Is the American economy resettling itself, and what does that mean to our way of life?
Dear Friends,
Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen the stock market fall even farther and we’ve heard debate in the news about the economic stimulus package: Is it going to work? What does it mean for unemployment? What does it mean for my tax situation? Will there be an impact in the economy soon?
There are many questions that swirl around our economic situation. As we’ve lived with real uncertainty for the last several months, many of us are wondering if the “reset” button has been pushed on this economy and whether that resetting will have permanent implications on our lifestyle as Americans.
In my video, I talk about the fact that you and I cannot borrow our way to contentment or prosperity. We have violated fundamental principles by borrowing without considering the cost. Therefore, we will need to re-set how we make decisions as a nation if we want to have a solid economic footing in the future.
The good news is two fold. First of all, you have a tremendous chance as a family to re-consider how you use money. You are probably more closely in touch with your priorities as a family now than ever. I would imagine that you have made changes in your lifestyle and that you are spending more carefully and borrowing less freely. Those changes are so healthy for families and, ultimately, for our country.
Secondly, you have a great chance to re-frame your view of contentment and prosperity. The elusive “American Dream” promises contentment through prosperity. Our American “contentment through prosperity” paradigm is just a shade off of the real Truth that God shares with us in Scripture. The evil one makes a habit of taking God’s Truth and twisting it just slightly so that it bears an empty resemblance to the real thing. Whereas we often believe that contentment comes through material prosperity, God’s Word shows us that contentment comes through spiritual prosperity.
Come with me a moment into God’s Word:
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”
The riches that Christ knew as the omnipotent Son of God in heaven are inconceivable to us. According to John 1, Jesus is the Word who became flesh. He is the infinite Creator who became the Created. Imagine the prosperity He knew in eternity. Imagine the limitations He must have known as He labored over the carpentry projects with Joseph, His father. Imagine speaking the created universe into being and then finding yourself limited in creative power to a hammer and nails and time and sweat.
Jesus gave up His prosperity in eternity in order to give us spiritual prosperity. He endowed us with all of the riches of God’s love so that you, “being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17 – 19 – NIV)
Once we grasp the grace and generosity of Jesus in our souls and accept the spiritual prosperity He lavishly provides, we can also learn true contentment.
Paul said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11b-13 (NIV)
Paul knew God’s gracious prosperity in his life. Learning to be content was a matter of doing everything “through Him” who had given Paul all that he possessed. Like Paul, we can relish the gift of spiritual prosperity that Christ gave us through His life, death, and resurrection. And, like Paul, we can practice contentment each day as we rely on His resources.
Perhaps, as American believers, we will rely less on borrowing for fleeting contentment and more on abiding for deep contentment in our lives.
May God’s peace encourage you as you pursue financial wisdom and depend on His Truth.
Blessings,
Ron
Click here for the video transcript
Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen the stock market fall even farther and we’ve heard debate in the news about the economic stimulus package: Is it going to work? What does it mean for unemployment? What does it mean for my tax situation? Will there be an impact in the economy soon?
There are many questions that swirl around our economic situation. As we’ve lived with real uncertainty for the last several months, many of us are wondering if the “reset” button has been pushed on this economy and whether that resetting will have permanent implications on our lifestyle as Americans.
In my video, I talk about the fact that you and I cannot borrow our way to contentment or prosperity. We have violated fundamental principles by borrowing without considering the cost. Therefore, we will need to re-set how we make decisions as a nation if we want to have a solid economic footing in the future.
The good news is two fold. First of all, you have a tremendous chance as a family to re-consider how you use money. You are probably more closely in touch with your priorities as a family now than ever. I would imagine that you have made changes in your lifestyle and that you are spending more carefully and borrowing less freely. Those changes are so healthy for families and, ultimately, for our country.
Secondly, you have a great chance to re-frame your view of contentment and prosperity. The elusive “American Dream” promises contentment through prosperity. Our American “contentment through prosperity” paradigm is just a shade off of the real Truth that God shares with us in Scripture. The evil one makes a habit of taking God’s Truth and twisting it just slightly so that it bears an empty resemblance to the real thing. Whereas we often believe that contentment comes through material prosperity, God’s Word shows us that contentment comes through spiritual prosperity.
