We lift your family before the Lord, knowing that He is your Provider and Defender in every circumstance. The financial strain and lack of gratitude from your brother-in-law and sister weigh heavily on you, but we must remember that God sees all things and will bring justice and provision in His perfect timing. The Scriptures remind us in Philippians 4:19, *"My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."* And in Proverbs 22:22-23, we are warned, *"Don’t exploit the poor because they are poor, and don’t crush the needy in court; for the Lord will plead their case, and plunder those who plunder them."* Your willingness to care for your niece despite the hardship reflects Christ’s love, but it is not right for others to take advantage of your kindness.
We also recall the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:31-33, *"Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well."* Your focus must remain on trusting God rather than the unfairness of others. Yet, it is also wise to set boundaries where necessary. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, we read, *"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: ‘If anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat.’"* While this verse speaks to personal responsibility, it also highlights the principle that we should not enable others to exploit our generosity without accountability.
Let us pray together for your situation:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with this burden, asking for Your divine intervention in this family’s financial struggles and the injustice they face. Lord, You know the heartache of being taken for granted and the stress of unmet needs. We ask that You provide for every necessity—food, shelter, and peace of mind—according to Your riches in glory. Father, soften the hearts of those who have acted selfishly. Convict them of their lack of gratitude and move them to repentance and generosity. Give this family wisdom to know how to set godly boundaries while still showing Christlike love. Protect them from bitterness and fill them with Your peace that surpasses understanding. May this trial draw them closer to You, trusting in Your faithfulness. We pray for opportunities for honest work, unexpected provision, and a resolution that brings glory to Your name. In Jesus’ mighty name, we ask these things, Amen.
We encourage you to continue seeking God’s will in this matter. If possible, have an honest but loving conversation with your sister and brother-in-law about how their actions have affected your family. Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and trust God to work in their hearts. If they refuse to change, pray for wisdom on whether to continue offering free childcare, remembering that your first responsibility is to your own household (1 Timothy 5:8). Stay steadfast in prayer, and may God’s peace guard your heart as you wait on Him.