The Christian and the Economic Crisis

For the past three weeks, the central focus of the news has been the financial crisis in America. People in our country are angry, and wondering if the bail-out helps Wall Street more than them. But underneath the anger, there is a deeper level of fear right now. They wonder, How will this affect me and my family? What will happen to my retirement fund, to the college account for my kids, to the value of my home?

It's not often that most Americans are feeling the same thing at the same time. The last time this single focus of the populace occurred was probably right after 9/11. Some pundits are saying this is the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression.

God is the only one who is in control. And because He is, you and I can rest assured. Nothing can happen to one of His children unless He allows it, and if He allows it, He will turn it for good somehow and some way. Believe God and leave all the consequences to Him. We are the strongest when we are on our knees.

Life is continually changing - in fact, every day we find something is different. And about the time you think you've got it leveled out, what happens? Some other challenge crops up in our life. Think about the troublesome times in which we live. For example, all of a sudden, early this year, the gasoline prices sky rocket on us. And now, we are in the midst of huge bank meltdown. Thousands of people have had their homes foreclosed on them. Now we even hear people talking about rationing food.

I didn't live during the Great Depression, so I don't know if what's happening today is as bad as then. But I can remember as a very young boy what was happening during World War II. I have here some ration cards given to my parents and us kids during the War. After that war came the Korean War in the early 50's, and later the Viet Nam War.

Some of you have lived through all of these. As far as I'm concerned, in this world there is no peace without Jesus, the Prince of Peace. There rarely has been any lengthy periods of real peace.

Let me say this - things are going to keep on changing. Life is never going to settle out where you are going to say, finally I'm going to drift on in. And the reason it isn't is because we live in a fallen world.

Americans have been learning one of the toughest truths of the Bible. That is, money is uncertain - it's unreliable. You have no guarantee that what you have, financially, today will be there tomorrow.

1 Timothy 6:6-11 NIV

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Even if you have no money in the stock market, you still have been affected by the economic crisis in America. That's because each one of us will be footing the bill for the $700 billion bail-out. And if you have money in the market, you probably have seen it take some serious hits. And since the news bureaus gravitate to "bad news," they have plenty of negativity to focus on in their newscasts. I admit, there are times when I don't want to listen to any newscasts.

In the week before this one, we had the largest one-week stock market decline in history. But, every day during the sudden decline, I also watched the stock markets around the world, and the countries of Europe and Asia have been hit harder that the USA. The Russian market was probably hit the worst.

Proverbs 23:5 NIV

5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

So, the first question is where should we turn when things get difficult and challenging? The president? The Congress? The candidates in the upcoming election? Actually, we need to look in only one place for the answer ... the Word of God. Psalm 121:2 tells us that our help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth. As believers in Jesus, we don't have to live with anxiety or fear. God can give you confidence and peace no matter what you face today.

Additional questions might be:

o How should a Christian respond to a deepening economic crisis like this?

o What should people of faith be thinking, saying and doing?

o Where is God in all this?

Here is something to remember. God often uses adversity for His greatest blessings. And it is during the times of adversity that Christians can do some of their best work. For instance, take a look at history. During the plagues that wracked the Roman Empire, the doctors and wealthy pagans fled the cities. But the Christians stayed and tended to the sick and dying.

Today we have an opportunity to see how the Acts 4 church really works, where Christians help one another through tough times and reach out lovingly to our neighbors.

One theologian has said that Western democracy is like a three-legged stool, resting on political freedom, economic freedom, and moral restraint. Take away moral restraint, and the stool collapses. And I believe America has lost a great deal of its moral restraint, and our politicians have had their share of guilt in it all. And the leaders in this world - the leaders in this nation, for example, have almost totally ignored God and the laws of God and His principles. And they try to govern their nation and govern our nation on the basis of human reasoning - not God's. And the leaders of the world - of all the nations - the problem is, they refuse to acknowledge this Book as the guidebook for governing as well as for living.

