How Ironic
In the wake of the "financial crisis" and what seems to be the end of our world as we know it, well, at least according to those whose god is their money, I find it interesting that some in the Christian community would even enter into this fray and seemingly encourage this disparate dependence on money.
One magazine whose email updates I receive had this as a header for their most recent email: "Pastoral Strategy for an Economic Crisis." I do not take lightly that many people are experiencing discomfort and fear for their livelihood and their provision and may be looking to pastoral staff for comfort. But as a Christian who is supposed to depend on God for every good thing as well as being content whether in plenty or in want, how can I rightly reconcile the idea that because the pillars of our financial world may be crumbling that I somehow have good reason to despair and lose all hope? God forgive me if I do. Forgive us when we do.
Is our trust in God or in money? As an American citizen, I confess that I have not known hard times, so it seems easy to be passionately devoted to God when I'm still receiving my daily bread. But, as a traveler to some of the poorest parts of the world, I've also seen God's hand move in miraculous ways so that, even though I may not perceive His miraculous provision on a day-to-day basis, I cannot deny that He is able and willing to provide miraculously. However, my tendency, and I fear the tendency for a lot of other western Christians, is that we are so reliant on our own power to provide for ourselves that we forget that it is God who supplies all our need (Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."). The job we have, the paycheck we earn, the food we receive--no matter the physical source that we receive these things from, they have not passed through earthly hands without prior approval from our Heavenly King.
Whatever happened to these pillars of our faith?
Philippians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Proverbs 10:3 "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked."
Matthew 6:25-33 "Therefore I tell you, 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? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
The challenge remains this then: Where is our trust?
Matthew 10:27-28 "What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
Are we only living for today? Are we truly pilgrims on this earth or have we become earthly dwellers?
Colossians 3:1-3 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
Where is your treasure? Where is mine?
Matthew 6:20-21 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Lord, please let my heart be with You.
One magazine whose email updates I receive had this as a header for their most recent email: "Pastoral Strategy for an Economic Crisis." I do not take lightly that many people are experiencing discomfort and fear for their livelihood and their provision and may be looking to pastoral staff for comfort. But as a Christian who is supposed to depend on God for every good thing as well as being content whether in plenty or in want, how can I rightly reconcile the idea that because the pillars of our financial world may be crumbling that I somehow have good reason to despair and lose all hope? God forgive me if I do. Forgive us when we do.
Is our trust in God or in money? As an American citizen, I confess that I have not known hard times, so it seems easy to be passionately devoted to God when I'm still receiving my daily bread. But, as a traveler to some of the poorest parts of the world, I've also seen God's hand move in miraculous ways so that, even though I may not perceive His miraculous provision on a day-to-day basis, I cannot deny that He is able and willing to provide miraculously. However, my tendency, and I fear the tendency for a lot of other western Christians, is that we are so reliant on our own power to provide for ourselves that we forget that it is God who supplies all our need (Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."). The job we have, the paycheck we earn, the food we receive--no matter the physical source that we receive these things from, they have not passed through earthly hands without prior approval from our Heavenly King.
Whatever happened to these pillars of our faith?
Philippians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Proverbs 10:3 "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked."
Matthew 6:25-33 "Therefore I tell you, 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? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
The challenge remains this then: Where is our trust?
Matthew 10:27-28 "What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
Are we only living for today? Are we truly pilgrims on this earth or have we become earthly dwellers?
Colossians 3:1-3 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
Where is your treasure? Where is mine?
Matthew 6:20-21 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Lord, please let my heart be with You.
posted by Karen | 12:25 PM
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