How should a Christian respond to a bad economy?

Take courage, then, tried children of God. And see that ye murmur not, nor be tempted to speak evil of dignities, whether it be Prussian Kaisers and war lords abroad, or those set in authority at home. God is above the highest and ruleth not only in the heavens above but also in the kingdoms of men below. He is allowing all this trial; and whether it be “the beginning of sorrows,” to continue and increase until it culminates in the frightfulness of “the great tribulation,” or is merely a prelude to subside at length and be followed by a lengthening of the nation's tranquillity, it is just the same to you. See that ye be not troubled. The very hairs of your head are numbered and ye are dear to God. He fed a nation of six hundred thousand footmen (to say nothing of women and children) for forty years in the deserts of Arabia, and though for their sins their carcases fell in the wilderness, we do not read of a single one of them starving to death. No, nor will you or your little ones be forsaken in this day of distress and ever-increasing calamity. We look to Calvary and there learn the extent of the love of God to us; and then when we look round about us and see all that is so rapidly and alarmingly coming to pass, we can say in the triumph and confidence of faith, “He that spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

We would here venture to pass on a word of exhortation and encouragement to our young brothers and sisters who have homes of their own and would seek to exercise them on these lines. They will find in seeking to serve the Lord that, in watering others, they will themselves be watered, for we read, “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that waters shall be watered also himself” (Prov. 11:25). In these days when the pound is seriously depreciated in value, when prices are soaring, and housekeepers are finding it difficult to make ends meet, you will feel this is not easy. Remember the barrel of meal that wasted not, and the cruse of oil that never failed in the days of Elijah the prophet (1 Kings 17:14). Surely the God of Elijah’s day is the same God we have to do with today.

On the other hand, poverty too is not good. This has no doubt been occasioned by sin, and many nations of the world today suffer because they have chosen a path of self-will rather than bowing to the Lord Jesus Christ. The answer here again is a true, real faith that trusts the Living God. And this is expressed in this beautiful and honest prayer. The danger of stealing and taking God's Name in vain he recognizes, and will not trust himself, but his trust is in God. If men steal to satisfy their hunger they often use God's Name as justifying this, but this is false, an outrage against that Name. We may easily understand a man's feelings in his stealing in such a case; but honest prayer to God would result in a righteous answer, however hopeless the condition seemed to be. Can we not be absolutely certain that a prayer like this will be definitely answered? It is manifestly a prayer of faith.

Who has not known something of Abram's anxiety, not only for himself, but for his loved ones, when famine struck the land of promise? Led by sight, he goes where he sees the food is. Faith had wavered, for God had brought him to the land, and would He not sustain him, famine or not? Shall we leave the place of God's testimony because apprehensive of the future, and seek other fields that appear greener? Whether for material or spiritual need, let us "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). It is this that brings "the peace of God," not seeking elsewhere some provision that seems attractive. If there are stern tests of faith, they are intended to test us. But "the trial of your faith" is "much more precious than of gold that perisheth" (1 Peter 1:7). Why should we be content to fail the test — and suffer for it?

Who has not known something of Abram's anxiety, not only for himself, but for his loved ones, when famine strikes the land of promise? Led by sight, he goes where he sees the food is. Faith has wavered, for God has brought him to the land, and would He not sustain him, famine or not? Shall we leave the place of God's testimony because apprehensive of the future, and seek other fields that appear greener? Whether for material or spiritual need, let us "be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God". Phil. 4:6. It is this that brings "the peace of God," not seeking elsewhere some provision that seems attractive. If there are stern tests of faith, they are intended to test us. But "the trial of your faith" is "much more precious than of gold that perisheth." 1 Peter 1 :7. Why should we be content to fail the test - and suffer for it?

Should not we as saints of God more definitely commit our ways to Him? The husband comes home. He has lost his employment. The situation is dark. Husband and wife are struck dumb. Happy if they put their affairs in God’s hands. It may be a few years go by. We call on the couple. They live in a different part of the country. They say, “What we thought was a crushing blow that tempted us to think that God was harsh, has turned out to our material, and spiritual blessing. We can see God’s hand in it all now in a wonderful way.”

