Another day another triple digit loss in the stock market. My 401K is down about 30% in two weeks. It seems like every where you look there’s bad news. Food prices are going through the roof, gas prices are still high, house values are plummeting and companies are starting to lay off workers.

While there are a lot of complex facets to this problem, the root cause is simple. We have grown used to living beyond our means and buying virtually everything on credit, including homes that are out of our price range. When home values began to drop below what was owed, people defaulted on their mortgages. This caused banks to fail and started a chain reaction that is still rippling through the economy.

God calls on us to be wise with our money. By following Biblical principles in handling our finances we can avoid the pain that the economy is going through right now.

With the future of our economy more uncertain than any time since the 1930’s I urge you to make sure your finances are in order. Take this opportunity to examine your budget and see where you can save money and pay off debt. If you don’t have a budget, START ONE NOW!

There’s a lot of good financial programs out there and I’ve reviewed several, including Larry Burkett’s Crown Financial Ministries. My favorite is Christian Financial Freedom by Terry and Julie Dean. This is a step by step course that will guide you through the process of becoming debt free, while still saving for retirement.

Christian Financial Freedom also shows you how almost any family can save $200 per month overnight! This course is only $37, one of the cheapest I have seen, but still packed with tons of material that will help any family manage their finances based on Biblical principles. You will easily save more than the cost of this package the very first month you start using it.

Let the current economic situation serve as a wake up call. Prepare yourself for the future now by getting your finances in order.

I’ve read the through the book of Revelation several times in my life. It seems like every time I read it there are new “revelations” revealed that fit into current events like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. So was the case tonight as I read Revelation 18.

In light of this week’s economic events and the threat of a total collapse worse that the Great Depression, this prophecy could mean dire consequences for America.

Revelation 18:1-2

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more.

15-16  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

22-23 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

One common question when it comes to Bible prophecy is “Why is America not mentioned in prophecy?”

Could Babylon the great be America? I sure hope not! But if so, that explains the absence of America in other prophecies. And how sad that a land settled by Christians seeking religious freedom and a nation founded on Godly principles has strayed so far away from the Word of God that it would be described as “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit…”

Read through Revelation 18 and let me know what you think.