If you have paid any attention to the news lately, you cannot have missed the signs of pending economic disaster.

People are struggling to keep their homes, banks are struggling to remain solvent, and governments are struggling to remain in power.

And, what is a common financial issue in all these crises?

Debt

Since allowing our governments to convert us from a commodity based financial system to a debt based system, we have created an appearance of prosperity through constant borrowing. In truth, our prosperity is not founded on anything tangible, but rather is a facade grounded on ever increasing debt. It is one giant pyramid scheme. And, like any pyramid scheme, it will collapse one day… perhaps one day soon.

To better understand money and our economic situation, I recommend watching the Crash Course by Chris Martenson.

Now, any intelligent person can understand this…

We simply cannot keep borrowing and borrowing to finance our current lifestyle. Governments borrow by printing more fiat money that devalues all the other money in circulation. The U.S. government has repeatedly increased the debt limit, holding the American citizen hostage with threats of a government shutdown.  Individuals borrow by pledging to repay at sometime in the future. In other words, they are exchanging their future security for some present pleasure.

The Bible tells us…

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. – Proverbs 22.7

For many, they already feel the yoke of slavery because of their debt. However, when the current debt based financial system collapses, the chickens will come home to roost and nearly every one of us will feel the sting of the slave-master’s whip.

Perhaps you feel powerless about all this and don’t believe there is anything you can do. That’s certainly the case with unbelievers… they are powerless.

As a born again believer, we follow a different voice… one that says,

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. – Philippians 4:12-13

We are NOT powerless and there is something we can do to prepare.

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. – Proverbs 27:12 (NLT)

There may not be anything we can do in regards to governments blind path to economic apocalypse, but there are some things we can individually do to protect ourselves.

• We can totally eliminate our debt, including auto loans and home mortgages. You may need to adjust your spending habits to do this, but the freedom that comes with being debt free will make the sacrifices worth it. If this step seems impossible to you, take the issue to the Lord in prayer and allow Him to show you a better way.
• We can not put our savings into the fiat money pyramid scheme. Instead, we can invest in tangible commodities that have intrinsic value… things like gold and silver. These have provided real value to people for thousands of years and have never become valueless.

Wise or foolish?

I’m reminded of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. Five were prepared by having the necessary oil to light their lamps when the bridegroom came. The other five were foolish and not prepared and as a result missed the wedding banquet.

You have a choice today. Will you be like the wise virgins or the foolish virgins?