The Economy.... For Your Soul???

[cyberjosh]

The #1 issue in America, and which has now rippled across to other nations as well, has been the economy, economy, economy. And while it is true that it is important, and affects our welfare and jobs among other things, it ultimately comes down to concern about material possessions and a means to them (a.k.a. jobs) - and as Christians we know who is the true Providor of these things. Have we become of so little faith, so as to not trust in the One who gives and takes away, yet who always provides for the needs and necessities of His children? Jesus said, "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" (Matthew 6:25-26).

I was struck by the "question" of this topic when at a Men's camping retreat with my Church this past weekend, and the person who spoke to us as we sat around the fire mentioned the constant talk and anxiety about the economy. And he was basically asking, "What is the number one issue being discussed amongst the public right now? The economy. My friends, we as Christians know that there is a much more important issue, more important news, that should be passed on to this and the next generation, and that we have the testimony of it. The Bible says, 'What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his soul?' Focusing on the economy shouldn't be the primary issue." He was basically talking to us about being lights for the Gospel, and passing on the Gospel and testimony of God's work in us to the next generation (and especially between father's and son's - since the retreat was oriented around building that relationship) - but what he said struck me, because through the haze of news programs, newspapers, discussion at work & elsewhere it seemed to all distract from that one question: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet loses his soul?." Friends, yes we should be savvy about our worldly affairs, and for those things let us get on our knees in prayer, yet let us remember whose world it is and what we are living for. And most of all do not be anxious about your life, but trust in the One who gives us life and salvation.

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[Lee100]

I do believe that the end is near, the economy problem is one of the first problems the Antichrist will fix, the whole world will marvel at the beast. He will be a master at fixing problems, He will find many cures for diseases. He will fool the unsaved people quite affectively. In order for the Tribulation to began, there must be a seven year peace treaty made with Israel – See ( Daniel 9:27) without the treaty the Tribulation cannot start. Could it have already have been made behind the scenes with out our knowledge. If so we are going through the first half right now. unless the war of Ezekiel 38 and 39 comes first.

 

[cyberjosh]

I do believe that the end is near, the economy problem is one of the first problems the Antichrist will fix, the whole world will marvel at the beast.

I believe that is probably true, but the question is how will he do it when there are so many conflicting ideologies on how global (and some think it should never be global - a.k.a. the forces which Benjamin Barber calls "parochialism" and "Jihad" in his book Jihad versus McWorld, which pushes against modernization and the spread of capitalism) or non-global economies should be handled? The UN has a hard enough time getting along amongst themselves.

Although it very well may be a political figure that rises as the Anti-Christ. In an interesting book I recently heard about, but have not yet read, it discusses the possibility of the Anti-Christ using democracy to get himself elected, as this self-evident title reveals: How Democracy will Elect the Antichrist.

It makes for interesting musings, but ultimately, like the Christians of the first century, we need to realize that our citizenship is in heaven and not on earth, and as far as earthly affairs go we should offer up, "requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for everyone for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness, for, "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 1:1-4).

God Bless,

~Josh