How Have You Reacted When God Has Led You to Things That Caused You to Lose Time, Money, Resources, Etc.?

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

This is a companion piece to the thread asking whether God has told you to buy and sell specific things or investments. As another member posted in that thread, we tend to believe that if God is leading us to something, it's going to result in something so successful, that it will be beyond our wildest dreams.

But I often think of the Bible story in which God tells Israel to go up against the Benjamites -- twice -- and get their butts handed to them. It wasn't until the 3rd time that they saw any victory. Of course, this can teach perseverance and vigilance to keep growing our faith, but what happens when God leads us to something that seems to get turned on its head?

I was thinking of times in my own life when I felt God led me to support someone or a business, even if they were prominently un-Christian (and I don't mean supporting them in anything illegal, but with an actual legit business or needs, though of course, they could have been doing unlawful things behind the scenes.)

I could be wrong, but I have had times where God has told me that sometimes He leads His people to do good towards those who are evil so that they have no excuse. God is basically telling them, "Look, I sent good people to help you and you know it -- you have no excuse left to not work on changing."

However, I've been thinking of some times when I felt God led me to things that caused a loss of my time, money, or both, and I still don't understand why. It always has me wondering if I didn't actually hear God -- and leaves me questioning whether I'm hearing correctly the next time.

For example:

* I financially supported a pastor for a year at what I felt was God's direction. I spent a lot of time listening to his preaching and lessons. But in the end, I felt that he was participating in mostly prosperity preaching, and stopped following and giving as soon as the time commitment God put on my heart was over.

To this day, I wonder if I heard wrong, and if it was from God, what the purpose was -- to learn to decipher who isn't telling the whole truth of God's Word? But I didn't feel like I'd learned anything new, and I honestly felt like it was a waste of time and money. I'm sure God can redeem those resources, but it makes me cautious about making another decision if this one was wrong.

* I'm in a similar situation now. I feel called to support another Christian in a certain matter for a year, but about 3 months in, I'm pretty sure their teaching isn't something I'll follow beyond that. I don't think there's anything wrong with what they're teaching (which is on a specific life subject,) it's just that their style isn't anything I feel I can relate to.

And again, I'm left wondering, "God, did I really hear from you, or am I just imagining things?" No one likes it when we feel like we're wasting time or money, and I'm starting to feel this way about this particular situation.

How about you?

* How have you handled it when you feel God lead you specifically in some way, and it turned out negative or not the way you expected?

* Have you ever felt led to contribute time, money, and resources to something you later felt was a waste, or completely disagreed with? What did you do?

* Have you ever felt led to a specific job -- and it went terribly? Did you eventually learn why God led you there? Have you ever felt God led you to start a business, project, group, etc. and you did your best, but it didn't result in anything worthwhile?

* Have you ever felt led to pray for someone, take care of someone, and contribute to their health and truly believed they were going to improve -- but their condition only got worse?

* What do you do the next time you feel God leads you to something you're not so sure about? Does it cause you to second-guess yourself?

I'd really be interested in hearing your stories.

Christians like to talk about their victories, which is great. But I've always been most interested in the things that went wrong, because that's when people seem to learn the most which result in some of the best lessons to share.

Thank you for sharing yours!

 

[Gideon300]

Hey Everyone,

This is a companion piece to the thread asking whether God has told you to buy and sell specific things or investments. As another member posted in that thread, we tend to believe that if God is leading us to something, it's going to result in something so successful, that it will be beyond our wildest dreams.

But I often think of the Bible story in which God tells Israel to go up against the Benjamites -- twice -- and get their butts handed to them. It wasn't until the 3rd time that they saw any victory. Of course, this can teach perseverance and vigilance to keep growing our faith, but what happens when God leads us to something that seems to get turned on its head?

I was thinking of times in my own life when I felt God led me to support someone or a business, even if they were prominently un-Christian (and I don't mean supporting them in anything illegal, but with an actual legit business or needs, though of course, they could have been doing unlawful things behind the scenes.)

