How do I know this is what God wants?

[PurpleThistles]

Hi all, I am new to the forums and hoping for some advice as a relatively new Christian too.

I recently made the decision to start my own craft business from home as I have five children, one just a baby and would like to help contribute to the household funds.

I have been very excited about this and have been waiting in particular for some items arriving in the mail to begin crafting.

This morning I woke up early and laid in bed reading my bible in a year plan. After finishing I began thinking about the craft items arriving and suddenly had a very strong certainty that once I have made the items, I need to anonymously give them all away. Every single one (will be 25 in total). I really feel that God is telling me to do this with this very first lot of items and after that, I can begin to sell them.

Is this one of the ways in which God speaks to us? I have never felt such certainty and whilst I don’t know why I should do this, I know I will because it is right. I can’t not do it now? Does this make any sense?

 

[Sabertooth]

Is this one of the ways in which God speaks to us? I have never felt such certainty and whilst I don’t know why I should do this, I know I will because it is right. I can’t not do it now?

It is a common way that God talks to us.

Would you be in trouble with anyone for giving them away? (He doesn't want us to steal.)

If not, give it a shot. See what happens when you do. See if God uses it or it went nowhere because it was your own idea (in retrospect). That kind of trial-and-error is how we learn to recognize His voice over time (as long as the step you are taking doesn't violate what you know about Him).

 

[PurpleThistles]

No I wouldn’t be in trouble, I paid for the items and I will be making them. I think that’s what concerns me, how can I be sure that it’s what God wants or some subconscious want of my own? My husband is a non believer and I know he is going to be very confused when I tell him what I think I need to do though he will be supportive as he always is.

I’ve been so excited about them arriving and making them, looking forward to keeping one for myself but I just feel certain that is not what I should do. It’s so odd.

 

[Paidiske]

Let's entertain the idea, for a moment, that it is a subconscious want of your own.

It's an impulse to generosity, to kindness and love for others. Maybe it's an impulse to, in some way, be closer to God, who is so lavishly generous and kind to us.

If there's no harm in it, why not do it and see what the result is?

 

[Aussie Pete]

Hi all, I am new to the forums and hoping for some advice as a relatively new Christian too.

I recently made the decision to start my own craft business from home as I have five children, one just a baby and would like to help contribute to the household funds.

I have been very excited about this and have been waiting in particular for some items arriving in the mail to begin crafting.

This morning I woke up early and laid in bed reading my bible in a year plan. After finishing I began thinking about the craft items arriving and suddenly had a very strong certainty that once I have made the items, I need to anonymously give them all away. Every single one (will be 25 in total). I really feel that God is telling me to do this with this very first lot of items and after that, I can begin to sell them.

Is this one of the ways in which God speaks to us? I have never felt such certainty and whilst I don’t know why I should do this, I know I will because it is right. I can’t not do it now? Does this make any sense?

It makes sense. My advice is to pray about it and ask God to make it clear to you. I've found that if the certainty of an idea remains, it is from God. If it diminishes, it was my own idea.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hello @PurpleThistles, first off, WELCOME TO CF

Do you have any sense from God of why He might be leading you to give these items away (instead of selling them)?

Beyond that, the only advice that I can offer you is to continue learning how to seek God's will for your life, which is usually found first and foremost in our growing relationship with Him as He speaks to us (principally through His word), and as we then respond back to Him in prayer.

Here are some verses to consider if you'd like .. Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3, 37:4, 119:9-11, 105; John 16:24; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17.

There is also this excellent, short series on knowing God's will by Dr. R. C. Sproul which may prove to be helpful to you.

God's Will and the Bible by R.C. Sproul
​

You can listen to the first lecture (God's Will & the Bible) for free, but you will need to buy the second lecture for $2.00 (God's Will & Your Vocation), or you can buy/own both for $3.20. Both lectures (if you buy them) will be delivered to you in the form of a digital download, just FYI (or, once you buy them, you can also listen online at Ligonier). Both lectures will help you discover God's will for your life, and will give you practical advice about what to do to find it, as well what not to do.

God bless you!

--David

Deuteronomy 11
18 You shall impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
19 You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.
20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
21 so that your days and the days of your sons may be multiplied on the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens remain above the earth.
.​

 

[Tolworth John]

Hi all, I am new to the forums and hoping for some advice as a relatively new Christian too.

I recently made the decision to start my own craft business from home as I have five children, one just a baby and would like to help contribute to the household funds.

I have been very excited about this and have been waiting in particular for some items arriving in the mail to begin crafting.

This morning I woke up early and laid in bed reading my bible in a year plan. After finishing I began thinking about the craft items arriving and suddenly had a very strong certainty that once I have made the items, I need to anonymously give them all away. Every single one (will be 25 in total). I really feel that God is telling me to do this with this very first lot of items and after that, I can begin to sell them.

