Over the past few years many individuals and families have experienced extremely high levels of stress and anxiety as a result of the economic recession that has devastated our global economy.  Many surveys reveal that there has been a dramatic increase in divorce rates, families and individuals filing for bankruptcy, and health issues directly related to financial problems resulting from this poor economic climate. 

Now let's be honest with one another - there is plenty of blame to go around.  Unfortunately, pointing fingers will not solve this worlds problems. It never has and it never will because as the saying goes: "every time you point your finger at someone in an effort to blame them, there are at least three other fingers pointing back at you." That's why we always need to refer to God's word for "best practices" for financial wellness and all that we may face in life. 

Please know that this most recent recession did not catch God by surprise like it did many of us.  Neither did the Great Depression of the 1930's nor the tremendous famine recorded in Genesis 47 which impacted entire countries.      

Over the course of my lifetime I've seen our Western society become more consumer driven year after year, with people never being satisfied (content) with what they have but always wanting more (greed) regardless of whether what they desire fits within the budget. That has been the case with Christians as well as non-Christians.  The result has been devastating to our nation and our world as many are now subject to their creditors in ways that they never thought possible (i.e., high interest rates, title loans, foreclosures, etc.) 

God's word speaks of this in Proverbs 22:7:

"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave."  (NASB)

Whenever we do not practice self-control in our spending, live within our financial means, and operate with fiscal integrity, we end up with what we currently have - a society teetering on financial ruin - trying to maintain a very delicate balancing act with its' future. 

Over the course of the next several weeks I'll be sharing biblical principles to help us achieve financial wellness as we seek to come out of financial slavery and become a society that is not intent on living beyond our means (greed) but within them (being content) so that God can be glorified and we have the necessary resources to expand His kingdom and not our own. 

Realistically speaking, the kingdom of those who have allocated billions of advertising dollars in their budget to tempt us to spend beyond our means have been expanded tremendously.  Now, it's our turn to follow God's financial plan found in Deuteronomy 28:1-2 to not only recover but increase:

"Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.  All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God."

Know this - God has been known to use difficult times to turn His people back towards Him (note the book of Judges).  I firmly believe that this is one of those seasons.  His word is still true and He has not turned His back on us.  2 Chronicles should be a focal point not just for financial healing but also for a nation that, in many ways, has turned it's back on God - the very same God that our financial currency proclaims 'In God we Trust.'  Let's take heed to the words found in 2 Chronicles 7:14: 

"...and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 

God bless,

Pastor Garry