hope during a slumping economy

What do we worry about?•Iran with a nuke•Terrorist strike in USA•Deteriorating freedoms & opportunities•Stock market crashes•Economic recessions & depressions•Layoffs, cut-backs, slow-downs

The Bible tells us not to worry, Phil. 4:6, 7•Turn to God•Pour out your heart to God•Find help & hope in God

Regions affected by natural disastersGen. 41-47

•7 years of plenty, 7 years of famine•Food ran out, Gen. 47:13•Money failed, Gen. 47:15•Possessions sold, Gen. 47:16, 17•People & land sold, Gen. 47:19, 23

War brought economic upheaval to a nation2 Kgs. 6 & 7

•Enemy laid siege to Samaria, 2 Kgs. 6:24•Donkey heads & dove dung, 2 Kgs. 6:25•Ate their own children, 2 Kgs. 6:28, 29•Abundant food predicted, 2 Kgs. 7:1•Lepers found enemy gone, 2 Kgs. 7:3-6•City was relieved, 2 Kgs. 7:16

Man’s life plagued by poverty, Lk. 16:19-22•One man rich & comfortable•Lazarus poor & sick•Death brought relief

The God of heaven ruled in all these accounts•Watched over His people•God may be working something out

God will take care of you, Mt. 6:25-32•Given you a body & life, Psa. 139:13, 14•Provides for creation – lower & higher•Do not follow the world

Keep your priorities straight, Mt. 6:33, 34•Seek the kingdom & His righteousness

Kingdom – Church, Mt. 16:18, 19 Righteousness – Truth, Rom. 1:16, 17 First

Keep your priorities straight, Mt. 6:33, 34•God will provide for you

All things added Do not be obsessed with cares of life

Material goods are temporary, Mt. 6:19•Theft, 1 Kgs. 21:14-16•Decay, Heb. 1:10, 11•Destruction, Joel 1:4•Life, Prov. 23:4, 5•Will dissolve, 2 Pt. 3:10-12

Heavenly treasures are immovable & eternal, Mt. 6:19, 20

•Inheritance, 1 Pt. 1:3-9 Incorruptible ransom, 1 Pt. 1:17-19 Incorruptible seed, 1 Pt. 1:22-25 Incorruptible body, 1 Cor. 15:42-55 Incorruptible crown, 1 Cor. 9:24, 25

Heavenly treasures are immovable & eternal, Mt. 6:19, 20

•Inheritance, 1 Pt. 1:3-9•Cannot be defrauded, Jn. 10:27-29

Our hearts follow our treasure, Mt. 6:21•Where do you invest the following

Time Money Energy & Efforts

Our hearts follow our treasure, Mt. 6:21•What is your heart set on?

Graduating College Marriage Career Retirement Heaven