The financial markets are free falling. This reminds of what is stated on our dollar bills: In God We Trust.Podcast version here
Psalm 98:2 The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
In the midst of all this financial turmoil in the market and across the world, it is perhaps time to remind ourselves that our salvation does not come from money, and that our security is not established by the number of stocks that we own. If we look at any dollar bill, we will read the plain words “In God We Trust.” It was put on our currency to remind us that money is just a means to buy and sell things, but it is not what we as human beings need to trust. After all, as the old saying goes, “You can’t take your money with you.”
I guess a lot of people are on the verge of panicking right now. They’re seeing their lifetime savings, pensions, and 401Ks being depleted as the market plummets. It’s a harsh reminder that our security cannot be guaranteed by what we possess. Our salvation belongs to God and our lives are His alone.
Sometimes we get ensnared by what we have, instead of recognizing who we truly are. Human beings were created long before money, currency, stocks and shares appeared on the scene. We were not made to be possessed by our possessions; rather we were created to enjoy God’s creation. If we place too much value on our financial worth, we lose our spirituality. It’s no accident that the Bible states that ‘the love of money is the root of all evil.’ If we become obsessed with what the markets are doing, we are in danger of losing our grasp of God. Money may make the world go around, but the Lord God sustains the entire universe.
It’s time to let go of our fears and let God increase our faith. It’s time to place our trust in Him and not the banks, the markets, or the stock exchange. Things may be difficult for a while, but they are not disastrous. God has created enough resilience and creativity within all of us to overcome these troubles.
Prayer: Father God, help us to let go of our losses and hold on to the victory that we have in Jesus Christ. Teach us to trust in You and keep us from equating our lives to the things we possess. Enable us to put Jesus at the center of our lives and help us to value ourselves through the strength of our relationship with Him. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
3 comments:
I am rather relaxed about it personally, though I know my financial life is not a sure thing. Maybe I would feel different if I was older than 45. However, I am worried of what troubled times could do in the amount of suffering that comes from poverty. Yes, God is a our strength, but hunger and homelessness are concerns we are called to respond to and they will increase in a depressed economy.
I understand your point.
That's where a faithful and secure church could bring hope to impoverished communities and lead with acts of compassion. As long as we remember our security comes from God, then we will be able to turn things around.
Yes, if those of us who have enough, through God's strength, used compassion to help those in need.... The world would be a better place.
Possibly... The whole argument about taxing the rich would not be needed if we all were moved to help those in need. I know it is much more complicated than that simple statement.
Peace
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