Text: Proverbs 27:23-27
Current Economic Turmoil — yet we still have obligations (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 4:28)
Our Responsibility
- Take care of yourself — “your flocks … your herds“
- Be good stewards — do not neglect your flocks, know their condition
Economies Can Collapse — “riches are not forever”
- How can we survive without a strong economy? Farming, ranching, hunting for food. Making homemade goods necessary for one’s household. Selling or bartering goods and services to obtain other things we need.
- The shepherd did not need a functioning national economy to survive
Governments Can Fall — “…nor does a crown endure to all generations”
- Many believe government is the answer to fix the economy — it is not God’s answer
- God ordained civil authorities with a much more limited role (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:2)
- Christians were told to separate from Rome before their fall, which brought an economic collapse (Romans 18:4,11ff) — Could we survive a government collapse?
God’s Providence Remains
- Not the common definition of providence, but what God has provided in creation
- Plants and animals for food (Genesis 1:29; 9:3)
- Proper conditions for survival (Acts 14:17)
- We can produce things we need, or to sell & trade
- Common theme — work hard (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
- What if one is unable to work? God has made provisions for such people (Galatians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 5:4,16; Acts 4:32-35)
Conclusion
- Is it wrong to derive some benefit from the national economy or government? No
- But we must be able to survive with or without them
- God has made it possible for us to do this — we must take advantage of what He has provided
Read the article: Know Well the Condition of Your Flocks
