Using faith to navigate economic waters
Religious leaders give advice on living with tight finances
It takes a lot of faith — even for people of faith — to stay positive and to navigate the treacherous economic waters.
We asked people in the faith community for advice on ways to get through hard economic times. Here are excerpts from some of their responses:
Seek Godly Counsel
In the Bible, the story is told in 2 Kings 4:1-7 of a widow whose creditors are about to take her two sons as payment for her debts.
She turns to the prophet Elisha for help. He asks her what she has in her house. Nothing except a little oil, she says. Elisha tells her to ask all her neighbors for as many empty jars as she can collect, then pour oil into the jars. The oil keeps flowing until all the jars are filled.
This woman sought godly counsel, said Bart Nill, area director for Crown Financial Ministries, which teaches financial principles based on the Bible. A person can seek godly counsel through prayer, the church or organizations such as Crown, Nill said.
In Genesis, Chapter 22, God puts Abraham's faith and loyalty to a supreme test by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac as a burnt offering to God. Dramatically, just as Abraham raises his knife to kill his son, an angel of the Lord calls out from heaven and tells him not to harm the boy. Abraham looks up, and there in a thicket he sees a ram caught by its horns. He sacrifices the ram and calls that place "The Lord Will Provide."
"It is all about God being the provider and the promises he has made to never leave us or forsake us," says Rev. Ervin Sims Jr., pastor of Mount Carmel Church of God in Christ in Kansas City, Kan." God doesn't make a promise that we will maintain the same lifestyle we have now, but he will always provide for us."
Fasting
The Quran says, "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may learn self-restraint," said Imam Rudolph Muhammad of Al-Inshirah Center in Kansas City, Mo.
By learning self-restraint, people can discipline themselves and bring their lives under control for the service of God, he said.
Always Have Hope
The Bible is an excellent resource for financial guidance, said the Rev. Paul Brooks, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Raytown, Mo. For example, it tells how to avoid some problems by saving and preparing for anticipated needs.
"But when life throws a curve, a job loss, medical problems, $4 gas, etc., we are taught to have faith in God's provision," he said. "Christians always have hope, always."
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