Trust in the Lord

It seems everyone I talk to is concerned about money. There is no doubt we are in perilous times with regards to our economy and the stock market. Like millions of other Americans, I have a 401K that seems to be going down instead of going up. So it seemed like a good time for me to step back, take an account and ask myself the question "Where does my hope lie?".

For anyone that's ever been on a mission trip to another country, you may have seen what poverty is really like. But even in their poverty, the poorest people seem to be the most victorious Christians that I've ever met. In fact, there seems to be a correlation between how much "stuff" you have and how much you trust God. Unfortunately, the correlation seems to be the opposite of what we'd expect. It seems the more we have the less we trust in Him.

So where am I to put my trust?

We are not to put our trust in riches.

Mark 10:24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said to them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

Paul told Timothy to "charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17).

We are not to put our trust in man.

Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

We are not to put our trust in governments.

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the LORD.

Psalms 118:9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

We are to trust in the Lord alone.

Psalms 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psalms 71:5 For you are my hope, O Lord GOD: in you I have trusted from my youth.

Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.

Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in Him.

So I'm giving myself some advice.

First, remember what real treasure is.

Matthew 6: 19-21 "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."

Secondly, don't worry.

Matthew 6:25-33 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

And last, be satisfied with the good stuff, the simple things.

Proverbs 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

Proverbs 15:17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with strife.

Proverbs 16:8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.