ARE YOUR EGGS IN THE RIGHT BASKET?
In recent news, consumer confidence has hit a two-year high, buoyed by a strong stock market, lower gas prices, and even the cost of eggs. Many are breathing a sigh of relief, as these worldly indicators seem to promise smoother economic waters ahead.
But as Christians in business, we’re called to a different standard. Our confidence should be rooted not in these temporal shifts but in something much more enduring.
When I became the president of the Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce, it was two months after COVID-19 had shuttered our nation. The easiest path would have been to hunker down and wait for the storm to pass—but that’s not what we did.
Guided by faith and the standard set by my predecessor, Mark Goldstein, we chose a different route. We pushed forward, we connected and grew, even when many were losing their sources of income. People joined our community not because of economic certainty, but because of a shared belief in a movement bigger than any financial trend.
This defiance of worldly expectations is not just a stance; it’s a commitment to a biblical worldview. Scripture teaches us repeatedly to not store up our treasures where moth and rust destroy (Matthew 6:19-21), and to place our trust not in uncertain riches but in God (1 Timothy 6:17).
As believers, our response to the world’s ups and downs should be markedly different than non-believers. If our spirits rise and fall with the Consumer Price Index, are we truly embodying the steadfastness that our faith in Christ offers?
Launching the U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce amidst whispers of recession and economic downturn was another step of faith. It was a declaration that our trust is not in the markets or consumer confidence, but in the Lord. Just as Nehemiah led the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls amid opposition, we are called to build and rebuild upon the foundation of our faith, even when worldly wisdom would advise otherwise.
This is not to say we should ignore economic indicators or fail to respond to market trends. Rather, it’s a call to ensure that these are not where we place our ultimate trust. Our worth, our confidence and our hope should not be at the mercy of fluctuating economic conditions. We are called to a higher purpose, to be light and salt in a world that often measures success in fleeting terms.
So, as consumer confidence rises, let us remember where our true confidence lies. It’s not in the stock market, gas prices, or the cost of eggs. It’s in the unchanging nature of our God and his promises.
As we continue to build our businesses and influence our communities, let’s do so with the conviction that we are working for something eternal. Remember, we are not just business owners; we are stewards of a heavenly calling. In a world that often puts its eggs in the wrong basket, let’s choose to invest ours in the Kingdom of God and stay grounded in faith and obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Stay the course, keep pushing forward, and trust that the Lord will guide and provide. For in him, we have everything we need to not just survive, but thrive, no matter what the world throws our way.
