Sometimes I'm just overwhelmed with the ways that God has blessed me.
I've had excellent health - I've never had surgery, spent a night in the hospital, or had a broken bone.
I've had access to education - I was able to complete my education up to and including a Ph. D., and never paid a dime, thanks to public funding and scholarships.
I've never been unemployed.
I've never been homeless.
I've never been without food. In fact, my waistline proves that I've even enjoyed an excess of food!
I've owned a car since I was 16 years old.
And I could go on and on listing many more ways in which God has blessed me.
And I am certain that I can take no credit for these things - they are all gifts from a generous and loving God.
In fact, the vast majority of us in the U. S. have been the beneficiaries of many of God's blessings. When you consider all people throughout the world, and also consider all of the people who lived in the past who are now deceased, all but the very poorest of Americans are ridiculously wealthy. I think it's especially important for us to remember this now, as we go through an economic climate that is much more challenging than we've faced in many years.
In other words, count your blessings! Look at all of the wonderful things that God has done for you in the past, and is doing for you now. The vast majority of Americans have food, shelter, fresh water, health care, free education, freedom, adequate clothing, transportation, free and easy access to worship and the Bible, etc.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." -Psalm 118:1
"In that day you will say: 'Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.'" -Isaiah 12:4
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -I Thessalonians 5:18
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." -Ephesians 1:3
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." -Ephesians 2:8-9
"For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" -I Corinthians 4:7
Showing posts with label economic crisis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label economic crisis. Show all posts
Friday, March 20, 2009
Monday, November 24, 2008
materialism and the U. S. economy
The media are telling us that the U. S. economy is in bad shape, and there is good reason to believe that things will get worse. Since the various parts of the U. S. economy are so interdependent, the problems with the real estate bubble bursting and the problems with the banking industry are being spread throughout all commerce in the nation. A great number of layoffs have been made, and many more will probably occur as the problems continue spreading throughout business in the U. S. and the rest of the world.
As a result, many Americans are spending less money - including those who still have jobs, even those whose jobs are at least fairly secure. They're hoping to save money, or at least not obtain more financial obligations, so that they can weather the tough times to come. This is very wise, although it will result in fewer purchases being made, which will slow down the U. S. economy even further.
I'm not an economics expert, although I have a great deal of training in mathematics and have published mathematics related to economics. But, as someone who is mostly an amateur in these areas, I believe the days of the U. S. being the only financial superpower in the world are over. This factor, along with the items mentioned in the paragraphs above, I think is going to cause American citizens to need to get used to having less.
But, I believe this is a blessing in disguise! We've gotten too attached to our money and possessions, and gotten away from the things that are really important. We need to go back to what the Bible teaches about materialism:
"And he [Jesus] told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, 'You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.' ' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." -Luke 12:16-21
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." -I Timothy 6:6-10
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19-21
"...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." -Philippians 4:11a-12
God would not mislead you. You really will be happier with less stuff. Don't think about what you want - be thankful to God for what you have. And concentrate on the things that are really important: love, compassion, humility, forgiveness, friendship, prayer, Bible study, nature - they're all free!
As a result, many Americans are spending less money - including those who still have jobs, even those whose jobs are at least fairly secure. They're hoping to save money, or at least not obtain more financial obligations, so that they can weather the tough times to come. This is very wise, although it will result in fewer purchases being made, which will slow down the U. S. economy even further.
I'm not an economics expert, although I have a great deal of training in mathematics and have published mathematics related to economics. But, as someone who is mostly an amateur in these areas, I believe the days of the U. S. being the only financial superpower in the world are over. This factor, along with the items mentioned in the paragraphs above, I think is going to cause American citizens to need to get used to having less.
But, I believe this is a blessing in disguise! We've gotten too attached to our money and possessions, and gotten away from the things that are really important. We need to go back to what the Bible teaches about materialism:
"And he [Jesus] told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, 'You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.' ' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." -Luke 12:16-21
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." -I Timothy 6:6-10
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19-21
"...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." -Philippians 4:11a-12
God would not mislead you. You really will be happier with less stuff. Don't think about what you want - be thankful to God for what you have. And concentrate on the things that are really important: love, compassion, humility, forgiveness, friendship, prayer, Bible study, nature - they're all free!
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