preacherman

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Christians, Church, and the Economy

I don't know any American who hasn't been affected by this economy in America some way or another. I know I have been looking for a job for quite a while now. Yet over the last few months I have learned to trust God especially during the troubling times. I am striving to be content in my time of need as did the apostle Paul. I have seen and heard of many Christians facing layoffs, unemployment, lose of housing, medical, and on. Churches are even going through difficult financial trouble. Most churches in America did not meet their budgets for this year and even heard on CNN of churches facing fore closer. Trusting and relying on God especially during difficult times is important. Even Jesus understood this as in the Lord's Prayer it says, "Give us this day our daily bread." Relience opon God for sustaining his people. How should Christians and churches handle this economic crisis? How we respond? What are you doing during this economic crisis? Are you sacrificing in other ways to help meet others needs in the Kingdom? Should you? How do you think this will effect ministry, church attendance, dynamics, teachings as the American economy continue to decline? Will this bad economy quicken the death of the false teaching of the health and wealth gospel preached by Osteen and others? Could God be using it to do just that?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

3 Comments:

Blogger Foggy Blogger said...

Wow, you cant ask the easy questions can you? Like the problem of evil or post trib vs pre trib! ;)

On first perusal and thought. For me it comes down not so much to financial support, but service. I dont have much in the funds department because i'm very underemployed. But i have more free time, so i use by babysitting for stressed families, or by driving people to appointments and when i have time i make pretty things to give.

In all reality, for Christians and the recession, its about community and how we model Christ's love to each other inside and outside our churches. Are we going to blame the person for being poor and for making bad choices? Or are we going to roll up our sleeves and get to work? Which means taking a good hard look at the system and our way of life and seeing where we as a church/ekklesia have contributed to the current crisis. Because we have contributed as scripture reminds us none are blameless in the sight of Lord and we all live together here on this earth.

As for Osteen and his lot, history has shown that they actually become more popular during economic hard times. Its what people want to hear, that there's a way out, that they wont have to suffer financially on this earth. That they can have the good life and follow Jesus.

This recession is upending a lot of lives, but its effects will only be temporary unless we're willing to look at the system/politics that got us here in the first place. I have a feeling many of us Christians aren't going to like what we see when we take a good hard look in that mirror...

Prayers for you my friend, my you find a source of meaningful employment soon!

10:27 PM  
Blogger kc bob said...

The church we attend has a support group for folks out of work and also solicits donations to support unemployed members. On a personal level we try to support charities that support homeless folks and food pantries. Sadly this holiday season is one of the hardest times of the year for some who lack the funds to buy presents for their kids.

3:15 PM  
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