I have a friend who grew up in the African country of Zimbabwe. A few years ago he showed me a $1,000,000,000 bill! I was impressed until he told me that it was nearly worthless.
In 2009 the Royal Bank of Zimbabwe made the decision to eliminate 12 zeros from their money - essentially resetting their currency to Z$1, Z$5, Z$10, Z$20, Z$50, Z$100 and Z$500. I'm sure that this move helped some, but I just looked up the current exchange rate. As of today, July 7th, $1 Zimbabwean dollar will get you 0.0002 of a US dollar. In other words, you need $5 to equal a penny.
Zimbabwe is not the only economy to go through this kind of financial struggle. Investments don't always provide a return. Economies and stock markets go up and down. I've heard some people tell me that the US economy will collapse within the next year. But who's to know?
Where do you find your security? What do you find yourself pursuing above all else? Jesus said,
In 2009 the Royal Bank of Zimbabwe made the decision to eliminate 12 zeros from their money - essentially resetting their currency to Z$1, Z$5, Z$10, Z$20, Z$50, Z$100 and Z$500. I'm sure that this move helped some, but I just looked up the current exchange rate. As of today, July 7th, $1 Zimbabwean dollar will get you 0.0002 of a US dollar. In other words, you need $5 to equal a penny.
Zimbabwe is not the only economy to go through this kind of financial struggle. Investments don't always provide a return. Economies and stock markets go up and down. I've heard some people tell me that the US economy will collapse within the next year. But who's to know?
Where do you find your security? What do you find yourself pursuing above all else? Jesus said,
"Wherever your treasure is,
there the desires of your heart will also be."
James chapter 5 begins with some pointed and rather harsh words for those who have made their focus on earthly treasure. It's tempting for me to simply skip through this passage thinking that it doesn't apply to me. But I'm sure that my income would seem pretty high in comparison to most people in the world - especially a Zimbabwean!
I hope you'll be able to join us this Sunday, July 10th, as we consider together what God wants us to hear and apply from this passage.
I hope you'll be able to join us this Sunday, July 10th, as we consider together what God wants us to hear and apply from this passage.
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