Financial fear is a reality in so many households. Inflation is soaring, gas prices are rising, housing costs are astronomical, and groceries are becoming more expensive every day. If you’re single, it often feels like anything you engage in outside of work requires spending money. It’s easy to see your wallet get thinner when you buy a cup of coffee or a snack or join a lunch or dinner gathering.
And forget about any sports or entertainment events – those add even more expense. For any hard-working mom and dad, it’s incredibly stressful to make ends meet – putting food on the table, paying for kids’ extracurricular activities, and allowing them to participate in social gatherings, which now often require pitching in a portion of the cost.
Sports, clubs, and other children’s activities seem to hold multiple fundraisers throughout the year, and just when you think you’ve caught your breath, you’re asked to donate here and there. You work hard and thank God for your job, but your income just doesn’t keep up with the demands of daily life.
It’s even worse if you lose your job and your source of income dries up completely. You try to cut back wherever you can, but it feels impossible to reduce all the bills and costs of living. If you turn to credit cards, you only sink deeper into the stress of financial disaster. Fear starts to take over every aspect of your life.
As Christians, we have an invitation to place our hope and trust in our faithful God. Here are seven Bible verses that offer comfort in times of financial distress. Let these verses motivate you to declare God’s promises over your life and surrender all your fears to our loving Lord.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19, NIV
In our daily struggles, we can easily be blinded by our fear of the uncertainties of tomorrow and the days to come. But God, our Father, promises that He will take care of every single need we have. This verse emphasizes that God’s ability to meet our needs is not limited by earthly standards; it is vast and generous, reflecting His glorious nature.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:31-33, NIV
Jesus asks us to focus solely on His kingdom, which can take many forms: reading the Bible, studying His Word privately or in Bible classes, sharing the Gospel, and unconditionally loving those around you – your family members, friends, coworkers, cashiers, service providers, and everyone you encounter in your daily life.
Seeking the Kingdom first means living by faith, following the teachings of Jesus Christ, humbling yourself, and being open to God using you in both small and big ways.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. – 2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV
This verse highlights God’s ability to provide abundantly for us – something we can hardly grasp with our limited minds. Yet, our God is fully able to provide, enabling us to continue doing good.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV
Trusting in God’s wisdom and guidance is crucial during uncertain times. This step of trust requires a lot of humility, as you admit that you are not able to understand or control everything.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7, NIV
You can keep repeating this verse in your mind over and over again as a prayer, surrendering all your worries to the Almighty, and declaring back to God that He promises He cares for you, He loves you, and He desires the best for you – even in situations when nothing seems to make sense.
Surrendering and repeating that God is faithful, that He promises to care for you, and that He never lies will remind you that He will bring you through these difficulties, just as He always has.
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ – Hebrews 13:5, NIV
This verse brings a lot of conviction to our hearts. As humans, we are tempted to become lovers of money; the more we have, the more we desire on this earth. But God is calling us to live differently, to be thankful for what we have, and to trust that He will never abandon us in our distress.
A good practice to start in your daily routine is to walk around your house, thanking God for both the small and the big blessings. While driving, be thankful for your vehicle. Thank God for your loved ones, your friends, your church community, your health, and so much more. The practice of gratitude will greatly help you shift from fear to joy and peace.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. – Psalm 23:1, NIV
This well-known verse could be the one you choose to repeat over and over again. As you take a deep breath in, say, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” and as you breathe out, repeat, “I lack nothing.” Meditate on God’s Word and His promises. The reassurance of God’s care will strengthen you through all moments of distress.
Financial fear is darkening many households today, as the cost of living rises rapidly while income sources become harder to increase. The stress of making ends meet can paralyze anyone with many responsibilities, especially when unexpected expenses arise, or the threat of job loss is imminent.
However, as believers, we have God’s promises in the Holy Bible, given to us for peace and assurance. Scripture reassures us that God knows every need we have, and He promises to meet them. Jesus also commands us not to worry about what we will eat or what we will wear. Our Lord teaches us to seek His Kingdom first, and everything else will be provided.
As Christians, we stand on God’s promises that He cares for us, loves us, and desires for us to live in complete peace, trusting in Him as our provider. If you’re struggling to process your fears and find peace, Christian counseling services are available to help you practice trust and experience God’s peace in your life.
“Business Plan”, Courtesy of Getty Images, Unsplash.com, Unsplash+ License; “Taxes”, Courtesy of Oleg Ivanov, Unsplash.com, Unsplash+ License; “Personal Finances”, Courtesy of Oleg Ivanov, Unsplash.com, Unsplash+ License; “Change Jar”, Courtesy of Frank van Hulst, Unsplash.com, Unsplash+ License
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Kristina Banaitis: Author
I am humbled and honored to be a vessel of God to serve others as a therapist. As a licensed counselor, my passion is to provide Christian counseling to individuals, families, and groups struggling with a wide variety of concerns, including anxiety,...
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Kate Motaung: Curator
Kate Motaung is the Senior Writer, Editor, and Content Manager for a multi-state company. She is the author of several books including Letters to Grief, 101 Prayers for Comfort in Difficult Times, and A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging...
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