I was a stay-at-home mom the entire time my two sons were growing up, so while costs were rising all those years, we had only my husband, Joe’s, income to live on. Some years, he was working two jobs AND going to college at night to get his four-year degree. Those were tough times, and I often felt alone and anxiety-ridden.

Our financial situation looked so bleak, and we were so deeply in debt for so many years, that my husband joked that he would be working into his 90s to pay our bills. But during all that time, my husband was keeping track of every penny we spent, and he was “gathering money little by little,” trusting that it would “grow” in the days ahead.

Once I began studying the Bible in-depth, I discovered that God cared about our finances, and He offered to be our Provider. I learned that He had given His devoted ones promises of provision, increase, and abundance. I began praying and standing on these promises every day, and trusting God to enable us to retire debt-free. It seemed like such an impossibility, that when we got into our 60s, and I tried to talk to Joe about retiring, he would panic. I persevered in prayer and in faith, trusting God to make a way for us where there seemed to be none, and eventually, Joe and I took a leap of faith, and he gave his notice at work that he was leaving the following year.

That year was especially hard on Joe. He had wanted to retire debt-free, but in the natural realm, that seemed highly unlikely, considering our remaining debt. During that time, I continued to pray and stand on God’s promises of provision and abundance, and by the time that Joe retired the following year, we were debt free! If you had told me decades ago that “gathering money little by little” would “grow” it into an abundance of divine provision, I would not have believed it. But now I know that God can do a lot with a little.

Perhaps you are in debt today, and you don’t see a way out. Let me assure you that the Lord can increase what little you have, and He can stretch it and make it grow, as you do your part to “gather” whatever you can. What have you got to lose? Take God at His Word today, and begin acting like He is your true Provider. Then watch Him do what only He can do!

Prayer: Lord, give me a deep understanding of how You have promised to be my Provider, as I look to You for all of my needs. (Philippians 4:19) Teach me how to gather money little by little, and remind me that You can indeed do a lot with a very small amount. Thank You that as I save, spend, and share my finances according to Your will, I will enter into the debt-free living that is Your best for me!