It's Not My World Anymore by Donny Weimar

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Weimar/Donny/W/1969/itsnotmy.html

It's Not My World Anymore

The whole world blacked out. In his hand lay the most destructive power Jerry had ever known -- a pink slip. His car, gone. His wife's medical bills, insurmountable. His house, not anymore. It's not possible. But, it was true. He went numb and sat there with his eyes bulging and his jaw on the floor. Jerry's whole existence depended on his career.
How does the Christian cope when financial ruin puts our checkbooks on the chopping block? We begin by turning to the single greatest source of comfort ever to be, God. Paul opened his second letter to the Corinthians saying, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort." Jehovah is our refuge and strength, "a very present help in troublesome times" (Psalm 46).
Christ knows pain very well having been tempted with the same stressful emotions that we encounter throughout our lives (Hebrews 4:14-15). It is because the Lord understands us so well that He has granted each of us personal access to God's throne of grace "that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). We are strengthened with a greater ability to cope when we pray.
The greatest preventative measure to avoid emotional distress when losing possessions is to love God more than our possessions. Take time today to read Matthew 6:25-34. Realize now, before disaster strikes, that your faith is more valuable than your gold. Jesus says, "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" (Mat. 6:25).
Accept each day as it presents itself, tomorrow is a concern of its own. By placing greater emphasis on our faith, our trust in the God of deliverance, we are better equipped to deal with the realities that too often beset us. If and when financial ruin does hit, we will not have lost everything -- not our most valued possession, faith. You see, Christians accept that this world is not ours to keep (1 Peter 2:11). And, because we are just passing through, nothing this world has to offer or to take away is able to separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39).
Hope is the Christian's consolation when financially ruined. We look forward to living in our Father's house (John 14:1-4). We long for eternal life with the Savior (John 3:15). Since we brought nothing into this world it is certain that we can carry nothing out. Therefore, we treasure our home to be more than the temporal present. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21).
Donny Weimar


Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)