Has God asked you to ‘Put your money where your mouth is’?
I’ve always enjoyed hearing that expression. If you’ve never heard this saying before it’s just a way of encouraging people to back up what they’re saying with tangible actions as opposed to just words.
For example, it’s easy to say that you want homeless people to be able to get the resources they need. It’s another thing to volunteer at a homeless shelter or provide food, money or clothing to the poor.
It’s easy to say that you’ll say a prayer for a friend who’s going through radiation treatment. It’s another thing to make a donation to their Go Fund Me for their hospital bills or sit by their bedside as they receive treatment.
It’s easy to tell your friend that you believe in their business idea. It’s another thing to invest money into their business idea. So in short, a lot of times people are quick to talk the talk but won’t really walk the walk.
Is it possible that YOU are one of those people?
I’m not going to lie. Sometimes, shoot, oftentimes, I am one of those people. While I’ve worked on getting out of that habit, I’ve still noticed areas I could use more work in—especially my spiritual life. Out of all of the things that you are currently praying for, how many of those things involve having faith in something you do not yet see?
Maybe you’re praying about a:
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Job opportunity
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Business idea
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Friend/Relationship
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Investment
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Struggling marriage
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Wayward child
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Diagnosis/sickness
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Pregnancy/fertility
While you may be quick to say that you have faith in the things that you are hoping and praying for, in reality, you may rarely back up your words with actions. In other words, you don’t truly act as if you believe you will get what you’re asking for.
It’s one thing to “say” that you have faith. It’s another thing to “prove” that you have faith.
What do I mean by that? Simple. Going back to the biblical definition, faith means, “knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.” A lot of times you say that you have faith that God is going to do what you are praying for Him to do; but when it comes time to back up those words with actions, you chicken out.
For me at least, I don’t often chicken out due to fear—doubt is the main issue. It’s like I think that God told me something, but maybe I was wrong. If a significant amount of time passes by I may start to wonder, “Has God forgotten about me?” This is where I think you may be messing up too. You say that you believe what God said, but you don’t act as if you believe.
It’s one thing to say that you have faith God gave you a business idea and will help you grow it. It’s another thing to leave your cushy, secure job and focus on launching/growing the other business.
It’s one thing to say that you have faith that God will help you to write a book. It’s another thing to actually carve out time each day to work on that book.
It’s one thing to say that you believe God can fix your marriage. It’s another thing to continue to invest time and energy into your less-than-willing partner while trusting that God is going to work things out.
According to the Bible, faith is defined as, “being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.” Hebrews 11:1 NCV
I was reminded of this when I viewed an instagram post by Mecca Moore Tartt, the founder of the Self Care Summit and the co-Founder of “A Weekend For Love.” Although I had been following her for years, I had never known that she was hoping and praying for another child.
One day, I logged into Instagram and saw the following: post : “4 years of prayer, 4 years of blowing out my birthday candles asking for the same wish, 4 years of believing that what God promised me would happen, 4 years of standing on stages at my speaking engagements publicly saying “I will be pregnant next year”…4 years of tears…4 years of optimism…4 years of saving all of Trins baby/toddlers items because to give something away meant giving up on my DREAM.”
Four years. FOUR. YEARS. Be honest. Could you do this? Or better yet, would you do this? And don’t be embarrassed to answer honestly. God knows your heart anyway 😂.
Pay attention to this: It wasn’t enough for her to state her request to God. She followed it up with tangible actions. In other words, she had faith and proved it by putting her money where her mouth was. In a subsequent post she added, “Anything that is not in alignment with what God has told you is simply just noise…a distraction.”
This is your wakeup call. You are distracted and it is messing you up! Sometimes, you’re distracted by others’ words. Sometimes, you’re distracted by your thoughts. Sometimes, you’re distracted by your feelings. Sometimes, you’re distracted by obstacles. Sometimes, you’re distracted by life throwing you a curveball.
Regardless of what is distracting you, it’s time to LET IT ALL GO. Tune out the noise and believe that God will do above and beyond what you are asking for. Or as Dr. Tony Evans put it, “Act like God is telling the truth!”
In a sermon I listened to several years ago, I heard this illustration. One day, there was a city that was experiencing a drought. A farmer who lived in that area would often pray to God to send rain. After the prayer he would look outside; however, there was never a drop of rain to be seen. One day, he discussed this with his next door neighbor who said, “I’ll pray to God about it too.” After praying for rain, the man immediately got up and went and grabbed his umbrella. The farmer looked at him in confusion. The man replied, “I prayed for rain. Now it’s time I act like I know i’m going to receive it.”
Whatever it is that you are praying for, it is time you start putting your money where your mouth is by engaging in those actions that prove you believe you will receive what you are praying for. And yes, you better believe I will be grabbing my umbrella too! 😉
Which prayer do you struggle to have faith that God will answer? Drop it in the comment box below!
What do I do if I feel like I’ve put my money where my mouth is with no results? I even went and got an umbrella, but no rain =(.
I’m so sorry for the late reply! As for your question, I don’t think there is an easy answer. 😕 But if I had to go with my gut intuition, I would say that the next step is to wait and believe. (Insert ‘Don’t stop believin’ song reference here lol). I know that this can be very hard when you don’t see any evidence that what you’re praying for is coming; but I think that’s when you have to fall back on your faith in God as well as your trust in God’s goodness. You have to believe that not only He can “make it rain” (so to speak) but also that He will. Create a written track record of all of the times that God has come through for you when all hope seemed lost. When doubt comes knocking at your door, review the list. Always remind yourself , “ I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains, And I believe I’ll see You do it again. You made a way, where there was no way, And I believe I’ll see You do it again.” May His promise still stand for you and me. I hope this helps! ☺️