Is there anything good at all about the global financial crisis we’ve been going through? Well, it appears to be going back up and to the right, but even if it doesn’t, I think it provides us a unique opportunity as Christ followers. It pains me to see Christians freaking out just like everyone else. This is our chance to …
Model and Help.
Model.
As Christians this is our chance to step out of the hysterical hype. Does the global financial situation look great right now? NO. But there is no need to panic. Why?
Matthew 6:25-27 reminds us…
25“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? 26Look 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? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life]?
This is our chance to model that our faith is not based on the economy. Our attitude is not shaped by the media. Our decisions are not made based on fear. Paul said said in Philippians 3…
8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
Help.
While I would never wish these kinds of financial disasters on anyone, I believe it will provide numerous opportunities for the church to step up and be the church. The last two decades have been dominated by materialism and the church has not escaped this. The driving question has been what can I get? I believe the question will start to change and it will be all about what can I give.
So what questions have you been asking? Have you been asking….
- What’s happening to MY 401k?
- What does this mean for MY family?
- What am I going to have to give up?
or
- God, how can you use me in this season?
- How can our church serve people in our community during this crisis?
- God, how can I model your love and help dispense your grace in these uncertain days?
What do you guys think?
I completely agree. Great perspective, Pete! The abundance that we have experienced as a nation has allowed us to rely on ourselves rather than trusting in God. What an opportunity for us as Christians to realign our hearts and “model and help”.
They say that “we can always do our best and God will do the rest”. Time and again we are faced with things in this world that are often disappointing, some plain “shitty”. I am a Roman Catholic myself however, i beg to disagree. This is not meant to undermine your opinion about such things. Nonetheless, I dear say that man’s actions is more powerful and effective than saying that some divine providence can take us out of such crisis. I live in a country swelling in poverty. The Roman Catholic Church here is a very powerful entity that highly affects the people. All the teachings of the Church are often neglected since in the real life people see that suggestions of their religion are difficult to apply. If you can see all the dying children from malnutrition, parents scavenging the trash bins for food and even those who drive a tricycle all day with a measely earning you might change your opinion. If the workings of man, even in the absence of a God, will do things which can alleviate his fellow man in oppression then I say that is more profound and more divine. Heaven made by man on earth to create a better world.
I FULLY agree… we, as Christians, have GOD … what else do we need???!!
Agreed man. In the end… our life is NOT about any specific situation that we find ourselves in. It’s just about reflecting God’s glory in EVERY situation. We don’t get to choose the scenario… we just keep on going, not caring about what we’ll eat/drink… and serving in every season
Go hard man
@oldmeadows, I’m not sure I understand your argument. The post is in no way stating that we should just sit back and wait for God to do something.
A matter of fact, this might surprise you but I haven’t been praying for God to restore our financial picture here in America.
I’ve just been praying God help me to trust you more (model) and allow me to serve and love (help) the people around me that are hurting as a result of the economy.
First Pete it helps that they can’t touch what you don’t have.
Second, I pastor a church in the 2nd poorest county in Indiana and we have had these type of struggles all along. The downside to that distinction (poor county) is that we also have the #1 meth production in Indiana. So that first set of questions is not something we really struggle with. The church does struggle with figuring out how to help people. our crisis is added to because of the floods in June that people are still trying to recover from. We are trying to find answers. And we are trying to model God’s love and grace as we seek. This is a good post and one that needs to be passed around and answered.
I just wrote about a personal financial crisis, so when I saw your title, why you think it is good, I couldn’t click over fast enough!
WELL SAID. You’re absolutely right. We operate in God’s Economy, not the world’s. On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand.
Blessings, Whitney
Thanks for the reminder. We tend to take our eyes off of God in times like these, when in fact, we should be holding on to Him. Awesome post.
Oh wow I believe we shouldn’t be worried either.
I also think this is something our society needs to the point of shaking things up. We live in a throw away society and an over spent world. Everyone says they want to get back to basics or old fashioned ideas but when the rubber meets the road, that’s a whole different ball game. God is in Control and there isn’t a thing we can do about it. Not that I’d want to.
