Real Answers™jj134Copyright: ©2008 James J. Jackson615 words
SEEKING SAFE INVESTMENTS DURING ECONOMIC TURMOIL
By: James J. Jackson
The current economic climate has people literally worried sick. Extremely erratic world markets make investors jumpy. Some are considering withdrawing their funds and burying their money in the back yard in glass jars. In fact, the evening news recently reported a noticeable increase in the sales of glass jars.
Trillions of dollars of wealth have been lost in only a few months. The usual finger-pointing has begun, blaming one political party or the other, Big Oil, Big _____ (fill in the blank), etc. This current economic downturn, however, appears to be world-wide, and not the fault of any political party or industry giant.
The fact that no one is able to offer a viable solution is frightening to the private sector. There is much hand-wringing, as helpless investors tearfully watch their nest egg evaporate before their eyes. There is a rising fear of another Great Depression.
While in college, I worked at the Chicago branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. Some of the ’old timers’ remembered the Depression. They said they had watched from the windows of the Fed building as people who had lost everything in the stock markets jumped to their deaths from the Chicago Board of Trade building. It was frightening to look at that building and imagine people committing suicide because of financial ruin.
It was disturbing to think that people loved their money to that extreme. I recall deciding right then and there that, as for me, I would never let any circumstance make me even consider such an act. A chapter in my book, ‘In All Things..’ (Tate Publishing, 2008), entitled, “Suicide: A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem”; I discuss the after-effects of suicide on the family left behind. I fear that, sadly, the current economy may lead to an increase of such acts of desperation.
An evangelist once stated that many people have a ‘God-shaped’ hole in their heart that they try to fill with anything but God. The truth is, only God can fill the void -- not money -- not success -- not material things. God is the only piece of the puzzle that will fit correctly, and without Him, the puzzle can never be complete. Yet, people are extremely creative in seeking other ‘pieces’ of life and trying to cram them into the space that only the Lord can fill.
There is nothing wrong with storing up wealth for the future, or setting aside a ‘nest egg’ for old age. In fact, it is admirable to be frugal and to save some of the fruits of our labor. It is good to invest, as Jesus demonstrated in at least one of His parables. It is when the mind-set becomes fixated on material wealth, and greed causes one to worship that wealth, and refuses to use some of it to help others, that it becomes an idol. One of the most misquoted verses in the Bible is, “…money is the root of all evil”. It actually warns that “…The love of money is the root of all evil.”
Instead of focusing upon gathering and keeping wealth, Jesus tells us in Matthew “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal…But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; …for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
If we think of our wealth as belonging to God, and entrust it to Him, we need not worry about losing it. Surrendering all to our loving Father will bring true peace, even in the face of such uncertainty.

What Is Committment?

What Is Commitment?
By James J. Jackson
The concept of commitment has been victimized by today’s extreme focus upon self. Loyalty and dedication are considered undesirable or even laughable traits. Commitment in marriage, family, child rearing, business or politics is considered antiquated and inessential by current cultural dictates.
Pre-nuptial agreements were mostly unheard of years ago. Today, most advisors encourage such agreements to protect each partner’s rights to money, children and possessions. Had I suggested a prenuptial when I proposed to my wife, she probably would have suggested we enter into a ‘no nuptial’ agreement, and go our separate ways. Marriage was ordained as an institution that should be approached reverently, spiritually and permanently. When initiated within the proper spirit, a man and woman can enter into the ‘free fall’ of committed love. Trust is essential in marriage; the kind of trust shown in a reliance-building game in which one partner falls backward and trusts the other person to catch him or her. Today’s TV talk shows would rather the person allow their mate to collapse to the floor for the humor of it. It’s all about trust. A pre-nuptial agreement doesn’t reflect true trust and commitment. In fact, it illustrates just the opposite-mistrust and selfishness.
Many people enter into marriage with little or no commitment, focusing only upon themselves. Marriage is a covenant, instituted by God, wh1ich should be enjoined only after prayerful meditation. Mark 10:7-8 says, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ‘and the two shall become one flesh’, so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Society tells us that each partner should remain an individual. One young couple who insisted upon a church wedding expressed that their commitment was based upon a ‘12-24 check’, whereby they would check after one year, and again after two years to determine whether they really loved one another. If not, the marriage would end. The marriage lasted less than two years. With such lack of loyalty, failure was a foregone conclusion.
The appalling divorce rate could be greatly decreased if people would, first of all choose a mate who shares their values, who shares the same belief system, and is willing to rear children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Some of the new practices often included in weddings today make a mockery of the love that should emanate from marriage, such as the bride and groom smashing wedding cake into each other’s face. Commitment means making a ‘bottom line’ pledge to each other that every situation, disagreement, major decision, problem, will be handled in the framework that their love for one another is the bottom line, and that no circumstance could change that. When commitment is foremost in marriage, child rearing or any sort of partnership, the probability of success is greatly enhanced. But, commitment is the one ingredient lacking in so many relationships.

For example, too many parents neglect the covenant between themselves and their children. God gives specific and frequent direction to discipline children in love, and to train, guide and protect them from harm. Especially, we are commanded to bring them to a knowledge of the Lord. Today, people abuse, neglect and harm children, in spite of Christ’s dire warning, “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” (Luke 17:2; Matt. 18:6; Mark 9:42). Apparently, many do not realize the consequences of disobeying the Lord. Many parents allow children to make dangerous decisions and call the shots in situations where the child cannot possible have the information or cognizance to make correct choices.
God also expects us to be committed when we take on job, enter a partnership, sign an agreement, take an oath (for we are swearing before God) or promise to do something. He wants us to show the greatest measure of commitment by fulfilling His Great Commission by making disciples for Christ, and teaching them obedience to all that He has taught us. We must be committed enough to approach every relationship and every task from His perspective. His call to commitment is fulfilled when others see Christ in us.