, to store up for the future, to be prepared for "winter."
While I might agree with the article on the notion that children are riches (blessed is the man whose quiver is full) the idea that you can just pop them out without planning, preparing and being financially able to provide for them -- or yourselves -- is NOT Biblical at all...
30. a sassy sister said the following at 9:32 AM on Apr 8:
Sarah22:
Before you characterize my posts as dissenting for the sake of dissenting, I would hope that you would not automatically assume that is the purpose of my posts and actually ask me that question outright. This not my intent at all; rather I am merely sharing my thoughts and opinions. Also, I have not totally disagreed with every posting on this site.
And as for the all caps, as I explained earlier in regards to its use in my posts, that was due to a lack of knowledge in regards to modifying text in posts, which, thanks to Candice's help, has been resolved.
But all in all, I would like to say thanks for adding a little light humor to my day. Because of it, I am making a concerted effort to be more clear in future comments and to be more kind and warm despite disagreement.
31. soren said the following at 10:05 AM on Apr 8:
If a god-honoring marriage is one that is "wise", even in matters of money, then dont christian parents have a responsibility to model wise financial decision-making to their children? Gods will for our lives is to obey his explicit commands, including both "be fruitful and multipy" AND "the wise man leaves an inheritance for his future generations." Doesnt seem like we should disregard wise financial decision making in the face of other commands.
32. Raj Sharma said the following at 12:49 PM on Apr 8:
To: Amanda #23
People hesitate to have more kids in the east because of the following 2 reasons:
for the most part the line between abject poverty and lower middle is very thin. They often lack any sort of governmental safety nets and fear that any sort of unemployment will force them to the streets.
Secondly, thanks to the pressure from Western governments, for years they have been brainwashed into "family planning, one child policy, the coming population explosion etc. etc." This kind of concerted effort will affect people's thinking.
Also, most people aren't in debt because of diapers, toys and baby food. Most people are in debt because of their own decisions and choices.
33. Marla Brown said the following at 2:49 PM on Apr 8:
From what I understand from some time of reading Candice, I strongly doubt that she is arguing (as P&P seems to assert) that there is no need for financial planning or stability or that the financially reckless will be provided for in some means a la manna falling from heaven. (While that would be nice, I don't believe God often works like that anymore!)
I believe the argument here is that the planning and budgeting many stable couples are apt to do often instill in them the sense that they (with proper management and time) can provide for any circumstance that might fall their way -- and that sense of faith in their own earthly planning can edge out trust in the Lord's plan. Planning is a good thing - but we don't know the Lord's plan for our lives or what tomorrow holds. Our meager ability to plan this year's finances or submit resumes for a better job is nothing compared to the awesome omnipotent power over the universe. You can plan all you want, but even the best laid plans can fall apart. Your bank could close, our currency could bottom out...etc etc.
I think, rather than putting my trust in my earthly power to protect myself and plan for myself, I will trust in the Lord's plan for me. Right now - that means a good job that He brought my way, a wonderful husband, and financial stability. Tomorrow? Who knows?
34. Mrs. B said the following at 8:33 PM on Apr 8:
I don't know that the times when the Bible speaks of an "inheritance" or "wealth" necessarily pertains to money... but then, I don't know Hebrew or Greek. I would do some research before quoting those verses as pertaining to money. And please do tell me if I'm wrong, but I would think they pertain to a more spiritual inheritance since, you know, we can only really store up stuff in heaven anyway...
And shouldn't the idea of "success" and "inheritance" and all that be about more than money anyway? Are we still stuck on the idea that if God lets us have a house and kids and a secure financial future it's because we're being "good Christians"? Anyone read Job lately?
God allows financial security to the faithful believer, to the believer living in sin, and to the lost. He also allows poverty for all three groups. You can do everything right and be faithful and God can take everything away, just like what He allowed to happen to Job, and not because He is a meanie but because somehow or another it pleases Him, whether the effects of it are in the forseeable future or not. You can also do nothing "right" and God will, by common grace, let you be financially successful (much less allow you to breathe). Therefore, you can have Christians who aren't in the best financial situation and we shouldn't assume it's because they were bad stewards.
I'm not saying we should be lazy and say "Oh, well, I'll be a bum and let God take care of it". I think we simply need to do what God TELLS US personally to do, whether or not it goes against societal norms, even within Christian circles.
I think we place too much importance on ourselves. We need to take baby steps each day, letting God's hand hold us up because if we try to walk on our own we'll fall flat on our face like a 2-year-old.
35. Jessica said the following at 8:45 PM on Apr 8:
I thought it was a very good response. Your writings have inspired me, Mrs. Watters. I only wish I'd had the courage to "pull a Ruth" with my Boaz.
36. DannieA said the following at 11:16 PM on Apr 9:
Sarah22
In case you hadn't noticed. The point of blogs are to read all kinds of views...not just views you agree with. Sassy sister has as much right to disagree with things as much as you have a right to agree with things.
thanks