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God's Sovereignty Over Financial Struggles and Trials

God's sovereignty is understood as his absolute right to govern all things according to his own will and pleasure [1]. This comprehensive control extends to all aspects of creation, including natural phenomena, human affairs, and even the financial struggles and trials that individuals experience [7, 8, 9, 10]. Biblical texts affirm that God's power and authority transcend all other powers, whether human or spiritual [11].

The concept of God's sovereignty over financial matters is rooted in the understanding that all riches ultimately belong to God [2]. The Bible states that God gives both wealth and the ability to obtain it [2]. However, it also describes worldly riches as temporary, uncertain, unsatisfying, corruptible, fleeting, deceitful, and perishable [2]. This perspective suggests that while God is the ultimate source of material provision, he also holds sway over the presence or absence of such resources in a person's life.

Financial struggles and trials, therefore, are not outside the scope of God's sovereign control. The Lord can choose to make the earth fertile or barren, influencing the material conditions that affect human prosperity [8]. This divine prerogative is seen as a demonstration of his power and goodness [10]. Even in the midst of trials, God is depicted as a refuge and protector for those who trust in him [14]. His protection is described as indispensable, seasonable, unfailing, effectual, uninterrupted, encouraging, and perpetual [3]. This protection is afforded to those who heed God, returning sinners, the perfect in heart, and the poor [3].

The Bible frequently highlights God's concern for the poor and those who are troubled [4]. Psalms 140:12 states, "I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled" [4]. This indicates that God's sovereignty is not merely about control but also about his righteous and just character [5, 6]. His justice is described as plenteous, incomparable, incorruptible, impartial, unfailing, and undeviating [6]. God's righteousness is part of his character, described as very high, abundant, beyond computation, everlasting, and enduring forever [5]. He acts equitably when he judges, and he provides refuge for those who trust in him, protecting them amidst life's trials [14].

In times of financial hardship, believers are encouraged to rely on God's grace. The Apostle Paul's experience, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:9, illustrates this: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" [12]. This suggests that God's strength is most perfectly manifested when human weakness is evident, implying that even in financial struggles, divine grace is sufficient to sustain and perfect believers [12]. The trial may endure, but God's grace is promised to endure and never fail [12].

Furthermore, God's sovereignty extends to the governance of nations and their leaders, who are seen as being under his ultimate authority [13]. Psalm 82:1 asserts God's "supreme presidency and power in all councils and courts," indicating that even the legislative and executive powers of magistrates are under his eye and hand [13]. This implies that economic policies and societal structures that contribute to financial struggles are ultimately within the purview of God's sovereign oversight.

