As a freelancer, I don’t have the benefit of a 401(k). I must save for retirement on my own. For two years financial stress has kept me from contributing to that account. For part of that time a poor economy ate away at my small reserve, cutting it by almost a third. When I first saw the numbers going in the wrong direction, I knew I wasn’t alone. A friend’s husband had lost half of his account when the stock market plummeted. I am part of a growing club of men and women learning to trust God to provide for the future. Even today I must focus on this month’s bills instead of tomorrow’s nest egg.

As soon as we hit the adult work world, we’re taught the importance of planning ahead for a house, our kids’ college educations, and retirement. But who expects an economic crash, job loss, medical crisis, or some other financial blow to reverse all our planning and saving? Perhaps we all need a season when we are forced to examine whether we trust God completely or our trust in Him stops with our savings. How many of us will reach old age with our needs truly unmet? While we may not know where future funds will come from, God promises to take care of His children.