THE CHRISTIAN MAN IN A FAILING ECONOMY (PART 1)

by Olusegun Mokuolu
(Nigeria)

THE CHRISTIAN MAN IN A FAILING ECONOMY (PART 1)
(Acts 11:27-30)

Traditionally the man provides for the family. However, a quick look at the life of the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 reveals that a woman has great role to play in providing for the family.

In this discuss, we will focus on the Christian man. The only reason for this is that the column focuses on issues relating to the Christian man.
The challenge of providing for one’s personal needs and family needs is becoming increasingly more difficult. Jobs are being lost at an astronomical rate everyday and in every country of the world. Things seem to be falling apart in this era of global economy. Necessities are increasingly becoming difficult to cope with.

Homeowners are now turned to home seekers. Banks are liquidating and depositors are loosing there money. Health care system is a story on it’s own. The insurance and tax system are failing. Words cannot really capture or describes the pain people all over the world are facing because of this global economic crisis.

Governments in various countries have responded to this crisis through what they call bailouts and economic stimulus. This is the world’s way of addressing the problem. They are trying to solve the problem without God.

As a Christian man, what is God’s plan for our lives at a time like this? Should we also be filled with restlessness and despair? I don’t think this should be our attitude towards the whole situation. We are in the world but not of this world. Even in the midst of difficulty, (as is in the world today) we can experience the grace of God. Let your heart be encouraged by the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. “and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20b)”

Let’s start by looking at the first global economic melt down recorded in the new testament. It provides us with timely instruction.

“About that time some prophets went from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and by the power of the Spirit predicted that a severe famine was about to come over all the earth. (It came when Claudius was emperor.) The disciples decided that they each would send as much as they could to help their fellow believers who lived in Judea. They did this, then, and sent the money to the church elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30 GNB)”

The Apostles were still around when this happened. The presence of the great Apostles did not prevent the coming of a severe famine. Therefore, we should not see today’s economic melt down as a sign that there are no longer true men of God. We saw that even Apostle Paul had to rely on an old time prophet to know about the famine.

We should know also that God is not just interested in our spiritual but our physical well being as well. God had to send a prophet to warn His people ahead of time about a pending famine. This clearly shows that God is very much interested in our physical being. How beautiful is the love of God toward us His Children!

I want you to note something very important. The Apostle did not organize night prayer to pray away the famine. It was not time to speak in tongue and rebuke. They knew the famine was part of God’s divine plan. They may not fully understood why a famine was part of God’s plan, but they clearly knew it to be a divine act that could not be prayed away.

Today’s economic melt down did not come to some of the Children of God as a surprise. Moreover, it’s a divine act to show us how fragile human wisdom is. Therefore as Children of God, we need not panic. Our Heavenly father is in charge and total control of the situation.

What was the disciples’ response to the prophecy? ‘The disciples decided that they each would send as much as they could to help their fellow believers who lived in Judea. They did this, then, and sent the money to the church elders by Barnabas and Saul. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and by the power of the Spirit predicted that a severe famine was about to come over all the earth. (It came when Claudius was emperor.) The disciples decided that they each would send as much as they could to help their fellow believers who lived in Judea. They did this, then, and sent the money to the church elders by Barnabas and Saul.’

They did not respond by sowing into the ‘man of God’ as it’s being done today. They were not to bring seed offering. They were not to sign up to support the ministry of Paul and Barnabas. They responded by helping their brothers and sisters in the faith. They practiced the true love of God and the problem was solved.

A time of economic melt down is a time for Christians to demonstrate the love of God. It is a time to give to one another. From one country to another. From one community to another. From one Church to another. From one family to another. Those Christians who have been materially blessed of the Lord should know that they are under obligation to help and provide for their brothers all over the world.

God has ordained it that the body of Christ should take care of its own need. We will continue in part two to examine further instruction on this matter. Have you been helping your brothers and sisters at a time like this?

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