Which Financial Season Are You In? - Encouraging Scriptures For When Your Money Is Funny
12/05/24
Written by Finance Columnist, Briana M.
We’re almost at the end of 2024 (and in the holiday season at that!), and it’s around this time that our bank accounts reflect just how well we’ve managed our money this year.
I remember a time when I was living paycheck to paycheck, trying to balance having fun and handling my responsibilities. I was growing in my faith and relationship with God more intensely, and I was blessed to attend a church that encouraged biblical truth and a personal relationship with Him. At the end of every service, my pastor would say, "We’re going to continue our worship through our giving." Then he’d follow with this mic drop- that “God can do more with the 10% than we can with the 90%."
That statement always stood out to me as one of the many principles towards biblical financial literacy and wealth. The holidays can be a financial strain and an unwelcome reminder of our financial reality. Whether your pockets are crying or you’ve got enough for presents and even a holiday trip, there will always be times when our finances go through changes. I’ve found much relief and hope for my finances by applying faith in this area of my life. I’ve realized that there are typically four seasons of financial change that can cause doubt. However, God’s word can help us overcome each doubt and navigate these seasons with success so we can continue to grow.
When tough times show up in your bank account, here are some encouraging scriptures about finances to remind yourself of:
Drought Season: When There Is No Money 😭
A season of financial drought is no joke. At one time, not only was I low on money, but I was experiencing overdraft fees and borrowing money (which essentially puts you in debt to that person). I’d transfer money to places I thought it would be safe, like my Cash App card where Apple couldn’t take their $10.99. Every cent counted and that $10 I wasn’t willing to lose!
Psalm 37:25 (NKJV) says, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.”
You may ask, "Who is the righteous? How do I know if I’ve been made righteous before God?" Romans 3:22 (NIV) tells us that righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 4:17-22 (NLT) also supports this through the story of Abraham, who was credited with righteousness through his faith in God.
When we believe in what Jesus did for us on the cross, receive His holy name, and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, took on our sin and in exchange gave us power and life through the Holy Spirit- BOOM! We’re made righteous—not because of our works, but through faith. Now that I’ve been made righteous before God His word becomes the reality over my life. So, the truth that the righteous have never been forsaken or begging for bread relieves our financial distress when funds are running low.
Take things one day at a time, and remind yourself of how much God loves and cares for you. Matthew 6:28 (NIV) reminds us that if He cares for the lilies and the grass of the field, how much more will He care for us, His precious creations.
Stagnant Season: When My Finances Are Not Where You Want Them to Be
Maybe you’re in a season where you’re not necessarily struggling. You’re paying your bills and can afford to go out with friends occasionally, but you desire more funds for flexibility or just to feel comfortable without having to check your account balance every swipe or so.
These times are especially challenging because you’re not where you used to be, but you’re also not seeing much progress toward where you want to be. Philippians 4:10-13 (NLT) gives us the most effective way to overcome this kind of season: gratefulness.
The enemy’s tactic in this season is to attack your consistency and deceive you into thinking that since there’s no financial growth, you should give up. Why steward your money well if it’s not growing, right? Don’t fall for that trick. Galatians 6:9 tells us that if we don’t grow weary in doing good, in due season, we will reap a reward.
There is a reward for you on the other side of this financial challenge and gratefulness will help you get there. puts your heart in a place where you can continue to steward what God has given you and resist the temptation to squander it out of bitterness or hopelessness.
It’s important to be content in every situation. Be grateful for what you do have no matter the amount. Steward your money well and practice good financial habits. Invite God to guide you. Consistency bears growth, and your financial habits will soon bear fruit.
Battle Season: When My Finances Are Under Attack
There was a time when I faced back-to-back overdraft fees, speeding tickets back to back, bank accounts being hacked and swiped month to month! It was like my finances were constantly being drained. It’s no surprise that this was happening all while I was getting in alignment with God and my funds.
Remember that “God can do more with our 10% than we can do with our 90%” revelation I shared with you earlier?
It was so good that I had to put it to the test and Malaci 3:10 instructs us to do just that! 'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! '
Malachi 3:10 (NLT)
The verse continues on to say when we honor God by bringing in our tithes, He will rebuke the devourer (the enemy) from all we produce.
We have a real enemy who will fight us anytime we bear the image of our heavenly Father, even as we exercise godly financial wisdom. If you feel like your finances are being drained, devoured, and under attack, the first thing you have to ask yourself is- am I tithing?
Because if you’re not, this becomes an open door for the enemy to come in and attack. Let’s not forget too that technically, you’re also missing out on God’s promise of increase and protection over your finances that comes from honoring Him with your tithes.
But can I get real with you for a minute? The attacks didn’t stop right after I began to tithe.
Instead, I gained growth, endurance, and a level of intimacy with God in that season that prepared me for where He’d take me next. God gave me the ability to withstand the storm WITH Him.
Malachi 3:10 became very real in my life! On the same day I’d get an overdraft fee, God would put in someone's heart to buy my lunch. A memory I could never forget is one where a family member decided to stop by my house (days before my next check), gave me money in the exact amount I prayed for and, even more, bought my groceries!
Sometimes, when there's inconsistency in our finances, it reveals that there’s an area where we need more wisdom in. When God told Solomon (the richest King that ever lived) he could ask Him for anything in the world, Solomon didn’t ask for money. Instead, he asked for wisdom. It was then applying the wisdom of God that made Solomon the wealthiest king in history.
James 1:5 (NLT) says that if we lack wisdom, all we need to do is ask God for it. Tithing can be sensitive and tough to apply for some of us. However, if we ask God for help and wisdom He will give it to us.
Tithing is one of the many biblical principles reflecting the wisdom of God in our finances. For a Malachi 3:10 blessing, you’ll need to get into the word of God to increase your wisdom. When you do- receive the text, pray over it, and apply it (because wisdom is knowledge applied). Apply God’s wisdom to your finances, and you will see increase and favor.
Abundance Season: When There’s Overflow in Finances
This is the season we all desire! If you’re in this season, celebrate it. Ecclesiastes 3:13 says it’s a gift from God to enjoy the fruits of our labor. So, shop, travel, and enjoy the increase God has given you.
However, remember that generosity is key to sustaining overflow. In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells the parable of a rich man who God blessed with more increase. His land was fertile and produced so much fruit that he had no room in his current storehouse. So he built a bigger one and granted himself an early retirement and a good life because of all he’d been able to save. But God called this utter foolishness and at that moment, his life was required of him. “Now, what will become of all of your riches?”- God asked.
This is a tough story to swallow! But the moral of it is, it’s never good to hoard our increase. We don’t know how long we each have on this earth. It’s best to live life focused on things eternal- like kindness, generosity, and love, rather than hoarding these good things God has given us.
Acts 20:35 says it is MORE blessed to give than to receive. So when seasons of overflow allow us the ability to give, it’s a blessing for us to take up every opportunity to do so. There's an extra increase that will follow you due to your generosity.
I hope these scriptures encourage you as much as they’ve encouraged me! Keep your peace and stay encouraged in your finances this holiday season and beyond.
What financial season do you find yourself in? What financial goals are you hoping for as the year comes to a close?
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