Is this one of the ways in which God speaks to us? I have never felt such certainty and whilst I don’t know why I should do this, I know I will because it is right. I can’t not do it now? Does this make any sense?

How did God speak to you, was it just a feeling of was scripture also involved?
Many ladies made and donated items to the poor. They were always necessities, like clothing.
Can you discribe your craft items as necessities?
If not go ahead and sell them and donate something to a realavent charity

 

[Mountainmanbob]

If money is not an issue give them away.

Maybe that will actually bring in more business?

I will admit that it feels good to give things to others.

M-Bob

 

[Dave G.]

It would be consistent for God to instruct the giving of 1/10 of your efforts for His cause. IE first fruits or tithing 10% there of. I don't know how giving your whole first effort away plays into that, perhaps 250 orders await or perhaps this is not of God at all ! But how He spoke to you does happen, upon reading, a revelation of some sort hits you. You need to find how what you think you heard is bound in truth somehow.

 

[tturt]

Yes God does prompt us in those ways. Since your husband is not a believer yet, he would probably understand it as a promotion strategy.

Btw, you may already know this but I just learned you can add another phone number to your cell for a few dollars a month.

 

[PurpleThistles]

Well at the moment with the reading plan I am following, this morning I was reading about the construction of the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant. It was so extravagant yet the people of Israel all contributed so much they had to stop.

I was also reading about the young man that asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life and after Jesus said some of the commandments and the young man said he had been obeying the commandments since he was born, Jesus told him to give all his possessions away but the young man walked away.

These particular items are not necessities, they are necklaces, hand painted. They are not extravagant just leather, glass and paint. As I intend running my business online and also giving them away anonymously, promotion is not a factor.

Shortly after posting this, I actually ended up in hospital, unexplained chest pain, so they wanted to check a few things including my heart. I was very frightened but I read some bible verses that reminded me not to be afraid. Incidentally the necklaces I will be making are heart shaped.

 

[Billy UK]

If it is the Lord maybe through your obedience he will bless your future endeavors as you put him first through this act of faith.

Acts 20:35 (KJV)
​

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

I have written a number of ministry books, and have them on Amazon Kindle to sell. But I have given away many more books than I have sold, mainly because I have wanted the message to get to people who need to hear it. I wrote a book, "Why Do You Go To Church?", and when I preached on the topic in a Sunday service, I gave a copy to each member of the congregation (around 40 people).

We had a visiting speaker who had just written a book about hearing the voice of God, and he brought copies of that books plus other missionary books he had written. I told the people to select the titles they wanted free of charge, and paid the author out of the church funds. That way, our people got their book free, and the author was compensated so he wouldn't be out of pocket.

To boost sales and make people aware of book titles, they have a promotion where they offer copies free for a limited time. This involves the hope that a person who gets a free copy will let others know about it and possibly buy copies. In reality, I did it for a couple of my books, but it didn't improve sales.

But promoting a business by offering products free or discounted can work to get people aware of it. Or the product can be bundled with a free gift as another method of promoting the business.

One thing I would say though, is market research is vitally important to determine whether there is a market for your product, and whether you are in competition with others selling similar products.

 

[SkyWriting]

Hi all, I am new to the forums and hoping for some advice as a relatively new Christian too.

I recently made the decision to start my own craft business from home as I have five children, one just a baby and would like to help contribute to the household funds.

I have been very excited about this and have been waiting in particular for some items arriving in the mail to begin crafting.

This morning I woke up early and laid in bed reading my bible in a year plan. After finishing I began thinking about the craft items arriving and suddenly had a very strong certainty that once I have made the items, I need to anonymously give them all away. Every single one (will be 25 in total). I really feel that God is telling me to do this with this very first lot of items and after that, I can begin to sell them.

Is this one of the ways in which God speaks to us? I have never felt such certainty and whilst I don’t know why I should do this, I know I will because it is right. I can’t not do it now? Does this make any sense?

This is a sound business plan. Getting feedback from the public can be the number one thing you can do to be successful long term. There are exceptions where people go against the grain because they are manic to serve a small niche, and they persevere till they find their people. But in your case, you want to sell to a hungry market and a quality product....so get lots of feedback from your "customers" and find what they are hungry for.

Always keep your ears open wide for niche opportunities.

 

[CaspianSails]

No I wouldn’t be in trouble, I paid for the items and I will be making them. I think that’s what concerns me, how can I be sure that it’s what God wants or some subconscious want of my own? My husband is a non believer and I know he is going to be very confused when I tell him what I think I need to do though he will be supportive as he always is.

I’ve been so excited about them arriving and making them, looking forward to keeping one for myself but I just feel certain that is not what I should do. It’s so odd.

Seems you have made up your mind. If you know God is directing you to do this, then do it. I question to ask is why am I am doing this? As long as the answer is simply because I know God told me too and there are no other motivations then do it.