Money and Fear

by Eric Elder

I’ve been talking to people over the last few months about our trip to Israel this fall, inviting them to come along. While many people would love to go, there are two hurdles that often stand in the way: money and fear.

I totally understand! In fact, those same two hurdles often stand in the way of many of the things we feel God is calling us to do. How can we possibly afford it? And even if God does provide the money, what might happen to us if we go ahead and do it?

These are such universal questions I thought I’d address them today because the truth is, there’s one thing that can help to overcome both hurdles: faith.

When God increases your faith, it helps you to see your way through the hurdles that stand before you. I know, because I’ve had to face those hurdles as well.

The first time I felt God calling me to go to Israel, I had just quit my secular job to go into full-time ministry. I only had $1,500 in the bank, with a wife and three kids at home. It seemed impossible, I thought. I didn’t even know how to get to Israel if I wanted to go. What city would I fly into? And what airlines flew there?

Yet the thought wouldn’t leave me. I felt I should at least check into it, even if it was just to confirm that there was no way I could go. I called an airline and asked how much it would cost to get there. She looked it up and came back with the price: “$1,498.”

Two thoughts immediately went through my mind: “I don’t have enough!” and “You have just enough!” I sensed that one of those thoughts was from my own mind and one was from God. Which was I going to believe?

It was too big of a decision to make on my own, so I asked my wife, my pastor and some faithful prayer partners to pray with me about what I should do. The answer kept coming back that I should go. I knew that if God was calling me to it, He would help me through it. I had to decide whether or not I believed that God would continue to meet all my needs, as Paul said to the Philippians:

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

But I still had another hurdle to face: fear. Wasn’t it dangerous to go to the Middle East? News reports always seem to highlight the violence that happens there. Yet as I talked with others who had been to Israel, they told me that they felt safer walking around the streets of Jerusalem than most any other major city in the world. The heightened security in Israel has led to one of the lowest crime rates in the world. It came back to a matter of faith. If God had called me to it, He would walk me through it.

Joshua and his people had their own fears to face the first time God called them to go to Israel as well. But while there was much to fear, there was much more to be gained. So God said:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9b).

Joshua and his people believed God, and in so doing, received blessings beyond their imagination--just like I received when I finally went there myself.

If you feel like God is calling you to do something, ask Him to confirm what He’s calling you to do. Ask others what they think about what God is calling you to do. Then ask God to give you the faith and wisdom to keep walking forward until you see His will fulfilled.

Don’t let money or fear stand in the way of doing what God has called you to do. Reach out to God in faith. Put your full faith and trust in Him, believing that if He has called you to it, He will walk you through it.

Let’s pray...

Father, I pray that You would confirm to me what You’re calling me to do. Help me to see Your plans for my life with eyes of faith, not eyes of fear. Help me to know how to accomplish all that You’re putting on my heart to do. Help me to overcome my unbelief, and to trust in You completely again today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

P.S. While this message applies to so many areas of life, I know from your emails that many of you would love to come with us to Israel this fall, but just don’t see how it could be possible. I want to encourage you to keep praying that God will make a way for you to come. I’ll be praying the same for you as well. This trip is so much more than a chance to visit to some exotic land. It’s a chance to encounter the Living God in a land that has been dear to His heart for thousands of years. Join me if you can! Here’s a link to find out more (and if you plan to come, be sure to let me know by June 19th so I can make sure you have a spot on the trip!):
pilgrimtours.com/groups/theranchisrael.htm