I could be wrong, but I have had times where God has told me that sometimes He leads His people to do good towards those who are evil so that they have no excuse. God is basically telling them, "Look, I sent good people to help you and you know it -- you have no excuse left to not work on changing."

However, I've been thinking of some times when I felt God led me to things that caused a loss of my time, money, or both, and I still don't understand why. It always has me wondering if I didn't actually hear God -- and leaves me questioning whether I'm hearing correctly the next time.

For example:

* I financially supported a pastor for a year at what I felt was God's direction. I spent a lot of time listening to his preaching and lessons. But in the end, I felt that he was participating in mostly prosperity preaching, and stopped following and giving as soon as the time commitment God put on my heart was over.

To this day, I wonder if I heard wrong, and if it was from God, what the purpose was -- to learn to decipher who isn't telling the whole truth of God's Word? But I didn't feel like I'd learned anything new, and I honestly felt like it was a waste of time and money. I'm sure God can redeem those resources, but it makes me cautious about making another decision if this one was wrong.

* I'm in a similar situation now. I feel called to support another Christian in a certain matter for a year, but about 3 months in, I'm pretty sure their teaching isn't something I'll follow beyond that. I don't think there's anything wrong with what they're teaching (which is on a specific life subject,) it's just that their style isn't anything I feel I can relate to.

And again, I'm left wondering, "God, did I really hear from you, or am I just imagining things?" No one likes it when we feel like we're wasting time or money, and I'm starting to feel this way about this particular situation.

How about you?

* How have you handled it when you feel God lead you specifically in some way, and it turned out negative or not the way you expected?

* Have you ever felt led to contribute time, money, and resources to something you later felt was a waste, or completely disagreed with? What did you do?

* Have you ever felt led to a specific job -- and it went terribly? Did you eventually learn why God led you there? Have you ever felt God led you to start a business, project, group, etc. and you did your best, but it didn't result in anything worthwhile?

* Have you ever felt led to pray for someone, take care of someone, and contribute to their health and truly believed they were going to improve -- but their condition only got worse?

* What do you do the next time you feel God leads you to something you're not so sure about? Does it cause you to second-guess yourself?

I'd really be interested in hearing your stories.

Christians like to talk about their victories, which is great. But I've always been most interested in the things that went wrong, because that's when people seem to learn the most which result in some of the best lessons to share.

Thank you for sharing yours!

Too many to count. I started a Bible School. We only intended it to run for two years, but I expected a much better response. The story of how we ended up leasing the office space is a series of miracles. It was a prime location and the lease cost was substantial. It cost me a lot to set up to start with.

When I look back (never a good idea) it seems such a waste, yet it was obviously from God. My wife is far more encouraging. She sees only the good that came out of it.

All I can do is rest in God and know that He knows exactly what He is doing. He calls us to obey. I remember His word to Isaiah: "And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving."

Isaiah must have wondered what the point of such a message might be. Yet Isaiah's prophecies pointed to a glorious future, to the coming Messiah and the millennial reign of Lord Jesus. Israel failed to benefit, but the church has been mightily blessed.

So I do what I've done for years now, take one day at a time. I enjoy my life and I love my wife. I have some idea of the next stage of my life, but it is beyond reach for now. That could change in an instant, as I've discovered many times.

And you are right about learning through hard times. When all is well, it is easy to get proud or complacent. We are inclined to let out guard down and Satan takes opportunity to attack. Diligence is essential. We are exhorted not to be discouraged. Our confidence must be in God, no matter what. He is bigger than any obstacle and can overcome any of our failures.

I learned this the hard way. It took me two years to recover from a self inflicted disaster which I went through about 30 years ago. I got angry at God because I felt betrayed. That's even more stupid than the poor decisions that got me into the mess in the first place. God is merciful and gracious. He set me back on the straight and narrow.

I learned when things go wrong, run to God, not away from Him.

