There's a common attitude among certain groups of Christians that we should never have problems, and if we do it's because we lack faith and we're being punished by God. In my opinion, that is a very defeatist philosophy.

God's Word says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).

I believe that a paraphrase of that verse would say that if you really want your faith to grow it must be tested. Therefore, we can know with certainty that not all problems are caused by sin or are the evidence of sin. In fact, many difficulties are allowed by God for our growth.

However, even though financial problems can be an indicator of sin, there are going to be a lot of other indicators; money is just the outside measurable objective of what is going on in someone's life. Christ has promised pease if we will yield our rights when we have problems (not if we have them).

Jesus obviously had plenty of problems during his time on Earth, and He certainly didn't sin. He told us that if we follow in His steps problems will occur. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Our difficulties are not all sin related. If you look into your life and you know that you have violated one or more biblical principles and you're having problems, then you probably have created them for yourself. but, in general, that's not going to be true for everyone. Through our difficulties we can be witnesses to other people who are having similar problems. They look at us and know that our God is real because we are able to handle whatever happens.

The last thing that anyone who is having a serious financial problem needs to hear is "Are you sure you have confessed your sins?" They need Christians to comfort them, not condemn them.

- Larry Burkett - "Money Matters"
From The Answer Copyright & copy; 2003 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.