Text: Proverbs 27:23-27

Current Economic Turmoil — yet we still have obligations (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 4:28)

Our Responsibility

• Take care of yourself — “your flocks … your herds“
• Be good stewards — do not neglect your flocks, know their condition

Economies Can Collapse — “riches are not forever”

• How can we survive without a strong economy? Farming, ranching, hunting for food. Making homemade goods necessary for one’s household. Selling or bartering goods and services to obtain other things we need.
• The shepherd did not need a functioning national economy to survive

Governments Can Fall — “…nor does a crown endure to all generations”

• Many believe government is the answer to fix the economy — it  is not God’s answer
• God ordained civil authorities with a much more limited role (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:2)
• Christians were told to separate from Rome before their fall, which brought an economic collapse (Romans 18:4,11ff) — Could we survive a government collapse?

God’s Providence Remains

• Not the common definition of providence, but what God has provided in creation
• Plants and animals for food (Genesis 1:29; 9:3)
• Proper conditions for survival (Acts 14:17)
• We can produce things we need, or to sell & trade
• Common theme — work hard (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
• What if one is unable to work? God has made provisions for such people (Galatians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 5:4,16; Acts 4:32-35)

Conclusion

• Is it wrong to derive some benefit from the national economy or government? No
• But we must be able to survive with or without them
• God has made it possible for us to do this — we must take advantage of what He has provided

Read the article: Know Well the Condition of Your Flocks