Monday begins with uncertainty with what will happen on the Stock Market and in Financial sectors. Last week
many people lost a good chunk of their portfolios. I admit – I am invested in the market for the last 17 years and last week put a major dent in my “plans” financially. I don’t need that money now. But was counting on it in a few years into retirement. Money – we all need it. But we need Christ most of all – (see Hebrews 13:5 below…)
Kathy and I have never been much into credit and debt. We live within our means. God has been good to us and blessed us with not much anxiety over money. Now everyone has been affected by the bigger force of the market and government. People are hurting in business and in their job security. Church budgets – what will be the impact on them?
This all throws us back on basics. Trust God – he will meet our needs not necessarily our wants. Trust in the community to pull together and help and support each other. I know I am going to live more simply now. Travel is at a minimum. Going out to restaurants is cut back. Frugality is the future. Giving to God’s kingdom and saving to help myself and others is a must. Shopping will be just for what is needed and not just doing shopping as a hobby or escape. I will go to the library more often. That big new HD/TV is put on hold.
How hve these economic times impacted you? What do you think people would want to hear in a sermon during these times? I’m really curious and serious.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What The Word of God says about “Money:”
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10)
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:9)
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. (Proverbs 18:11)
You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. (Psalm 39:6)
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. (James 1:11)
How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:23,25)
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you … You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. (James 5:1-5)
No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Luke 16:13)
We have certainly felt the change in the financial weather. My Tucson job went away due to the collapse of the housing market (we primarily did new housing and commercial developments). Now that I’m self employed, we decided to cut back to basics. We dropped Direct TV — we’re getting FREE TV now over the old airwaves. We have cell phones, so we dropped our land line. And we’re doing little things, like making sure lights are turned out, or not turned on at all if opening window blinds will illuminate the room. I don’t even want to look at my 401 — it’s likely that there isn’t much there any longer. And we’ve got that new TV on hold as well.
But I enjoy the freedom of self-employment, and find myself playing even more guitar without the distractions of cable/DirectTV getting in the way.
It’s all good.
Mike
Impact? Economic times haven’t impacted me – yet. In these last few weeks the little I’ve been counting on has been reduced by 1/3, producing occasional stabs of panic. However, panic is pushed aside once I consider how wealthy I am in faith, friends and family. Add to that being healthy, debt free and living very comfortably. People the world over would consider ME wealthy and comparatively speaking, I am. So, I’m going to not worry that I’ll outlive my investments. I’ll do what I can to cut back and continue to be grateful for each day. It is God, not my broker who is in charge of my life.
Sermon? These times of anxiety test our faith. Do we look to Him or to Wall Street. God WILL provide for us. Wall Street – not necessarily.
Mike – I have been thinking about going back to the TV Antenna for a cut back. We still have our land line phone, but I’ve head from many that they are just going cell phone.
Annonymous – Your statement of faith is one we all could staple inside our checkbooks!