Financial Miracle in a Locked Drawer
Indigenous missionaries and national colleagues seem to believe God for miracles easily. I’ve watched them cast out demons and heal the sick. It doesn’t seem as difficult for them to believe God for these things, as for some of my Western missionary friends. When it comes to finances though, I’ve watched these same friend’s struggle. They find it hard to believe God for a financial miracle, with the same faith they have for healing miracles.
God who heals and delivers is also our Great Provider. He is more than able to meet our financial needs!
Jesus Was Not Limited to One Kind of Miracle
The same Jesus who healed the blind man, and raised the dead, also looked in a fish’s mouth, found a coin, and paid His tax. He multiplied bread and fish to feed the multitude. Jesus’ miracles were not limited to only healing and deliverance. They included astounding instances of supernatural provision.
God is a God of miracles. We must learn to look to Him for His supernatural work in our lives. This is true of healing and deliverance. It’s also true with finances.
That is not to say we don’t do our due diligence when it comes to fund-raising. This is necessary. As we do our part, we look to God with faith and expectation that He will do His part. (Sign up for my FREE e-mail course on this below).
Divine Provision in a Locked Drawer
Not long ago, I visited a friend in Nepal. She is someone I’ve known for a long time. Many years ago, this friend lived with our family. She served on my team as we worked in the slums.
Talking with her, I heard an incredible story of God’s provision. (Click here to watch her tell it.)
God called her to start a children’s home for needy kids. She had very little financial support but knew this was an assignment from the Lord. He began to send needy kids for her to care for.
One day, she was out of food and money. She didn’t know what to do. Her parents were not wealthy, but they often helped. Their finances were also tight though. A recent earthquake had destroyed their village home. She didn’t want to ask them to help. What would she do?
Praying, she felt confident that God Himself would take care of this need. It was God who had called her to do this ministry. He must provide!
An Empty Wallet
Looking in her wallet, she went through it carefully. It was full of bills and papers, but no money. She put it in her cupboard and locked the drawer. She put the key in her pocket. With a word of prayer, she released the need to Father God.
The next day, she awoke with an impression to go look in her wallet in the locked drawer. This seemed strange, but she obeyed. Again, she went through her purse. All she found there were bills and papers. “Hmmm,” she thought, locking it in the drawer again.
The next day after waking up and having her quiet time, she again had a strong sense she should go look in the wallet once more. A miracle awaited.
She opened the drawer and took out her purse. Going through it, this time, she found money there! It was enough to buy food and provisions for the kids and herself.
This was impossible. How could money have gotten in there? The key had been with her the entire time. There was no one else who had access to the drawer!
God Himself provided for her needs.
“I don’t want to look to outside people to provide for me,” she said. “When I trust God and see Him provide, my faith grows. I get to know Him in a deeper way. Living by faith is such a blessing and a gift.”
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philipians 4:19 NIV.
5 Keys to Seeing Financial Miracles
1. Ask God for faith to trust Him (not people) for finances.
Tim Keller says, “Anything we put our trust in, other than God, is an idol in our life.” God wants to be our source in all things. When we look at people to take care of our needs, we become dependent on them. Only God deserves that place in our lives.
Trusting God to release finances through miracles, tentmaking, or locally raised support, is not easy. It is, however, a much more effective and fruitful way to live our lives as missionaries.
2. Repent and search your heart.
Are there any ways you’ve trusted in something other than God for provision? Coveted other’s possessions? It’s easy to look at friends or colleagues and think, “I work as hard as they do! Why do they have money and I don’t! It’s not fair.” Maybe you have even felt angry with God for not taking care of you. Talk to Him about this. Judgments and unforgiveness block the release of God’s supernatural work in our lives.
3. Do what you can do, then trust God to do His part.
We can think that faith means we do nothing. This is not true! Faith and works go hand in hand. In fact, James tells us that we demonstrate our faith by our works (James 2:14-26).
Have you been doing your part to communicate vision? Meet with potential ministry partners? If not, you need to do your part. When you’ve done what you can and what God has asked, it is time to rest. Choose to stop worrying, and trust in His provision and great love.
4. Be generous with others.
Generosity releases God to work on your behalf. We reap what we sow. Have you sown generously? Even sacrificially? Into the lives and ministries of others? Give and you will receive, the Bible says (Luke 6:38). The widow gave all she had. Who could you bless and give to today? Even if it is not a financial gift? Or not a large one? My husband and I have so often given our way out of a financial crisis!
5. Give glory to God for His miracles big and small.
Don’t forget to be grateful! This too unlocks the blessing of God in our lives. Remember the leper story? Only one returned to give thanks. When God provides, be sure to give thanks to Him and testify to others of His goodness.
Designed for Joy
When we look in the wrong places for money, complain, grumble, or get angry with God, we are not walking the path of a disciple. This is not the life He died to give. We were designed to walk in abundant life and joy. That is not to say we will never struggle, or get sick, or have difficulties. When we do, though, as my friend experienced, God is able to be our great Provider, Healer, and Friend. Nothing is too hard for Him…not even putting money into a locked drawer.
What kind of financial miracle have you experienced? I’d love to hear your testimonies in the comments or on the Missionary Life Facebook Group.