Financial Frenzy

From My Perspective - - -

The financial news of the past few days has not been positive for many. Large Companies being absorbed by others; Brokerage houses Bankrupt; Insurance Company receiving an 85 Billion Dollar Government infusion of cash; Housing Markets in disarray and being essentially taken over by the Government; etc. Someone either wisely or caustically asked: Who’s Going To Bail Out The Government?

There is also a crisis in our Government. Polls indicate only 14% of the population have any confidence in the Congress, and 31% have confidence in the President. The news headlines state what most do best, namely, Blame Someone Else. But in this time of finger-pointing and blaming of others, the lives of average people are being impacted from the essentials of life to the credit markets. The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing summarizes: “The newspapers across America all have headlines detailing accounts of a staggering economy. Reports verify Seven Hundred Billion Dollars of investor money has been wiped out in just one week. You add to all of that the impact of the recent Hurricane Ike that hit the gulf coast and the train wreck in California. Unless you have endured one of these natural events, or had opportunity to visit the site of one of these devastated areas, it is nearly impossible to know what the folks who have been affected are going through.”

It’s easy to understand why many would be given to frustration and despair. Our nation is a credit driven society - Spend Now – Pay Later! All the wise and pithy statements made cannot alleviate the turmoil people experience during times such as these. The Candidates for high office suggest we need to fire some people, whereas another states it is “patriotic” to pay higher taxes so poor and middle-class can be sustained. It would be so refreshing to have them unitedly state: “We don’t have a clue how we can get out of this mess!” One obvious truism from an old and pithy statement is: “If your Outgo exceeds your Income, Your Upkeep will be your Downfall!” In summation, that is precisely what has occurred – Expenditures beyond ones ability to pay is leading to default of loans and bankruptcy. Even though Bankruptcy Laws have been more sharply defined, the reality is unalterable – people cannot meet their financial obligations.

What is one option to embrace during these times of crisis? If one is willing to turn to Holy Scripture and Almighty God – not in desperation necessarily – but in wholehearted commitment, then some principles and facts of faith can see one through these alarming situations. For instance, in Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus says six different times – “Do Not Worry…Do Not Be Anxious!” He is addressing the practical and everyday needs we all share in common – food supply, life (or height), Clothing. The NIV states these verses this way: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life (or a single inch to ones stature)? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin… If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Consider these things with me - - - and try to remember the important words of Psalm 37:4-7, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you….Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes…” Ask the Lord to help you! I know you’ll love the way He will respond to you!