Trusting God in an Uncertain Economy

A few days ago, I was feeling pretty good about the economy. The stock market has climbed above 37,000, and gasoline prices in my area have fallen to around $3 a gallon. Then, a friend mentioned that she has been delivering groceries and meals after work to make ends meet. She has a secure job with an average salary. Her husband operates their family-owned business. Yet, they are struggling to make ends meet. 

Will the economy improve over the next few months? Or are we in for a stock market crash? Economists study several indicators and make predictions. They often disagree because the reality is that no person knows what the future holds. The bottom line is only God knows the future. 

When we put our trust in Him rather than our jobs or wealth, we can relax and live in peace regardless of what is happening in the world. The privilege of calling Christ your Lord involves walking with the One who holds your future in His hand. “Command those who are rich in this age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17

When you trust God with your finances, you will have peace even when bad economic news impacts you personally. My trust in God allowed me to have peace when my husband was laid off from his job during the Great Recession in 2009. I could face whatever was coming our way, confident that God would take care of us. We are His children, and God cares for His children.

It is easy for me to say, “Trust God.” But it may be difficult for you to do that in your current circumstances. If you are having trouble trusting God for your future and finances, I encourage you to read and meditate on Psalm 71. The psalm illustrates some steps you can take to increase your faith.

Remind yourself of God’s past faithfulness. The psalmist is in trouble and needs God’s help. He begins in verse 1 by saying, “In You, O Lord, I put my trust.” He reminds himself that God protected him in his mother’s womb and throughout his youth. He then asks God to preserve him when he is old, and his strength fails. He builds up his trust in God as he recalls God’s faithfulness throughout his life.

Praise God for His goodness and His love. The psalmist shares his troubles with God in verse 13, but in verse 14, he reminds himself to give praise to God, “But I hope continually, and I will praise You yet more.” (Psalm 71:14). And he promises to tell others of God’s faithfulness and righteousness.

Declare that God is faithful and is the answer to your needs. “You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” Psalm 71:20-21. The psalmist tells himself and others that the God who has watched over him in the past will do so again. 

Thank God for what He has done and what He will do. “Also, with the lute, I will praise You— and Your faithfulness, O my God! To You, I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, and my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long.” Psalm 71: 22 – 24

Whatever trials you are experiencing today, God is the answer. God does not promise to take all your troubles away. But He does promise to be faithful to care for you in your problems and to bring you safely through them.  

Please read some of my other blogs for more encouragement on trusting God with your finances. If you want to go deeper, my Bible study, Honoring God with Your Money, is an excellent resource.