Will God meet our needs?

My son has been without work since Jan of this year. He is 56 yr old and has no outstanding skills but a variety of steady work experiences. He was getting unemployment but due to a mix-up at a job he applied for, that was stopped. He is now re-applying but that will take several weeks and he may not get it again. He has very little savings left, about $500. He is a Christian and is moving through this experience in faith, although it is very scary, to both him and to me. My husband, his step-father, is supportive but has his limits. My question is this: In Phil 4:19, Heb 13:5-6, 2 Cor 9:8,10 - and in other scriptures, God promises to provide for the needs of His children. My son is single and supports himself and always has. He is in a good, active church and could go to them to ask to pay his rent this month, etc. We would probably do this for one month. Is this the way God works to supply his need? Asking for help from others? What base do I have to stand on in God's Word? Can we look to God to supply him with work? Will God work in that way, to bring him a job? He has put his application and resume in over and over in many places, but nothing has opened up. There are no other family members to help. I can see help coming from no sources except us or his church, and that limited.
Lots of good things have come out of this time of trial, and we have all been strengthened in our faith and drawn much closer to Jesus. He has reassured me over and over that He will supply. But as of yet, there is no job, and we are at the limits of our resources. I know that many of you are mature Christians and know God's Word and have had difficult experiences. Please share your thoughts with me about what we can expect from God about work for my son. How should I pray about this?

As someone who knows what it is like to be in your son's situation, I can say with confidence that God does meet our needs through the kindness and generosity of His people. In fact, His Word commands His people to help those in need, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ ("Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers," Galations 6:10). See also Acts 2:44045: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."

I praise God that my husband and I have been on the receiving end of such help when we were in serious financial straights. My husband is about your son's age and was laid off several years ago. Since then, he has been unable to find work, even though he has applied for numerous jobs. (Because of several chronic illnesses, including an autoimmune disease, he is limited in the kind of work he can do.) Thankfully, our church and fellow believers have helped us in a variety of ways, including assisting with medical bills. There is nothing in God's Word that prohibits believers in need from seeking this type of help from the Body of Christ.

As to how you should pray for your son, I encourage you to stand on God's promises to supply your son's needs. There are many, many promises in Scripture that God will meet our needs, including those you referred to in your post. Write them down and recite them back to God as a declaration of faith, and have your son do the same thing. Encourage him to focus on God's Word and His promises, not his circumstances or the problem.

In terms of practical things your son could do to find work, he might look into occupational counseling or even offer to do odd jobs for people at his church (our church has a bulletin board where members can advertise that they are looking for work.) To keep busy until God provides a job, he might consider doing volunteer work (my husband volunteers as our church librarian, and this has given him a sense of purpose and fulfillment while unemployed). Volunteer experience could go on your son's resume, and it could even lead to a paid position.

In closing, I would like to share that during my husband's unemployment (and even worse financial hardships we faced), there was never a need we had that God didn't supply. There were times when our backs were up against the wall, but we never wanted for basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. There were times when both of us were unemployed, and the Lord provided. Often His provision was nothing short of miraculous. Praise His glorious name!

My prayer is that God will supply for your son beyond what he could ask or imagine!

Dear Julie - thanks for taking the time to reply with several helpful ideas. My inclination is to believe the promises in God's Word and stand on them, while doing whatever the Lord brings into my mind to do. David has been volunteering at his church in custodial services, which is helpful to him. He also has a small 401k of about $2500 which he might have to cash in. As you testify, so far, all his needs have been met. May God bless you for your interest in our need and for your testimony of God's faithfulness to you and your husband.

Dear Julie - thanks for taking the time to reply with several helpful ideas. My inclination is to believe the promises in God's Word and stand on them, while doing whatever the Lord brings into my mind to do. David has been volunteering at his church in custodial services, which is helpful to him. He also has a small 401k of about $2500 which he might have to cash in. As you testify, so far, all his needs have been met. May God bless you for your interest in our need and for your testimony of God's faithfulness to you and your husband.

It sounds like David is doing just what is necessary in his situation and is spending his time wisely during this season of unemployment. I pray that God will give him great favor and blessing.

I'm praying for God to supply! He is faithful. My husband and I have been walking in faith for a number of years, and God has never failed us. He has also blessed my dad who has been a tremendous help to us. Thus, I pray for God to replenish the needs of both you and your son.

Shalom,
Lori

I think God wants us to supply each others needs. That's what being in the Body is all about. There may be people in his church that would find it more a blessing for themselves to help your son. Let them know! Our Lord and Savior does hear our prayers. betsy

I am praying for your son and you and your husband,what a blessing it is to have family to share in our real struggles,I agree that God is always ready to supply our need and He knows what those needs are even before we have asked,we are still to ask and believe He will sustain us.I once worked many part time jobs but had no health insurance,then I learned of a program where I could recieve help,my doctor visits were on a sliding scale and any meds needed I applied to drug manufacturer and got them at ZERO cost,Praise God for his goodness! God will provide be assured in His timing all needs will be met. It is not always easy to wait so I pray for patience as you actively wait.

Prayers up, any updates?