How can a Christian maintain trust in God when facing unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Losing a job, home, or savings can be devastating. We depend on our income to care for our families and provide for our most basic needs. Regardless of whether the loss was our fault or someone else's fault, unemployment, foreclosure, and bankruptcy can cause Christians to doubt God's promises. While these situations themselves are not sin, they can lead us into sin. Too often we respond with anger by blaming others, hopelessness by giving up, or pride by trying to solve things on our own. A righteous response, however, is to trust God. We can trust God that He is with us through our hardship and that He uses even unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy to draw us closer to Him and to produce godly character in us. Along with trusting in God, we must also take practical steps to address our situation. This might include seeking new employment, downsizing our expenses, or seeking financial counseling. Through it all, we are called to maintain a heart of gratitude and contentment, knowing that God is sovereign over all circumstances. Through these challenges, we can grow in patience, humility, and a deeper reliance on God's provision, remembering that “he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5–6; see also 2 Corinthians 12:9).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Purposeful work is part of God’s design for humanity (Genesis 2:15; Proverbs 12:24).
• Job, who suffered far more than most, said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). While we are called to be good stewards of all God has given us, this life and world are temporary.
• God is with us through our hardships including through unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy (Psalm 34:18).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• When facing unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy, we must turn to God. "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
• If we have put our faith in Jesus, we have become God's children (John 1:12) and are given the privilege of coming to God with everything. In the midst of hardship, the Devil attacks us with fear, doubt, and pride. We must not entertain these feelings but rather remember the promises of God. God says He will take care of us and He has a plan for us (Matthew 6:25–34; Romans 8:28).
• Sometimes turning to God requires us to repent of unconfessed sin in our lives. Sin keeps us distanced from God, but when we confess we can trust that He forgives and cleanses us (1 John 1:9).
• We can trust that God’s plans will prevail and are for our good (Romans 8:28–30).
• As we seek to maintain trust in God when facing unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy, we must remember to give God thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and to remember to be content, not complacent, in every circumstance (Philippians 4:11–12).
• God calls us to be good stewards of what He has given us. As we trust in Him, we are also called to action (James 2:17–18).
• When we believe in His promises and take action based on that belief, we will begin to see the bigger picture: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
• God uses even our trials to strengthen our faith in Him (Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–4).
• Facing unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy can teach us to focus on what matters eternally rather than on our material wealth: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19–20). This life and world are only temporary; our real treasure is in heaven. While this life is important, we must see it with an eternal perspective.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

As we trust in God, we are also called to act. Trusting in God and being moved to action are not mutually exclusive. We demonstrate our beliefs by our actions. Some people stay unemployed or homeless because they are lazy and do not make any effort to change their circumstances. Others are proud and not willing to humble themselves and take a lower status job than their previous one. Others are making every effort but there are no job options. Although we cannot earn our way to eternal life, God did create us to work (Ephesians 2:10). He provided each individual with the skills necessary to both provide for our families and make a difference for His kingdom. He can show you the next right step and will provide for your needs in His timing as you trust in Him. That might not always look like your ideal situation, but you can rely on Him.

God does not want us to do this on our own. We need to rely on Him, and very often we also need to invite others in. God’s provision may include accepting help from other people, whether it be money, a part time job, or a place to stay. We should not take advantage of others but use their help to get back on our feet and be willing to offer the same help to others in the future. We can and should invite others to pray with us and for us. Prayer is one way we help bear one another’s burdens and encourage each other in the body of Christ (Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:19–25). So do not struggle in isolation or try to resolve your situation merely by your own efforts. Do not disengage or despair. Engage in your relationship with God in its fullness, seek His wisdom, and share your struggles with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pursue resolution with the tools and opportunities God has entrusted to you. Eagerly wait on the Lord as you obey His commands, follow His wisdom, and trust in His provision. Continue to give Him praise for who He is and what He does. Meditate on Philippians 4:4–9 and let it serve as a guide in this season. And be encouraged in Christ; you are not alone!

UNDERSTAND

• We can trust God when facing unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy, knowing that He is in control.
• We can trust God when facing unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy, knowing that He uses even these difficulties for good and to refine our faith.
• We can trust God when facing unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy while also taking practical steps to face these challenges.

REFLECT

• How do you usually respond when faced with financial hardship? What steps can you take to trust God more fully in these moments?
• How can you maintain contentment during challenging financial situations?
• During unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy, how can you balance relying on God’s character and promises while also being wise practically-speaking?

ENGAGE

• How can we support others in maintaining trust in God during times of unemployment, foreclosure, or bankruptcy?
• What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that we are both trusting God and actively addressing our financial challenges?
• How can we encourage one another to see our financial struggles from an eternal perspective rather than focusing solely on our material wealth?