How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008) Discussion Topic @ AdlandPro Community

How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:51:30 GMT

How To Survive A Bad Economy
by Randy Robison

"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)

There’s a lot of talk about the economy these days. The stock market is taking a beating, homes are being foreclosed and the dollar is losing value. The news is full of doom and gloom, so people are worried. Accusations of thievery and mismanagement abound. But when the blame is set aside and the financial intricacies are stripped away, what is the core issue?

Mark Punzo, a friend of the ministry who works at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, recently asked me, “What is something worth?”

It didn’t take me long to reply, “Whatever somebody will pay for it.”

“So what are you worth?” he asked. I admit my first thought went to life insurance actuary tables. My salary times x number of years before I retire…

But I knew that wasn’t what he was driving at, so I guessed, “Whatever someone will pay me?”

“Whatever someone will pay for you,” he corrected. Then he asked a question that really bent my mind. “What did God pay for you?”

Now I got it. God paid for me with His only Son’s blood. It certainly wasn’t the first time I’d heard that principle, but it was the first time I had heard it put that way. It struck me hard. Is that really the value God places on me? Am I worth the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Why don’t I act like it?

“When God spoke that to me,” Mark continued, “He then said, ‘Look at all the people around you. That’s what they are worth to Me, too.’”

What incredible value! You, your loved ones, your acquaintances and even the people you don’t know are by far the most valuable things ever created, worth more than any company’s stock, assets or investments.

So why is it that we seem to be more concerned about our retirement plans than our relatives? Why do we react to an economic crisis with more urgency than a spiritual crisis? Do we really see the value in ourselves and in other people that God sees?

I confess that I take people for granted. If I spotted a $20 bill in the gutter, I’d stop to pick it up. But I have passed right by a person lying in the gutter without any second thoughts. I think perhaps my sense of value is askew. As a “responsible” husband and father, I spend time laying up treasure on earth for medical bills, college and (hopefully, some day) retirement. But those things will all pass away. My daughter’s car will eventually break down and rust, but her spirit is eternal. My son’s braces will give him a nice smile for a while, but what kind of man will he be when his teeth are falling out and his looks don’t matter any more?

I have decided to not worry about the economy. Good or bad, God is in control. I can only have one response if I want to hold on to anything of value: invest in the things in which God has invested.

You are worth what God paid for you. So is your spouse, your child and your neighbor. If you want to be rich, don’t look to your bank account. It will fail you. Look to the people in your life and invest in them. Then you will be truly prosperous, no matter what the economy does. And unlike the wealth of this world, you can take it with you forever.

This Week
Don’t worry about the economy; just make good investments. Deposit your time and love into someone’s life.

Prayer
“Father, forgive me for focusing on the temporal things of this earth. Help me to see the value in people that You see and lay up treasure in heaven by investing in them.” Amen

God Bless YOU!

Marion

Created By: 43918

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:55:29 GMT

Marion,

What a lovely forum posting.

I really enjoyed reading it.

You are so right. My feelings of richness always come from those smiles, words and looks of joy or thanks that I see on the faces I love and have touched with my presence somehow.

I am driven by money purely because I want to provide the BEST OF THE BASICS for my family. At 60+ my leading role is diminishing but I still strive to make some of the money that is in the wrong hands, after all, if we have some spare money we can do so much for His cause and in His name.

Money is not the root of evil but it can be a slavemaster.

I wish you all the earthly riches that He wishes to bestow and look forward to the day when we all share in the bounty that is heaven.

Roger

Created By: 286465

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:04:38 GMT

Hi Roger,

Thanks for stopping by! I am happy that you enjoyed reading this post.

Yes, it is the little things that are so important and God will provide the bigger ones if we are faithful.

Money is important but not as important as being faithful to God and trusting in him. I don't believe that money is the root of all evil either, but rather the love of money is. When you make money your God or most important thing then you run into trouble.

I with you and your family many blessings.

God Bless!
Marion

Created By: 43918

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:10:52 GMT

Marion, Of course you're right God commend us for faithfully stocking up for retirement although he does commend us to take a lesson from the ants. I myself and spending some time on asking "what is it that I am left here to do on this earth?" I'm sure that answer will be here soon as now I am asking him. Darryl
Created By: livingtowin

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:53:00 GMT

Hi Marion, It is so good to see your sweet smiling face. What a beautiful message you have given us today and it was perfect timing for me. Thank you so much for the reminder dear friend.

Love Bev.

Created By: 358251

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:50:36 GMT

Hi Bev,

It is good to see you as well.

I am happy you enjoyed the story and message here. We have a choice. We can either worship or worry and I chose to worship and leave it in God's hands.

God Bless!
Marion

Created By: 43918

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:33:16 GMT

Great post, Darryl. I think it is much easier to figure out what we were put here to do in the first place by adherring to The Ten Commandments. If we did only that we would not have to worry about the rest. We would also NOT need all of the millions of laws we have established!

roadcat

Created By: roadcat

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:31:41 GMT

Created By: nicksym

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:05:47 GMT

Hi Nick,

Good to see you as always!

Thanks for coming by.

God Bless!
Marion

Created By: 43918

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:04:38 GMT

Hi Joyce,

Thanks for coming by and I hope you enjoyed the story.

You are right, if everyone followed the Ten Commandments we would be in much better shape. If everyone would accept Jesus Christ as their savior we would also be much better off. If we all learned to trust in the Lord and not on our own understanding then we would not be worrying at all any more. Since the beginning though people have sinned and broken the rules and in Moses time the first judges were appointed to help uphold the laws.

May I suggest the book "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren? It may make things clearer for you and Darryl too.

God Bless!
Marion

Created By: 43918

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:46:58 GMT

Hi Darryl,

Thank you for coming by! We all have our purpose here no matter how young or old we are. Even if it is just to comfort or be a blessing to others.

Ants store up food and can carry heavy loads. People store up more then food and worship material man made things which are all useless when we die. Yes, money is important to survive but we can not take it with us at death.

Keep praying and I am sure God will answer your question.

God Bless!
Marion

Created By: 43918

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:33:59 GMT

HI MARION,
That is soooo true and a great post!
May God richly bless you !
in Christ,
Carla :)

Created By: 245569

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:02:02 GMT

Hi Carla,

Yes, yes it is all true. So lovely to see you dear sister.

Many blessings to you too!

YSIC,
Marion

Created By: 43918

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:02:46 GMT

Hello Marion,

Thank you for this timely reflection. Sometimes we get caught up
in pursuing what we think is important that we lose sight of the
essentials.

This economic stumble reminds us that we should build our life's
foundations on solid ground -- the eternal things you talked about.

I'm just grateful that it's not too late to change our perspectives
and outlook.

Cheers,
Ricardo

Created By: 167799

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:05:38 GMT

Hi Ricardo,

You are so welcome! Yes we lose sight of God and try to do everything on our own. It is so much easier to lean on him and a lot more peaceful.

It is never too late to change and believe. Believe in things you can not see and the reward will be to see the things we believe in. You can not see the wind but it still exists.

God Bless!
Marion

Created By: 43918

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:11:31 GMT

Hi everyone, This busy bee thinks it's time to let you all know I'm still gathering the honey. Marion I love your story's.Please keep them coming.Well now it's back to surfing. Got to make the Honey.

James

Created By: PapaJim

Re: How To Survive A Bad Ecomony (11/15/2008)

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:01:34 GMT

Hi James,

Happy you could stop by and that you love the stories I put in my forum. It is nice to know someone appreciates them. Thank you very much!

God Bless!
Marion

Created By: 43918