WHY ARE YOU BROKE?(A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON CHRISTIAN FINANCES)

Date: 02/09/25

Christian Treasures Devotion

Topic: Why are you Broke? (A Christian perspective on Finances)

Anchor Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:10

When we were with you, we commanded that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”

Welcome to the third quarter of the year! May you be blessed in Jesus' name. Today's devotion focuses on why Christians should avoid behaviors that lead to financial struggles. The Bible teaches us how to prosper, and we shouldn’t remain broke.

A brother moved to the United Kingdom with his family from a less developed country. After arriving, he worked hard to gain more degrees and skills to find a job, but it took a long time. Eventually, he secured a job and was thankful to God.

The following Sunday, he shared his testimony at church. After the service, another member from his home country criticized him for testifying about getting hired as an office cleaner, saying he should have waited for a better job. Ironically, the critic himself was unemployed; his wife was working while he waited for a "perfect" opportunity.

What does the Bible say about work and money?

Our Anchor Scripture tells us the need for everyone to work. The Bible frowns at laziness. Apostle Paul gave this admonition in Thessalonians because some brethren refused to work, instead feeding fat on other brethren.

Secondly, Apostle Paul was a tenth maker, though he was a trained lawyer. But he had to adjust as a tent maker to meet his needs because, as a lawyer, he persecuted the church, but with great humility, he turned to tent making.

Being "broke" means failing to provide the basic necessities: shelter, food, and clothing.

Common Reasons Why Christians Stay Broke.

1. *Unrealistic Goals*: Some people refuse to take any job unless it's exactly what they want. For example, the Apostle Paul was a trained lawyer, but he also worked as a tent maker to support himself.

2. *Not accepting any job because it’s not prestigious enough can lead to financial struggles. Paul took a humble job to provide for himself. Apostle Paul, was a lawyer by training, but he became a tent maker, but became a tent maker to make ends meet. Because as a lawyer he worked against the flicks of Christ before God himself changed him.

3. Laziness: The Bible advises against laziness. If you don’t use your abilities, they can weaken over time. Staying active at work is essential. The Bible teaches against slothfulness. This is where the animal” Sloth” got its name from. Medically, refusing to use arms makes one lose the firmness of the muscles, then over time, the arms become slack.

4.*High Standards Setting unrealistic expectations for yourself can be dangerous.

5. Dreams: It’s good to have ambitions, but waiting for your dream job without taking action can be unwise. You need to find work to meet your basic needs.

Biblical Lessons to Overcome Financial Struggles

- Pursue Excellence: Do whatever you do well, as Ecclesiastes 9:10 advises, because time is limited.

- Move On from Past Failures*:Progress comes from looking forward, not dwelling on what went wrong.

- Create Your Own Opportunities: Don’t wait; take initiative and use your time wisely, like the ants instructed in Proverbs 6:6-8.

- Use Social Media Wisely: Explore opportunities online; learn useful skills that can help you.

- Stay Updated: Keep up with trends; know when it’s time to enhance your skills and gain new qualifications.

Reflection: Let’s think about these points and make any necessary changes. May the Lord guide us toward success in Jesus' name. Amen.

Let’s Pray

Almighty God, you are the great El-Shaddai; everything belongs to you. Thank you for your guidance and the plans you have for me. All glory to you, in Jesus' name. Amen.

If you found this post helpful, please subscribe to our blog. Thank you!