Some of you may wonder as you read, “is this religious or is this political?” Like a tasty Reece’s Cup of two great tastes that taste great together, this will be a blend of the spiritual and the mundane. Let me begin by declaring that I am a Christian. My convictions in Jesus Christ are so absolute that it defines who I am. All things, including my politics, are poured through the filter of being New Testamentally appropriate. When I speak of government, it is my religio-political opinion, or maybe even my politico-religious convictions.

Everyone now seems to have thoughts about the economy. Is the stimulus good or bad? Our economy is clear proof that money is fleeting. Jesus taught that treasure on earth can be taken, so spiritual treasure in Heaven is preferable (Matthew 6:19-21). Money sprouts wings and flies away, according to the Wisdom of Solomon (Proverbs 23:5). Trust in God. He can take care of you regardless of the economy or your income, but only if you love and serve Him with all of your heart.

The degree in which one trusts in money is the amount in which one is not trusting in God. Paul affirms as much when he says, “trust not in uncertain riches, but in the Living God” (First Timothy 6:17). If anyone doubts the uncertainty of riches, just turn on your TV.

There are least two problems that I can see that led up to this mess. One is a love of money. Paul’s comments about uncertain riches follow closely after his famous declaration that “the love of money is the root of all evil” (First Timothy 6:10). Notice why – those who have loved money have ruined themselves spiritually and psychologically. We Americans have taken God’s bounty and tried to live in as much opulence as we could not afford. We’ve stuffed out collective mattresses with cash, but now we have to lie in a proverbial bed of straw. Americans loved money, and now we have none. Our treasures on earth have been robbed. We trusted in uncertain rich which have flown away, and now we have neither the physical comforts and security of wealth, nor the spiritual bounty that only comes from trusting in God.

A second reason is close to the first. This country has lost its spiritual moorings, at least since the sequel to the great Teutonic migration, otherwise known as the Second World War. We’ve turned out backs on the glories of God, and followed the evils of Charles Darwin (for the record, I strenuously deny that I am a shaved ape). That was an explosion of vices from the ultimate Pandora’s Box, with everything except for the hope at the end. With racism, existentialism, and Marxism flooding the fruited plain, America left the door open and allowed our spirituality and patriotism to be ransacked and bespoiled. All while we stood as a witness to all this, even shouting out, “Don’t forget to take the family Bible while you’re in there.” The degree to which we are not a Christian nation is what contributes to the ruin of America.