The US Economy and God's Economy (part 1)

GOD'S PART

There are a lot of scared, hurting people right now. Some people have lost jobs and some have lost their homes due to foreclosures. With all the talk in the national media of another possible "Great Depression" type of period ahead for the nation, the majority of people in our country are extremely anxious about the future.

Unfortunately, people become disillusioned and begin looking to the government and (even worse) political candidates to solve these major financial problems. We begin to put our faith and hope in politicians (how wise is that?). They are the ones who got us into this mess in the first place!

As believers in Jesus Christ, though, we have a hope for our future. No matter what happens in the overall US economy, we can have quiet confidence in the fact that God owns it all, He loves His children, and that He will be the one to provide for our needs.

In Matthew 6:25-34 we read these words from our Lord:

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (NIV).

Here are some of the key points of this passage to remember during these difficult financial times:

1. Don't worry about your life!
2. Life is more important than food and the body is more important than clothing!
3. The Father feeds the animals on the earth; the human race is more valuable to Him than the animals. He's going to take care of us! He knows that we have daily necessities.
4. Pagans are the ones who "run after" material stuff. They are the ones who get nervous and go crazy! As Christ followers, we're called to be different than the world.
5. Seek first the Kingdom; if we will do this, the Father will take care of the rest!