PLEASE HELP ME WITH A TITLE FOR THIS

Good morning. I guess the title of this post is funny, right? Please bear with me and perhaps you'll understand why I can't get a title myself.

 

I visited a lady who lost her husband a few months ago. Her husband was a committed husband, father, friend, leader, church worker etc. He was a good man, even in this day and age. His death remains a mystery to those of us that knew and loved him. I have not fully recovered from the shock of his death...He was a good man, full of life and vitality.

 

In the living room of their impressive home is a big potrait of the visioner of the ministry they belong/belonged to. The man himself was totally sold out to the vision; he committed his time, money and resources to the vision of the ministry.

I had assumed that the house they lived in was their property, considering the way the man gave in church.

 

It turns out that this man, who was running his own business and who had asked his wife to stay at home to care for the children, left nothing behind for his wife and kids to live on.

 

Currently, there are bills to pay, including house rent, school fees and there is no foreseeable source of income...There are 4 kids to care for. They haven't heard back from the members of the ministry that 'promised' to help them with house rent...Their house that was flocking with brethren before the man passed on is now loudly silent.

I know the man did not deal wisely financially. I don't want to desecrate his memory by going into what he should have or shouldn't have done. I know the wife as well was quite complacent but I don't believe this is the right time to point this out to her. If you'll like to help with assisting this widow, please let me know. Even ideas are welcome...I mean, their house rent is due and they are trusting God for supply. The woman said she is still trusting that God can bring back her husband. I couldn't bring myself to tell her to move on as I sincerely haven't moved on myself. I'm still kind of believing God myself.

I shared this to bring out a few points

1. If as a person, everything about your family's finances is dependent on you being alive and being physically able to earn (no passive income), you need to ask God for wisdom on how to stop making it all about you. You are fantastic, you have great visions and plans etc. Please get some form of insurance. This is particularly crucial for those that run their own businesses.

2. My brother, even if you don't want Madam to be in paid employment, please let her engage in some money-making venture. The famous Proverbs 31 woman was an enterpreneur. God has deposited more in her than just being your wife and the mother of your children (as important as those roles are).

3. I'm all for being committed and active (financially and otherwise) in church. However, be careful so that you don't let your fellowship with the Word/Holy Spirit suffer because of your commitment to the vision of the ministry. Sometimes, the ministry's projects MAY not be where God wants. Leaders are prone to errors. They sure have a responsibility to take heed to their doctrines but we, the followers, also have a responsibility to ensure that we maintain our fellowship with the Holy Spirit. We should obey our leaders IN THE LORD (for as long as they are leading us in the way the Lord wants us to go). I don't believe God wants us leaving our loved ones financially stranded...Some messages we hear today actually encourage people not to plan financially and generally demonise all forms of financial planning. There is this notion that once you give to 'God' (usually to support ministry projects), you don't need to do any sort of financial planning. God will just take care of your needs whenever you need anything. He can even cause dollars to appear in your room. I don't dispute the fact that God can do whatever He pleases. However, I also read in the Bible that he that does not work should not eat. I heard Jesus ask which man who wants to build a house will not first sit down and count the cost.

I believe in miracles; I also believe in making godly, sound plans for the future (include financial plans). I believe in putting away as savings and in making God-inspired investments.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?