It’s a chance to see if our priorities are in order and what’s really important in our lives.
Bear ye one anothers burdens….
The financial crisis is also a good thing because that means that the economy is trying to correct itself. I think that God set up the economy much like he created the natural kingdom – self-correcting and self-regulating.
Think of it like when our bodies get sick – the healing process is painful and uncomfortable. Often when we treat only the symptoms and not the root cause of our sickness, and we even delay our healing. The body then “self-corrects”… anti-bodies kick in, white blood cells attack whatever isn’t supposed to be there to cleanse our system.
The economy is the same way – if we would leave it alone, it would run on it’s own and be fine. Instead we distort (make sick) the economy by pushing special agendas that, while the intent may be genuine and altruistic, create unintended consequences.
I studied economics for 4 years in college, and I’ve also posted a series on the reasons for the crisis. Here is a summary post with links to the others if anyone is interested…
http://www.marcushackler.com/?p=928
You are so right, Pete. This is a season that we HAVE TO get our eyes off our own problems and seek out ways to connect with others and their woes. The truth is that people are looking for hope in times like these. I want to be some one who can confidently point people to our Savior when they are hurting and confused.
My dad sent me these thoughts…thought they apply:
“The current financial condition of our country is causing a great deal of fear and anxiety in many people, including me I must sadly confess. But, it can only impact us if we have put our trust in the wrong thing in the first place. Those who have their hope completely invested in Jesus are having not having the same anxious and fearful responses.”
I think we need this so some people can re align there material needs to there basic needs. Most people are in such a hurry and do not slow down to enjoy there life anymore. My husband has been working two jobs (40 hrs and 35 hrs) for over 3 months now- and was excited for two days off– is that right?
Personally not much of this stuff touches me, but i will say I am glad to see gas back down until $3.50 a gallon- now if we can get milk back down under $2.50 a gallon!!!
I have been in dire straights many times, and God has been with us through it and see us to the other side. This too shall pass!
Hey, I was one happy momma yesterday! I got gas for $2.80 so my van was full for under $50 and I got groceries for under $200.
It was a celebration day in the Prater household.
I do think what you said about Mathhew 6: 25-27 is right on target. Our joy and hope are in Christ alone, our one and only guarantee. That brings me joy today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
I agree.
Its really the whole faith in action thing. We talk about relying on God for our needs, and its real easy when things are going really well, but its in these times that we are put to the test to see if we are going to live out what we say we believe or if we are going to freak out like those who do not claim to have the hope that we claim to have!
Great post, Pete!! Thanks for putting things into perspective. Instead of buying into all the “doom and gloom” we as Christians should be using this (and every) opportunity to SHINE THE LIGHT!!
AMEN Pete!
You remember the old hymn that says…
My Hope is built on nothing less,
thank Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
That song really should be true in our lives and it should be obvious to those around us that He is our Hope.
Without getting on my soapbox too long,
I do believe we see more and more people acting as if the government has to save them because we as followers of Christ have not lived our lives in such a way as to proclaim the real Savior. What an opportunity for God’s blessing this could be.
I certainly don’t get excited about seeing others suffer, however, I do feel through this crisis we have a real chance as a nation, and as a church, to curb the often-embraced ideals of consumerism. It is time for the pendulum to swing back from out-of-control spending and the intense focus on “me”! Historically, prior to the Industrial Revolution, people essentially lived hand to mouth. I do not wish by any means for us as a country to return to that way of living, but I would love to see simplification in our lives!! How awesome would it be for this country to experience another “Great Awakening”? People could be less concerned about the cars they drive or the houses that they live in and more concerned about their love for God and family. As a church, I look forward to us taking the lead on finding better ways to serve others. If we would all take the time to look around at others and see the needs that exist, we could make a real difference in the lives of many by reaching outward. God does call us to rely on him, but he also calls us to serve others in need. We will be fine in the end if we take the approach of seeking God first, but also willingly stepping out to serve others. Believe it or not, I think this is an awesome time to be a Christian and an American!!!
