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From a high of 29,551 on February 12th, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) fell to 19,899 on March 18th—a decrease of 9,652 or 32.7%. Over a period of exactly five weeks, all of the gains experienced since President Trump took office on January 20, 2017 were wiped out. The rapid increase in portfolio values over the past three years created a new sensation as non-earned, passive income created a sharp rise in wealth for many people.

As such, from a human perspective, it became more tempting to transfer a little more of our trust and confidence into the growing provisions in our accounts, even if in a subtle way. With the recent downturn in the markets and economy, much of our focus and conversation is likely on the decrease in our provisions, and understandably so. These provisions, along with Social Security, are a major source of income for retired individuals no longer drawing a regular paycheck. 

Thus, how should we as believers respond to the current situation when our “403” account seems more like a “203” account?

Whether we are retired and living on fixed incomes or working to prepare for the day we step out of the workforce, our response to the economic crisis as Christ followers should be the same. Rather than focusing on and trusting in the provisions, our focus and trust should be in the Provider.

Despite the recent downturn, America remains the wealthiest nation in the history of the world. An income of just $45,000 annually places one in the top 2% of the world’s wealthiest people, which means many people reading this email would be considered “rich.” Consider the instruction Paul shared with Timothy as a warning to those “rich people” he discipled:

1 Timothy 6:17 – As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 

In this day of economic uncertainty, we do not know what the Dow will do tomorrow or next month, but we do know that the God who richly provides will never leave us nor forsake us. Just as Jehovah Jireh made provisions for Abraham in Genesis 22, He will make provisions for His people on both sides of eternity. For He is the Great Provider!

Copyright © 2020 Lifeword.org by Steve Crawley, Executive Director of Ministers Resource Services. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org