Trusting God in Troubling Economic Times

There's no denying that we are living in troubling economic times—and it doesn’t help ease our minds that day in, and day out, we receive news reports about the economic ‘crisis’ ('financial meltdown) and our government’s extreme measures undertaken to help fix it. It’s scary. And when we are scared, we tend to hang on to our money tighter.

But, many of us have lived through troubling economic times before—and we know that our economy does recover. And I know it’s because of the spirit, the resourcefulness, the hard work, and the character of the American people. So I remain hopeful because, having been through it before, these things always seem to work out over time—and we’re still standing when the dust clears.

It seems to me that how scared we get in the midst of an ‘economic crisis’ has a whole lot to do with where we put our trust. As Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the Northern Illinois Synod, ELCA, recently wrote, “where are we going to put our trust? Should we put our trust in the stock market? Should we put our trust in our elected officials? Should we put our trust in an economic system? No, as Christians, we put our trust in God. We believe that God does and will provide for our daily needs. We recognize that compared to most of the world, even in an economic crisis, we are wealthy. And we are reminded of the words of Scripture: “to whom much is given, much shall be required”, so we respond to God’s graciousness with continued generosity.”

When we get scared, it can be difficult to remember that Jesus is with us in the most difficult places—saying, ‘do not be afraid, for I am with you.’ In these times when economic fear runs rampant, it is our faith, grounded in our relationship with God and with God’s people, that frees us from fear and frees us to live lives of generosity in service to God and others.

When we get scared it can be difficult to remember that we give generously out of joy and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received from God; that we give as an act of worship and praise to our generous and loving God; that we give to continue the work of ministry in the world that Jesus has entrusted to us, and; that we give to help make ministry happen.

Trusting God. Following Jesus. <><

Pastor Roy+