 

[seoulsearch]

Too many to count. I started a Bible School. We only intended it to run for two years, but I expected a much better response. The story of how we ended up leasing the office space is a series of miracles. It was a prime location and the lease cost was substantial. It cost me a lot to set up to start with.

When I look back (never a good idea) it seems such a waste, yet it was obviously from God. My wife is far more encouraging. She sees only the good that came out of it.

All I can do is rest in God and know that He knows exactly what He is doing. He calls us to obey. I remember His word to Isaiah: "And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving."

Isaiah must have wondered what the point of such a message might be. Yet Isaiah's prophecies pointed to a glorious future, to the coming Messiah and the millennial reign of Lord Jesus. Israel failed to benefit, but the church has been mightily blessed.

So I do what I've done for years now, take one day at a time. I enjoy my life and I love my wife. I have some idea of the next stage of my life, but it is beyond reach for now. That could change in an instant, as I've discovered many times.

And you are right about learning through hard times. When all is well, it is easy to get proud or complacent. We are inclined to let out guard down and Satan takes opportunity to attack. Diligence is essential. We are exhorted not to be discouraged. Our confidence must be in God, no matter what. He is bigger than any obstacle and can overcome any of our failures.

I learned this the hard way. It took me two years to recover from a self inflicted disaster which I went through about 30 years ago. I got angry at God because I felt betrayed. That's even more stupid than the poor decisions that got me into the mess in the first place. God is merciful and gracious. He set me back on the straight and narrow.

I learned when things go wrong, run to God, not away from Him.

Thank you so much for sharing these experiences.

Not only was it great from a learning standpoint (as in, me, the reader, learning from what you were sharing,) but I also found it to be a comfort and confirmation that maybe I really DID hear from God, and it wasn't just my wandering imagination.

I've never been what the world would call "successful" -- I've just worked plain, honest jobs and was taught to always live below my means. I've also always been taught to give something back to the Lord -- as long as I have an income, no matter what that might be, I feel a need to bring a part of that back to His work. Now, that's just me -- I see this as part of one's personal walk and certainly don't judge anyone for their own beliefs in this area.

What I've found frustrating is always trying to live below my means for myself, but financially supporting churches and ministry projects that seem to want a caviar budget and go all-out when (what I see as) wiser, cost-cutting measures could be used. I'm thinking in particular of a youth center that I think lasted less than two years (basically because the local youth saw it as a dating club and got bored when it was always the same people to "choose from".) But the church insisted on all the latest and greatest TV's, entertainment systems, etc., to attract the community.

It's been very discouraging to me to constantly support ministries that blow through all the money, buy the biggest and best (and I do understand sometimes it's necessary,) but when it doesn't work out, they just ask the people for more money and move on to the next big thing. Especially when we, the people supporting these ministries, are cutting out most luxuries ourselves in order to have money to give.

I remember the first time I found a church that actually had a balanced budget -- in the churches I grew up in, this was unheard of, as being in overwhelming debt was what they considered "normal." But this church not only had their debts paid off, but were now voting on how to use their surplus of money (A CHURCH WITH A SURPLUS?!) to help the local community. I called my parents right after the service and joked that a church with no debt was so unfamiliar to me, it felt like a sin!

Thank you for bringing up Isaiah -- I often think of poor Jeremiah when I get discouraged. God told him right off the bat, the people won't listen, and they might be smiling to your face, but were planning your death in their hearts -- but Jeremiah was to speak to them anyway. Thank you for your reminder that the main point is that we are to obey, no matter what happens. (My Bible reading is in Ezekiel right now and I always think of what it must have been like for him to dedicate everything to God, only to be told his wife was going to die that night and he was not to mourn for her.)

I appreciate your honest expression of the challenges you've faced -- along with the reminder that people like your wife help us balance out the good, right along with the discouragements.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a meaningful and outstanding post!

