Ten really dumb ideas of mankind #3: "It's the economy, stupid!"

This dumb idea was a very popular campaign slogan a few years ago, and it is a commonly held belief today. In our consumer-based economic system, which runs on credit or borrowed money, the general state of the economy is important for the well-being of its citizens.

But, when this is the case, the emphasis is all wrong and our collective sense of values goes awry, resulting in spiraling personal debt and a materialistic, short-term mentality. Look around you and see if this does not describe the current situation in much of the developed world today.

This is not new, by any means. Anciently, the prophet Haggai described this situation: "Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Consider your ways! You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes'" (Haggai 1:5-6).

This accurately describes the situation for many people today.

In the Gospel of Luke, we find the story of a man who looked only to the economy: "Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: 'The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, "What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?" So he said, "I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'" (Luke 12:16-20).

The result? God called him a "fool!"

If you only watch the economy, you might be misled. Jesus said that many would be carrying on business as usual right up until the end time: "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all" (Luke 17:26-29).

What should our approach be? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ gave succinct instruction on this very subject: "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:31-33).

Did you catch it? What should our emphasis be? What should we be focusing on? We should be seeking God's Kingdom and His righteousness as a way of life.

There is cause and effect. Prosperity can last only if it is based on godly principles. As a nation, and as a family, we should seek first the Kingdom of God. Only then can we "prosper and be in health" (3 John: 2).

If this makes sense to you and you want to know more on the subject, request our free booklet What Is A True Christian? It can be ordered by going to our Free Literature order form.

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