Surviving Financial Panics

[music] [music] >> Or you open your phone, you go to your >> Or you open your phone, you go to your >> Or you open your phone, you go to your banking app, you look at the numbers in banking app, you look at the numbers in banking app, you look at the numbers in your banking app, and your stomach just your banking app, and your stomach just your banking app, and your stomach just drops. drops. drops. Uh it drops because the balance is lower Uh it drops because the balance is lower Uh it drops because the balance is lower than you expected, and because than you expected, and because than you expected, and because there are now rumors of layoffs coming there are now rumors of layoffs coming there are now rumors of layoffs coming at work. at work. at work. And everything you built for years to And everything you built for years to And everything you built for years to keep your family safe feels incredibly keep your family safe feels incredibly keep your family safe feels incredibly fragile all of the sudden. fragile all of the sudden. fragile all of the sudden. That can be paralyzing, and you you That can be paralyzing, and you you That can be paralyzing, and you you stand in church trying to focus and sing stand in church trying to focus and sing stand in church trying to focus and sing worship songs, but it feels almost worship songs, but it feels almost worship songs, but it feels almost impossible, and all you can think about impossible, and all you can think about impossible, and all you can think about is next month's mortgage payment, and is next month's mortgage payment, and is next month's mortgage payment, and all the other bills that have to be all the other bills that have to be all the other bills that have to be paid. paid. paid. How can you find any sense of peace or How can you find any sense of peace or How can you find any sense of peace or even happiness right now, in this even happiness right now, in this even happiness right now, in this moment, in this experience? moment, in this experience? moment, in this experience? Today on Ask Pastor John, surviving Today on Ask Pastor John, surviving Today on Ask Pastor John, surviving financial panics. So many of you are emailing us right now So many of you are emailing us right now to tell us this is the situation you're to tell us this is the situation you're to tell us this is the situation you're facing right now in life, and today in facing right now in life, and today in facing right now in life, and today in our Bible reading, we are studying Luke our Bible reading, we are studying Luke our Bible reading, we are studying Luke chapter 12, verses 32 to 34, a timely chapter 12, verses 32 to 34, a timely chapter 12, verses 32 to 34, a timely text for a listener like Marcus. He text for a listener like Marcus. He text for a listener like Marcus. He wrote us. Marcus is a project manager wrote us. Marcus is a project manager wrote us. Marcus is a project manager now facing now facing now facing a corporate downsizing. Pastor John, I a corporate downsizing. Pastor John, I a corporate downsizing. Pastor John, I find myself in a dark place right now.

find myself in a dark place right now. find myself in a dark place right now. My company is going through another My company is going through another My company is going through another round of layoffs, and for the first time round of layoffs, and for the first time round of layoffs, and for the first time in my life, I'm looking at the in my life, I'm looking at the in my life, I'm looking at the possibility of an unemployment check. possibility of an unemployment check. possibility of an unemployment check. I'm paralyzed by fear and anxiety every I'm paralyzed by fear and anxiety every I'm paralyzed by fear and anxiety every time I look at my bank account. I've time I look at my bank account. I've time I look at my bank account. I've worked hard to provide a certain life worked hard to provide a certain life worked hard to provide a certain life for my family, and the thought of losing for my family, and the thought of losing for my family, and the thought of losing our house or not being able to afford our house or not being able to afford our house or not being able to afford what we need feels like a failure. what we need feels like a failure. what we need feels like a failure. It's hard to sit in church and worship It's hard to sit in church and worship It's hard to sit in church and worship when all I'm thinking about is the next when all I'm thinking about is the next when all I'm thinking about is the next paycheck and how I'm going to survive if paycheck and how I'm going to survive if paycheck and how I'm going to survive if it stops. it stops. it stops. Honestly, it feels like God is a distant Honestly, it feels like God is a distant Honestly, it feels like God is a distant judge watching my performance during judge watching my performance during judge watching my performance during this crisis. this crisis. this crisis. Uh how do I stop being so anxious about Uh how do I stop being so anxious about Uh how do I stop being so anxious about money when the threat is so real? Uh is money when the threat is so real? Uh is money when the threat is so real? Uh is it even possible to be happy when you're it even possible to be happy when you're it even possible to be happy when you're in financial ruin, even? in financial ruin, even? in financial ruin, even? Here's how Pastor John addressed Here's how Pastor John addressed Here's how Pastor John addressed Marcus's fears from Luke 12, and that Marcus's fears from Luke 12, and that Marcus's fears from Luke 12, and that I've shared with several friends, and I I've shared with several friends, and I I've shared with several friends, and I want to share it with you today. Here's want to share it with you today. Here's want to share it with you today. Here's Pastor John. Pastor John. Pastor John. >> So, Luke 12:32 to 34, of of the dozens >> So, Luke 12:32 to 34, of of the dozens >> So, Luke 12:32 to 34, of of the dozens of texts I could have chosen of texts I could have chosen of texts I could have chosen is all about worshipping God is all about worshipping God is all about worshipping God with your money. with your money. with your money. There are There are There are four points I want to make.