I agree 100%. I don’t understand how the same Christians who will tell me “not to worry about “having baby problems” because God has a plan and his plan is the right plan” will than freak out over this financial crisis and talk in circles with the most paniced voice. I love that you have the verses to back it up..especially Phillipians 3. Thanks.
Couldn’t agree more!! I was beginning to think I was nuts for NOT worrying.
We have always been taken care of. We haven’t always had everything we wanted, but we’ve always been taken care of. I trust God will continue to do so.
Your blog inspired one of my own this morning… quoted and linked ya too. thought i’d share
http://bigearcreations.blogspot.com/2008/10/livin-good-life.html
Pete,
I believe you are onto something here when you say that from a Christian perspective there may be some good come out of this crisis. I get the part about looking for opportunities to help, but it is the modeling of faith that I think we are going to struggle with. Most of us don’t know how to model reliance on God to provide our daily needs because we simply have never been in a position where we could not provide for our own needs. We all rely on God for our spiritual needs, but we are talking about an economic crisis here, and my question is when do most of us ever have to rely on God for our economic needs?
If you look back at the history of the church, the times of greatest revival tend to coincide with times of greatest struggle. It has long been my belief that one of the greatest hindrances to both my personal spiritual maturation process and the maturation of the church (in broad terms), especially in the developed world, is that we simply have it too good. We no longer rely on God because we believe we can take care of ourselves. We don’t rely on God to supply all our needs, because in most cases, all our “needs” are already met. Sure, I have a lot of “wants”, but when was the last time you really had to rely on God to provide a true “need” that you could not satisfy simply by pulling some plastic out of your wallet?
I believe we have missed out on a level of spiritual maturity because we rely on Christ only as a Savior for eternity but have never known God as the sustainer of all our daily physical needs in the here and now. If the economy truly does melt down, what we are going to go through will not be fun by any definition. From a human perspective, I will be the first to say that I don’t want to lose my 401k (and it has taken a huge hit) or my house or cars. I don’t want to have to stand in a soup line with my kids either. From a spiritual perspective, however, somewhere deep inside I know how valuable the lessons learned in that soup line could be. While the current economic crisis has not reached anywhere near that level for most of us, at least not yet, I believe that modeling and helping are not the only benefits that could come from this. I believe a far more significant impact could come from a generation of Christians finally learning what it means to truly trust in Christ as opposed to the surface Christianity so many practice today.
thanks so much. our pastor pushes this mindset in our church… be in hurricanes, financial crisis, or tragedy… model and help is the basic idea. thanks for affirmation, bc sometimes it really seems like a lost idea.
I also have been concerned though not worried. My faith has gotten me through many serious financial issues where utilities would be shut off, and very little food in the house. I pray daily for Gods intervention and know that he will provide. We as a church need to show others the way to God, perhaps we could hold a food drive, etc….
Good post, Pete.
We are prayerfully not worried. Giving our burdens to Christ when they arise. Feeling the peace talked about in Scripture. All the while watching some people fall to pieces around us. All around us.
I am grateful for our faith. Especially in times like this.
What I don’t like though…and I’m a generous person…is certain Christians trying to guilt more affluent Christians into doing things they don’t feel called to do. God works in the hearts of His people. I don’t see a problem suggesting where help is needed. I do see a problem with making people feel pressured into helping in ways they are not called to help.
Anyway — good post.
Heidi Reed
This was so good, Pete. My parents have been having a hard time financially and are most likely going to be having a farm auction, which may not cover all their debt. My mom struggles with depression and this has been hitting her hard but she hasn’t wanted to talk.
Yesterday I wrote a post about my moments of surrender and talked about how I stopped praying for events to change or people to change or my health to change and started praying that God change my heart and steady my soul. I would pray that He would show me what He needs me to see and do, and when I did that He took me by the hand and led me through whatever was in my path. He didn’t change my path, He changed ME.
