The recent pandemic has caused an economic crisis for many nations, and for many families, so what can Christian families do when a financial crisis hits?
Troubling Times
The recent coronavirus pandemic that’s swept the globe has devastated many economies and many families too. Businesses have been shuttered while thousands of others have closed. Still others are barely hanging on, and with those businesses closing came millions of people losing their jobs. The pandemic has created a society where we social distance with just about everyone, and that means several states and cities have had to shut down businesses.
The economic ripple effect may be unlike anything we’ve ever seen in our lifetime. Things like record numbers of unemployed, astronomical national debt that swells ever split second, and economic catastrophes that have reduced millions of families to the point of poverty. And any news we hear today on TV or the Internet seems to be bad…and it may get worse before it gets better…if it does get better. It is certainly a day and age where there’ll be “people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world” (Luke 21:26). The Apostle Paul prophesied “that in the last days there will come times of difficulty” (2 Tim 3:1), and indeed, they have come, so now what?
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Trust God
Knowing my own heart, it’s easier for me to trust what I see than what I don’t see, and since God is Spirit, I cannot really see God, so when the checkbook gets low or we’re getting low on food, it’s harder to trust God because of what I see with my eyes, but that’s my mistake. God’s Word reminds us that “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment” (2 Pet 2:9). We may not know how to rescue ourselves from trials, like this recent economic catastrophe, but “the Lord knows.” That’s all that matters. When Jesus’ disciples were troubled that He was going away, He told them, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Be Thankful
If you are a child of God, claim God’s promise that your God and “my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:13). As for what you can control, take an inventory of your spending. Some things can be eliminated or reduced from your monthly budget. Other things that we might have thought we needed, might actually be luxuries we can do without…at least for a while. And involve the whole family. Dwell on the good God has already done for you and remind your children (and yourself) how trustworthy God is. Finally, be thankful for what you have already been blessed by…first and foremost, eternal life in Jesus Christ. This world and all its troubles are passing away, but those who trust in Christ shall abide forever.
Claim His Promise
Want to do something that you can control? Why not grow a garden? Make it a family project. It’s not rocket science…things like radishes, watermelon, and potatoes are not hard to grow at all, and it gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you’re doing your part for your family and your labor of love in feeding your family…and maybe even share with friends or family. You can also stop going out to eat at the nearest drive thru. Eating out will eat up the family budget. Learn to conserve too. Families can participate in meal preparations too. Most children I know love to help in the kitchen. And you can use this time to teach your children to depend on God when they see that even their parents have no control over certain things. If children see their parents on their knees and turning this all over to God, and not try to bear the entire burden themselves, the children will learn that this is what to do when faced with a crisis or situation they can’t fix. Do what you can and then when you can do no more, leave the rest up to God.
Seek God
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If we are seeking God while seeking His righteousness, He will supply ever need (Matt 6:33). It may not feel like a fact or look like a fact, but God has in fact “said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5b). It may even look like God’s forsaken you…especially financially, but He is not going to abandon you when you reach an impossible situation (i.e., can’t pay bills, lost job, etc.). I truly believe that God would tell us just what He told Joshua during a radical time of change in his life: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). The psalmist had lived long enough to know that experience taught him, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25). I hope you believe that too.
Conclusion
When we’re faced with a crisis; personal, relationship, health, or financial, we can come to the throne of grace through our Mediator, Jesus Christ. A crisis like the recent coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic troubles does one thing good…it makes us all prayer warriors…probably more than before. God will use these bad things for His good purposes (Gen 50:20). He always does. This crisis has already led to thousands and thousands of people coming to Christ for the very first time. We’ve had Buddhists, Muslims, atheists, Hindu’s, and Jews contact us recently. The troubles have forced many of these people to their knees for the very first time. Many have just now begun to seek after God, so it wasn’t until their backs were against the wall, and they had run out of all other options, that they came to God. He was all they had left turn to. When they had come to the end of their rope, there was God…waiting for them, all the time. And what about you? Have you trusted in Christ? Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). If you are not a child of God, you’re on your own in this world, but if you’ve believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, remember this during this crisis; “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials…” (2 Pet 2:9a). Even if you don’t, He does!
Here is some related reading for you: 7 Bible Verses for Troubled Times [3]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.