four points I want to make. four points I want to make. Many more could be made. I think I Many more could be made. I think I Many more could be made. I think I counted about 10 sermons I'd like to counted about 10 sermons I'd like to counted about 10 sermons I'd like to preach on these three verses, but I'll preach on these three verses, but I'll preach on these three verses, but I'll preach one preach one preach one and and and make four points. Number one, make four points. Number one, make four points. Number one, in verse 32 in particular, in verse 32 in particular, in verse 32 in particular, the first point is God commands us not the first point is God commands us not the first point is God commands us not to be afraid about money, not to have to be afraid about money, not to have to be afraid about money, not to have fear about money. fear about money. fear about money. When it comes to money things, we're not When it comes to money things, we're not When it comes to money things, we're not supposed to be anxious. supposed to be anxious. supposed to be anxious. "Don't worry. Don't be afraid," he says, "Don't worry. Don't be afraid," he says, "Don't worry. Don't be afraid," he says, "little flock, for your father has "little flock, for your father has "little flock, for your father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." That little verse there is sandwiched That little verse there is sandwiched That little verse there is sandwiched before and after with money. Verses 22 before and after with money. Verses 22 before and after with money. Verses 22 following are all about money things, following are all about money things, following are all about money things, clothing, house, and whether you're clothing, house, and whether you're clothing, house, and whether you're anxious about them, and then it's anxious about them, and then it's anxious about them, and then it's followed by selling possessions and followed by selling possessions and followed by selling possessions and giving alms and giving alms and giving alms and and laying up treasures in heaven and laying up treasures in heaven and laying up treasures in heaven instead of on the earth. So, this little instead of on the earth. So, this little instead of on the earth. So, this little verse, this beautiful, magnificent verse, this beautiful, magnificent verse, this beautiful, magnificent promise verse, the first point is don't promise verse, the first point is don't promise verse, the first point is don't be anxious. Don't be be anxious. Don't be be anxious. Don't be afraid. But now there's a deeper point afraid. But now there's a deeper point afraid. But now there's a deeper point in this verse, and the deeper point is in this verse, and the deeper point is in this verse, and the deeper point is that when you're not afraid that when you're not afraid that when you're not afraid concerning money, you magnify five things about God.

you magnify five things about God. And that's worship. And that's worship. And that's worship. When you're not afraid or anxious or When you're not afraid or anxious or When you're not afraid or anxious or fearful about money, you magnify five fearful about money, you magnify five fearful about money, you magnify five things about God in this one verse. things about God in this one verse. things about God in this one verse. And when you magnify God through not And when you magnify God through not And when you magnify God through not being afraid about money, you worship. being afraid about money, you worship. being afraid about money, you worship. Here are the five things. Here are the five things. Here are the five things. These are precious things that we want These are precious things that we want These are precious things that we want to magnify about God. Number one, to magnify about God. Number one, to magnify about God. Number one, when we're not afraid about money, we when we're not afraid about money, we when we're not afraid about money, we magnify God as our shepherd. Do not be magnify God as our shepherd. Do not be magnify God as our shepherd. Do not be afraid, little afraid, little afraid, little flock. flock. flock. The word flock means we've got a The word flock means we've got a The word flock means we've got a shepherd and we are sheep and therefore shepherd and we are sheep and therefore shepherd and we are sheep and therefore Psalm 23 kicks in. Psalm 23 kicks in. Psalm 23 kicks in. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not what? what? what? Want. Want. Want. That word is the old Elizabethan word That word is the old Elizabethan word That word is the old Elizabethan word for lack. for lack. for lack. I shall not lack. I shall not be in I shall not lack. I shall not be in I shall not lack. I shall not be in want. That is, if I have a shepherd like want. That is, if I have a shepherd like want. That is, if I have a shepherd like this this this who loves to give me the kingdom, I will who loves to give me the kingdom, I will who loves to give me the kingdom, I will not lack for what I need. Therefore, if not lack for what I need. Therefore, if not lack for what I need. Therefore, if I believe that and thus exclude fear, I believe that and thus exclude fear, I believe that and thus exclude fear, I will magnify his shepherd love.

