Hope

So, thus far, it seems as though the financial crisis that the majority of the country is experiencing right now hasn't really affected us that much (Praise the Lord). But it just seems to keep hitting closer and closer to home recently - and it's downright unsettling. Two of my friends now have either lost their jobs or have come really close to it, and dozens of my parents' friends are experiencing lost jobs or financial instability. It's times like this that it's really hard to see ahead, down the road, to what God's plan is for this period of heartache. 

Two weeks ago, Jordan and I got the opportunity to go to a conference in Orlando - basically we audited classes to get a good perspective of what raising money full time for the Lord would look like - and developing strong relationships with major partners in ministry. It was really eye-opening for me to hear all about, and frankly, sometimes things just went right over my head. But one thing said by someone who's given many years to Campus Crusade (hundreds of thousands of dollars) really stuck with me. He's currently going through the brunt of this recession as well, and has had some serious financial hardships. 

But he said, that although he was having such a difficult time in his business, he was so assured by the fact that his giving to ministries and participation in the Lord's work was an investment that could never be taken away or decrease, so unlike what he's experiencing with his earthly investments, which can surely be taken away in an instant. 

I just found this so true, because how we invest our lives and our money while here in this life, makes an eternal difference and reward that can never be shaken. Praise God that we have been blessed with this eternal security!

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, or costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality or each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15