By Pastor C. John Steer
The worldwide economic crisis has reminded me how wonderfully practical the Bible is.
At first glance the situation is desperate. We have seen our savings and retirement funds decimated. Our carefully made plans for the future have been torn to shreds. The problem is a lack of confidence in the banking system, in the stock market and in government.
So what do the scriptures teach us in such bleak times? They tell us where our confidence should be placed. We turn to the book of Psalms and read, "For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth." A few pages further on, we read this in Proverbs, "The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul informs us, "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God."
Looking at what’s happening to our 401(k)s can be immensely discouraging, but as we meditate on these truths of scripture, our spirits are lifted. We realize that our confidence is not to be in the stock market but in God and his provision. These tough financial times won’t last, but the faithfulness of God will.
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This disastrous economic downturn can be turned to good as we refocus our priorities by laying up treasure in heaven, where it is absolutely safe. This is an opportunity to serve the poor and help each other, and realize that real lasting riches cannot be purchased with cash. We can then declare with the writer of Hebrews, "We say with confidence the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid what man can do to me."
Pastor C. John Steer is from Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester.
