1 Kings 17:14 (NLT)
“For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”
A Word Before We Begin
At our church, we talk about biblical giving twice a year. Why? Because money is deeply spiritual. It reveals where our heart truly is.
We also take financial accountability very seriously. Every month, a CPA firm reviews our income and expenses, then reports back to our church board treasurer. I’m a salaried employee, so I don’t personally gain from increased giving. My prayer is simple: that you catch the vision of why we give biblically—and see how it impacts your life, your family, our city, and even the world.
Faith for Everything
The Christian walk requires faith in every area of life.
- Faith that God saves us from sin.
- Faith that He forgives our past and fills us with His Spirit.
- Faith that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
- Faith that He’s stronger than any valley or storm we walk through.
- Faith that no giant is too big for Him to conquer.
We know it’s not by our own might or power, but by His Spirit. Faith is our shield—it deflects every fiery dart of doubt the enemy throws at us. But here’s the thing: we must actually use it.
If we’re honest, finances are one of the hardest areas to exercise unwavering faith.
The enemy wants us to trust man instead of God. Yet scripture is filled with stories of miraculous provision. God wants to do “exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or think”—yes, even in our finances.
Remember this: your job is not your provider. Your W-2 may list a company name, but ultimately, God is your source.
A Financial Crisis All Around Us
We live in a culture buried in financial stress:
- 8 out of 10 people carry consumer debt.
- 67% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.
- “Buy Now, Pay Later” has become normal.
- Student loans are the second-largest type of consumer debt.
Debt dealers promise temporary peace but deliver sleepless nights, anxiety, and bondage. Scripture is clear: the borrower is servant to the lender.
But here’s the good news—you can’t borrow your way into happiness, but you can trust your way into freedom.
The Widow’s Unwavering Faith
During a severe famine, Elijah met a widow who was preparing her last meal for herself and her son. She was at the end of her rope. Yet Elijah spoke a word from the Lord:
1 Kings 17:14 (NLT)
“There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”
And that’s exactly what happened. She gave in faith, and God sustained her through the famine.
Jesus even referenced her story in Luke 4:25, reminding us that God shines brightest when times are darkest.
Biblical Stewardship
Before we address debt, we must first align ourselves with biblical stewardship.
- 100% of what we have belongs to God.
- Money can either bless us or curse us—it depends on how we use it.
- The foundation is the tithe: giving God the first 10% of our income.
It doesn’t matter if that tithe is $10 or $10,000—God sees faithfulness, not dollar signs. When we put it together as a body, miracles happen.
I’ve been tithing since I was 15. Across seasons of abundance and seasons of “just enough,” God has always been faithful.
Why the Tithe Matters
Tithing isn’t about leftovers. It’s about putting God first.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse… and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room to take it in.”
— Malachi 3:10
God even says, “Prove Me” in this area. He dares us to trust Him.
That’s why I challenge anyone who hasn’t started tithing to take a 4-month giving challenge. Test God’s Word. Watch what He does.
Moving Beyond Tithing
Once tithing becomes a lifestyle, you can step into offerings, missions, and building funds—ways to expand God’s Kingdom impact.
And for those who feel overwhelmed by finances, we’re launching Financial Peace University on October 23rd. It’s an investment in breaking free from debt and stepping into God’s plan for your financial life.
Final Thought
God never fails. Whether in times of plenty or times of famine, His Word remains true. Just like the widow of Zarephath, when you put God first—even in your finances—you’ll discover that His provision never runs dry.
