I was sitting at the table with Mary and two other women from church. 

We had recently started meeting for a weekly Bible study. Mary suddenly started sobbing. ‘We don’t have enough money to pay this month’s bills. I don’t know what we’re going to do.’

 

‘God will supply all your needs,’ I quickly said, paraphrasing Philippians 4:19. 

I was a new Christian, and I felt confident that Mary would be comforted by this verse and assured to know she did not have to worry about her financial problems.

 

It wasn’t until years later when my own family was short of money that I realised how flippant I must have sounded to Mary that day. 

My husband Kurt was recovering from brain surgery and unable to work, and bills were an added burden. No one merely recited a Bible verse to us. Instead, loving, generous friends and members of the church fulfilled the scripture by bringing us meals and giving us supermarket gift vouchers. God works through us to do his will on earth.

 

Prayer: Thank you, dear God, for the generous people who help us when we are in financial need. Open our eyes to see those who need our help. As Jesus taught us, we pray, ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ Amen