While God's sovereignty is absolute, it does not negate human responsibility or the reality of suffering. Instead, it provides a framework for understanding that even difficult circumstances are not outside of God's knowledge or control. The goodness of God, even in trials, can lead individuals to repentance [14]. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as actively involved in the affairs of humanity, demonstrating his power over all aspects of life, including the economic and material conditions that people face [7, 8, 9, 10].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Riches — The true riches -- Eph 3:8; 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3; 1Pe 2:7. God gives -- 1Sa 2:7; Ec 5:19. To God belongs this world's riches -- Hag 2:8. God gives power to obtain -- De 8:18. The blessing of the Lord brings -- Pr 10:22. Give worldly power -- Pr 22:7. Described as Temporary. -- Pr 27:24. Uncertain. -- 1Ti 6:17. Unsatisfying. -- Ec 4:8; 5:10. Corruptible. -- Jas 5:2; 1Pe 1:18. Fleeting. -- Pr 23:5; Re 18:16,17. Deceitful. -- Mt 13:22. Liable to be stolen. -- Mt 6:19. Perishable. -- Jer 48:36. Thick clay. -- Hab 2:6. Often an obstruction to the reception of the go”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Protection — God is able to afford -- 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. God is faithful to afford -- 1Th 5:23,24; 2Th 3:3. Of God is Indispensable. -- Ps 127:1. Seasonable. -- Ps 46:1. Unfailing. -- De 31:6; Jos 1:5. Effectual. -- Joh 10:28-30; 2Co 12:9. Uninterrupted. -- Ps 121:3. Encouraging. -- Isa 41:10; 50:7. Perpetual. -- Ps 121:8. Often afforded through means inadequate in themselves. -- Jdj 7:7; 1Sa 17:45,50; 2Ch 14:11. Is afforded to Those who hearken to God. -- Pr 1:33. Returning sinners. -- Job 22:23,25. The perfect in heart. -- 2Ch 16:9. The poor. -- Ps 14:6; 72:12-14.”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 140:12 (BBE) — I am certain that the Lord will take care of the cause of the poor, and of the rights of those who are troubled.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 7:9; 116:5; 119:137. Described as Very high. -- Ps 71:19. Abundant. -- Ps 48:10. Beyond computation. -- Ps 71:15. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:142. Enduring for ever. -- Ps 111:3. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 97:2. Christ acknowledged -- Joh 17:25. Christ committed his cause to -- 1Pe 2:23. Angels acknowledge -- Re 16:5. Exhibited in His testimonies. -- Ps 119:138,144. His commandments. -- De 4:8; Ps 119:172. His judgments. -- Ps 19:9; 119:7,62. His word. -- Ps 119:123. His ways. -- Ps 145:17. His acts. -- J”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Justice of God, The — Is a part of his character -- De 32:4; Isa 45:21. Declared to be Plenteous. -- Job 37:23. Incomparable. -- Job 4:1. Incorruptible. -- De 10:17; 2Ch 19:7. Impartial. -- 2Ch 19:7; Jer 32:19. Unfailing. -- Zep 3:5. Undeviating. -- Job 8:3; 34:12. Without respect of persons. -- Ro 2:11; Col 3:25; 1Pe 1:17. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 89:14. Not to be sinned against -- Jer 50:7. Denied by the ungodly -- Eze 33:17,20. Exhibited in Forgiving sins. -- 1Jo 1:9. Redemption. -- Ro 3:26. His government. -- Ps 9:4; Jer 9:24. His judgments. -- Ge 18:2”
  7. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 18:9: 18:9-11 The Lord’s sovereignty extends over all of nature (see 104:2-4; 148:5-6).”
  8. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 107:33: 107:33-42 These two sections (107:33-38, 39-42) expand the theme of the Lord’s sovereignty over things that humans cannot control. 107:33-35 The Lord can choose to make the earth fertile or barren (74:15; Isa 35:6-7).”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 147:8: 147:8 God holds sovereign power over the weather (77:17-18; 78:26; 104:4; 148:5-6).”
  10. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 65:6: God's great power and goodness are the grounds of this confidence. These are illustrated in His control of the mightiest agencies of nature and nations affecting men with awe and dread (Psa 26:7; Psa 98:1, &c.), and in His fertilizing showers, causing the earth to produce abundantly for man and beast.”
  11. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:21: 1:21 he is far above: Jesus’ power and authority transcend all rival powers, whether human or spiritual, in this age and the coming age (see 3:10; 6:12; John 12:31; Rom 8:38-39; 1 Cor 15:24; Col 1:13; 2:10, 15; 1 Pet 3:22; Rev 12:7-9).”
  12. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:9: said--literally, "He hath said," implying that His answer is enough [ALFORD]. is sufficient--The trial must endure, but the grace shall also endure and never fail thee [ALFORD], (Deu 33:25). The Lord puts the words into Paul's mouth, that following them up he might say, "O Lord, Thy grace is sufficient for me" [BENGEL]. my strength--Greek, "power." is made perfect--has its most perfect manifestation. in weakness--Do not ask for sensible strength, FOR My power is perfected in man's "strengthlessness" (so the Greek). The "for" implies, thy”
  13. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 82:1: We have here, I. God's supreme presidency and power in all councils and courts asserted and laid down, as a great truth necessary to be believed both by princes and subjects (Psa 82:1): God stands, as chief director, in the congregation of the mighty, the mighty One, in coetu fortis - in the councils of the prince, the supreme magistrate, and he judges among the gods, the inferior magistrates; both the legislative and the executive power of princes is under his eye and his hand. Observe here, 1. The power and honour of magistrates; they are the mighty. They are so”
  14. Nah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Nah 1:7: 1:7-11 This second stanza (see study note on 1:2-11) concentrates on God’s sovereignty, righteousness, and justice in dealing with all people. 1:7 The Lord is good: God acts equitably when he judges the wicked. He also provides refuge for those who trust in him. He accepts them and protects them in the midst of life’s trials (Pss 18:2; 62:5-7). God’s rich goodness can lead individuals to repentance (Rom 2:2-4).”
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