"It's the economy." A good economy fuels complacent thinking. We are lulled into a false security that we are in control of our lives. We don't have to sacrifice anything to accomplish anything. We do not need faith to proceed or move toward the Red Sea. We do not need God to help us; we are self-sufficient. We do not need God's commandments to guide us; we can rely on our own logic and reason. We do not need to follow His moral guidance; society's tolerant mindset is more palatable and less confrontational. We do not need archaic Biblical history, we need cultural progression. We don't need God's approval; we need society's. Our status and success will sustain us.
"It's the economy." A bad economy breeds fearful thinking. We are lulled into a false belief that since we have no control over our lives, that the kings of earth--the president, the government, the entities and agencies--will provide. In fact, we believe that they are obligated to provide. We do not have to work harder, spend less, or look in the mirror. We do not need to reevaluate our lifestyles; we simply blame the affluent for theirs. We do not need to have faith in God; we need to place our faith in man. We do not need God's commandments to guide us; we can rely on economic gurus and financial advisors. We do not need to follow Biblical principles; we need only trust in the principles of economics. And we believe our worth is measured by what we have and who we are in the world, rather than what we give and Whose we are.
We need. We borrow. We vote our pocketbooks. Others need Jesus and we feed them economic porridge instead of the Bread of Life. People need Jesus and we invest our time, energy and emotions on how to make more money, keep our money, and use our money to advance our own comfort and ensure our own pleasures.
"It may be hard to be a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but it is just as hard for a poor man to seek first the kingdom of God." Oswald Chambers, The Highest Good, 1938.
Economic gospelization. What does it take to bring a rich man to his knees? What does it take for a poor man?
Confession of self-centered attitudes and action. Repentance of self-serving habits and self-satisfying desires. Trusting in God--not oneself or another. Seeking God--not things of this earth--but things eternal. Preaching God--not feel-good messages--but words of warning and admonition. Exemplifying Christ--not the world--but Christ alone.
Jesus himself said that "the poor would always be with us." Jesus said that "it's more blessed to give than to receive." Jesus had no house, nor even a pillow on which to lay His head yet His Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Did Jesus complain about a lack of air-conditioning? a hard pew? an ear of dried corn to eat or a sponge of gall to drink? Did Jesus worry about a 401K or a fat bank account? Did Jesus invest in that which would rust, decay and wither or disenigrate in an financial crisis? The Gospel is not about money. The Gospel is about Jesus and the Good News He has for each person who places their trust in Him, who relies upon Him for deliverance, who clings to Him in enduring faith.
The Gospel is about giving to those in need of a Savior. He is the best savings plan we could offer the world today. selahV
[© SelahV Today, hariette petersen, 2008]
