 MoneyLife host Chuck Bentley teaches talks today about some of the things he thinks will happen in the future. Chuck says he's not attempting to be a prophet.
There is a biblical precedent for being able to look into the future, see what’s coming, and prepare for it.
Many times in Scripture God used people who were informed to share with others for the purpose of preparation.
These are not a prophetic word from God, but rather Chuck’s ideas about 2009 and beyond. He wants to share them so you’ll be prepared.
Chuck says he'll give you 5 future trends for the economy that Christians will face and talk about how we should respond to them.
Important verses:
After the break, Chuck gives 5 things you should be on the look out for as we approach 2009.
- Increase in job loss and shifting of job base -
Some major sectors of our economy are changing/losing jobs (construction, automobiles, financial services, real estate, retail).
Losses in those industries will affect small businesses that depend on them.
People in high end “vanity” businesses will suffer losses.
Be aware of how your job/career could be impacted and be vigilant in preparing (stay informed).
Consider how you can help your company and add value as an employee, diversify your job skills.
If your job is outsourced, consider whether you could follow to where it has been outsourced.
- Recession which could be V, L, U-shaped, or a depression - We will likely experience some contraction that will impact your net worth. Chuck says he went through this during the oil recession of the 1980s.
People who invested in that industry through the hard times have prospered recently.
Look for opportunities in a recession, pay off debt, increase savings, increase giving, serve others.
Know the recession won’t last forever and that you don’t want your identity and hope to be in your net worth. God told us to find our value in Him.
- Season of economic calm - After the job losses and recession, the economy will look better. Chuck is concerned about that period.
People like things to be calm, gives them confidence and security about the future.
That’s when we’ll be the most vulnerable.
- Expanding government - We need to elect a president who will shrink the size of the U.S. government, see the national debt and the money being printed because of it and stop the madness. We must pray for such a leader. A key indicator to watch is the amount of the federal debt as compared to gross domestic product (right now we’re close to 80% debt compared to GDP). Chuck's afraid government will be allowed to grow to the point it can’t be supported by the taxpayer, so government will borrow more or print money.
America seems addicted to prosperity and our government has been willing to do anything to insure America remains prosperous. Leaders are trying to prop up an economy that’s deeply in trouble.
Don’t be fooled that the government taking on more debt is ok.
Government doesn’t have enough money to pay Social Security benefits, so don’t put your hope in that. We must get rid of the mentality of government being your caretaker.
Recognize you can’t depend on the government for your well being.
- Rising Intolerance of the Christian worldview - This will be done in the name of creating a “tolerant culture.”
A tolerant culture means tolerance for every view except Christianity. Chuck believes we have to be prepared for persecution in many forms (legislation, cultural pressure, shift to secularism to fit into the global community). We need to be more prepared for the day it’s more difficult to advance God’s kingdom in America than any economic trend.
Increase your generosity now for the things that matter for eternity
In the final segment, Chuck gives some good news.
As jobs are lost, we’re going to see that God is our provider instead of our job or career.
God is just as trustworthy when you don’t have as a job as when you do have one.
God never changes and he’ll led you to the job that you need.
As our net worth decreases, we’ll see the only real treasures are the ones stored in heaven.
God doesn’t want us to value the things of this world.
As we see that, we should have a greater desire to give and send our treasures on ahead
Economic pain gets our attention and it will show us the fallacy of living for the things of this world.
It will turn our hearts back toward God, serving Him and other people.
Value sacrifice over pleasure.
We should withdraw our hope from the government or an earthly leader and put in completely in Jesus Christ.
In the midst of intolerance and persecution of Christians, we’ll grow strong and the church will expand.
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