A gracEmail subscriber enjoys his work as a teacher and counselor but can barely pay his bills. He has been offered a more lucrative sales position for which he does not feel particularly suited. “Should I continue to rely on the Lord’s faithfulness,” he asks, “or should I find a way to earn more money?”
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I know what it means to have a family, a job that barely pays the bills and no light at the end of the financial tunnel. That described my situation from 1972-1982, when God appeared to open a door for me to move from North Alabama to a new career in Texas. I think you are asking the right questions and are using wisdom, which both Proverbs and Jesus highly recommend in our earthly dealings. What are your gifts? Where do you find fulfillment? What do you do that blesses others? What do circumstances say about matters? What opportunities lie before you?
I would also encourage you to consider your wife’s deepest feelings and persistent needs in this equation. How is she now being fulfilled? Does she use her gifts? Does that bring her joy? Does she wish or need to be doing something different from what she is doing now? What effect does the present financial tightness have on her? How does she handle that and relate to it?
You are wisely seeking counsel from others — which provides you with a larger perspective. You might also want to set aside a day of fasting and prayer about this matter, during which you ask God for specific guidance, for inner light, for objective circumstances, for some kind of word or some kind of sign. All those things go together — alongside your rational analysis, your heart-searching, your counsel received from others. Taken together, I am confident you will discern God’s will for your family at this point in your history. Whatever it is, he will be with you and he will provide.