 

[Tall_Timbers]

When I was a fairly new Christian I emptied my pockets for a traveling "healer". It was all a con but I didn't know any better at the time. God certainly didn't tell me to give what I had, that was all driven by emotion, but I'm sure God blessed my intentions even though the money went to a scoundrel.

I gave up everything and went to South America as a Missionary when I was 19 or 20 years old. It wasn't an easy thing, but I thought nothing of the hardships because I God called me to do that. My planned stay was indefinite, but one day I heard from God that it was time to return home.

I can't really remember other times when I received a direct calling like that. I've been involved in oodles of ministries over the years, but because my gift is service, not from a specific calling for those ministries, at least that's the way it has seemed.

I don't begrudge any hardship I've ever faced for Christ, I count those times and experiences as wonderful blessings.

 

[tourist]

It is all part of the discipline process that is necessary for spiritual growth in our service to the Lord. How did I react? Felt foolish. Poorer but wiser.

 

[Gideon300]

Thank you so much for sharing these experiences.

Not only was it great from a learning standpoint (as in, me, the reader, learning from what you were sharing,) but I also found it to be a comfort and confirmation that maybe I really DID hear from God, and it wasn't just my wandering imagination.

I've never been what the world would call "successful" -- I've just worked plain, honest jobs and was taught to always live below my means. I've also always been taught to give something back to the Lord -- as long as I have an income, no matter what that might be, I feel a need to bring a part of that back to His work. Now, that's just me -- I see this as part of one's personal walk and certainly don't judge anyone for their own beliefs in this area.

What I've found frustrating is always trying to live below my means for myself, but financially supporting churches and ministry projects that seem to want a caviar budget and go all-out when (what I see as) wiser, cost-cutting measures could be used. I'm thinking in particular of a youth center that I think lasted less than two years (basically because the local youth saw it as a dating club and got bored when it was always the same people to "choose from".) But the church insisted on all the latest and greatest TV's, entertainment systems, etc., to attract the community.

It's been very discouraging to me to constantly support ministries that blow through all the money, buy the biggest and best (and I do understand sometimes it's necessary,) but when it doesn't work out, they just ask the people for more money and move on to the next big thing. Especially when we, the people supporting these ministries, are cutting out most luxuries ourselves in order to have money to give.

I remember the first time I found a church that actually had a balanced budget -- in the churches I grew up in, this was unheard of, as being in overwhelming debt was what they considered "normal." But this church not only had their debts paid off, but were now voting on how to use their surplus of money (A CHURCH WITH A SURPLUS?!) to help the local community. I called my parents right after the service and joked that a church with no debt was so unfamiliar to me, it felt like a sin!

Thank you for bringing up Isaiah -- I often think of poor Jeremiah when I get discouraged. God told him right off the bat, the people won't listen, and they might be smiling to your face, but were planning your death in their hearts -- but Jeremiah was to speak to them anyway. Thank you for your reminder that the main point is that we are to obey, no matter what happens. (My Bible reading is in Ezekiel right now and I always think of what it must have been like for him to dedicate everything to God, only to be told his wife was going to die that night and he was not to mourn for her.)

I appreciate your honest expression of the challenges you've faced -- along with the reminder that people like your wife help us balance out the good, right along with the discouragements.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a meaningful and outstanding post!

I get your point about money. For 30 years I was involved in a small home based fellowship. The pastor was a contractor who did very well. The group was small, so we met in homes. There was no need for a massive budget. The pastor became my mentor. When I first met him, he came to my home and checked on my circumstances. He looked in my (ancient) fridge to make sure I had enough to eat. He always looked for opportunities to give and to bless. I learned a great deal from him.

When he became to old to continue his contracting work, which was physically demanding, the fellowship supported him. One of our number came into a substantial inheritance. He gave the pastor enough to buy a home. Up until then, the pastor had always rented.

God honoured the pastor's life of giving. "Give and it shall be given to you" is God's economic system. Everyone wins when we do things God's way.