When we look at the economy today, we can't help but feel sad about the struggles that many Americans, including ourselves, are dealing with. There have been thousands of jobs lost.
As a result of job losses and the mortgage crisis, families are losing their homes, their health insurance, and their vehicles. Disposable income is virtually nonexistent. Living check to check has become a reality for more households.
In a time like this, we begin to wonder if money is a bad thing. We ask ourselves, where did we go wrong? In Genesis 2:12, we are reminded that our "gold" is good. In fact, 1 Timothy 4:4 says that, "...everything God created is good..." (NIV)
When God takes things away from us, we must take a moment to reflect on the bigger picture that God may have in mind. What can we learn from this current economic situation?
God gives and takes away.
Many of us have read Job's story. In fact, we probably feel a little bit like Job right now. But, in spite of the losses Job endured, he remembered that he was not entitled to anything he had acquired during his life.
In Job 1:21, we read Job's observation, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away..." (NIV) God is a sovereign God. We have no right to question His will for our lives.
We should praise God even in the hard times.
Job 1:21 continues, "...may the name of the LORD be praised." (NIV) Although Satan hoped to trip Job up in his faith, Job was not moved to blame God for the losses. Paul told the Romans, in Romans 5:3, that we should "...rejoice in our sufferings..." (NIV) Is it possible that we are also being tested right now? Will we come through our challenge victorious?
God will restore us.
David faced challenges in his life. But in Psalm 71:20, he remembered, "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up." (NIV)
Paul's explanation to the Romans in Romans 5:3-5 says, "...we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." (NIV) God will never leave or forsake us.
God wants us to come back to Him.
Sometimes, God has to move some things out of our way for us to remember who we are and who He is. We begin to accumulate more things, and all of a sudden, we don't have time for God.
God may have to take us down to the bare necessities to help us get closer to Him, to bring back that dependence that we should have on Him. Remember, God is our Heavenly Father. While non-Christians run after "things," Matthew 6:32 reminds us that "...your Heavenly Father knows that you need them." (NIV)
We need to seek God daily.
The instructions are simple, but we seem to forget. Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV) We have to make God our priority.
As we seek God daily through prayer and meditation, we should ask God to guide us toward His will for our lives. Rather than ask for temporal wealth, let's follow the example set by Solomon in 1 Kings 3:5-14 and ask God for a wise and discerning heart. This will enable us to make better decisions in the future with whatever God decides to entrust to us.
Let us remember that the things of this world are only temporary. We serve a much bigger God. David made it so clear in Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (NIV)