Chapter 5: Learning to Live by Faith

I'm very much enjoying reading the autobiography of George Muller, and have just read chapter 5 where he is a church minister and decides, for several reasons, to give up his regular salary and rely on God's direct provision. The chapter reads like a diary that recounts continual answered prayer. Every time there's a need, he engages in prayer and pretty soon receives his provision one way or another. It reveals how such direct dependence, when combined with prayer, makes for a very good lesson in faith and provision. When you're on a comfortable salary, you don't see your prayers answered in quite the same way.

I think one of the reasons I find it so encouraging is that being self-employed, you don't have the comfort and security of a salary. Every time I get a job or a new client, it very definitely feels like an answer to prayer. Muller's faith levels were so high, and it's really encouraging to read. What you realise is how important it is to pray when living like this. It's so tempting to freak out at times, when money and work is low. Daily prayer really is the only solution to freaking-out, and can actually lead to a more carefree life, knowing that God's heard you and in control.

"Some may say that such a way of life leads a Christian away from the Lord and from caring about spiritual things. They say it may cause the mind to be occupied with questions like: "What shall I eat, what shall I drink, what shall I wear?" I have experienced both ways and I know that my present manner of living by trusting God for temporal things is connected with less care. Trusting the Lord for the supply of my temporal needs keeps me from anxious thoughts like: "Will my salary last and will I have enough for next month?" In this freedom I am able to say, "My Lord is not limited. He knows my present situation, and He can supply all I need." Rather than causing anxiety, living by faith in God alone keeps my heart in perfect peace."
p41-42, The Autobiography of George Muller

Muller also comments on the way such a lifestyle can help prevent backsliding:

"This way of living has often revived the work of grace in my heart when I began to grow spiritually cold. It also has brought me back again to the Lord after I had been backsliding. It is not possible to live in sin, and at the same time, by communion with God, draw down from heaven everything one needs for this life. Frequently, a fresh answer to prayer quickens my soul and fills me with great joy."
p42, The Autobiography of George Muller

"At the end of the year, we looked back and realized that all our needs had been met more abundantly than if we had received a regular salary. We are never losers from doing the will of the Lord. I have not served a hard Master, and that is what I delight to show."
p43-44, The Autobiography of George Muller