Why I’m Not Worrying About the Economy
Posted on December 9, 2008
Filed Under Biblical Principles | Leave a Comment
If you pay attention to the news, it’s difficult to avoid hearing negative viewpoints on the economy. No matter how bad the news gets, though, I’m not letting myself succumb to worry. Why not? Maybe I should… my wife works in the casino industry, which in Northern Nevada is being hit hard by the down economy. Many casinos in Reno have started laying off dealers, while others are cutting hours. My wife’s job hasn’t been affected yet, but there is no way of knowing how long she will be able to keep her hours. My own job with the state is not safe either, given that Nevada is facing a 30% budget cut for the next fiscal year, and I’m on a year to year contract.
Still, though, I’m not going to give in to worry. It’s a waste of time, it saps my energy, and it’s in contradiction with God’s will for our lives. Consider Luke 12:22-31:
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Clearly, we are not to worry. Trust in God, and He will provide for our needs. I have found this to be true from personal experience. God provides for my needs – always, even when I don’t trust in Him as much as I should. I’ve found though, that the more I trust Him, the more He provides. For example, the more I worry about extra income streams, the less extra income I actually get. Some might say that my wife and I still have jobs, so it’s easy to say “don’t worry.” What if we lose our jobs? Will I be so optimistic then? The Bible also provides guidance on this, in Romans 8:
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Even if my wife and I both lose our jobs, we are to continue trusting in God, secure in the knowledge that God works out all things, including the bad things, for the good of those who love Him.
When I started this blog, I really wanted to write about Biblical principles of money manage. That’s what I started to write about with this post. While I was looking for a verse to base this post on, I stumbled across these 2 though, and decided to write about (not) worrying instead. If you are in bad financial straights, I hope you find this encouraging.
Cheers,
Ken
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