When financial crisis hits

Financial crisis is just a term until it impacts you.

Many years ago, I was a salesman with a territory that stretched across most of Virginia. A large company suddenly purchased the firm I worked for. Upon hearing the news, I was worried but the boss assured me that I would always be needed. Secure in that knowledge, I was happy to cooperate and work with the new company. Two representatives rode with me for a week. They were so complimentary and friendly my employment worries were soon replaced with dreams of greater success.

The following Monday, I was called into the office and dismissed. The people I personally escorted all over Virginia the week before would now take over my accounts. They appreciated my past service, emphasized that it was only business and nothing personal, handed me my final paycheck and escorted me out the door. Financial crisis for my company meant they needed to merge with a larger corporation; Financial crisis for me now meant that I was unemployed.

I was married with a baby at home, a recently purchased house, and no income. I was in trouble.

Today, when you read about the woes of Wall Street, remember that many of you will soon be personally experiencing those woes on Main Street, whether through job loss like what happened to me or receiving a drastic reduction in your retirement benefits or adjusting to the reality of a higher cost of living. Financial crisis means tough times for most and tragedy for many others.

The central question for us as people of faith should be: Now what? How can we personally help those who will be the most heavily affected? What could the church do to help someone like me?

The Bible contains many dramatic examples of people going through crisis: David standing before Goliath, Moses facing the Red Sea, Paul confronting an angry crowd and Jesus moving toward the cross. Psalm 46 provides a vivid description of God right in the midst of such tragedy. “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” (Verses 1-3)

No matter the crisis, God will see you through. Earthquakes symbolize tragedies of such a magnitude that everything is violently disrupted. Your self-esteem, your will to fight, even your faith seems ineffective in the path of such destruction. Yet in the midst of the earthquake, our Psalmist boldly proclaims, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help. So we will not fear.”

Lesson One: Do not fear
God will be our strength. Losing a job is scary but God provides help. The financial crisis will be difficult but we, as the church, should not fear for God is our refuge.

After predicting the devastation of Israel, God instructs Jeremiah to purchase a plot of land where the destruction will occur. This is like predicting a category five hurricane, then purchasing choice beachfront property in the affected area. Why? Jeremiah writes:

“For this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Someday people will again own property here in this land and will buy and sell houses and vineyards and fields.’” (Jeremiah 32:14-15)

Lesson Two: Listen to God and be bold
Jeremiah took bold action in the face of tragedy. Buying land in the path of destruction symbolized hope for the future. Our churches should spend careful time in prayer and Bible study listening for God’s word and then be prepared to take action.

As for me, while seeking advice on a potential sales opportunity, I was offered a management position with another company. Over the years, I learned how to inspire and lead other people. I didn’t know it at the time but God was using my job crisis to prepare me for ministry.

When Crisis strikes: We are called to respond. “Do not fear. Listen to God and be bold.” A lost job changed my life and prepared me for ministry. The crisis on Wall Street will inspire many people to shift their faith from their checkbooks and 401ks to prayer and service.

Crises will come, and they will subside. But our Godly response can be life changing and have eternal consequences.