Come with me a moment into God’s Word:
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”
The riches that Christ knew as the omnipotent Son of God in heaven are inconceivable to us. According to John 1, Jesus is the Word who became flesh. He is the infinite Creator who became the Created. Imagine the prosperity He knew in eternity. Imagine the limitations He must have known as He labored over the carpentry projects with Joseph, His father. Imagine speaking the created universe into being and then finding yourself limited in creative power to a hammer and nails and time and sweat.
Jesus gave up His prosperity in eternity in order to give us spiritual prosperity. He endowed us with all of the riches of God’s love so that you, “being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17 – 19 – NIV)
Once we grasp the grace and generosity of Jesus in our souls and accept the spiritual prosperity He lavishly provides, we can also learn true contentment.
Paul said, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11b-13 (NIV)
Paul knew God’s gracious prosperity in his life. Learning to be content was a matter of doing everything “through Him” who had given Paul all that he possessed. Like Paul, we can relish the gift of spiritual prosperity that Christ gave us through His life, death, and resurrection. And, like Paul, we can practice contentment each day as we rely on His resources.
Perhaps, as American believers, we will rely less on borrowing for fleeting contentment and more on abiding for deep contentment in our lives.
May God’s peace encourage you as you pursue financial wisdom and depend on His Truth.
Blessings,
Ron
Click here for the video transcript
I love the fact that Ron doesn't just teach about money. He uses the Bible to not only teach about money but about a fruitful Christian life. With this video he gets to a core issue for me and for many believers.
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I don't think I've ever read a financial article drenched with such wisdom!!!! Thank you Ron. I try to pursue daily that deep contentment you speak of.
For me, personally, it feels great to have my finances in order whether in the midst of this chaos or not. I am humbled that God has graced me with an attitude of contentment that has not allowed me to fall into the pit of consumerism, greed, debt and fear. I was fortunate to have a father who taught me the basics of saving and investing and to steer clear of debt. (The paper route didn't hurt either.) Sure, we're running the ship a little tighter these days (the 10% salary reduction hurts) but I'm sleeping pretty well in the financial bed God has helped me make. In a few weeks we'll be trying our home on the market (we need more space for our growing family) and though it's a little scary I have complete trust in God's plan for my life. Even so, I have this strange feeling of doing something the economy says I shouldn't. It's like we're running into a burning building while everyone else is running out. My confidence is that God has aptly equipped us to flourish in the economic fire that has so many others scrambling.
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If only we as a country would have listened to Ron at any point in the last several decades, or even in the last few years. You can't borrow yourself into prosperity! I appreciate Ron and his positive perspective and continual commitment to Scripture. I love the opening - whenever you violate a Biblical principle... - so true!
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I love Ron's practical advise and the way he grounds it with biblical principle. I am so glad to have stumbled upon one of his books last weekend. It's really made me rethink how we, as a family, spend our money.
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Content comes through spiritual prosperity says a lot. It sums up the truth that we are concern with the things of the world instead of the things of God. For the things of God are the only truths in this world of lies. If we were to take an eternal perspective of, I came in this world with nothing but I'm going to leave a legacy of God's faithfulness that will last for everlasting to everlasting more people would be content.
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Ron, I really appreciate your continued reminder of biblical principles of handling our finances. I'm currently turning to God's wisdom in being responsible to working my way out of debt. I'm exercising my faith in God by making an increase to my tithing (I was not at the 10% and want to work my way towards this in obedience to his command in Malachi) It is a true step of dependence on my part because I do not have enough to meet my obligations in the 1st place. I am putting God to the test as he said I could do and I will report to all of you in the coming months concerning His faithfulness to our family's needs.
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Really enjoyed my first exposure to Ron Blue. Thank you for the "common thread" that runs through all I've seen so far. The scriptures. Thanks
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Why is it that when Ron puts it into Biblical perspective it becomes quite simple? Whe I listen to the "experts" i ussually end up confused. Ron, thank you for answering God's call to help us understand His ways of handling money. Thank You!
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