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As I am writing this post this morning, more discouraging news is being broadcast by the media. The dreaded "double-dip recession" is the latest economic forecast based on a continuing flat US economy, an almost 10% unemployment rate, and further massive drops in the stock market. Europe is in a deep financial mess, and even rumors about economic problems in China are beginning to surface. It would seem the entire world is having a financial meltdown.
People are definitely scared right now. They're freaking out, saving money for more continuing rainy days. People are pulling money out of the stock markets because there is so much instability and uncertainity. For several decades now, people have put their hope, their trust in wealth. Our financial times have been relatively great since the 1980s that people have forgotten that our economy does run in cycles of both good and bad, bull and bear markets. When times were great, they lived on the razor's edge financially with too much debt and too little savings. Now that times are lean, they are in a jam, and they are having to make a major pendulum swing to the opposite side of the spectrum through a restraint in spending, unloading of debt, and saving money wherever possible. It's a whole new world, baby.
Hard Times And Christian Living
In an ideal world of faith living, Christians should have been living opposite the world financially for the last 25-30 years. Christians should have been giving back regularly to God through their local churches. They should have been paying off old debt and avoiding any new debt. They should have saved some of the income God had blessed them for a rainy day emergency fund. They should have been saving a portion of their income for retirement. They should have been living in modest homes and paying off their mortgages as quickly as possible.
But, this has not been the case. During this last cycle of bullish financial times, Christians followed the example of the world's way of handling money. Now, the majority of them are "reaping the whirlwind." They are reaping what they have sown financially for the last several years. They are in a huge mess that they are desparately trying to work through right now.
God Is Our Supplier
If we've been horrible managers of God's money up to this point in time, then perhaps we do have good reason to be nervous about the economic situation we now find ourselves in. But, even the Christian who now finds himself in a financial disaster should not be in a panic.
Philippians 4:19 reads, And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. As believers, we have a really rich Heavenly Father! God's Word states that everything in heaven and on earth is his His to begin with. And because He knows everything about us and our specific needs, He will meet those needs.
Even though God has promised His followers that He will meet our needs, He wants you to do your part in the process. Confess your sin of mismanaging God's wealth that He had entrusted to you over the last several years. Get educated on strategies to handle your finances according to the principles contained in God's Word. Crown Financial Ministries and Financial Peace University are two great places to start. And, start living accoring to these Biblical principles. As we become more obedient to God and His Word, He will supply our needs and help us back out of our financial ignorant mess!
Who Or What Are You Trusting In, Today?
Through these financially difficult days, in who or in what are you trusting, child of God? Are you trusting in your financial intellect? Are you trusting in the government to get you out of your mess (I hope not!)? Or, are you even trusting in Biblical financial wisdom?
While some of these things can certainly be helpful, our ultimate provider is God Almighty. Through times of plenty or lack, He still owns it all. He loves you and He has promised to provide for the needs of His children. So, relax and place your trust in His provision.
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