Surviving financially in a recession

Three years ago, with just N20, 000, an average family of three could comfortably feed three times a day for a month. Today, with the same amount, they can hardly afford two meals per day for two weeks. According to a Brookings Institution report, Nigeria has overtaken India as the world’s poverty capital. This means that Nigerians are now estimated to be the poorest people on earth. The reality is that many families go to bed without food on a daily basis.

As Christians, though we are not immune to the present economic realities, we have the privilege of operating under heaven’s economy, if we trust God and obey His principles for prosperity. That is to say, while for others things might be tough, for the child of God the case is different because he or she has the opportunity of finding things easy, as we have a definite promise from God to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory! (Philippians 4: 19).

Even though it is not wrong for the Christian to have investments, savings or retirement plans, absolute trust in God in times like these is the ONLY guarantee to overcome the economic hardship. Investments, savings or retirement plans can all go wrong, but God’s plan for us can never go wrong.

To trust God in the face of escalating prices and dwindling income is an act of faith. We are told at least three times in the Bible that the “Just shall live by faith.” However, faith in God is not a blind leap of faith or wishful thinking; rather, it is hinged on a plan of action based solidly on the word of God. So what do we do?

Recognise That God Is Worthy of Your Trust
You can count on God to do as He says, because the One Who created the heavens and earth actually owns everything and is far more capable of providing for your needs than you could ever imagine. “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask and think according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20 KJV

Live a Full and Abundant Life
Our Lord promises to give every obedient Christian an overflowing and joyous life “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” John 10:10B KJV
Substitute Fear with Faith

One emotion that can throw you back into financial bondage is fear. When anxiety over the future grips you, you lose the ability to trust God for your needs. “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13 KJV.

Ask God to Supply Your Needs
As an expression of your faith, ask God to provide for your needs. God’s Word says that whatever we ask in harmony with His will, He promises to answer. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.” 1 John 5:14 KJV

Keep Your Heart and Motives Pure
To truly trust in God for your finances, you must also keep your heart and motives pure. Even if you ask by faith, you will fail to receive if your motives are wrong. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3. KJV

Take a Step of Faith
Sometimes, God requires us to take a further step of faith. A “faith promise” is not a pledge that must be “paid.” Rather, it is a voluntary “promise” based on your faith in God’s ability to supply out of His resources what you cannot give out of your own. You give as God supplies. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9. KJV
Above all pray.

Prayer points:
• Father in Heaven, You promised in Your word to supply all my needs. Therefore Lord do as You have proposed in Jesus name.
• O God my Father, open doors of opportunity for me to be blessed financially this year in Jesus name.
• O God my Father, breath your breathe of approval on my financial plans and strategies for abundance this year.
• Father in Heaven let Your blessings pursue and overtake me as I serve you faithfully in 2019.
Contact: El-shaddai Covenant Church, 7, Social Club Road, Off Charity Road, Abule-Egba, Lagos. +2348080929292, 2347034184444. WhatsApp only: +2348182281184.