Trust is the foundation of healthy relationships. As people get to know each other, they go through a process of testing each other's trustworthiness. Does this person genuinely care for others? Are they true to their word? Do they seek the welfare of those around them? Do they keep commitments and confidences? Are they a safe person?

God is interested in our building a relationship of trust with Himself. He claims to be trustworthy and puts Himself on the line, saying "Trust me. Prove my faithfulness. I keep my Word. I am your refuge, your safe place. I provide. I protect. I care."

Building trust in a relationship leads to a state of contentment. Contentment is not to be mistaken for 'relational stagnation' or 'satisfaction with mediocrity or the status quo'. It speaks of resting in the sufficiency of who you are and what you have.

The longer the Apostle Paul tested God's trustworthiness in different situations the more He learned to draw from the Lord as His sufficiency. "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:12-13).

God wants to be our total resource, our inexhaustible supply, our total sufficiency and competence (2Corinthians 3:5). He wants to be the CONTENT of our contentment.

One of the great deceptions of our age is to think that money is the source of our sufficiency. If we only had this amount of money, then we would be content. We look to the Almighty dollar rather than Almighty God. This inherent danger is why the American currency had a warning label imprinted on it- "In God We Trust". We must look to the Lord as the owner of all things and our financial transactions as a stewardship for which we must give an account. Money is not an evil. But the love of it, the worship of it, and the abuse of it is a deception that leads us to destruction. You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve God and Money (Matthew 6:24).

One of the first areas in which the Lord asks His disciples to trust him is in the area of providing our daily needs. He encourages us to ask Him for our daily bread. He reminds us that He has paid our great sin debt through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. Is He not capable of meeting our material needs which are so small by comparison? It is as if He is saying, "I've just paid the national debt on your behalf, don't you think I can buy you a muffin?" "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). He gives us the ability to work and gain wealth. The purpose for this is that we might be channels through which He can bless others.

He also invites His people to test Him in the area of giving to the work of the ministry (Malachi 3:10). He guarantees that if we invest in the kingdom we will receive a proportionate return: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" . (2Corinthians 9:6). One who sows a crop of wheat receives on average a return of 30% more than what was sown. When you invest in what God is doing, not only do you receive a proportionate return, but you become an involved shareholder who is concerned and excited about His work in the world. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. This is what the Lord wants above all.

"My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways." (Proverbs 23:26 NIV).

A fellow share-holder,