Faith Voices
EFCA leaders speak out on the economy.
I don’t know what the future holds for us collectively. I don’t know what the future holds for you personally. But I do know this: This recession has an upside. If it leads us deeper in our relationship with God, that is an upside. If it causes us to be more compassionate to those in need, that is an upside.
If it forces us to our knees and to prayer, that is an upside. If we find ourselves filled with gratitude for how God is supplying our need and ministering His compassion to us, that is an upside.
If these things are not your experience, I am afraid you are wasting this recession. Don’t waste it. It is too valuable.
— Scott Solberg, pastor, Wethersfield (Conn.) EFC
Every day the newspapers and TV relay additional bad news. But God’s Word promises believers that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, emphasis mine).
There are no exception clauses written into the text.
— Dr. R. Bruce Montgomery, senior pastor, Grace Church, Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
This is a reality check for our country.
Back in Bible days, when God talked about sharing your first fruits, that was an act of faith, because you were giving what came first out of the harvest; you had no idea what was to come. In the ’hood we are a community; we share the love with one another even if it’s our last “fruit.”
Most of the rest of us, however, like to give out of our abundance. That doesn’t take much faith. There is little reliance on Christ because we don’t really need Him in that context. We don’t need Him to be the great Jehovah Jireh. We’ve got that one covered.
Well, reality check is here now, and the world is looking at how we will respond. I pray that it won’t be without a true reliance on Him. That we will take this opportunity to gain influence in our communities as ones who know the King of kings and Lord of lords — the One who has our future in His hands.
— Andrae Robinson, executive director, 2nd Mile Ministries, Jacksonville, Fla.
My wife and I have long lived on 90 percent while giving away 10 percent. We are moving toward living on 10 percent so we can give away 90 percent. We are not there yet, but our financial priorities are moving us that way.
Do not let fear guide your financial decisions. Our jobs are not our provider; our grant funding is not our provider. God is our Provider! We need to live our lives believing what Hudson Taylor believed decades ago: “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”
Respond with the discipline of biblical financial principles but launched with the radical faith that God will provide.
— Rollo Casiple, pastor, La Vina Community Church, Miami, Florida
Be wise. Use whatever resources you have to make maximum kingdom impact.
Be missional. These are days to reach out to the poor and needy.
Be calm. God is in control. He has things to teach us. Trust Him.
Be aggressive. Don’t curtail ministry. Pursue new opportunities. These don’t have to take more money.
Be joyful. God is so good. He has given us so much that can never be taken away.
— Quintin Stieff, pastor, Valley Church, West Des Moines, Iowa
