IN THEORY: Serving God through tough times

In recent weeks, much of the discussion in America has centered around the economy. Some pundits have speculated that the country is entering its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

In difficult economic times, what can people do to live spiritually and serve God, and are there any stories in scripture that can provide an example at a time when jobs and money appear scarce?

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It’s often more difficult to keep our hearts focused on God during times of prosperity than it is during times of economic hardship. During “upturns,” we tend to forget that God is the source of every good thing we have, but during “downturns,” we are driven to our knees seeking His provision and favor.

God’s greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is that we love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. We can do that even if we lose all of our money. The second greatest commandment is that we love others, and we all know that involves much more than money. Your kindness to others — and prayers — and encouragement from scripture are priceless, and they glorify God.

The Bible is filled with examples of God’s miraculous, caring provision: water and manna in the wilderness for Israel; flour and oil for the widow who cared for Elijah; loaves and fish for the hungry crowds who came to hear Jesus. They needed, and God provided.

If you are needy and worried, give your cares (and your life!) to Jesus Christ. He promised that if our lives’ first pursuit is God’s kingdom and His righteousness, He will supply every material need as well. Every day, claim His promise: “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19).

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank

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In these times, people should most certainly seek the Lord for His hand of favor. Our currency affirms our allegiance to Him, proclaiming “In God We Trust,” but one wonders if the declaration is true about our heavenly benefactor, or if it’s really an affirmation that the deity on which we rely is the greenback upon which it is stamped.

We must admit that finances appear to be the object of worship for most, despite Christ’s ominous forecast that “people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith” (1 Timothy 6:10 New International Version). If people would worry less for Mammon, and worship more their maker, their needs would be satisfied. I say their “needs,” not necessarily their “greeds.” We all want to live beyond mere existence, but that’s hardly the average American’s problem.

Jesus’ investment advice was this: “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). This is obviously “sage” instruction, and rather forward-looking, not to mention currently relevant, don’t you think?

Yet, with the upcoming election, I worry that voters will shortsightedly choose economics over ethics, and try to enthrone a perceived Midas, who will instead result in a great minus for our country’s soul.

Presidents have never been solely responsible for our prosperity, nor our myriad woes — for we are a nation of some 300 million consumers who have brought those upon ourselves. We’re the most materialistic society on Earth, and Nov. 4 may further establish our pole position. Pray not.

Californians, when marking your ballots, be mindful that we are what we seat; either heavenly virtue or earthly vice. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, “Trust in the Lord .?.?. and he will make your paths straight.” Believe that! Vote most accordingly.

THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM

Montrose Community Church

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The subject of idolatry has been coming up in recent sermons I’ve delivered, and possibly that same subject is relevant now. When times are tough, we religious people may really be challenged to keep the first commandment, which says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” That’s from Exodus 20, and so is the second commandment about not having any graven image to worship. While each of us needs to eat and have shelter, do we trust God or our almighty bank account? When the rubber hits the road, do we trust the Lord Almighty or the almighty dollar?

I just received an e-mail from our conference office urging us preachers to urge our congregants to give more, not less, during these hard times. The idea is to trust in the abundance of God. The Hebrew slaves who escaped Egypt were given manna from heaven when they were hungry. The point: The Lord will provide. When Abraham thought God wanted him to sacrifice his son Isaac, and when the young lad realized there was no animal for the sacrifice, his father Abraham said, “The Lord will provide.” Isaac was not sacrificed, and the Lord did provide.

In the New Testament, Jesus tells his listeners in Matthew 6:25 not to worry about what they are to eat or what they will wear. This is the beginning of the famous passage about the lilies of the field that neither toil nor spin — yet Solomon in all his glory was not as beautiful as these lilies. Jesus also mentions the birds of the air and how God cares for them — so aren’t we men and women of more value than they, and yet God cares for even them?

Hard economic times are tough for everybody, but people of faith need to trust that God will provide. The manna we receive may not be in the exact form that we expected or wanted, but the person of faith trusts that the Lord will provide.

THE REV. C. L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN

La Cañada Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

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In times of trouble, it is critical for religious leaders to draw attention to all the positive, beautiful and wonderful elements of life that are often overlooked during an economic downturn. It is during these difficult times that we recognize the value of true friendship and love among family and friends — and appreciate them as towers of emotional support who can help us through a trying period.

The biblical figure who features most prominently regarding suffering — in both economic and personal terms — is Job. This was a man who had it all — prosperity, family, friends, fame and more.

Inexplicably, and through no fault of his own, his good fortune changed. Job lost his wealth, his family members died, and this decent man was left penniless and destitute. Ultimately, it was his friends who provided the support he needed to weather these terrible hardships. According to the narrative, Job’s friends sat with him for seven days to demonstrate that they felt his pain and were there for him — providing a comforting shoulder to lean on.

According to some Jewish sages, Job as an individual never existed, and the biblical story is really a metaphor for life. During these challenging times, we have a fundamental responsibility to one another. If we are lucky and have been spared from the economic turmoil, then we must reach out and provide solace and comfort to those who are in distress. And if we are affected by the economic downturn, we should recognize that life has so much more to offer, such as the love of family and friends.

I believe each of us should use these challenging times to forge stronger and more durable relationships. Then we all can realize that we are basically taking one step back to soon take two steps ahead — and that happier days are just around the corner.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

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The Armenian Church has provided a consistent message that has transcended the status of the economy at any given moment in time. In fact, this message has been so powerful that it has guided its people through economic hardships, invasions and even genocide. It is the message that Jesus pronounces in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

Jesus Christ directs our attention to the birds of the air. They do not have bank accounts, 401(k) plans or right-side-up mortgages, yet their heavenly father takes care of each of them. And the flowers of the field, which are here today and gone tomorrow, do not spend money on their wardrobes, and even Sarah Palin can’t buy clothes as pretty as one of these.

So Jesus demands that we put away anxious thought, because our heavenly father cares for us so much more.

It may sound simple, but that’s the call of faith. Economies will fluctuate, wealth will disappear, material goods will wear away, but our souls are eternal. Jesus concludes this lesson on trust by insisting that we “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33 NIV).

FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

In His Shoes

Armenian Church Youth Ministries