236. Hope During Economic Uncertainty

In this episode, we explore how faith must be our foundation in the midst of economic uncertainty. Drawing on Biblical stories of God’s provision, we emphasize that our hope rests in Him, not the economy. Discover how walking by faith allows us to thrive amidst difficulties and learn practical steps to maintain a hopeful perspective as we navigate economic hardships with confidence and peace.

Bible Verses:

Genesis 26:12 – “Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the Lord blessed him.”

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 – “We walk by faith not by sight.”

Romans 10:17 – “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

1 Kings 17:4 – “You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”

1 Kings 17:7-15 – “Sometime later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’’ 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

2 Kings 4:1-7 – “The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” 2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” 3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

2 Kings 7: 1-2 – “Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” 2 The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!”

NT Acts prophecy of Agabus

Philippians 4:11-19 – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:20 – “But our citizenship is in heaven.”

James 4:4 – “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

Genesis 8:22 – ““As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Topics Discussed

Fear vs. Faith

Fear can be used as a way to try and control people.
We walk by faith and not by sight.
Sight comes from the things we hear and see. These things often cause fear.
Isaac prospered even though he was living in a time of famine.
God supernaturally provided for Elijah despite the environment and conditions in the world around him.
God supernaturally provided for the woman and her son after she fed Elijah with the little oil she had.
Elisha encounters a widow who is in a financial hardship and God supernaturally provides.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God so that when we ourselves hear bad report on the news, we can remember these stories in the Bible and we will not get drawn in to fear.
What report are you believing? Are you believing the news or are you believing the Lord?
We are going to know God’s Word and stand on it when we hear about bad things happening in the world.

Citizens of Heaven

We as Christians operate in a different system.
We are not citizens of the world; we are citizens of Heaven!
In the midst of economic hardships God still provides!
We do everything through the strength of God.
God supplies ALL of our needs.
We don’t look like the rest of the world, and we don’t act like the rest of the world.

Practical Ways to Have Hope

Speak LIFE and thank God that He supplies all of your needs.
Ask God for wisdom over your finances.
What are you speaking? Are you waking up everyday complaining about inflation? Or are you waking up everyday thanking God for His provision?
Adapt your finances when necessary.

Know the Truth

There is a lot fearmongering in attempt to control people.
There is enough energy to sustain the earth for hundreds of years.
The world is strong and robust.
The whole in the ozone was repaired and closed.
Some are saying that our bodies are weak and fragile, and we are susceptible to sick and disease, but God created our bodies to heal and recover themselves with our immune systems.
God promises that by Jesus’ stripes we ARE healed.
There are natural and supernatural elements to what God created and provided for the health of our physical bodies.
We lack nothing! Trust in God!

Powerful Quotes

“As believers in Christ, you can still have hope in the middle of chaos.” – Caroline Harries

“In the midst of economies going up and down; God remains the same. He is our provider.” – Caroline

“You will have what your faith expects.” – Caroline

“God can turn things around quickly, immediately, today, NOW.” – Colby

“We are not citizens of the world; we are citizens of Heaven.” – Caroline

“It’s important to know God’s Word to fight fears.” – Colby Harries

“We don’t have anything to fear as Christians.” – Caroline Harries

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