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         All true believers in Christ will be tested in their faith.  These faith tests prove whether we are sincere in trusting God, and on the shed Blood of Christ, for all life issues.  James 1:12 ”Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial [endures in the faith when going through difficult things], because when he has stood the test [faith proven to be genuine], he will receive the crown of life [eternal salvation] that God has promised to those who love him”—enough to keep trusting Him in faith through all trials, troubles, and tests.

          Being tested in faith is a vital aspect of the Christian life.  Our education in school includes tests to determine if progress is being made—concerning specific subjects.  Consecrating our life to Christ includes being tested on the subject of faith to reveal any area where our faith is lacking, or where our trust on God may need some adjustment.  Our present life today, and eternal life later, depends on meeting these tests scripturally and passing them successfully.

          Being tested on faith reveals our attitude to God and His Word.  The Christian’s goal is to take a Scriptural attitude concerning everything, and to be willing to follow God’s Word regarding every detail of life—with such things as protection, provisions, spiritual light, divine healing, correcting wrongs, or any matter where faith is a factor and God has clearly spoken.  Having our faith tested on relevant issues, and being able to meet them according to the Word, is connected to eternity.

          Every day should be a day of thanking God for His love and mercy—because He is showing us how important it is to follow the directions of His Word regarding every detail of life—and just as they are written.  Knowing how to respond to these life issues, is the most valuable information we could ever be given.  There are millions of professing Christians who have not been taught that, and do not understand the importance of following the principles of God’s Truth in the Scriptures—taking nothing from it, nor adding anything to it.  The plain teaching of Scripture is often read, but not believed, and definitely not applied.

          If we have truly given our life to God, we will be tested in faith.  We begin life with no knowledge of God; no idea that we have to follow His Word, and no understanding of what He is willing and waiting to do for us.  The sinful nature we started with, opposes God’s will and Word. 

After a true repentance, a change of heart, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, we will have the desire to know God’s will, and we will be inspired to do it.  We are tested on faith issues so we can learn to meet these things in a Scriptural way.  God’s plan of trust is opposite to the world’s plan of no trust and no faith.  We begin life with a carnal mindset—an attitude that thinks we are reasoning correctly.  That mindset will change only when our heart is changed—by God through spiritual faith lessons.

God’s financial plan is totally opposite to the world’s way.  The average person desires to make, and save, and invest enough money here and now on earth, to purchase anything presently needed, to cover any emergency, and for retirement years later.  That is sensible and reasonable from a human standpoint.

          God wants us to have everything we need each day—comfortable home, nice furniture, nourishing foods, adequate clothing, and a vehicle to drive—but on the issues of placing money aside for the future, God’s teaching on trust is opposite to the world’s advice on investments.  God says to put our money in heaven’s bank, and the world says to put it in an earthly bank.  The plans are opposite—but so are the destinations!

          Matthew 6:19 ”Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.”  Matthew 7:15 ”Beware of false prophets.”  Matthew 7:19 ”Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”  Matthew 7:24 ”Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock;” because when Matthew 7:25 “the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house [tested in faith]; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”  They trusted on God through faith in Christ.

          When our heart, life, and our decisions are given to God for His will to be done without turning back, the Holy Spirit enables us to meet tests, and to go through trials concerning finances as God’s Word says.  Our goal is to follow God’s teaching on money as it is written.  We are to live Matthew 4:4 by "every word that comes from the mouth of God"—which means to meet every test of faith as we are instructed in the Word of God.

          God says that for every dollar we put in Heaven’s bank, we will see a return of one-hundred dollars in this life—and will enter His kingdom as a final reward.  God tested Abraham on faith issues.  He said Genesis 12:1-2 "Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you.”

          Two chapters later, Abraham was tested on faith when the King of Sodom wanted to give him a financial blessing Genesis 14:22-23 but, “Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich;”—Genesis 15:6 “he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

          God promised Abraham a son of his own—through whom the entire world would be blessed.  Sarah laughed at the thought of having a child at her advanced age, so God had to ask why she did, and saying Genesis 18:14 ”Is anything too hard for the LORD?  I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."

          Twenty-six years later Genesis 22:2 Abraham met another faith test.  God told him: "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."  If Abraham would pass this faith test and obey God, Scripture would be fulfilled and his salvation assured.  Genesis 22:18 ”In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

          If we are not willing to obey God on some issue, we will be tested until we are willing—that is why God inspired the writing of Scripture.  If we are not willing to obey God’s financial teaching, we will be tested until we are willing, and our faith in Him perfected.  The devil has people to hedge on financial issues—going into debt, giving hints to others, putting some in the bank, etc.  If we borrow money, go into debt, or hint to others that we need money, God’s blessing is seriously hindered.

          Every believer must learn through testing to look only to God as the Supplier of all needs.  If anyone will make an uncompromising commitment to trust God alone for money, financial tests will be phased out, and we will begin to enjoy financial blessings God has promised to those who really trust Him.  That is the result of learning through testing to depend on the living God, and not on human resources.

          The spiritual blessing of knowing that God is right there, when we trust Him in faith, is the most valuable result of financial tests.  God would never tell us to give up things on this earth for no reason, but He had it written in the Bible because there is a reason—eternal life is connected.  God tells us that the rebellious sin nature must be removed and the obedient divine nature must take its place.

          The issue is—in what bank we place our financial resources—who is the custodian of our money—the Lord or the bank!  The world offers a few % interest, but God promises 10,000% increase or one-hundred fold for following His plan—100 dollars for every 1 dollar given to obey His Word.  Anyone would gladly take God up on that offer—but people do not believe He will do what He says.  If the sin nature is in control, they will not accept that offer—even though it is from God, who cannot lie.

          Many try to figure out where the money will come from, if they invested their money in heaven’s bank, but we must take the first step, and God will do the rest.  If anyone has given their money to God in faith, because they believe He will do what He promised, He will then give the spiritual wisdom to know how their money in heaven is accessed—just like money on earth is withdrawn.

          Faith tests include how we are treated by others.  Every believer will be tested by what others say and do to them.  The word Christian means follower of Christ, but there are many hypocrites who say but not follow the Word.  The only people getting into Heaven are those who know the truth of believing trust on God and faith in Christ, and actually live it.  We must know the same Truth from the same Book, and trust the same God in faith for every aspect of life—if salvation is our goal.

          After committing our life to God and being willing to obey His Word, we will be tested.  Sooner or later, a friend, a relative, an enemy, or anyone will say or do something that touches a sore spot.  It is not who said it, but how we meet it that counts.  God says not to resent it, but to forgive and forget it Matthew 6:14.  He says not to worry about it Philippians 4:6, and Romans 12:19 ”Do not take revenge, my friends.  I will repay," says the Lord.