Yo, I’m Broke

Fun fact: I’m not making any money! Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because that’s not why I do what I do. I’m not writing, speaking, and ministering to make a quick buck (and God help me if I ever do it for that reason). My work is intended for an eternal gain, not a material one. But that doesn’t change the reality that you need to make a living in order to live. Especially for handicapped living. It’s expensive, people! And that’s why it’s so intimidating that I’m currently taking in next to zero income.

My lack of revenue and a viable salary has certainly played a role in the impatience, fear, and discouragement that I have recently written about. Which is pretty sad, because it reveals that I am trusting in money far more than I should. I’m not proud of this, but I’m not really surprised. Who of us hasn’t struggled with the worship of mammon at some point or another?

Riches are so easy for us to trust in. Money gets stuff done! And we’ve got stuff to do! It doesn’t take much for greed to slowly begin to control you. The search for immediate gratification and satisfaction of your goals breeds the behavior with ease. Are these not our natural tendencies? Of course they are! Otherwise Christ would not have shared these words in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

We can only serve one master. Jesus makes it clear that the godless world’s preferred master is its money. Without a sovereign authority to trust in what else could drive you but the currency everything operates under? Logically speaking, nothing. Yet we know greed is fundamentally wrong, so we hope for an alternative. The only way to find one is through a supernatural means. In a deity that is pleased to meet our needs. We find it in the almighty King of kings!

In Luke 4:4 Jesus also reminds us, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” This is a great comfort because that means we don’t have to be consumed by attaining material substance in order to live through life. We can be certain that relying on the words of God and trusting Him to be our supplier will always lead to our needs being met. He undoubtedly meets the needs of the rest of His creation; Is it too much of a stretch to believe He’ll do the same for us? (Matthew 6:26)

I wholeheartedly believe He’ll do it! So yeah, I’m broke. I barely have a dollar to my name. And so what?! Maybe it’s better this way. All that I have has been granted to me by another anyways. I’ll gladly let Him handle the means of my sustenance. The only thing the gracious lender asks of me is to be faithful with what I have. To multiply His kingdom by attributing all to Him and spreading the wealth of His goodness!

In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) Jesus actually addresses those who use what they have to multiply the Kingdom of God in this way, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” I must assume that this promise still applies when I have what seems to be virtually nothing. I say virtually because in reality, I actually have more than enough. Which, as the Lord meant to convey, puts me in the exact same category as the story’s servants. And while I do my best to be faithful with my little bit of a lot, I continually find the promise to ring true!

If we allow God to use us to accomplish His will, He will continually use us to accomplish even more. Then we will enter into the joy of our Lord! And only then will we truly be rich. By faith, continue in faithfulness, regardless of the material the work may produce.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” – Philippians‬ ‭4:19-20‬