One of the greatest ways I have seen God’s faithfulness during my time in China has been financially. I have always worried about money. God has abundantly blessed me in various ways financially throughout the years. But despite the gifts, I have continued to be very frugal (and do not think being frugal is necessarily a bad thing).
I have always desired to be a missionary and I know that usually require fundraising. So I have always seen the money that God has used others to give to me, as necessary for the future. So I had to save it all, because I may live a life where I never made money.
When I was on the World Race I received feedback from a teammate about my spending habits. She told me not to feel bad about “treating” myself to things. She had seen me get excited about buying gifts for my family, but I was not buying anything for myself. That was/is a hard thing for me to find a healthy balance. I know I can go without much and do not always see the need to ‘treat’ myself to things.
I can go without seeing a movie, or that bag of popcorn, or a bubble coffee, or the most expensive fruit, despite it being my favorite, or getting a 10 dollar massage for my hurting back or getting my nails done. These are all some things which I enjoy, but can easily decide not to spend my money on them, even though I may really enjoy it! And again, I think using discernment on how and when to spend money is still very wise. I obviously do not need to always do these things on a regular basis, but when I do do them, I should not stress, but enjoy them.
As I was getting ready to go to China, I was headed to the store for a few American and Christmasy items which I knew I would enjoy having in China. There were only a few items on me list. On my way there, I was talking with the Lord, asking for discernment to know which ones were really worth getting. I broke down telling the Lord about my fears and my uncertainties. And it was then that God spoke to me, “The things you are buying are on MY tab”.
It is He who has put the money into my account, so when I spend it, it is His. Coming to China was a leap of faith for me. It was my first time going somewhere for an extended period of time without an organization. I was not fundraising to come to China. But I was going and I was paying for everything because God was calling me to go. It was scary knowing that I would be spending a lot of money on flights, visas, housing, transportation and food. But I had to trust it was God’s tab, not mine.
You are probably very much aware of verses such as these:
Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 50:10-12 “For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.”
Matthew 6:31-33 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
There are many other verses that speak on similar truths. When I arrived in China, I knew I would have 6 weeks after school where I would have no plan. Within a few weeks of me being here, I was asked to go tutor a Chinese boy in Guangzhou. I decided to say yes. And it was such an awesome surprise. God provided that job for me, when I was not even looking for one. He provided a really neat experience, which I love. He gave me the opportunity to travel somewhere new and somewhere warmer, both things which make my heart glad!
I could tell stories upon stories of little things God has done to provide for me financially, physically and emotionally. I am so thankful that He truly knows what we need and he doesn’t just want to supply our physical needs, but he wants to supply our emotional needs as well.
I hope that as I head back to NC next week without a job or assurance of what is next, I will continue to trust him to supply every need. And I hope that my testimony of God’s faithfulness is an encouragement to you, to continue trusting him to supply all your needs!
