Run To God

So many people are stirring with major concern and fear concerning the events of the nation’s economy this week. We are on some new ground as a nation, and so many are unsure where it is all going.  Yesterday, while conversing with Andy Wilson, our Executive Leader of the Ministry and Operations, he stated, “What the Lord has put on my heart today is:  Run to God.”  I want to pick up on that because I believe that is the correct response now.  Let me talk about it with you today.  I want to challenge you as a Christ-follower, if you are one, to take these steps of action.  If you are not a Christ-follower, these are the only answers:

Action #1:  Run to God now. Our response as Christ-followers should be “run to God.”  This is not a time to run the opposite way, to panic, to quit, to give up, or to walk in doubt and uncertainty.   This is a moment to run to God. We have prayed for spiritual revival in our nation for years.  Brokenness before God and moving towards God are always two components that occur in spiritual revival.  We are helpless…run to God.  What else is there to do that you can depend on?  Now I am not telling you to be trite about the events or uncaring, but be wise fiscally.  However, real fiscal wisdom always runs to God.

Action #2:  Run to God’s Word. Only in the Lord’s Word will you find direction on all matters for life, comfort during troubled and uncertain life moments, and peace from God that He is still “sitting on the Throne.”  Let’s remember friends, He has not left the Throne.  All is well.  He is Sovereign.  He is working.  Become a chronic reader of Scripture.  There is so much there.  If you do not know where to start, begin with reading 3 chapters from Proverbs each day right now.  They are powerful, insightful, and comforting.  Run to Romans 8; all is well.  Run to the last couple of chapters of the Revelation; all is well, and we will win with the Lamb of God.  Run to God’s Word.  This is exactly why you need to be in worship each Sunday right now and connected to one of our groups as well.  Saturate your mind and heart with God’s Word.

Action #3:  Run to God’s economy. Yes, segments of the American economy are failing.  This is not the first time, and it will not be the last time.  God’s economy never fails.  Do things by God’s Word are smart financial actions and honor Him with the first-tenth of all you receive in salary and all else you have in life, and He will take care of you.  This is not a time to hoard what you have, but to give away what God has entrusted to you, beginning with at least that FIRST-TENTH of all He has given to you in your life.  If you do not do this, here is the bottom line and my intent is not to offend, but to help:  You are running to man’s ways and the economy of man.  There is no hope there.  When are you going to figure that out?  What does it take?

I leave you with this for the weekend.  This is the crux of where we need to be:
*God has given you ALL you have.  You need to let that get ahold of you in your life.

*You are accountable to God for how you manage what He has given to you. No one else is  accountable for what He has entrusted you with in life, no one.  Not your CPA, your financial planner, your parents, your children, but YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD. Again if you miss this as a Christ-follower, the judgment seat of Christ will not be a pleasant experience for you.

*Your 1st step in economic planning weekly should be:  Honor God with the FIRST-TENTH of all He has given to you in life . . . ALL . . . through your local church. If you miss this or think you are an exception due to your economic level, whether limited or great, then you are just asking for it in life. You are saying:  “I will do this my way, not God’s way . . . I know better than Him.” Well, in all due respect, you do not.  You are buying into biblical ignorance, biblical infidelity, and personal idolatry of “your stuff” and “your opinion.”  Well, it is NOT YOUR STUFF, BUT GOD’S. Speaking of your personal thoughts or opinion, get a clue – surely you do not think you know more than God! Oh by the way, you had better do it God’s way and not negotiate or compromise that either:  Honor Him with that first-tenth plus, to and through your local church.

*You are charged to manage the rest of those resources in a wise manner, not neglecting biblical practices and insights.  In other words, it does not end with the first-tenth and then all will be rosey. Your practices personally and in business must be wise practices.

Run to God now.