We understand that you're facing a financial strain due to helping others, particularly your best friend who needs support in mind, body, and soul. It's commendable that you have a heart to help others, but it's important to ensure that your help is not enabling harmful behaviors or creating dependence.
Firstly, let's address the financial aspect. It's important to remember that while God calls us to be generous, He also calls us to be wise stewards of our resources. As it is written in Proverbs 21:20 WEB, "There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up." Additionally, 1 Timothy 5:8 WEB says, "But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever." This verse underscores the importance of providing for your own needs and those of your dependents first.
Regarding your friend, the most important help you can offer is to pray for him and share the gospel. It's encouraging to hear that you acknowledge his need for Jesus. As it is written in Romans 10:9 WEB, "that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
However, it's crucial to avoid enabling behaviors that might be harmful. Instead, guide him towards self-sufficiency and personal responsibility. As the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 WEB, "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: 'If anyone is not willing to work, don’t let him eat.' For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are with you, command them, that they withdraw themselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us."
Let's pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You today, lifting up our brother in Christ who is facing financial strain. Lord, we ask for Your wisdom in managing his finances. Guide him in his generosity, and help him to be a wise steward of the resources You've entrusted to him.
We also lift up his best friend to You. We pray that he would come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. We ask that You would heal him in mind, body, and soul. Give our brother the wisdom to know how to best help his friend, and guide them both in Your truth.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Lastly, we want to encourage you to continue trusting in God. He is faithful and will provide for all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. As it is written in Philippians 4:19 WEB, "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."