Most global workers I’ve talked to over the years have this one common attribute: the intense dislike of fundraising. There have been the odd ones who’ve told me they enjoy it–to my widening eyes–but they are a rare breed indeed. The requirement to raise support is probably the number one reason why many choose to get a “normal job.”

Everyone has money-related anxiety at times. But we get into trouble whenever we do what comes naturally to all humans: we base our financial security on something other than God. I’ve seen this tendency in myself. For example, whenever I lose a supporter, I notice my stress level goes up. Now, why is that? Had God changed? Had he forgotten about me? Of course not. So why worry?

One day it hit me:my sense of security was based on the number of supporters I had instead of on God. Don’t get me wrong; those statistics are important. But they can never be the source of our feeling safe and secure.

In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul encourages the church to give money to the believers in Jerusalem. The basis of his plea is that God will provide for their needs; therefore, they can be generous. For us, our gift is not monetary, it’s our lives, but the same principle applies. God is the source of everything we have, and as we work for his kingdom, he will meet our every need.

So why do we have so many financial challenges? I wish I knew the answer. We must remember that such problems strike people in all lines of work. We live in a fallen world, and an enemy roars against us. Jesus warned us that we would have difficulties and tribulations, which is all the more reason to stand firm on God alone. Everything else is temporary and unstable.

If we have a thousand supporters, praise God. If we are thousands of dollars in the red, turn to God. Whatever our situation, let’s always remember that the Lord is the only strong shoulder on which we can lean.