My parents have struggled financially for years (almost 10 years now). Through these tough situations is how I actually came to rely on God and give my life over to Him (2004-ish). Through the years, my parents have asked me for money and sometimes I’ve loaned them money and sometimes I haven’t. Early on through wisdom from elders, I learnt that I should never “loan” money, I should rather “give” money with no expectation of receiving it back so that there is freedom in giving and no guilt put onto a relationship or a person. This was difficult for me as I thought in order to honour and respect my parents (a commandment) I needed to help them when they needed help. I had to make a stand for Jesus in my life and say that I couldn’t help them financially anymore. I had to separate myself from my earthly parents and follow what my Heavenly Father says is right and true. 2 Corinthians 12:14 “… After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children”.
By placing healthy Godly boundaries in my life, I have been able to grow in my relationship with Jesus and preserve my relationship with my parents. By standing for Jesus, he brought me into a spacious place full of blessings and favour, instead of walking down the same path of debt and poor financial decisions.
So I learnt that the only way I could honour my parents is through prayer and not having them owe me anything. It has been hard to say no to their requests for financial help, however I have had to tell myself that I am loving them by showing them Godly decision making and pointing them towards Jesus at every opportunity.
Through years of prayer and not knowing what God is doing or going to do with their situation, there has finally been a break through. My dad was given a job interview, he was the only person interviewed and he got the job. He starts on Monday! This is huge, as my dad is 54 and he doesn’t have a degree of any kind, so to get a job is amazing! I am amazed at the goodness of God and He is shown me the power of prayer. I have prayed for break through for almost a decade and people have asked me, “Surely you can’t still believe that anything good can happen?”, but I have always had a glimmer of hope that God would pull through for them. Praise be to God! There is still a lot more that needs to happen in their lives and I know God has the power to bring them closer to Him and bring their finances into order.
Just an encouragement to have faith even in the most hopeless situations and to ask the elders for advice and wisdom, 2 eldership couples have helped be my parents at times when I’ve needed it most and for that I am truly grateful.
My parents have struggled financially for years (almost 10 years now). Through these tough situations is how I actually came to rely on God and give my life ove...
