![\"\"](\"https:\/\/faith-blog-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/20170523133715\/3-Blessings-of-a-Sour-Economy1-e1313175660508.jpg\" "\\"3-Blessings-of-a-Sour-Economy\\"")
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The stock market fell more than 600 points Monday.\u00a0 It gained 430 back on Tuesday, followed by losing 520 points on Wednesday.\u00a0 That, ladies and gentlemen, is a bad week.\u00a0 Or is it?\u00a0 Scripture tells us that God can work all things together for good (Romans 8:28).\u00a0 Here are three blessings<\/em> of a sour economy:<\/p>\n How did you sleep last night?\u00a0 How many times have you checked your stock portfolio this week?\u00a0 God told the people of Jeremiah\u2019s day, \u201cLet not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;<\/em> <\/em>but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things<\/em>\u201d (Jeremiah 9:23-24).<\/p>\n Verses like these are much easier to follow when our riches are crumbling around us.\u00a0 For those of us who find too much security in material prosperity, the Lord has helped us greatly by showing how quickly material possessions can disappear.<\/strong> It may be wise to thank God for the powerful lesson He is teaching us in these days of financial uncertainty, to repent of our tendency to trust in our own might and riches, and to recommit ourselves to finding our joy and security in understanding and knowing Him.<\/p>\n The Master Teacher said, \u201cDo not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;<\/em> <\/em>for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also<\/em>\u201d (Matthew 6:19-21).<\/p>\n The heavenly stock market had another good day.\u00a0 That was also true yesterday, and it will be equally true tomorrow.\u00a0 We all have a limited amount of resources, and an unlimited number of places to invest them.\u00a0 Wise stewards invest in loving God and loving others. <\/strong> Money spent last week on a meal for your neighbor will pay an eternal dividend, while money invested in the stock market lost value today.\u00a0 All of us would be wise to examine our calendars, our checkbooks, and our internet browsers to determine the nature of our investments.\u00a0 What does all of that reveal about the nature of our hearts?<\/p>\n This week\u2019s stock losses followed several brutal sessions last week.\u00a0 However, on Sunday our church received the largest offering of the year.\u00a0 It was not the result of any special emphasis or appeal.\u00a0 We quietly passed around the silver offering plates as part of our corporate worship and over $88,000 was given to support God\u2019s work here and around the world.<\/p>\n How do you explain such a statistic?\u00a0 Friends, that is the power of God working in and through His people.\u00a0 He delights in transforming us from people who trust in material wealth, to men and women who see finances as a tool to demonstrate our love for and trust in Him.\u00a0 When God\u2019s people do that, especially when the economy is sour, it is truly a beautiful thing.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s to praying that the economy will eventually improve.\u00a0 But in the meantime, let\u2019s allow our sovereign God to use economic uncertainty as a means of conforming us to the image of His Son.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"1. It helps us evaluate the object of our ultimate trust.<\/h2>\n
2. It helps us store up treasure in heaven.<\/h2>\n
3. It helps us marvel at the power of God.<\/h2>\n