In it all, we need to remember that God is on His throne. And the "eat, drink and be merry" attitude of our citizenry needed an adjustment, as well as the casual attitude of the Church. I say that because I believe the church has become so materialistic. The people in the Church have developed additions to the biblical world-view, that has made it difficult to tell the difference between the Church and the world.

The problem with society is not that it doesn't have enough riches. The problem is that we are not satisfied with the riches we already have.

2 Peter 1:3 NIV

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness...

I am reminded of a story I heard or read some time ago. Come to think of it, I think it was in the little booklet called, The Daily Bread. The story was about a rich industrialist who was watching a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat. The rich man was disturbed by the scene, and asked the fisherman, "Why aren't you out there fishing?" The fisherman replied, "because I've caught enough fish for today." "Why don't you catch more fish than you need?" asked the rich man. The fisherman asked back, "What would I do with them?" "You could earn more money," came the impatient reply. And you could buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch even more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. And maybe you could have a fleet of boats and become rich like me.

The fisherman lazily asked: "Then what would I do?" To which the industrialist replied, "You could sit down and enjoy life." And the fisherman asked, "What do you think I am doing right now?" Are you - am I - like the fisherman or the industrialist. We sometimes forget that we don't have to have a lot of money to enjoy life. But too often, we fall into the trap of thinking we need to have more and more. Paula and I don't have an incredible amount of savings, but we do prefer to keep it.

When we hear or read the news that people are losing their savings or their homes or both, it sometimes makes the most godly even to fear or worry. And, as I said earlier, we Christians must get back to the Word of God.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE MOST COMMON COMMAND OF THE BIBLE IS?

God's most frequently repeated instruction is formulated in two words:

FEAR NOT!!!

God says, "Fear not, for I am with you." He tells Joshua and us, "Be strong and courageous." I think God says, "fear not" so often because fear is the number one reason human beings are tempted to avoid doing what God has asked them to do. Fear disrupts faith and become the biggest obstacle to trusting and obeying God.

We have to recognize that we live in a society which embraces values far different from the Kingdom which Jesus spoke of and preached. Our society is truly one driven by materialism and greed. The values of God's kingdom is far different.

Having said that, I don't imply for a moment that we should not plan for the future and prepare for retirement somewhere in the future. In fact, it is unwise not to invest for the future - not to save for the unexpected.

Proverbs 21:20 NIV

20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man squanders all he has.

The wise person will plan ahead. But, in our planning ahead, we must never get to the place where we put our trust in our own resources. Always, God is our Source.

In Philippians 4:11, the apostle Paul says,...

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

When you get to the place in your life where you love the Lord regardless of your socio-economic status, then you have truly become a happy person.

Notice what Proverbs 15:16 (NKJV) says:

16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD , than great treasure with trouble.

It is better to have little with the fear of the Lord than to be wealthy without Him. With Jesus in your life, it doesn't matter what the market does. God doesn't need the stock market to do good in order to take good care of you. He is mightier than any blue chip. Not only do we need to be content with what we have, we also need to put all of our trust in God.

Then, in 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV), Paul says to Timothy:

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

I have here a twenty dollar bill. On the back of it, there is a slogan. That's right, it says "In God We Trust." Right on the back of our money, God is giving us a message. Don't put your trust in this piece of paper. He says, "Put your trust in me, instead."

Your savings may be depleted. Your broker may have let you down. But God will never let you down. With Jesus in your life, you will have everything you need. I know that the economy is in bad shape. But God still owns the cattle on a thousand hill (Psalm 50:10). He is still enthroned in Heaven. And no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).

When everything in life is stripped away except God, and we trust him more because of it - this is gain and He is glorified. Psalm 46:1 tells us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." We who are believers should not give in to fear. Fear originates as a thought to cause us to doubt our situation and anxiously wonder about our future. Satan uses such pressures to paralyze us and conform us to his will. Fear makes the Word of God ineffective in our lives. We have to learn to operate not based on what we can see, but what we can expect to accomplish through confidence and obedience to the Lord.