My mom called me this morning and said she read it yesterday and cried, and then changed her prayer. She sounded like fresh air today and I was so proud of her. I have my moments of fear and worry, but seeing a moment of surrender in someone else made me so much stronger in my own faith today. You are right that we need to be vigilant in our own thoughts, because I found out today just how contagious it can be.
Thanks, Pete.
Sara,
Love your post as I think it illustrates the point I was trying to make earlier so well. It illustrates how we tend to turn to God in a whole new way when the situation we find ourselves in is beyond our control. In these times we tend to see our most serious spiritual growth take place and real change take place in our hearts. The reality for so many Americans is from a financial perspective, we rarely have to rely on God to meet our basic needs. This downturn may change that for a lot of people and finally bring us face to face with our human frailty. I pray that it then leads us to pray, as you and your mom have, that our hearts change so that we see our situation as an opportunity for God to work in us instead of growing bitter about losing our comforts.
What’s happening to MY 401k? It reaaly doesn’t matter…we are not in control
What does this mean for MY family? We become closer and and count the true blessings
What am I going to have to give up? I think I will have less of an entitlement attitude that is prevelent in most of us.
or
God, how can you use me in this season? Grace and compassion for those who are most affected…we do more with less…the whole fish and bread thing…that was a good example in the day and could apply even more today
How can our church serve people in our community during this crisis? Feeding center, coats and shoes for the homeless, volunteer our services, plumbing,painting,pro bono stuff let folks know we care without it costing them….use our gifts and skills
God, how can I model your love and help dispense your grace in these uncertain days? the old three R’s RELINQUISH, RELY , REJOICE!!
I wrote about you on my blog..http://www.thewardrobeandthewhitetree.com/
Great thoughts, Pete! I am with you completely!
This is great Pete. Not to say that people aren’t hurting, I pray each week for the requests people leave at church on Sundays, and so many are hurting so badly. The economy seems to have multiplied troubles for people(like those with serious health issues who have lost their jobs or their homes)
My heart aches for these people. And you’re right about christians reaching out and helping. The needs are there today more that ever.
@Jim A., Well said man. I appreciate your thoughts.
Pete, praise for thoughtful post. Your blog is becoming better and more refreshing.
Living in the tropics, I’m mindful of those caught in this financial crisis (& subprime)during the forthcoming winter months though.
May Christians and the church rise up and shine for Jesus. Where I am, I’m saddened to see many caucasians embracing eastern religions. May this crises bring many back to their rightful place on earth — life in Jesus Christ!
I like how you looked at this Pete.
I think this is probably a good wake up call for everyone.
Our society is consumed with want want want but with no personal accountability.
This has made a lot of people take inventory in their lives and realize that it is up to them…that they are responsible for making wise decisions.
I find it interesting in talking to people that those of us who are fiscally responsible are looking at this as a time where “everything” is on sale and those who are not fiscally responsible are looking at it as a tragic time.
I pray for those who are in hard times due to just bad situations and not lack of responsibility. I also pray that those who have not been personally accountable will learn from this and in the future be stronger stewards.
So as you can see, I do not have an optinion on this
Somehow I dont feel that the crisis will affect the people of nations that are already rich, cause they only have to give up their luxuries, my thoughts go out to Those who are sick and to those in other parts of the world, especially the ones whose economy is Heavily tied with the US but where most people are living a hand to mouth existence… This is nature teaching us to Go with the Flow. We will survive this too, and hopefully come out wiser, with more awareness to the connectedness inspite of all our differences, with more compassion, with more respect and open-ness to those who do not think, live, pray, eat or believe like ourselves…
Yes, I agree with you. Its a great oppurtunity to be of service but its also a great oppurtunity to abuse the concept of service. Imho, If we serve because we belong to a particular faith or need points with “God” or need people to “find” the same faith as ours, it really isnt service, since we do it out of a sense of some reward(even to expect the other person to embrace our way of thinking is in a way doing because we covet the result). I feel, if service is done for any reason other than the fact that you can and are capable of rendering it, or its done with any ulterior intention, it isnt service but a feeding of our egos. Isnt it hipocrisy to turn to God only in times of Trouble? If we want Faith in its Truth, dont we need to build it from a point of LOVE and not a point of FEAR? And Love is all those things as in the Standard Bible(It does use the word “Charity” instead of “Love” in the King James version) in
I Corinthians 13:4.
