Money Matters

There is a balancing line I am trying hook onto as far as handling money is concerned. Money is practically vital that it has even become the main cause of concern in every one's life. Its effect is felt in all sphere of life, be it spiritual, social or even personal. The hard lesson is not about management of money as far as I am concerned, but about "to lend or not to lend" when fellow brothers and sisters are in genuine need. I have been facing this dilemma time and again. 

When the saints need help financially and come for fellowship, should I spiritualise the matter and just ask them to trust the Lord exercising their faith? Should I simply turn them away? If I have money at hand I always would prefer to help and reckon it as a blessing. But the case as always has been is, there has hardly been any repayment, though some slow, not that it will never be repaid back. As a brother, I always love to help as long as it is within my capacity to help. And I count it all joy and blessing to be able to help. 

Recently, the Lord led me to experience the side of the lender where I have to manage at the minimal possible because almost all I have at hand have been loaned to others in need. To the extend that I myself become the one in need, save for the fact that I would not borrow from others. On considering to ask back from those to whom I have lent, I had my reservation and would prefer that they pay back on their own. When they don't payback, I am left as the victim of loaned out lender. 

Well, I don't mind being such, as this gives me the first hand experience of what is to be in lack. And how one manages one's livelihood in want; the feeling within and the faith emanating thereof to trust the Lord is worth the experience. So I got to experience being in abundance and being in lack as well. 

One thing for sure is the Lord's faithfulness in all these experiences. I am learning lessons on how to abound and how to be abased. Despite the lack, all that are necessary and needed for the family have all been well taken care. 

Though money plays a vital role in every sphere of livelihood, one must not love it, nor be lorded over by it. Money should never be one's master but always be the slave. Use money for rightful purposes and be not enslaved by it. Trust the Lord who provides and honors Him with it and lords over it.

This is my simple money matter that I have been experiencing these days.