One may not be so greedy as to want to selfishly amass great riches, and yet may be a victim of worry and anxiety. This too is in reality opposition to the grace of God, yet even a believer often succumbs to it, for it is His disciples to whom the Lord spoke in verse 22. Parents must be concerned as to the needs of their family, and sometimes the future seems extremely bleak due to health problems, lack of employment, money shortage, lack of education etc., but the Lord encourages implicit faith rather than anxious worry. He cannot fail, though needs press heavily. The question is simply, Is the grace of God sufficient for the child of God? The Lord can be depended on to supply His saints with every necessity of life. For the life is more than the things that we think necessary to support it, and God is concerned for every aspect of life. Certainly we should work to support ourselves and our families (2 Thes.3:10), but worrying is not working.

Why is it that there is such emphasis upon our being without care? It is certainly not that we may settle down in comfortable self ease. In the parable of the sower some of the seed sown fell among thorns. The thorns sprang up and the seed was choked. In His explanation the Lord said the thorns are the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, the lusts of other things and the pleasures of this life (Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23; Mark 4:1-9, 13-20; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15). The cares of this world are first mentioned in each of the places where the parable occurs. The parable deals primarily with the initial reception of God's Word into the heart and the things that hinder this. However, what hinders this initial reception of God's Word will also hinder the fruitfulness of those who have truly received it. If we desire to live lives that are fruitful for God it is essential that the cares of this world are not allowed to displace His claims and interests. This is emphasised in Matthew 6 too. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. As His interests are sought, as they are actively pursued, so we will find that our necessities are provided for. May we have grace to follow a course in line with these clear directions of Scripture.

"And he said to his disciples, Therefore, I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment." Observe, "take NO thought." This needs no interpretation or accommodation. Persons may say it means "anxious thought," but there is nothing about "anxious" in the passage. It is simply said, "no thought;" and that, too, in reference to all that man can really want, namely, food and raiment, in both of which the ravens and the lilies are set before us as an example; for the former are fed, and the latter are clothed, without thought. If the Lord Jesus meant "anxious thought," He would have said so. Nor is this merely true in reference to those who are only in the kingdom; it is also true as to the members of the church. "Be careful for nothing," says the Spirit by the apostle. Why? Because God is caring for you. There is no use in two thinking about the same thing, when One can do everything, and the other can do nothing. "In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall garrison (phrouresei) your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus." This is the solid foundation of peace of heart, which so few really enjoy. Many have gotten peace of conscience through faith in the sufficiency of Christ's work, who do not enjoy peace of heart through faith in the sufficiency of God's care. And often times we go to pray about our difficulties and trials, and we rise from our knees as troubled as we knelt down. We profess to put our affairs into the hands of God, but we have no notion of leaving them there; and, consequently, we do not enjoy peace of heart. Thus it was with Jacob, in Genesis 32. He asked God to deliver him from the hand of Esau; but, no sooner did he rise from his knees than he set forth the real ground of his soul's dependence, by saying, "I will appease him by a present." It is clear he had much more confidence in the "present" than in God. This is a common error amongst the children of God. We profess to be looking to the Eternal Fountain; but the eye of the soul is askance upon some creature stream. Thus God is practically shut out; our souls are not delivered, and we have not got peace of heart.

It is an arresting word, "take no thought for your life," whether in regard to daily food or necessary clothing. Though necessary, these things must not be allowed to occupy time and thought as though they were vital matters. We have far more than this to live for. The birds are a pointed object lesson for us. They make no preparations for obtaining meals, yet God the Father has provided this necessity for them in such a way that they simply obtain their food as they need it. True it is that we could not exist in the same way, but faith may nevertheless count upon God to provide through giving employment, health, strength, or whatever is required to take care of these things. Faith in a living God is the vital matter here, faith that does not degenerate into anxiety. Man, who is capable of a conscious knowledge of, and communion with, his Creator, is of much more value to God than the birds.