How might we avoid some financial crises?
(1 Chron. 21:1-14; 2 Chron. 20:1-22; 2 Peter 3:3-12; Revelation 13:11-17) Blog Mar. 12-18, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God is generous, but we are covetous. For us to be generous we must rule over the natural inclinations of our hearts. Only born-again children of God are enabled and encouraged to do this. As we make investments, give offerings, and plan for maturity we will continually need to rule over our covetousness.
When Hard Times Come
1. What are common causes of financial crises? Common causes of financial crises are slothfulness, health problems, bad investments, theft, house fires, destruction by natural disasters, & political upheaval (Matt. 6:19; 24:7).
2. How might we avoid some financial crises? If our crisis is due to slothfulness, we may become diligent by changing our habits. We may avoid health problems by living in harmony God’s laws of health. We may avoid bad investments by seeking godly counsel before making them. But most causes of financial crisis are unavoidable (Ex. 15:26; Prov. 3:5-6; 11:14-15; 19:15; John 16:33).
3. What did King Jehoshaphat do when faced with a great military crisis? Jehoshaphat prayed to God & reminded him of Judah’s fair treatment of their neighbor enemies in the past (2 Chron. 20:1-13).
4. How did God turn a great crisis for King Jehoshaphat into a great financial blessing? God sent Jehoshaphat a message through a prophet & God’s people approached the enemy with singing & the enemy destroyed each other leaving all the booty for God’s people (2 Chron. 20:14-25).
5. What should we learn from Jehoshaphat’s crisis? We should learn that when faced with a crisis we should first seek God’s help & then obey his prophets (2 Chron. 20:20).
6. When David chose to number his troops rather than trust God for his defense, what happened? God punished David for not trusting in him (1 Chron. 21:1-14).
7. What has God promised for those who love and serve him? God has promised not to forsake his children. He has promised to clothe & feed them (Matt. 6:31-33; Heb. 13:5-6).
8. How did God care for the prophet Elijah when he faced a great crisis? God used ravens, a foreign widow, & angels to feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:4-9; 19:5-8).
Financial Priorities
9. How should family members respond when one of their number faces a financial crisis? Family members should help each other when financial crises come (Lev. 25:47-49; 1 Tim. 5:8).
10. How should church members respond when one of their number faces a financial crisis? We are to help others by lifting up the weak, by lending without interest, & by generously supplying their needs (Lev. 25:35; Deut. 15:12-14; Heb. 12:12).
11. How should the church respond when someone in their community faces a financial crisis? We are to love strangers & help them when they are in need (Lev. 19:33-35; 25:35-36; Deut. 10:17-19; Matt. 25:35; Gal. 6:10).
12. What men in the Old Testament went out of their way to help poor foreigners? When Moses fled from Egypt with nothing Jethro took him in & gave him employment. Job gave poor foreigners a place to spend the night & Boaz went out of his way to help Ruth the foreigner who was in a financial crisis (Ex. 2:15-21; Job 31:32; Ruth 2:8-10).
When we cannot Buy or Sell
13. What financial crisis does the Bible say will come to God’s people in the last days? Revelation says there will come a time when God’s people will not be able to buy or sell (Rev. 13:16-17).
14. Besides losing our source of income, our ability to sell property, and our freedom to purchase food, in what intangible commodities might we also not be able to trade? Like in some countries of the world today we may not be allowed to trade (buy or sell) the truth & we may not be able to purchase the grace of God’s Holy Spirit at that time (Prov. 23:23; Matt. 25:9).
15. What should God’s people do before they can no longer buy or sell? Before we can no longer buy or sell, we should be filled with God’s Spirit & be diligent in sharing the truth. We should dispose of all unnecessary property & belongings & use the proceeds to advance God’s kingdom (Isa. 2:20; Luke 12:33).
16. How will God’s people survive when they can no longer buy or sell? When God’s people can no longer buy or sell God will feed & protect them (Isa. 33:16; Psa. 27:5; 37:39-40).