The title of this post is inspired by a sermon I heard this morning, although it's really only tangentially related. It seems everywhere you look there's more trouble brewing for the economy. Citigroup is in talks with the government, reportedly to spin off bad assets; consumer confidence in October was at an all-time low, 38 on a scale of 100, I think. So it's natural to think in terms of gloom and doom. I don't know where the answer to these problems lies. I don't think any type of government stimulus plan will necessarily work -- it's like pushing on a string, as an old economics theory goes. But I have faith in God.
I don't think God's a cheerleader for the stuff-based economy. God's economy inverts our way of thinking -- he roots for and sees value in the poorest among us, along with us rich folks. I think God has an answer, though, that transcends current circumstances. "I have learned the value of being content in all circumstances," writes Paul, probably from a prison cell. So is this a crisis of Biblical proportions, as people like to say? Of course. It is a wake-up call from God, just as much as 9/11. A call to stop putting our faith in things and start putting faith in Him. The ceiling may be falling, but it may just be because we're desperate for God and need Him to heal our money-obsessed paralysis. (See Mark Chapter 2, which is where the sermon comes in -- the story is that people were so faithful for a paralyzed friend that they tore down the roof to get him in to see Jesus, who forgave his sins and healed him). I know this is getting preachy, but I believe it. Let me know what you think.
1 comment:
Amen! Preach it! I like to "think" I'm not all that into stuff...but I still can't believe how much I "want" for things when I truly have all I need & more in my life. I'm becoming more & more convinced that discipline in God's scriptures is my only ticket to "freedom" in this life; freedom from believing the lies that swirl & force their way into my head & heart on such a regular basis.
I do think we need to be wise with how we spend, invest & give our money, but I need to be more disciplined in believing that it's ALL God's money. Period. That ALL of it is a gift & ALL of it is something I will be held accountable to.
I believe the only thing that will ever turn America from being the godless nation, is the removal of a "safe" & strong economy. And believers no doubt will suffer right along with it. But if it means more people are humbled, desperate for the Savior, able to see their need for God - not to get more money - but to get more of Him, then I hope I'm willing to suffer for it. I don't want to hold onto my stuff so much that it keeps others from seeing Jesus. I see Jesus the most when others are serving the poor, the needy, the helpless. And I know I need to do much more of that in my own life.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on an always important topic.
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