'In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.' Proverbs 23:4 & 5
Now take out some paper money, any paper money and look at the symbol of the Federal Reserve System. What do you see? A winged eagle. On your money that is flying away. Hmmm. You think maybe God knew what he was talking about?
I now calculate that if I don't leave any inheritance for my children, I might possibly be able to retire when I am around 93. Kinda depressing. But God talks about that too: 'Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one's children.' Ecclesiastes 5:14
I think we can all agree: it is scary out there! Banks are collapsing, businesses are failing, and investments are plummeting. Our economy and our lifestyles are changing, and no one can predict what will happen next. We are all hurting and scrambling to cope. If we are depending on our money for our security, we are in deep weeds. As King Solomon warns us: 'Trust in your money and down you go!' Proverbs 11:28
Listening to the latest financial predictions of the supposed experts can drive you to despair, can't it? So what is the solution? Let's listen to Jesus instead. What does Jesus have to say to us at a time like this?
'Don't trust in your unreliable investments. Trust me. Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.' 1 Tim. 6:17
'Use this wake up call to recalibrate your heart for true riches. Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.' Matt. 6:19-21
'true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.' 1Timothy 6:6
'Don't lay awake worrying about what you can't control. Take it one day at a time. So don't worry about tomorrow' Matt 6:34
'don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.' (The Message paraphrase)
'Bring your financial needs to me, and leave them with me. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you willexperience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.' Philippians 4:6,7
'I haven't forgotten you. I already know your needs and I promise I'll meet your needs. So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate thethoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need'
Matthew 6:31&32
'this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to usin Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:19
Not all of our wants, but all of our needs. Not some of our needs, all of our needs. Not from scarce resources, but from his glorious riches. So how should we live during this economic crisis? Jesus tells us:
'I tell you not to worry about…whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear… Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?... And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.
And that is a promise we can bank on.
--Dick Loizeaux
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