1983 storm over Melbourne Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Questions from the current global financial storm: is greed reaping its own reward? is God disciplining his people? does God discipline nations? does God care about corrupt systems? Does God have a cleansing purpose in this financial storm? “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” (Heb 12:5)

Yes God disciplines his people, but what about nations and financial systems - are these also called to accountability before God?

 

In the last issue of OnWatch we looked at four Storms in the Bible

 

These storms may be reviewed at: www.marketplaceconnections.com/archive/2008/theStorm.htm

In this issue we will look at the cleansing Storm and next issue at the prophetic storm.

 

 

Does God discipline Nations?

 

Nearly one third of the old testament comprises an account of the disciplining of a corrupt Israel and her consequently being invaded by Babylon at God's instigation. Warnings about the impending discipline of Israel is the main topic of the prophets.

 

But what about secular nations or nations following other religions, are they also accountable to God?

 

Read Ezekiel chapters 29 and 30 to learn how God dealt with Egypt, turning her from a mighty power into a lowly kingdom. This prophecy was fulfilled in 605BC when Babylon crushed Egypt at God's instigation. Then read about the way God dealt with Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel chapter 4.

 

What is the reason for Godly discipline?

Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? (Ezek 18:23).

 

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (Ezek 18:32).

 

Does God raise Storms for the Good?

In Psalm 107:23-32 we read:

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he (God) spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits’ end.

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

 

What about the current Global Financial Crisis?

Is this a Cleansing Storm?

 

God is highly offended at injustice through corrupt systems and holds the propagators to account. Here is the first account of God dealing with corruption in business:

Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud... (Ezek 28:16).

Axiomatically the post-Christian world has likewise strayed away from God's ways like lost sheep. People have lost connection with the Biblical principles of commerce. The world has declared God irrelevant and turned from the currency of the Kingdom to the currency of Greed - bringing upon itself the near collapse of the whole financial system:

"The International Monetary Fund warned Saturday that debt-ridden banks were pushing the global financial system to the brink of meltdown and wealthy nations had so far failed to restore confidence. Meanwhile, global finance ministers kept searching for ways to tackle the unfolding financial crisis, turning their attention to its effects on rapidly developing countries and poor nations at risk of being swept up in the turmoil." www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27129830 - 12 October 2008.

"ABN Ambro analysts estimate that about $4 trillion has been poured into financial markets globally, through capital injections and assistance packages. That does not include blanket guarantees on bank deposits or injections into the economy" - The Age Business Day, 17 October 2008.

"The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 6.7% lower at 4013.4 points, forcing many people who borrow to buy shares to add cash to their accounts - or sell a portion of their portfolio" - The Age Friday 17 October 2008.

This last quote is a very real illustration of how people have lost their way in the markets - legally!

 

Rather than create wealth by investing cash in good companies and being rewarded by holding shares in productive growth, we have seen the system wrecked by the world turning to greed - trying to get rich by investing debt on rising markets. The outcome has been the failure of the system (apart from governmental rescue) - when debt funded artificial growth could no longer be sustained:

"We went from a world in which if you wanted a mortgage to buy a home, you needed to show real income and a credit record, towards a world where a banker could sell you a mortgage and make gobs of money up front and then offload your mortgage to a bundler who put a whole bunch together, chopped then into bonds and sold some to banks as far afield as Iceland" - Thomas Friedman, The Age, Friday 17 October 2008.

 

"It’s a lazy man’s way of making money, it’s a gamble, but at that time we didn’t look at it as being a gamble. We really saw it as a sure thing. We really thought that we could move into this house, keep it for a year and then turn around and sell it and have our retirement money and our retirement house paid for" - Read the full transcript from Four Corners program "Mortgage Meltdown" by Paul Barry (17/9/07) for insight into the whole shocking mess of sub prime mortgages at: www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2007/s2035637.htm

From a Christian perspective Churches have often failed to train their people in God's ways for business and Christians have not always availed themselves of training and equipping opportunities to learn how to better serve God in their world. If Christians are similarly compromised in pursing the maxim: "what's in it for me" then we are falling short of Jesus calling for us to be salt and light in the world. The cleansing storm needs to minster transformation to both the gathered and scattered church so that we may better serve God in the world.

 

 

So where is God in the Storm?

To answer this question we first need to ask:

• what is the currency of the 'world': dollars > greed > "what's in it for me"

• what is the currency of the Kingdom: fruit > sacrifice > what's in it for God

• what is God's message through the storm?: turn back to biblical principles!

God is in the business of reconciling all things to himself including the way we live and do business:

"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" (Col 1:20).

And in this great purpose every Christian has been given a ministry of reconciliation:

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:18-20).

So what are authentic Christians to model to the world in the way they live and do business?

1. having the right priorities and motivations: Matt 6:19-34

2. being on guard against greed and materialism: Luke 12:15

3. working hard with Godly integrity: Col 3:22-24

4. getting out of debt: Rom 13:8

5. being productive: Matt 25:14-30

6. producing good fruit: Matt 7:16, John 15:1-7, 1 Peter 3:15

7. resting in God: Phil 4:4-7.

This is a transformational storm. A storm to change hearts and motivations for the good. A Jonah storm to turn us from going in the wrong direction. A cleansing storm to turn us from self-sufficiency to loving God.

 

This is a storm to turn us from the currency of the world ('what's in it for me') to the currency of the Kingdom (producing good fruit). It is also a storm with a silver lining... God has a promise:

"seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt 6:33).

 

In His service,

Peter

Peter Kentley
airborne778@gmail.com

PS: Highly recommended reading to help you establish Kingdom principles in your business life:
Business by the Book, by Larry Burkett.