Way back in 2010, big changes were on the way for our family, as Steph was pregnant with our twin daughters and we had a decision to make. What would we do after her maternity leave was over? I was the pastor of a small country church while Steph was working as a counselor. We knew that it was pretty normal for Mothers to go back to work after giving birth, but neither one of us wanted that. Of course, money seems to always factor into these decisions and at the time, Steph was making more money at her job than I was at mine. With our family doubling in size, how could we make it by with just one income, and a smaller income at that?

Well, after spending much time in prayer and dialogue, Steph and I made a decision. We would simply live off my income and trust the Lord to provide. That was a big step of faith, but we knew we had to take it.

You probably know the rest of the story. God did provide – marvelously provide! Looking back, it was never just one thing that made the difference. God provided through a hundred different means. I remember how one older couple in our church decided to give us a gift card every month to our favorite grocery store. The gift card was huge for us, but it was only one part of a smorgasbord of ways that God met our needs.

The Christian life is all about faith. There are not just a few select times where we exercise faith, but rather it is a life of faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). From begining to end, start to finish, the Christian lives by faith in the Son of God (Galatians 2:20). It is fun to think back to those early days of our marriage, and how the Lord proved Himself sufficient time and time again, but God has always been faithful in our lives when we have stepped out in faith.

One of my favorite faith verses is Philippians 4:19. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Truly, it is impossible to exhaust the riches of God. He is never lacking. There is no situation too big for Him. And whatever His children need, He will meet those needs through the riches found in Christ.

A couple applications follow. First, Christians can be generous! The context of the above verse is that Paul was thanking the Philippians for their generous, sacrificial gift. But just because they had given did not mean God had forgotten about them. Quite the opposite. The Creator God would supply every need of theirs and give them a rich return for their investment.

A second application is simple to say and understand, but oh so hard to do and practice – TRUST GOD! Millions of people have lost their jobs in the wake of COVID. Tens of thousands have died. This pandemic has uprooted our societal foundations and has changed life as we know it forever. However, God is still the same (Hebrews 13:8)! He is always faithful and always true to His Word. It follows, therefore, that you can trust Him!

We also must remember that God provided for our greatest need through the cross. Your greatest problem is not something that is physical or financial in nature. No, your greatest problem is sin. God dealt with our problem of sin through His only, Son Jesus Christ. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). The apostle Paul further explains the wonder of the cross in Romans 8:32. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” In other words, if God was willing to sacrifice His Son, will He not also give His people all that they need? Yes, of course He will!

Perhaps you are out of work, struggling financially, suffering from health problems, or dealing with a family crisis. No matter what it is, you can trust the Lord! You can cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). And as you step out in faith and God provides for your every need, it will serve to encourage your heart, and bring glory to His great name (1 Timothy 1:17).