Christians and the Credit Crunch

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Permalink Reply by Adam on September 8, 2008 at 11:36pm

Hi Cate,

If you have faith in Jesus, would your faith not guide your analysis of day to day situations rather than be in the balance with it?

What impact of a recession are you most concerned about? I expect the ones that are hit the most are those who have an unhealthy love of money.

Perhaps times like these are sent to direct us to what is important in life and with God's help show us what will give us true happiness, or for us to focus our attention on those who have much less than ourselves. If we have food and clothes (and a roof over our head) should we not be content.

Jesus teaches us about how not to worry, and how to have contentment. Maybe by having a little less money it would give us the chance to spend more time with God which when times are good we might say we are too busy to do.

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Permalink Reply by chrissy on October 20, 2008 at 8:47pm

Hi Cate
I am a little concerned about the credit crunch and am very concerned about the amount of debt the country is getting into as a whole.

I guess it all sounds very glib to say that God is our provider and that he will keep us provided for, but I have had a few times when God has really provided for me and using some incredible people and circumstances. So I guess I would have to say that with this situation He can help us all out and will keep His promises.

Guess we have the responsibility to balance faith in Him and the amount we are spending on the stuff we buy, both what we need and the things we want. God expects us to be good stewards of all He has given us, including our pay cheque!

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Permalink Reply by Claire on October 21, 2008 at 12:36am

I am concerned, not so much with the crunch itself as by the reaction that there has been to it. The action taken appears to be to bail out the rich bankers rather than helping the people who have lost their jobs, had their houses repossessed, face their businesses closing etc. Even more, it has taken the media's attention away from the real poverty of the developing nations, where people don't even have enough food to eat let alone affording education and healthcare.

While I feel for people who have been affected, the rich nations of the world have had recessions before in recent history and come through them relatively unscathed. We need to be good, responsible stewards of the wealth that God has given us so that we can still help those who are worse off than us e.g. by continuing to buy Fair Trade goods.

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Permalink Reply by James Dixon on October 21, 2008 at 7:44pm

Of course I'm worried. The fall out and melt down of the markets will cause pain, to others including my friends if not to myself. I don't like pain. To say that pain does not affect me is to become like a stone. Hard hearted.

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Permalink Reply by debbie on October 21, 2008 at 9:43pm

I think people are taking contingency measures already. I left a workman in my home today and when I returned he was speaking to an interviewer on his mobile. He explained that he is hoping to secure a second job in case things get tough. I know of others that are doing this now, as well.
I think it's a good idea to be aware of what could go wrong and act accordingly.
sometimes I look back and I can see God has helped me in difficult times. Often I think God gives us the ideas for what to do.
I agree that caring for each other is where we should start and not to be afraid to ask for help if needed.

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Permalink Reply by Sojourner on October 22, 2008 at 11:53pm

I think we need to balance Matthew 6:31 (do not worry about what you need to wear, eat or drink) with the exhortations in Proverbs to work hard, plan, prepare and not waste. Jesus' was also clear we need to 'Estimate the Cost' of our actions in life. Therefore we do not ignore the realities of life around us because of a deluded idea that God wil insulate us from the ups and downs in the economy. I believe the real test is how we use what we have, however much or little, our bank statements quite often reveal our priorities in life!

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Permalink Reply by Maxine Edgar on October 23, 2008 at 12:32am

I have heard so much about Christians not being part of the Credit Crunch as though we are alien to this, as though we have not contributed to it as though it is as act of the Devil and the unbelievers only. Well I need to put my bit in here.

We are not of the world but we are in it and therefore what hits the world hits us also, not only that, but many Christians have contributed to the the downfall of the economy with the whole prosperity thing. My last pastor had 9 houses and paid rent to a housing association for the property that they lived in, that is their business, but when your sermons always have to include the fact that you have so many properties and that you saw them, liked them and asked God to come through with 100% mortgages for you - and he did - is really a worry, furthermore, advising the congregation to to 'see you after church' if they do not own their homes and you can 'sort out a mortgage' is a terrible thing, especially is 70% of your church do not work. This kind of behaviour is rife within certain churches.

The scriptures are certain and are true, Joseph put aside one fifth in the time of plenty in order to have enough in the time of famine. If we were to simply apply these scriptures to our lives, God has put everything in place for us in his word, it is at this stage that we as Christians need not worry ourselves with the credit crunches of life and quite possibly help others.

Furthermore, I truly believe that many a time things happen in this fallen world and God will allow them, but I think because we have forsaken God, and when I say we, I believe the church has a great part to play, he has decided to step in, in order to correct us. The UK is tiny in comparisson to USA and God is looking at his church, prosperity is rife in the USA and the UK seem to be taking on the same kinds of teaching, something has to be done. I believe God is in control, he said he would give us rivers in the dessert and would make a way in the wilderness and I am standing on his word. Life is chaotic, funds are low, but I am standing and we need to pray and stand together.

Maxine Edgar

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Permalink Reply by bart on October 24, 2008 at 9:00pm

Ther are a good deal of references to trading in the bible, in particular with references to Tyre and Sidon and Tarshish. It also seem to be a little known fact that the land of Canaan means the land of merchandise or acquisitions. Cain also comes from the same root, meaning acquirer. However, in our own time, we have made something of a religion out of the process of aacquiring, to the extent that our economies are solely concerned with creating markets for goods that do not exist, and then providing them. In other words, it is a merchant culture dependent upon feeding excess rather than providing for needs.
But it is a two-way process nonetheless, of buying and selling, and the name Levi caomes from a word that suggests just this kind of reciprocation. Perhaps the current problem signifies that this two-way process has become extremely one-sided, all take-take-take and give nothing back. Perhaps these times provide us with a lesson that has a spiritual message at the end of it.

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Permalink Reply by Sue R on October 24, 2008 at 9:32pm

I have other problems to think about than money, but if I do find it hard than I am sure that God would want me to do something and that he will guide me to the answer. Trust in God.

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Permalink Reply by abi on October 27, 2008 at 4:47pm

we as a Christians should try to manage our resources and be moderate in everything

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Permalink Reply by Muzzie on January 4, 2009 at 12:53am

I am so encouraged by the good common sense and the faith in the replies to this discussion.

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Permalink Reply by Joanna Ennis on January 4, 2009 at 11:33pm

I am not worried.

I am though cautious about the next 5 years and will not be making any major purchases.

I think this is a good opportunity for Christians to revise their spending habits and priorities. Whilst ministries in poor countries suffer for lack of support I think we should all look at what kingdom we are building individually.

Finances and Guidance issues are covered fully in www.prayersword.org.uk for those who like to ask God for help.

Joanna Ennis

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