I will magnify his shepherd love. I will magnify his shepherd love. Number two, Number two, Number two, if I do not fear concerning money, I if I do not fear concerning money, I if I do not fear concerning money, I show that I treasure God as my show that I treasure God as my show that I treasure God as my father. father. father. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has chosen gladly to give you the father has chosen gladly to give you the father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. So, not only am I or are we kingdom. So, not only am I or are we kingdom. So, not only am I or are we sheep who have a shepherd, we are sheep who have a shepherd, we are sheep who have a shepherd, we are children who have a father. He's children who have a father. He's children who have a father. He's multiplying images for us here to get multiplying images for us here to get multiplying images for us here to get rid of fear. rid of fear. rid of fear. That's what he's doing. That's what he's doing. That's what he's doing. Don't be afraid, you're sheep who have a Don't be afraid, you're sheep who have a Don't be afraid, you're sheep who have a shepherd. Don't be afraid, you're shepherd. Don't be afraid, you're shepherd. Don't be afraid, you're children who have a father. children who have a father. children who have a father. Now, what does that imply? Well, verse Now, what does that imply? Well, verse Now, what does that imply? Well, verse 30, two verses earlier, makes pretty 30, two verses earlier, makes pretty 30, two verses earlier, makes pretty plain what it implies. plain what it implies. plain what it implies. All these things, eat, All these things, eat, All these things, eat, drink, wear, money things, all these drink, wear, money things, all these drink, wear, money things, all these things the nations of the world eagerly things the nations of the world eagerly things the nations of the world eagerly seek, but your father knows that you seek, but your father knows that you seek, but your father knows that you need these things. Now, he didn't say need these things. Now, he didn't say need these things. Now, he didn't say that to mock us.

that to mock us. that to mock us. He said that because knowing that we He said that because knowing that we He said that because knowing that we need these things, he'll work to provide need these things, he'll work to provide need these things, he'll work to provide what we need in order to magnify his what we need in order to magnify his what we need in order to magnify his fatherhood. But now, be careful. fatherhood. But now, be careful. fatherhood. But now, be careful. Do not come to God Do not come to God Do not come to God with an agenda with an agenda with an agenda defining for him defining for him defining for him what you need. Come to God and learn from him what you Come to God and learn from him what you need. The word need today in America need. The word need today in America need. The word need today in America is so inflated is so inflated is so inflated that that that it scarcely has any meaning in a it scarcely has any meaning in a it scarcely has any meaning in a universal context anymore. universal context anymore. universal context anymore. So, if we are fearless about money, we So, if we are fearless about money, we So, if we are fearless about money, we magnify him as shepherd, we magnify him magnify him as shepherd, we magnify him magnify him as shepherd, we magnify him as father, and that is worship. Thirdly, as father, and that is worship. Thirdly, as father, and that is worship. Thirdly, if we're not afraid concerning money, we if we're not afraid concerning money, we if we're not afraid concerning money, we show that we treasure God as our show that we treasure God as our show that we treasure God as our king.

king. king. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has chosen gladly to give you the father has chosen gladly to give you the father has chosen gladly to give you the what? what? what? Kingdom. Kingdom. Kingdom. Who has right and authority to give us Who has right and authority to give us Who has right and authority to give us the kingdom? No peon the kingdom? No peon the kingdom? No peon disposes of the kingdom. The king disposes of the kingdom. The king disposes of the kingdom. The king disposes of the kingdom. disposes of the kingdom. disposes of the kingdom. And therefore, not only is he a shepherd And therefore, not only is he a shepherd And therefore, not only is he a shepherd loving us as sheep, father loving us as loving us as sheep, father loving us as loving us as sheep, father loving us as children, he is king ruling us, children, he is king ruling us, children, he is king ruling us, providing for us, exerting sovereignty providing for us, exerting sovereignty providing for us, exerting sovereignty and power on our behalf as subjects and power on our behalf as subjects and power on our behalf as subjects against our enemies, including the lack against our enemies, including the lack against our enemies, including the lack of things we need. So, if we trust him as king and shepherd So, if we trust him as king and shepherd and father, and father, and father, and thus overcome our fear of not having and thus overcome our fear of not having and thus overcome our fear of not having enough money, enough money, enough money, then then then we magnify him and he is worshipped.

