There are generally three types of Christian suffering:
- Suffering for the sake of Christ
- Suffering as a result of circumstance
- Suffering for our own poor choices
Of course, this blog explores what the Bible says about managing our finances and our attitude towards money. As such, I am going to look at suffering in the context of financial struggle. That said, we can apply these lessons in all aspects of our Christian walk.
Suffering for the Sake of Christ
This takes many forms. Christians in many parts of the world are persecuted and victimized, or even killed, for their faith. In our First-World culture, where we have freedom of religion, such extreme persecution is less pervasive.
However, it still happens. This is particularly true in the financial context. For instance, someone might be held back from promotion or a salary increase at work because their faith prevents them from engaging in certain behavior in the workplace or even in certain social aspects of a given corporate culture. This is a common form of Christian suffering in the first-world.
There are also countless examples in modern society where small business owners refused service to a specific client request when it went against their faith, only to be slapped with an expensive discrimination law suit as a result of their stand for Christ.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:10-12
Suffering for the sake of Christ is part and parcel of our Christian walk and Jesus tells us we should rejoice in that suffering.
Suffering as a Result of Circumstance
Of course, not all suffering is for the sake of Christ. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, through no fault of their own.
In the area of finance, this might include jobs lost as the result of an economic downturn. A person in this situation may be forced to take a different job at a far lower salary or minimum wage, just to generate some sort of cash flow to feed their family.
Unexpected medical expenses are another example. I have met people who were forced to sell their home and spend all they had on hospital bills when they had to deal with the life-threatening illness of a child.
These are examples of the curve-balls life throws at us. They are nobody’s fault but they cause extreme distress and suffering for the victims of those circumstances. The financial effects of such devastating events can impact families for many years after the event itself.
Of course this is not exclusively Christian suffering; these tragic events befall Christians and non-Christians alike.
As Christians, we need to rally around those who find themselves the victims of such circumstances. In doing so, we can comfort and assist our brothers and sisters in Christ and shine God’s light in the lives of those who have not embraced God’s grace yet.
Suffering for our own Poor Choices
Of course, there is also suffering that is the result of our own poor choices. These are often defined in the moments when we make a deal with God. ‘Lord, if you just get me out of this mess, I promise, I will never again …’
We have all been there. Sometimes, God helps us out by His grace. Other times, he allows us to learn a painful lesson and we suffer the consequences of our poor life-choice. When we learn the lesson, we grow in wisdom and, hopefully, make better choices going forward.
This is the most unnecessary form of Christian suffering.
When it comes to financial struggle, yes we acknowledge that people can fall on hard times through no fault of their own. But just as many people find themselves in a constant state of financial struggle as a result of their own poor choices.
Materialism and consumer-debt are a prime example of this. Instead of living within our means, and sowing seed for future harvest, we consume all we earn like locusts, never leaving anything for tomorrow. This spending pattern leaves us forever playing catch-up with our creditors, somehow never able to get ahead. This form of financial bondage is one of the world’s great evils and its root is – say it with me – the love of money!
The only way out of this is to begin making better choices. We need to recognize those poor financial choices for what they are and begin making better ones.
If you need help with this, why not find some like-minded friends and start an accountability group. Pray for each other and encourage one another. Share your challenges and victories with each other and witness God’s change in your lives collectively.
Responding to Christian Suffering
No matter the source of our suffering, the only way to overcome that suffering is through the choices we make going forward. Sadly, the world doesn’t care whether your suffering is as a result of:
- our stand for Christ
- random misfortune or
- our own poor choices
We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails.
Anonymous
The road out of financial struggle is a personal responsibility. It is a sad truth but life will seldom offer us a free handout. Poverty will not improve anyone’s chances when lottery winners are announced. Opportunity or fate will not smile on you just because you are struggling more than the next person.
So our financial future falls to us. Only we can take the necessary actions needed to change our financial future. Fortunately, there are a host of Bible passages that show us how to take charge of our finances and manage them in a Godly manner.
This will ensure that we are better able to provide for our loved-ones, give generously to God’s kingdom and generally, live a life free from financial struggle.