Sonnie’s Porch

In light of the impending global economic crisis courtesy of the US economy, how should a Jesus freak, like me, live?

(1) Is this a time to be afraid? And (2) What should I do?

Like life, there is a cycle for economic activity, a time for a great economic boom, and a time for crisis too.

In the Philippines, I heard there is at least one economic crisis every decade. In the 70’s, it happened on 1975 triggered by oil.  In the 80’s it happened after Aquino was assassinated on 1983. On the 90’s it started at around 1997 or 1998 brought about by financial speculators. And we are about to face another one in a global magnitude.

This, however, should not be a cause for Christians to be afraid.

Why? Because this is an opportunity for the transfer of wealth to take place.

A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22

When a person is saved by grace thru Jesus, and forgiven, s/he is a changed wo/man. This set in motion the  principles of prosperity to work.  a changed behavior = changed lifestyle = wealth accumulation or transfer

1. God changes the heart
   • I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. -Ezekiel 36:26-
2. God gives the ability to produce wealth
   • But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. - Deuteronomy 8:18-
3. God gives wealth
   • The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.  -Prov. 10:22-

Prosperity is a process, it does not happen overnight. You don’t become a Christian today and become a millionaire tomorrow. Prosperity and/or transfer of wealth takes time, obedience, discipline and generosity.

I remember my complaint to God in prayer years ago. I asked  ” why those who are non believers are rich and famous but those who followed Him are not, and worse,  tagged as losers?”

Nahhh, I grew up and know a little better now, I understand the game isn’t  over yet.

Other people worked hard to build houses, store treasures, collect cars, earn money, build a business empire and more, so that one day, maybe the next generation, will either sell a portion of these or whole to    believers or Jesus freaks at cheap prices, who has become powerful and influential over the years.

Hard to swallow?

But this is a fact. During hard times, for whatever reasons, some people goes bankrupt. Because they need to be liquid, they dispose some of their assets at prices that is half of the purchase or market price. From the least valuable ones, and as the crisis deepens, to the most valuable ones. Even non believers who “recognize” this principle can benefit during hard times.

Now let me answer the 2nd question, how Christians should live during economic crisis?

Generally speaking we should read the signs and be wise.

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. -Prov 27:12-

1. If one has a job, don’t quit your job. Better yet, protect your job.
   • For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”  2 Thes 3:10
     
2. If you have a business, look for un tapped opportunity, increase productivity, get rid of unnecessary expense and remove dead wood.
3. If you have money in the bank, spread your savings in several banks to ensure your money is covered by insurance.
4. Check the fine prints of your loans, mortgages,  pre need, to enure you are safe and not in floating interest.
5. Do not consume everything you earn, save and/or invest
   • Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. -Gen 26:12-

Being kind and merciful will work well for believers, too.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. -Matt 5:17-

Now to Jesus freaks who are a little prosperous now, these reminders are for you.

1. Focus on the blesser and not the blessing
   • 7 “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.  8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes;its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” - Jer. 17:7-8 -
2. Be patient, the best comes last
   • During hard times, the bankrupt people disposed of the less valuables first. Don’t spend your money yet, because the most valuable are disposed of last.

To believers who just began their journey towards prosperity and whose main concern now is just survive, these encouragement is for you

1. Build your faith and believe on the promises of God
   • You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. -2 Cor 9:11 -
   • Education, family line and physical appearance is not a pre requisite to prosperity
2. Stop the “blame mentality”
   • illustration: the people of Israel who blamed God and their leaders for their poverty.
   • 1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” 3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” - Exo 17:1-3 -
3. If you can’t find a work that you like, find a job that you don’t like.
4. Learrn from the widow of Zarephath
   • Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” Then the word of the LORD came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.” So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?”12 “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.’ “15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah. - 1 Kings 17: 7-11 -
   • Give to God no matter how little you got.

This thoughts are application to the teaching of Dr. David Sumrall at Cathedral of Praise on Sept. 21, 2008. You may download his teaching here and look for  “looking at the days ahead” file.

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