we magnify him and he is worshipped. we magnify him and he is worshipped. Fourth, Fourth, Fourth, if we are fearless with regard to our if we are fearless with regard to our if we are fearless with regard to our money, money, money, we magnify him as free and generous. we magnify him as free and generous. we magnify him as free and generous. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for "Do not be afraid, little flock, for "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has chosen gladly to your father has chosen gladly to your father has chosen gladly to give [clears throat] give [clears throat] give [clears throat] you the kingdom." Not sell you the you the kingdom." Not sell you the you the kingdom." Not sell you the kingdom, not rent you the kingdom, not kingdom, not rent you the kingdom, not kingdom, not rent you the kingdom, not lease you the kingdom for payments, lease you the kingdom for payments, lease you the kingdom for payments, mortgage payments, rent payments, lease mortgage payments, rent payments, lease mortgage payments, rent payments, lease payments. He will give you the kingdom. payments. He will give you the kingdom. payments. He will give you the kingdom. He loves to give you the kingdom. He loves to give you the kingdom. He loves to give you the kingdom. Which means he's generous. And Which means he's generous. And Which means he's generous. And therefore, if we let his therefore, if we let his therefore, if we let his shepherd-like, fatherly, kingly shepherd-like, fatherly, kingly shepherd-like, fatherly, kingly generosity generosity generosity work on our fear, our anxieties, and I'm work on our fear, our anxieties, and I'm work on our fear, our anxieties, and I'm talking a battle here. You know I'm talking a battle here. You know I'm talking a battle here. You know I'm talking a battle here, right? We're not talking a battle here, right? We're not talking a battle here, right? We're not talking something that happened talking something that happened talking something that happened yesterday and doesn't happen tomorrow. yesterday and doesn't happen tomorrow. yesterday and doesn't happen tomorrow. We're talking a weekly thing, a paycheck We're talking a weekly thing, a paycheck We're talking a weekly thing, a paycheck by paycheck thing, or unemployment check by paycheck thing, or unemployment check by paycheck thing, or unemployment check by unemployment check thing.

by unemployment check thing. by unemployment check thing. We're talking a battle here. The way we We're talking a battle here. The way we We're talking a battle here. The way we battle is by preaching to ourselves what battle is by preaching to ourselves what battle is by preaching to ourselves what I'm preaching right now. That's the way I'm preaching right now. That's the way I'm preaching right now. That's the way I'd do it. It ain't automatic for John I'd do it. It ain't automatic for John I'd do it. It ain't automatic for John Piper to be fearless about money, Piper to be fearless about money, Piper to be fearless about money, though I get paid plenty, wait way though I get paid plenty, wait way though I get paid plenty, wait way plenty. It isn't automatic for me, it isn't It isn't automatic for me, it isn't automatic for you. We are battling fear automatic for you. We are battling fear automatic for you. We are battling fear and anxiety every day, and anxiety every day, and anxiety every day, not to mention greed, not to mention greed, not to mention greed, and we do it by saying, "He's shepherd and we do it by saying, "He's shepherd and we do it by saying, "He's shepherd to me, he's father to me, he's king to to me, he's father to me, he's king to to me, he's father to me, he's king to me." And he's not, as shepherd, father, me." And he's not, as shepherd, father, me." And he's not, as shepherd, father, and king, folding his arms, standing off and king, folding his arms, standing off and king, folding his arms, standing off in the corner saying, "Maybe, maybe in the corner saying, "Maybe, maybe in the corner saying, "Maybe, maybe you'll get the kingdom. you'll get the kingdom. you'll get the kingdom. I'll watch your performances." I'll watch your performances." I'll watch your performances." It's not the way he does it. It's not the way he does it. It's not the way he does it. Give, give, give free, free, free is Give, give, give free, free, free is Give, give, give free, free, free is what the what the what the what the Lord does. what the Lord does. what the Lord does. And fifthly, And fifthly, And fifthly, when we overcome our fear and live free when we overcome our fear and live free when we overcome our fear and live free of fear, of fear, of fear, we magnify our God as happy we magnify our God as happy we magnify our God as happy in his giving.

