What would you do if your credit card bill contained several charges that you didn't make? Would you just pay it anyway? Would you inspect the charges and pay for the ones that seemed like good causes, for example if the charges were for charities? Or would you call the credit card company and tell them you didn't make the purchases and you're not paying for any of them? Most of us would not be willing to pay for purchases that we neither made nor were consulted about. Yet sometimes we expect God to pay for charges that He hasn't authorized. I think there is often a perception that as long as we're doing something good or kind or generous, God will foot the bill. Some assume that because they are trying to do something good it doesn't matter that they can't afford it and God didn't tell them to do it.

I have known people that were literally generous to a fault. It's a problem when you spend money you don't have, and are so determined to bless others that you can't meet your own needs. Please understand I am not knocking generosity. I know God wants us to be generous and always looking for ways to be a blessing, but He wants us to use wisdom and discernment as well. First we have to operate within our season and budget. I have to give at my level unless God says I can do otherwise [There are times when God tells someone to give more than they think they can afford to stretch their faith]. But I can't spend more than I have and assume God will pay for it. It's not as if anyone can force God's hand.   

I think another issue is God has to check our motives. Sometimes we give for wrong reasons. People sometimes give out of pride; because they want to be the savior/hero/big spender. Some give out of insecurity; in an attempt to buy others' attention, love, and affection. Sometimes we are trying to rescue people from consequences that will help them make better choices. At times God has to correct our thinking. We may feel like as children of God we are entitled to certain things and a certain lifestyle, even when our budgets don't line up with our feelings. Under those circumstances it would be to our detriment for God to foot the bill. When Joseph knew that Egypt would have 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of lack, his plan wasn't to spend extravagantly and trust God would provide more because he was God's son. The plan was to use wisdom and save during the plenty so there would be enough during the times of lack.

Anointed by God I pray you will use wisdom in your spending and giving; and that all your charges will be authorized by God. Remember we are merely stewards of what God entrusts to us.