I’ll warn you right now that my journal entries will very likely have some faith based content from time to time. This entry is one of those.
It’s interesting how constantly dependent I am on God’s provision.
The community college that I’m attending is only about 20 minutes away. It serves a very large portion of the Missouri side of the Kansas City area. I’m receiving a Pell Grant for this upcoming year and I was excited that the Grant would cover twice of what the tuition was going to be. This would allow the college to cut us a check for the difference right before Christmas. Knowing that I was going to get a check right before Christmas was of great comfort. I would possibly be able to take a few days off from work and school at the same time.
Well, it’s not going to work out that way. The local college has broken up the surrounding area by School District and apparently our district is just barely outside the coverage area. Because of this my tuition is now doubled. The Pell Grant is still going to cover everything but just barely. Currently I have $545.00 coming back to me except I still have to purchase books. I doubt we will see very much of that cash. Still, I need to be thankful because I should be able to complete this semester without any money out of pocket.
There is a verse in the Bible that states, “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to make it into heaven”. The Bible isn’t saying that rich people can’t go to heaven. It is also not saying that you have to get rid of all your money to be saved. The point is that as we become more wealthy it’s easy to put our faith and hope in our financial strength. Let’s face it. You can pretty much buy anything you want in America. Money CAN buy happiness and the temptation to see God as less useful will grow as we become less dependent on Him for our needs.
I don’t believe God goes out of His way to keep people broke. I still believe in the idea that our current circumstances can be a result of the choices we’ve made.
I do want a better financial future for my family, what I don’t want is so much wealth that I lose my sense of dependence upon God’s provision.
James,
Don’t forget to look for your books online. When I was in school I used half.com but I bet you can use Amazon now. Also, you can buy the international versions, there are very minimal differences.
Thanks, Josh.
Those locations are on the list for sure!
Appreciate your openness and honesty. I think you are on a good path…trusting God along the way, regardless of the circumstances. Keep moving forward Brother….God is good….
Thanks, Brent.
A great post James. I think money can be used to create happiness, if it is managed correctly and we don’t become consumed by the things we do to acquire it. Even if you acquire a large amount of wealth, if you stick to your guiding principles and manage it for the greater good it can create happiness through experiences with you family and friends, even strangers that you are able to bless in some way. With the sense of gratitude you display, I don’t think losing your sense of dependence on God’s provision would be a problem for you!
I appreciate that a lot, Rob.
Hopefully, your assessment of me is accurate. Hopefully, I’ll get to find out! lol
I was disappointed for you when you found out about that ridiculous redistricting thing.
However, pretty cool when you think about it that God knew what you would need money-wise for this, even though you didn’t, and He provided! I would take that as a pretty good sign that you are on the right path. He can take care of those other needs you’ll have come Christmas time, as you well know.
One of the things we’ve been talking about in church and that I’ve been picking up from Dave Ramsey lately is a slightly different perspective of the idea of being a wealthy Christian, and that is that God does want us to prosper in all ways, including finances, but it isn’t merely so that we can have a big stockpile of cash and do what we want but so that we are “equipped for every good work”.
There are rich people who still rely entirely on God as their source and I firmly believe that they have this attitude because God directs them to give and give and give and that attitude of being willing to part with the money and things that have come your way keeps your attitude where it needs to be. I think as we become “faithful in the little things”, meaning we do with our money now what we know God wants us to do (tithe, give as he directs, ask for His guidance on expenditures) then God will direct us in ways that bring more prosperity into our lives and that just increases our opportunities to give.
I don’t want to get out of debt and get more prosperous just so that I can hoard up a bunch of cash for some inevitable disaster I fear may come. I want to build up a responsible amount of savings and then (and now) I want to be a financial blessing to anyone to whom God directs or any need I see that I can step in and help with.
Carl, I have no doubt that you will do exactly that!