POLL: About the economic crisis

I have been contributing to the Southern Baptist Convention's GuideStone retirement fund for the past 20 years

In six months time I lost over 10 years of that investment

But I'm not down---really----I really DON'T want to retire from preaching(although I do contribute to a retirement fund)---its just too much fun preaching----too blessed to stop at retirement age anyway


But although I have let over ten years retirement savings slip through my fingers----I'm still rich in the Lord Jesus Christ

I once heard the late, great Dr. Adrian Rogers say

"You want to know just how rich you really are??? Add up everything you have that money can't buy and death can't take away!!! Friend, that's how rich you really are!!!!"

I responded to the poll by checking a loss in the 401k-----other than that---I haven't been affected--------and neither has my church I pastor----during this whole economic ordeal we haven't lacked in anything!!!:thumbs: :thumbs:

 

Great testimonies, Blackbird and LadyEagle!

I can say with the Psalmist that I've never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging for bread.
.......... not yet anyway.

(This is not meant to suggest that such does not occur in some countries where 'the righteous' are persecuted.... but, I'm certain that God does see and has not forsaken them! Whether in our own poverty or prosperity, let us not forget to hold them in our prayers.)

I don't know how to answer this poll. Some of the aspects of this current economy was already in the making, I thought, since before I became last unemployed..... including lost health insurance.

But God provides and I'm thankful for every day he gives me. Most especially, I am thankful for the friends, particularly in my SS class, and special Christian friends in the community..... and my family. :flower:

 

Since this whole economic crisis has begun, I have been doing most of my shopping at the dollar stores like Dollar Tree, Dollar General, & Family Dollar. I never thought I would have to start doing comparitive shopping between Wal-Mart & the dollar stores.

So far I have been fortunate enough to keep my job. My wages haven't been cut, however, I think our pay increases are in jeopardy. We generally get a pay increase every February & August. I haven't seen it yet & neither have my co-workers. My boss has told us that if we don't get it this time around, he will double our pay increase in August. At least he's being fair about it.

 

I shop at Wal-Mart regularly.

Why? To save money.

Liberals want to put Wal-Mart out of business or force them to increase their prices.

Why? Because they're liberals and profit is a dirty word.

 

We of course buy less of the itmes we actually need and go without them, many grocery items we need we also do without, we don't go anywhere except his work, doctor and church, stop at the grocery afterward to save gas. Mid summer my husband will lose his job when his small factory shuts down from lack of business. Being uneducated, and never having done anything else but farm work, finding a new job will be most difficult, he is not employable for many jobs here, if and when any of those jobs are even available.

 

Rest Assured That There Will be Prayer for Your Situation

Donna - My heart goes out for both you and your husband. You folks are just one more causality to this messed up economy. I will place your family, and the need for your husband to find a good paying job on my prayer list.

Father - I ask that you come into this family and their needs and open doors that they do not see at this time in their journey. Thanks for your faithfulness to hearing our prayers and meeting our needs according to your will for us. Thank you Father for giving Donna and her husband your supernatural favor, the kind of favor that will assure them with a quiet confidence, that all will work together for their good and in accordance with your will for their life. Amen! :godisgood:

Shalom,

Pastor Paul:type:

 

I do almost all of my shopping at Wal-mart. I don't see your point except it's just another liberal bash without any merit.

 

I lost 60% of mine.

 

Its funny but I am doing better during this so call "economic crisis" than I was before. My job is booming. ( My compnany has alot of military contracts. That could change.) Have a good job. Good Health insurance. I rent so I dont own a home. ( My choice. Looking back maybe my wife and I should have strapped ourselves with a mortgage that we couldnt afford.) Like Rush Limbaugh I choose not to participate in the recession.

 

Same here. I made more in 2008 than I did in 2007 and so far I am on track to earn more in 2009 than I did in 2008.

I just bought a new American made car - I still have less than 500 miles on it.

I am accomplishing this by working harder.

I continually volunteer to take on more work in my job. I never say no when my employer asks me for more hours and I never complain. As a result I have more work to do than many of my co-workers.

I understand that not everyone is in a position to do the same - but I am guessing that some may be but are not taking advantage of it.

On another note - my wife's friend was visiting today and she commented that her unemployment had just been extended again. She has been collecting unemployment for over a year now. She also said that she is being given a $25 per week increase in her unemployment benefits - retroactive to when she started collecting. This amounts to about $1,300 in alump sum payment in addition to her on going benefits.

She took a voluntary lay off because she was getting married and wanted to be able to be home to putter around the house.

I suspect that she is not alone in her attitude towards collecting those unemployment checks.

 

Had to take a cut in pay because tithes and offerings are down. We're approaching about 40% unemployed in the Church.

The wife has lost considerably in her 101K. Hard to say exactly how much since she's still contributing 6% with 100% company match. I can say it hasn't gone up any...

 

Have you considered taking a part time job to tide you over?

I see from your profile that you still have another 20 years give or take before retirement age. I wouldn't worry about the 401K right now. I would just keep contributing. It sounds like your wife has the right attitude.

 

It just means you are not the liberal you think you are!!! :smilewinkgrin: :tongue3:

 

I had one for a while about a year ago. I was a clerk at 7-11 just to make ends meet. One of members commented about their pastor working at 7-11 so I quit. The Lord has and will provide for all my needs so I never worry about myself. I fear more for the millions who do not know the Lord.

 

When buying something for future retail like stocks one has not made or lost anything until the stock is sold.

 

I lost some in my retirement, but my hope isn't in my retirement account. "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness."



My hope is definately NOT in our government, it's in my God!

 

Not sure I understand that. What is wrong with a pastor working to support his family if the church that he pastors is on hard times and cannot provide sufficiently?

I also would think that it would be a good thing for a pastor to work in addition to his pastor duties (provided that it does not interfer with the pastoral work) and thereby freeing up church funds for an even more needy family.

No judging - just thinking out loud.

 

Not sure why but others in the Church felt the same. I got a little bump in pay and an occasional love offering. Remember, my pay cut was voluntary because of the Church's finances. I had to cut everyones pay to include musicians so made sure my name was top of the list.

I got the job to make the wife feel better. I trust the Lord to supply my needs...

Mt 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?