Hmm.. those words might offend some, I apologize in advance, for it isnt my intention to offend but to put out what I think.
Here’s the great thing about having something bad happen to us that is beyond our control…It’s beyond OUR control! When you realize there’s nothing YOU can do to fix a situatioM, IT Actually FREES you- makes it EASIER to step aside and hand the reigns over to God. Sometimes, it is only the big things that finally cause us to let go. Total dependence is a good place to be!
Oh man, I believe you are totally right on. We have a saying in our family “If money can solve the problem, it isn’t really a problem”. Having dealt with unexpected deaths of two close family members, I have come to understand in the most profound and simplest of ways, that all that really matters in life is relationships…first with Jesus Christ, then relationships here on earth and the legacy that those relationships leave after you are gone. Material things can be fun,but they don’t really count. I also have learned that God is bigger than any problem and real problems have always brought me closer to Him.
Thanks for the reminder of Who is in control and the opportunity we have as Christians during this tough economical time.
I’m excited about the economic crisis for two reason. One, I think it is a wake u call that will hopefully push a huge number of people to get completely out of debt. That is nothing but a good thing. I think it shines a glaring light on our consumeristic culture and how that has done nothing good for us.
Two I’m excited as a business owner. This is my chance to shine and take some business from larger competitors that maybe wasn’t in play before.
EXACTLY… well said. I can’t stand it when I see SECULAR people telling a Believer not to worry. Something totally backwards about that. Let’s have a little trust and faith in our Savior that He will provide for us. Have a little backbone and set an example for the world to follow, after all, we are the light, right?
Hey Pete. I KNOW it has been a cleansing of greed in some of the people I work with. I am seeing an unusual ammount of openness to change when it comes to people’s personal finances. I am stoked about working with you guys soon!
Good thoughts, Pete.
Hopefully the church can step in and ease some of the stress so many people are facing during these times. Sadly, though, a lot of churches are experiencing so many financial issues of their own, it’s hard for them to be an authority on finances to their members. If I see my church in millions of dollars of debt, then why should I think it’s wrong for me to build up tons of debt?
Hopefully, the struggling economy will motivate some of our churches to manage their own money better–and, by doing so, they will help their members understand how to budget and manage income.
Thanks Pete. You preach the truth.
This financial crisis is very much a good thing. Just like the rise in gas prices.
Pete, I’ve been Twittering and blogging similar thoughts for months, because I believe someone has to gear us back to truth and the reality of who we are and what we have in Christ. Plus, a little positive news would go a long way in correcting some of our economic misery. Thanks for sharing, since your blog has such a wider audience! Keep putting out good stuff.
Ron
http://www.ronedmondson.com
Pete, please at least try to be a little more different. I want to believe in you, I really do. “Why I Believe a Financial Crisis is Good” is more superficial pastorial rhetoric. The title itself betrays you – why don’t you say something like “Why I Believe Something Good Can Come Out of the Finanical Crisis”. Saying that a financial crisis, the depth of which we don’t fully realize yet, is actually “good”, is an extremely shallow thing to do. You have to ask BOTH sets of questions that you listed – it’s not an over-spiritualized “either-or”, guy. If you’re not concerned about your own welfare to some extent, you’re nuts. There is a lot of suffering yet to come. It will be painful. Sure, there will be opportunity. But you KNOW that being the pastor of a large church, you don’t have to worry about your employment prospects for a while, unlike a lot of us. You most likely won’t have to give up anything (except maybe 10% of your staff because of budget cuts – make sure that they read this article!). You can say anything you want that is in your interest. Oh well, there is my “two cents” – I’m sure that this post will get taken off as well.