The Bull, the Bear and the Lion
By the Rev. Al Areheart, Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church
Friday, April 3, 2009
Unless you have been living in a cave the last year — you are very aware that the bottom has dropped out of our economy. A recent survey reported that 50 percent of Americans are worried about losing their jobs. The experts are pretty much unanimous — “This is the big one, the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression.”
How do we respond personally? Some have become angry at the financial system, angry at business leaders who have not adapted, and angry at the government for not keeping us out of this mess. But for the most part, we are just scared. What will happen to my family and me? Will I lose my job and the domino effect –my house, my car and whatever.
In a bull market –everything is getting better; valuations are increasing; in a bear market (like now), the values of homes and equities are falling. I would suggest that we need a Lion market — a “Lion of Judah” (a title for Jesus Christ in Revelation 5:5) market. By all means seek the counsel of your financial advisor, but temper that advice with the advice given by Jesus. What is Jesus saying? I don’t think it is presumptuous to say that He would say what He has already said in the Bible. If we truly know God, these are His words that will guide and keep us in all economic seasons:
1. “Never forget I am the one who takes care of you.” Psalm 24:1 and Psa 50:10-12 make it clear that he owns it all and he desires to care for us (Matt 6:30,31)
2. “I promise that I will never desert you.” In Heb 13:5, He promises — “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Whatever you are facing, you are not alone.
3. “Remember my past provisions.” The last sermon from Moses to the Israelites when they were about to enter the Promised Land focused on the word “Remember.” Remember the plagues, the Red Sea experience, water from the rock, and the manna. All this and more is the record of faithfulness — Always remember! If you have walked with God very long, you will have your own stories of His provision in the 21st century.
4. “Don’t put your hope in money” Matthew 6:19-34 and 1 Tim 6 make it clear to us:
wealth is uncertain (e.g., our stock investments have plummeted)
Money can steal your heart and prompt us to sin (1Tim 6:9,10)
Wealth is hollow. “I have made millions, but they have brought me no happiness.” (John D Rockefeller). “…whoever loves money never has enough;” (Eccles 5:10)
5. “Check your reality — there are more important issues than money.” 1 Tim 6:6 tells us that Godliness and contentment are great gain. They are more important than having great wealth. Jesus in Mark 8 — “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul?”
6. “Besides, this world is not your home.” In reality, we cannot even measure the brevity of this life when we compare it to eternity. All of our possession will remain in this dimension. As the beleaguered attorney said at the will reading when being pestered about how much was left, “He left it all!”
7. “Keep doing what I told you to do with your money.”
Live within your means.
Plan for future needs.
Be fair and honest in every situation.
Be generous. We are never more like God than when we are giving!
• “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. Al Areheart of Twelfth Avenue Baptist Church.