Make a Blessing of These Times

A Pastoral Letter from Delaware-Maryland Synod Bishop H. Gerard Knoche

Regarding the Current Financial Crisis

"Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and being in need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13

It's easy to trust God when things are going well. At least that's what some folks say. I personally can become too self-reliant in those times, believing it's all my effort that has brought about prosperity or even just a state in life that is comfortable. I have learned that a nightly recitation before God of all those things during the day for which I am thankful helps keep my perspective in the right place.

When times are difficult, there is no denying I need to trust God. We are in one of those times financially these days. Folks are losing their houses. Our retirement funds or investments for college are dropping in value. And so far, all efforts to turn things around have not been fully successful. So fear about our future security results.

Paul's words about being able to face plenty and want speak directly to my fear. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," he says. Christ may do that by teaching us to live more simply: meat once a week; fewer meals out; games at home instead of the movies; more sweaters and lower thermostats.

Christ may do that by teaching us to live more communally; sharing lawnmowers and snow blowers; having the neighbors over for soup and bread; together pitching in to get friends or church members who have been downsized over the hump.

Christ may do that by calling us to send spiritual roots down deeper: pray and read Scripture more to find out how God has cared for God's people; reexamine our values to discover what really is important; compare our plight to that of our brothers and sisters in the southern hemisphere; place our trust where it belongs.

Make a blessing out of these times. God is ready to give one.

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