Recession and the 'kingdom'

The financial news is bleak these days. Everyone speaks of a recession coming or already at our doorstep. Many people say they have lost about twenty percent of their investments as stock markets plunge and financial institutions all around the world cut interest rates (some are even in deep waters as their capital falls to alarming lows).

I heard a pastor mention in a sermon recently that "in God's kingdom there is no recession". An interesting thought that needs much unpacking (it was not unpacked during the sermon - being just a closing remark) before it can become truly meaningful for Christians. If said too glibly, it may mean very little - and sound very much like a prosperity gospel reassurance.

The kingdom of God, we are always reminded is not an earthly monarchy. It is a spiritual one, based not on the rules of this world, but on a totally different set of standards. To say there is no recession there may be very true because, none of these financial crashes can affect what is a spiritual kingdom. One's growth and 'profits' in such a kingdom depends on one's willingness to cooperate with the grace of God - a gift that God willingly extends - he is not in the business of cutting 'grace rates'. Only thing is our willingness to invest time and effort to receive those graces. So, the pastor is right in a sense that in God's kingdom there is no recession - because he is a generous and steadfast God, whose desire to give may at time surpass our willingness to receive.

But at the same time, we live in this earthly kingdom.....where our stocks fall, our interest earnings are cut......and inflation shrinks our dollar. How do we live through this difficult period? Again I borrow three key words I heard in a sermon - quite easily remembered, though I've added a bit to it - rekindle passion for God, follow the pattern of Christ and embrace a kingdom perspective. Again each bit needs to be contextualized in our unique situations. Each of us has different needs, family responsibilities etc and will have to face the recession in a unique way, making the decisions that will enable us to continue being faithful to God. Most of all, I have been praying for wisdom to make decisions that will honor the Lord in my own situation. The constant challenge for me is to follow the pattern of Christ (what does his way of true life mean to me) and retain a kingdom perspective in the midst of the current economic recession.