I am sure you are familiar with the experience of walking out of a food market and feeling as if you have paid an inexplicably large amount of money for the few groceries in your shopping bags? The soaring price of living is affecting every one of us! In light of this all-too-common experience, I had a very interesting discussion with some friends around the dinner table last weekend. We were talking about the impact of World War II on our parents’ generation - yes that is the era in which my parents were born - with particular reference to food rations and shortage. My father and mother were both born in 1940 and lived their formative years knowing nothing but rations, rations and more rations. My father, for example, only ever owned one pair of shoes at any given time and as a family of five they had one topping (such as jam) for their toast, and when that was finished they ate plain toast for the rest of the month.

 

As I thought about what it must have been like for everybody affected by World War II, my thoughts drifted to the economic crisis in Zimbabwe, and then back to the situation in our own country. Looking at the big picture, I was struck by the fact that we are still living in relative luxury. Sure, things aren’t as easy as they were, but when we compare what we have to the circumstances of people less fortunate than ourselves … we are really blessed!

 

Jesus was very clear about how we should approach these consumer issues. In Matthew 6:31 and 32, Jesus says;

 

“ … do not worry, saying, ’What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (my emphasis).

 

Paul also emphasised the importance of accepting our circumstances, and he really knew what it meant to suffer! Paul writes in Philippians 4:11 and 12;

 

“… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”.   

 

Most importantly, Paul tells us how to accomplish this state of contentment, regardless of our circumstances. Philippians 4: 13;

 

“I can do everything through him (Christ Jesus) who gives me strength”.

 

Jesus Christ is our strength through the good times and the bad, through the times of plenty and the times of little. If you lean on Christ, He will give you the strength to make it through the difficult times. Remember the story of the footprints in the sand … . 

 

Be encouraged!