In God We Trust

We Christians make a big thing out of “IN GOD WE TRUST” being on our money. We get mad when the new penny is not going to have this inscription on it.

I got to thinking: "What an ironic thing to put on a piece of money." Americans put money in banks, stocks, retirement and 401Ks…even into lotteries and slot machines. But when are they ever "trusting in God" in the process? Are they thinking about God when their eyes are on Wall Street or the gas station displays, the check out register at the store, or a casino billboard sign? What do the words "In God We Trust" mean in a world of free enterprise and commerce - is it just a nice little catch phrase that, in some obscure manner, validates our US currency?

The most common thing on the minds of Americans right now is money. So, let’s be honest: have we treasured and trusted God’s wisdom and guidance in our lives? Or have we put more trust in financial advisors, stock brokers, our government, TV commercials and advertisements, in houses, cars, credit, in loans, that next "lucky" lottery ticket - or even campaign promises?

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon/money both." (Matthew 6:24).

If you treasure tangible things more than you treasure the Lord’s guidance in your life, you would look backwards at the stock market, mourning your losses, licking your wounds - perhaps even look forward fearfully to future economic problems.

The Lord provided manna and water to Israel, provided a ram for Abraham, fed thousands on a few loaves and fishes, filled his disciples’ fishing nets to near breaking point (Luke 5:6; John 21:6). The Lord provided a sacrifice to the world so that we could have eternal life (John 3:16). He provides healing, peace, comfort and forgiveness.

So c'mon - just how hard can it be choosing to serve God over mammon/money? If we truly believe the words "In God We Trust," then it would be indicative of the kind of reliance and faith we really do possess, whether the economy was good or bad. So rather than putting our trust in man-made corporations built upon sandy foundations (and remember, there are corporate churches, religions and ministries, too!), we should be building our foundations upon the Rock of Ages - investing more in "The Rock" market than the stock market - relying on God’s rescue package in Jesus Christ, rather than band-aid, quick fix bail out packages that deplete our oil supply like the 10 virgins of Matthew 25: 1-13.

How can we do that? By doing his will. And what is His will? Jesus did the will of his Father: ". . . My cause is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34). What are the worries and cares, the items or things that take away the focus of God’s will in your life? I feel that Jesus has commissioned each of us to reach out in love to the world. I believe that, how we each uniquely do this - given the gifts, talents and resources we've been given - is His will for us.
This commandment He gave to love one another should be paramount to anything on the Wall Street ticker or the Wal-mart shelves. By trusting in Him with all our hearts, leaning not upon our own understanding, and acknowledging him in all things - all things - he will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Each time I look at a dollar bill now, I think how we need to restore an economy strengthened by the unconditional love of Christ.

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