The DOW- Oh, Wow!

6700 – to many the number is meaningless, just something they hear on the news. As in indicator it is frightening, announcing the freefall of the American economy. As we watched the news last night and the story was about the looming possibility of the bankruptcy of the state of California, my wife said, “I’m finished with this. Just turn it off.” Seems that even the so-called “Golden State,” with an economy that is larger than most nations in the world, has no money left. I’ve noticed a requiring graphic that accompanies these stories, printing presses full of American currency, not a reassuring picture! Are we becoming a third-rate financial system that attempts to solve monetary issues by just printing more money?

Never one to pretend, I won’t start now. A part of me tenses up when I think about a decade long financial nightmare of unemployment, food lines, and bankruptcies. I wonder what repercussions will land in my house despite our refusal to pile up consumer debt and our faithful stewardship of our small store of resources. But, another part of me feels a tingle of anticipation, something akin to joy. Strange reaction, isn’t it? Here’s why. We have all been in love with our stuff for far too long! American wealth has allowed us to indulge ourselves in rich food and every kind of entertainment. We’re fat – literally and figuratively. The Hummer (that mammoth SUV) was a metaphor of all that was whacky with America, a symbol of over-the-top consumption and excess. I sincerely believe this is a time of correction, that God is allowing us to reap the consequences of our idolatry. And yes, just as in ancient Israel, when the harvest of sin arrives, all in the nation suffer – the righteous along with the sinful.

Here’s what God says: (Don’t rush through it. Deeply contemplate His wisdom!) "Man of God; run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you,… Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life." (1 Timothy 6: 11-12, 17-19, NLT)

We American disciples of Jesus have ignored materialism for far too long. While we fixated on the porn culture, the sensuality of our entertainment, and the worship of the flesh; we were totally blind to an equally destructive force that sat in our churches and lived in our hearts – “love of our stuff.” Strangely, (or should I say, tragically?) some among us even built theological systems that said that being filthy rich (an intentional play on words there!) is the sign of righteousness and God’s favor. If God cries, I’m sure He has been sobbing over that one! The so-called ‘prophets’ to this nation filled hours of TV time declaring to us that we could enjoy our best life now, if only we had enough faith to claim our heritage as children of God, ‘king’s kids.’ "Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance." (Psalm 73:9-10, NIV)

Jesus hit the lie of wealth as a sign of righteousness squarely between the eyes when He said, “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus." (Luke 16:13-14, NIV) He also warned that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” (Luke 18:25-27, NLT)

So, though the DOW is plummeting and the shape of my future is now completely uncertain, I am eager to see what God will do for me, for us, as we learn to love Him in new and deeper ways. And disciple, this I know, the Lord will care for us if we trust Him completely. “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." (Matthew 6:31-33, NLT)

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When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way,
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey,
For there’s no other way,
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

-public domain