S P I R I T U A L   P O W E R P O I N T S

Storms of Life

Part 1: Economic Storms

May 2000 - By Brooke Redwine - Staff writer   

    When we think about money, we often think about not having enough to keep for personal use. Whether it be paying bills, providing for our family’s needs, or funding our own desires, we generally think of money in terms of "not enough." But what if we only thought of money in terms of "not enough to give away"? This describes the sentiments of American philanthropist Percy Ross.

    Ross’ lifelong desire to be a philanthropist was not easily fulfilled. He weathered his share of storms in life. Perhaps Ross’ most seemingly insurmountable obstacles dealt with money. He was born to poor immigrant parents in 1916; he watched several of his father’s business ventures fail throughout the era of the Great Depression; and he lost his entire life’s savings–three times. But Ross didn’t let circumstances discourage him.

    After honing the skills of purchasing furs and animal hides, Ross amassed a small fortune from his own fur-trading company by 1944. Yet, his decision to move to another town and start a new fur-auction business proved fruitless. He lost his fortune by 1950.

    Ross did not give up. He began a new career as an auctioneer of construction equipment. This profession served him well for the next seven years. However, increased competition eventually led to another fortune lost.

    Still, Ross’ persevering spirit pressed forward. After rescuing an ailing manufacturing company, Ross again declared bankruptcy. Ross decided not to give up on this company, though. He later profited from the sale of the company and paid all his debts. With the money he had made, Ross proceeded to invest in more than 100 different ventures, hoping that his dream of giving away his life’s fortune soon would be realized. All but two investments ended in financial disaster. And what did he do with the profits from the two successful investments? He invested them in others.

    He finally realized his dream of giving away his fortune and since has contributed to the needs of thousands throughout the world. Whether we’re in the midst of an economic storm or we’ve settled into financial stability, what we do with what we’ve been given is what God is most concerned with. Jesus said, "I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away" (Luke 19:26).

    An economic storm is defined differently by different people. But does the responsibility of providing for your family overwhelm you? Are you having trouble waiting on God to provide all your needs? Or are you too dependent on your finances to go where God leads? The storm itself is not the issue; what you learn through the storm is the issue. Whatever the circumstances may be, the Lord is our hope. Matthew 11:28-29 tells you to come to Him when you are weary, to lay down your burdens and take His yoke, which is light. It encourages you to find your rest in Him.

    In order to find rest in God, we are called to submit our whole lives to Him–not just our time and talents. Whole includes our financial state. Whether your finances resemble a storm or a breeze, Luke 19:26 reminds us that a breeze easily can become a gust that places us in the center of a storm. We need to be ever watchful of how we manage the resources with which God entrusts us. Storms will come, but instead of letting them discourage us, we must hold fast to the anchor we have in Christ. Psalm 138:7 says, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me."

    Sometimes God doesn’t seek to calm the storm around us, but rather He wants to calm the storm within us. There is no crisis, no mismanagement, no struggle–financial or not–that He can’t overcome and use for good.

> Economic Storms Pt. 1
> Economic Storms Pt. 2 - The Path to Financial Fitness
> Economic Storms Pt.3 - Food For Thought
> 7 Cautions About Financial Mismanagement