0968 Overcome Financial Fears

Country led by Ahab and Jezebel. We are in the famine (pandemic). God provided a brook (this building). Ravens brought us food (Headstart). Brook is dried up (no more room). We are following God’s leading. God isn’t going to do this through wealthy but widows. 85 miles from Cherith to Zarephath. 28 hours non stop!

God doesn’t just use millionaires; instead he uses thousandaires, hundredaires, tenaires and oneairs.

God provided for Elijah by providing for the widow!

God is asking her to give…when she is a

1. Woman.

2. Widow.

3. Outsider. (Zarephath, Sidon where Jezebel from).

4. Not a Believer! “Your GOD”

5. At the end of her robe. Needed a miracle! NO STIMULUS CHECKS!!!

God has commanded her to provide for His prophet!

1. DON’T FEAR FINANCIAL FUNERAL.

Fear is what is predictable and imminent. Worry is something that’s in future and might or might not happen.

Fear is a signal that there is danger. Worry is a imaginary scenario of potential danger could or couldn’t happen.

Fear keeps: a. Giving to God b. Enjoying life c. Making decisions that require risk (man with one talent)

WORRY IS WORTHLESS:

worry, from merizo, “to divide into parts.” The word suggests a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress, and pressure.

- unnatural (Matthew 6:26). We are the only creation of God who worries. God provides for the birds He created, and we are more valuable than they are. We are outside of God’s natural design when we worry.

- unfruitful (Matthew 6:27). Worry and fear do not produce anything worthwhile.

- unnecessary (Matthew 6:30). God provides for His own and promises to take care of our needs.

- unbelieving (Matthew 6:31, 32). We are acting as if God did not exist when we live in financial fear.

Worry wants to make you wise so that you prepare for danger that’s not yet happening!

Worry is the fear we manufacture!

If you live in worry you are wasting your imagination!

2. RESPOND TO GOD IN FAITH IN THE FACE OF YOUR FEAR.

Everything God will do in your life is on the other side of fear.

GIVING IS NOT ABOUT OBLIGATION, IT’S ABOUT OBEDIENCE! OBEDIENCE TO GOD OPENS YOURSELF TO A MIRACLE.

1 Kings 17:8

The cost of not following God is spending the rest of your life wishing you had.

Widow gave him a room when he asked for a meal. Gives above what’s asked.

EMBRACE PROVISION, DON’T COMPARE WITH SOMEONE’S PROSPERITY.

3. DON’T EVICT ELIJAH WHEN TROUBLE VISITS YOUR PARADISE.

“If it’s not one thing then it’s another” “I can’t catch a break” “Problems in Paradise”

Bring your problem to His presence.

Walking in obedience doesn’t mean you don’t get problems, it means you have someone to give your problems to.

Closing Illustration:

The story is told of a man who was walking across the road when he was hit by a car. The impact knocked him on his head which caused him to be in a coma for a couple of days before he finally regained consciousness. When he opened his eyes, his loving wife was there beside his bed holding his hand.

He said, "You know, Judy, you’ve always been right by my side. When I was a struggling college student, I failed again and again. But you were always there with me, encouraging me to go on trying."

He said, "And when I got out of school and went for all of my interviews and failed to get any of the jobs, you stayed right there with me, cutting out more classifieds for me to check on..."

“Then I started work at this little firm and finally got the chance to handle a big contract. But I blew it because of one little mistake, and yet you were there beside me all the way. Then I finally got another job after being laid off for sometime. But I never seemed to be promoted and my hard work was never recognized. And so, I remained in the same position from the day I joined the company until now... And, through it all, you were right there by my side."

Her eyes are starting to fill with tears as she listens. He says, "And now I’ve been in this accident and when I woke up, you’re the first person I see. There’s something I’ll really like to say to you...."

He said, "Judy, I think you’re just plain bad luck!"

I wonder if there are times when we treat God that way. Every time something bad happens, God is right there with us, getting us through the rough spots, holding us up, giving us strength. And instead of appreciating it, we sometimes tend to blame God when bad things happen.