Last night Elizabeth and I had a chat about money, the economy and our response. I am planning on taking a few minutes on Sunday to expound on this thought a little but want to flesh it out with you here.
Elizabeth lived in Chile for years some of her family live currently in Argentina and have for years and her Grandparents lived through the revolution in Bolivia many decades ago. She is all to familiar with economies devaluing and middle class people becoming poverty stricken over night. Banks closing and money becoming worthless are all to familiar to her family members. So needles to say she and I are very concerned with the state of the economy.
Jesus said... "Fear Not for I am with you."
We talked about her concerns and we were feeling real depressed and hopeless I looked around and thought... "WOW, how blessed I am. This furniture I could do without... this house I could downsize... These rugs and curtains and clothes all of them are nice but... its all just stuff."
Stuff doesn't make us who we are. Stuff doesn't make my family what it is and Stuff doesn't make the Church what it is. People make the church, People make a family and You and I are made up by the accumulation of gifts and talents and abilities and personality. They may take your house but they can not take who you are from you. No one can.
I then began to think about what Gods word says about hard times. I wish I could say the bible gives all believers a pass on hard times. It doesn't. It says that we can expect them. Which means we should be prepared for them. But more than be prepared he says that he will provide our needs. Scripture says that all the earth is The LORDs. Scripture says that he will take care of the sparrow and the flower and how much more will he take care of you who is created in the image of GOD?
FDIC is backed by the government. The U.S. says you will have your money up to 100k. Cool. that puts me at ease. But ultimately if I look at History I see nations rise and fall. I see kings become paupers and paupers become kings. Here is what I also see... God remains the same. HE takes care of those who put their faith and trust in him. We are as Christ followers are more than FDIC insured, We are Insured by God. He will never leave us nor will he forsake us.
I and You are insured but God gave you and I wisdom. Lets exercise that wisdom. Here is what Elizabeth and I are doing to be prepared for what may or may not come. Pray about taking similar action.
1) Learning to Be content with what you have...
1 Timothy 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
2) We are in a need only buying freeze. Any thing extra we are postponing to buy. We are eating in more, packing lunches more, not buying Starbucks and other drinks or extras. We have the basic cable, are not renting movies unless its at red box, I dropped my subscription music program and are done going to movies or games... we are simply cutting back. LIVING LEAN
3) We are selling things. Sounds silly but I have a car for sale, I am putting my childhood comics on ebay this weekend, (i am trying to convince E to let me sell her crystal candy bowl we haven't opened from our wedding. She is not so Keene on the idea.) The church is selling extra gear. Being prepared... able to give to those in need and weather a down tern with cash is wise.
4) Trust in Gods Promises... we are trusting the Lord. Tithing is going to continue because His word says that he will reward the faithful. It is his stuff anyways i am just a manager of it. He is who I put my trust in. He will not argue or be partisan, or care about cameras and speeches and debates. He will be a strong tower in the middle of what may or may not come.
Psalm 29:10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
Psalm 31:1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
Stay Positive! Stay Faithful! Live Life connected and lets weather this storm together as Gods people living out his mission and trusting in his Providence.
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