This Financial Thingy

Lots of people are worried about the future in terms of our country's economy. With the current happenings at Wall Street, USA the effects will soon be felt in our country. For the youngsters (or dependents) they feel nothing. For the bread winner, the business person, the financial controller, they feel anxious.

The problems we are facing today is not anything new. It's happened before. But because today we are very much more well versed in information than our forefathers, with the news media etc, things are portrayed in a much more bigger (maybe exaggerated) proportion than it seems. And hence the anxieties. Things are not always what it seems but with powerful tools like the media, some people can create a "State of Fear" thereby causing panic and anxieties. But how do you, a born again believer of God, how do you relate to global or national events that's beyond your control or influence? There's actually two ways. You either REACT or you RESPOND. Let me expound.

Remember where Jesus taught that if someone were to slap you on the left cheek? He said to turn the other cheek too! Of course He is not speaking literally!!! The implication is don't react. Rather respond. See when someone do us wrong, or when things' gone wrong, human nature tends to REACT, to fight back. That's the immediate action. Before the thinking or reasoning part kicks in, we react ... only later to regret our actions!!! But given some time, given much thoughts, usually we will discover that there is a better way to handle the situation. That my friend is called RESPOND. So in the teachings of Christ, for that someone to come and slap you on the right cheek, there MUST BE A REASON WHY. So instead of reacting and slapping back your aggressor, thereby ending up in a fight, PAUSE and THINK before you do anything. Maybe you did something wrong? Maybe that person was being coerced? It could be a number of things. Get the necessary information. Get the facts right. Then make a decision as to what you will do. That is respond in contrast to react. That will make you a victor, not a victim. That's called "turning the other cheek".

In our current economic climate, I guess lots of people could be reacting. There are talks of migration, investing in foreign banks, in other currencies. Those who hold shares are worried and are selling. I am not a financial person but I do understand that in times like these, there are these minority of people who sees opportunities. They've been there before and while people are selling, they are buying. Every economic downturn to them is but a golden opportunity to advance. It's like while people see destruction and doom in wars, they see opportunities to rebuild, to restructure, to create, to make profits. Knowledge does save in times like these, and so the Bible says, "For the lack of knowledge my people perish". People usually "perish" when they react rather than respond!

Like I have mentioned, I am not a financial person. I am a pastor. My perspective in things and events and times are somewhat different from yours. See, in the Bible, God said "there is nothing new under the sun. What has been will be". It's like winter, spring, summer, autumn and then the cycle repeats. But of course by now the human race know how to respond to these seasons. They know how to survive it, and enjoy it! Same here with global economics. If you know how to observe the "times and seasons" you will know how to not just survive it, but to sail through it ... and may I add, joyfully and confidently too. That's what God expects of His children. That's one of the reasons He gave us the Bible ... His Word. So you and I may be wise in times like these! It's good time now for us all to read Proverbs all over again and find God's wisdom in all these!

Let me encourage you ... no ... caution you. Someone once said, "When the going gets tough, the tough gets going". In these economic times, you need to be tough if you want to survive. You need to be tough and discipline in your tithes! Not just the tithes which is your required stewardship, but also in your general givings. You may cut down on a lot of things but you cannot afford to compromise in your givings to God. Why? Because God is looking for people who would remain faithful and faithfulness is most required especially when times are tough! It is enough for me to say here that God is well able to keep you and I and cause us to triumph in every situation. He can keep our "barns" full no matter what crisis. He can cause us to have victory in every battle but victory doesn't go to just anyone. It goes to those who, in the toughest of times, can courageously put on the armor of faithfulness and do the right thing. In these times, be tough in your tithing! Don't be the "many who are called". Be the "few that are chosen". God's laws always work!

Proverbs 2:7-8
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

God bless.