Always remember this: There is nothing that negatively happens to you, that God cannot turn for your good and His glory. Nothing - absolutely nothing. Read what God says through the prophet Jeremiah. First he tells us how foolish it is to trust mans abilities - that includes our abilities.

Jeremiah 17:5-6 NKJV

5 Thus says the LORD : "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD .
6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.

The next two verses, however, show what can happen when we put our trust and confidence in God.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV

7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD , and whose hope is the LORD.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.

God is able to make us abound, even in very difficult times.

So where does that leave us? It leaves us, as believers, learning how to live with a sense of confidence and assurance, no matter what we face in life. So the question is: Is it possible for a believer to live with confidence and assurance and sense of boldness, fearless, with a sense of contentment in life, even when things seem to be totally opposite. And the answer is a resounding YES!.

God is able to make us abound even in times of famine and scarcity. We are believers, not doubters! As believers, we must always remember our position.

o We are possessors of eternal life.

And when I used the phrase "eternal life" and when the Bible uses it, it is not speaking just of life without end. But it is speaking of a quality of life, both here and in eternity, sustained by the life of God. We need to possess this life and start appropriating its benefits.

o We are recipients of God's love.

He cares for us and desires his best for us. The only thing that can separate us from His goodness are our transgressions, our lack of obedience to His instructions.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV) tells us

9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

o We have God's Joy

We don't have to wait for a winning lottery ticked to have exuberant joy. We don't have to worry or fret because we already have received much from the Lord. We should not be putting our trust in man's wisdom to bring the crisis to an end or go away. Even if this one ends, another will take its place. That is not a pessimist speaking to you. Those who know me know I am the continual optimist.

When I read the last book in the Bible - The Revelation, I don't see great and positive changes on the horizon. What's happening - in Revelation, it looks like all hell's breaking loose. Sounds somewhat like today. Everything is coming apart. The whole world is in convulsions. And there is not a single verse in the Bible that says one of these days, the church is going to be so successful, and so many people are going to be saved, there is going to be peace here and hereafter.

Wouldn't that be fantastic. The only problems is, the Bible prophesies something totally different. It's not going to happen that way. And the problem both now and in Revelation is that they are trying to solve each crisis using human wisdom and not relying on God.

And the Bible also says that as time marches on, the interval between crises becomes less and less. Like a mother in labor, the birth pangs become more frequent and each crisis greater than its predecessor.

So, we need to stay connected to Him who does not change. He is the only solid and sure foundation. When we do that, we can truly have joy in the midst of the crisis. And Nehemiah 8:10 says that joy of the Lord becomes our strength.

God can multiply the resources that we have. John 6:1-13 God can sustain us through extended periods of need in our lives. 1 Kings 17:1-16. God frequently provides just enough at just the right time. Exodus 16:1-35. God can make bitter water sweet. Exodus 15:22-27. God can bring water out of a rock. Numbers 20:1-13

God can supply our needs in a bad economy just as easily as in a prosperous economy. God's resources are inexhaustible and limitless. God tells us to take our burdens to Him and let Him carry them. God can still do the miraculous - that's His specialty. God's provisions are not governed by the world's economy.

Here are the words of the famous message by S.M. Lockridge, called "That's My King." It will help those hurting from the economic crisis.

The late Dr. S. M. Lockeridge, a pastor from San Diego, California said these words in a sermon in Detroit in 1976:

My King was born King. The Bible says He's the King of the Jews. He's the King of Israel. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King.

David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's august. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.

He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.

Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislatures. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the Governor of governors. He's the Prince of princes. He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He's indescribable. That's my King. He's incomprehensible, He's invincible, and He is irresistible.

I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.

He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever's, then . . .Amen!

Last Updated: Wednesday September 07 2011
©2001 John's Notes