We Have the Hope!

I recently had one of those informal conversations with a friend about our nation’s economic woes. After discussing the financial crisis he turned to me and said, "But it's a good time to be a preacher."

At first I wasn’t sure what he meant. Was he suggesting that I or the church was somehow exempt in these difficult times? No, that wasn’t it. What he meant was that in the middle of hopelessness and uncertainty, it’s a good time to have the only hope and certainty there is. I’m not sure if he really believed his own words, but I couldn’t agree more. It’s not that the church could care less about the economy or the future – we do care. But this we know for sure – we have the only hope. God was in control way before our nation was strong economically, and he will still be in control when this world and its seeming importance pass away.

It is a great time to be a preacher. It’s a great time to be a Christian! It is a time when people are going to be looking for HOPE. It’s a hope that won’t come from a peace treaty in the Middle East, a tax stimulus check, a bailout, or even from a new President. It is a hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

It’s a great opportunity to live a faith that turns heads by following Paul’s instructions to Timothy: "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life" (I Timothy 6:18-19).

There has never been a better time to grab a hold of this concept than right now. God is and will be faithful. Just remember that God's blessings are not always financial. But his blessings are always amazing.

So here’s what you can do: Be generous this year, but don't borrow money to pay for Christmas. Spend less on those who don’t have needs, in order to spend more on those who need us.

We have the hope! Let's be the hope!
Merry Christmas,
Phil