Where did the money go?

By Van Yandell -

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:3 

The move by our government toward “redistribution of wealth” has become obvious recently. The elderly have received a notice of an increase in Medicare Part B premiums; new taxes and increased taxes have targeted the working class to compensate non-workers and others. We are also seeing an effort by government to make us more dependent on them. The destruction of the U.S. dollar is obvious. This is not isolated to the U.S. The economy is worldwide, and a few countries influence all others. The U.S. at this point is the world leader in determining the world’s economy, but that likely will not last. Get ready for the Yuan (Chinese currency) to become the currency standard for the world. This may come sooner than we think. I’m really surprised it hasn’t already happened considering the boondoggle made by Washington of this country’s economy. Many believe the Euro will become the world money standard. With the constant turmoil that exists within Europe, I don’t see this happening. Instead of the Euro consolidating Europe, it appears to me it has caused further separation. I traveled in Europe three years ago and the divide seems to be stronger than ever.

The effort to destroy the U.S. economy is “slap-in-the-face” obvious at this point. Recently we have seen an alarming increase in energy costs. The time is near for many to have to decide if they are to eat or stay warm in the winter. The national debt is now at or will soon be $30 trillion. This is not the national debt but the national joke. We know this will never be repaid. If the government were a person, bankruptcy would be the only choice. Anyone that has ever been in debt, and that’s most all of us, knows debt is a crippler (Proverbs 22:7). Every dollar we pay to the lending agency is a dollar we can’t spend; it’s gone forever. Almost 87% of families are in debt, with the average in December 2018 being $135,768. The majority of it is mortgage debt, since this is the time when most people settle into a permanent home and start a family. The median housing debt is $93,700, and almost 50% carry credit card debt of $2,500. (Another source reports the average credit card debt at over $14,000.)

We are spending money that will not be earned until the 2050s. For the most part, this is money that does not exist. Consequently, the value of your savings is decreasing by the day. Our spending power is being greatly decreased. What a dollar would buy 10 years ago takes $2 today. One can finance a vehicle that will be worn out before it’s paid for. When prices are stated in monthly payments rather than the price, even more debt is being encouraged. Inflation is again on the front page. If you haven’t grocery shopped in a while, get ready for a big surprise. A trip to the hardware store or lumber yard is also a trip to remember; or better yet, forget. The stimulus packages of the last two years have been wiped out by inflation. The government is by their actions rendering all of us into poverty. The politicians claim to be helping the poor but in reality, everyone will be hurt. Those they are trying to help will be hurt the most. 

I know this article sounds alarming, but the “handwriting is on the wall.” The words are still “Mene Mene Tekel Parsin.” In Daniel 5, we find Belshazzar partying with all his rowdy friends. The writing interpreted by Daniel literally said, “God has numbered your kingdom and finished it. You have been weighed and found wanting.” These words echo in our ears as we observe the situation in America that is developing before our eyes. Perhaps we have been as ignoring of God’s teachings as Belshazzar. 

In the leading scripture, Exodus 20:3, we can surely see that money has become the god of this world. God will not tolerate that forever. You have noticed, as have I, everything seems to boil down to money. This is not just an American condition, it is worldwide. The news media seems to focus on covid, weather and the economy. Yet people seem to be much more concerned about the economy than disease or blowing away in a storm. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21) God certainly knows where our hearts are. Our capitalistic, materialistic values have become our national cancer. When we totally focus on money and/or what it will buy, little time is left for God.

A tremendous amount of the economic problems have been caused by the pandemic. Vaccines, masks and propaganda have become an economic pandemic. The funeral business, monument and casket makers are having a field day. Newscasters know nothing but covid; their brains seem to be stuck on this one subject, leaving the rest of the world’s news unreported. This condition affects the church as much or more than any individual, business or industry. With covid having decreased church attendance in America, giving has decreased. Numbers of the decline vary from one area to another and one church to another. Pastors, rabbis and other religious leaders as well as all the other personnel employed by those organizations are very concerned. A drop in attendance means a drop in revenue. A few give the 10 percent tithe regardless of attendance. 

Churches can very easily fall into those money traps of debt and greed. When the sermons become more about tithing than the Gospel, it is time to evaluate the situation. Mostly, those situations are caused by a drop in attendance and ultimately giving. Tithing sermons are usually focused on Old Testament teachings and do not emphasize the concept of giving, obedience or misdirected attention. I feel that many have used covid as an excuse and are not actually victims of the hype and vast amount of misinformation and fear mongering.  God’s attitude about money is very clear. We must not let it become our god. “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) We can very easily fall into the money trap and must be constantly on guard not to let that happen. 

While money is essential for the functioning of the modern church, many groups of religious people meet in members' homes and require very little money and no collection plate. I’ve observed there are many small congregation churches in the area where I live. Perhaps that is the church of the future, and when our dollars become mostly worthless, that may be the only choice. I have a very close friend that hosts a Tuesday morning Bible study. His attendees regard that as their church. It can be done, and with future economic events seemingly set, that may be the only survival for the church.

Van Yandell is a Christian missionary and writer who lives in Beverly Hills, Fla.