The Global Financial Meltdown and You - GoodNewsTV3
Channel: GoodNewsTV3
Date: 2010-07-04

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- How does the Bible shed light on the crisis?
The financial crises in the Bible offer parallels. 
Famines had similar effects: 
In the time of Joseph [Genesis 41-47]
In the time of Elisha [2 Kings 6-7]
In 1st century Judea [Acts 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 8-9].
These are testing times, driving up prices, straining relationships, affecting families, removing comfort, leading to despair, revealing character.
Realize that money is not the answer! 
"Vanity of vanities" Emptiness! Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV). 
The US government is throwing money at the problem. (Whose money?)  A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life happy, and money is the answer for everything (Ecclesiastes 10:19 CSB)
"Daily bread" Moderation -- Proverbs 30:7-9 "Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, `Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God (NIV). See also Matthew 6:11. 
Balance hard work with generous liberality.  
Industry -- Pull your weight. 2 Thessalonians 3:10: In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: "If anyone isn't willing to work, he should not eat" (CSB).  and yet there is a balancing principle: Kind to the needy, giving to those who ask (Luke 6).
Generosity. Keep giving!  Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity (2 Corinthians 8:2 NIV).
Although the N.T. does not command any particular percentage for giving, most of us western Christians are able to go beyond the O.T. norm!
Note: Some believers have been generous to a fault. Those who are deep in debt and have not spent responsibly may need to give away less of their income until they get their house in order. The ultimate goal, however, is to be a generous giver.