The rain had been falling for three days. Thomas stood at the kitchen window, watching water run down the glass. On the table behind him lay a stack of bills, an almost-empty checking account, and a savings account he had carefully built over the years.
His wife, Mary, had always called it their “rainy-day fund.” Thomas called it security.
He had worked hard for it. He had saved when others spent. He had sacrificed vacations, bought used cars, and carefully watched every dollar. He believed in being responsible.
But now his church was raising money for a missionary family whose support had suddenly disappeared. Mary placed a letter on the table. “Thomas, they need help.” Thomas looked at it. “I know.”
“They’re praying for God to provide.” Thomas sighed. “And we are praying too.” Mary looked at him carefully. “Are we?” Thomas frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, are we really trusting God? Or are we trusting the money in that account?” Thomas didn’t answer. That question stayed with him.
That evening, Thomas opened his Bible. His eyes fell upon the words of Jesus: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” – Matthew 7:7
He read the verse again. Then he turned to Philippians: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Thomas leaned back in his chair. “I believe that,” he whispered. Mary smiled. “Then what are you afraid of?” Thomas looked toward the window. “I suppose I’m afraid that if I give too much away, there won’t be enough left for us.”
Mary sat beside him. “Thomas, there’s nothing wrong with saving. There’s nothing wrong with preparing for tomorrow. But when our savings become the thing we trust instead of God, we’ve allowed a good thing to become the wrong thing.” Thomas knew she was right.
The next Sunday, Pastor James preached about faith. He said, “The question isn’t whether you have money. The question is, who has your money? The question isn’t whether you have a savings account. The question is, where is your trust?”
Thomas felt as though the sermon had been written just for him. Pastor James continued: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:21
Thomas lowered his head. After church, he sat in his car for several minutes. He thought about his savings. He thought about his family. He thought about missionaries who were taking the Gospel to people Thomas would never meet.
He thought about his own prayers. “Lord,” he whispered, “I’ve asked You to provide for my needs. But have I trusted You enough to let You use what You’ve already provided?”
That afternoon, Thomas and Mary sat at their kitchen table. They decided to give a generous portion to the missionary family. Not recklessly. Not foolishly. But faithfully.
Thomas kept enough for legitimate emergencies and responsibilities. But he stopped thinking of the rest as his security. It belonged to God.
Weeks passed. One morning, Thomas received a phone call. A company he had done work for months earlier had discovered an accounting error. They owed him money.
It was considerably more than he expected. Thomas hung up the phone and smiled. Mary looked at him. “God provided?” Thomas nodded. “He did. But you know what I’ve learned?” “What?”
“God didn’t provide so I could become comfortable. He provided so I could become useful.” Mary smiled. Thomas opened his Bible once more.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33 KJV
Thomas looked at the savings account statement on the table. For years, he had asked himself, “How big is my rainy-day fund?” Now he asked a different question: “How far do I trust God?” With my money? With my family? With my future? With my life? With my very soul?
And perhaps that is the question every Christian must eventually answer. We can save money, prepare wisely, and be responsible stewards. But our confidence cannot rest in a bank account. Our confidence must rest in God.
Because the greatest rainy day is not the one that comes with a storm outside. It is the day when everything we have depended upon fails. And on that day, there is only one place where true security can be found: The hands of God.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
There’s no better time than now to trust the Lord with all you have. Just take a moment to pray… Tell God you believe His Son, Jesus, paid for your sins and rose from the grave. Let Him know you’re sorry and want to live for Him. He will forgive your sins and mistakes, give you everlasting life with Him, and place His Spirit deep within your heart. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” and Romans 10:9 tells us, ”that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
May God Bless you. Bob
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I don’t claim to be an expert or connected to any religious organization. My only affiliation is with my Lord Jesus Christ. What I’ve shared here is just one man’s opinion and observation. I hope it’s given you something to think about. I believe there’s one place where we can find all the answers to life, and that guide is known as the Bible. If you’re seeking those answers, all you need to do is read. If you’d like me to pray with you or share your thoughts, feel free to email me at Bob.L@magnificentpromises.com.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