in his giving. in his giving. Do not be afraid little flock, for your Do not be afraid little flock, for your Do not be afraid little flock, for your father has chosen gladly father has chosen gladly father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Or to give you the kingdom. Or to give you the kingdom. Or it is his good pleasure, another version it is his good pleasure, another version it is his good pleasure, another version says, to give you the kingdom. Or says, to give you the kingdom. Or says, to give you the kingdom. Or another version, it pleases him, he's another version, it pleases him, he's another version, it pleases him, he's pleased pleased pleased to give you to give you to give you the kingdom. He wants to do this. He is the kingdom. He wants to do this. He is the kingdom. He wants to do this. He is not selfish. not selfish. not selfish. Simony is not his Simony is not his Simony is not his virtue virtue virtue or vice. or vice. or vice. He is a generous He is a generous He is a generous God. God. God. So, So, So, the first point of this message is the first point of this message is the first point of this message is trust him as shepherd, trust him as trust him as shepherd, trust him as trust him as shepherd, trust him as father, trust him as king, trust his father, trust him as king, trust his father, trust him as king, trust his generosity, and trust the fact that it's generosity, and trust the fact that it's generosity, and trust the fact that it's lavish because he loves to do it. lavish because he loves to do it. lavish because he loves to do it. Preach these things to yourself and Preach these things to yourself and Preach these things to yourself and attack fear and anxiety in your life attack fear and anxiety in your life attack fear and anxiety in your life with these truths so that when you with these truths so that when you with these truths so that when you overcome overcome overcome fear about money, fear about money, fear about money, God gets the glory.

God gets the glory. God gets the glory. These five glorious things shine out of These five glorious things shine out of These five glorious things shine out of your life. your life. your life. And if anyone asks you, And if anyone asks you, And if anyone asks you, "I know that you're in financial "I know that you're in financial "I know that you're in financial straits, and yet at work you seem to be straits, and yet at work you seem to be straits, and yet at work you seem to be caring about others and caring about others and caring about others and fairly fairly fairly happy. happy. happy. How is that?" How is that?" How is that?" Then you say, Then you say, Then you say, "Can I share five things with you about "Can I share five things with you about "Can I share five things with you about my God?" And he is worshipped. And he is worshipped. He is worshipped. He is worshipped. He is worshipped. >> Yeah, it ain't automatic for John Piper >> Yeah, it ain't automatic for John Piper >> Yeah, it ain't automatic for John Piper to be fearless about money. Yeah, it's to be fearless about money. Yeah, it's to be fearless about money. Yeah, it's not automatic for any of us. Nothing not automatic for any of us. Nothing not automatic for any of us. Nothing about this is natural. And the core about this is natural. And the core about this is natural. And the core secret here isn't a better budgeting secret here isn't a better budgeting secret here isn't a better budgeting software. The key is to remember who we software. The key is to remember who we software. The key is to remember who we are dealing with, a father. are dealing with, a father. are dealing with, a father. He's shepherd to me. He's to me. He's He's shepherd to me. He's to me. He's He's shepherd to me. He's to me. He's king to me. And he doesn't want to sell king to me. And he doesn't want to sell king to me. And he doesn't want to sell you the kingdom or lease it to you. He you the kingdom or lease it to you. He you the kingdom or lease it to you. He has chosen gladly to give it to you. has chosen gladly to give it to you. has chosen gladly to give it to you. So, you have to actively fight this So, you have to actively fight this So, you have to actively fight this fear. You have to preach this generosity fear. You have to preach this generosity fear. You have to preach this generosity to yourself because when you overcome to yourself because when you overcome to yourself because when you overcome fear about money, fear about money, fear about money, God gets the glory.

God gets the glory. God gets the glory. Yes, others are watching us and in the Yes, others are watching us and in the Yes, others are watching us and in the hardest season, others notice how we hardest season, others notice how we hardest season, others notice how we speak of the generosity of our father. speak of the generosity of our father. speak of the generosity of our father. Obviously, there's a lot more to say Obviously, there's a lot more to say Obviously, there's a lot more to say here. See the Ask Pastor John book in here. See the Ask Pastor John book in here. See the Ask Pastor John book in that section on biblical hope for that section on biblical hope for that section on biblical hope for Christians Christians Christians who are facing poverty on page 120 to who are facing poverty on page 120 to who are facing poverty on page 120 to 121. Even if poverty is not what you do 121. Even if poverty is not what you do 121. Even if poverty is not what you do experience or will experience, experience or will experience, experience or will experience, that would be uh that would be uh that would be uh worth reviewing God's promises to those worth reviewing God's promises to those worth reviewing God's promises to those in poverty. And then don't miss that in poverty. And then don't miss that in poverty. And then don't miss that section on beholding the one who never section on beholding the one who never section on beholding the one who never loved money on page 112. loved money on page 112. loved money on page 112. It gives me the chills every time I read It gives me the chills every time I read It gives me the chills every time I read that. Page 112. that. Page 112. that. Page 112. The one who never loved money. The one who never loved money. The one who never loved money. Glorious. Glorious. Glorious. Well, it is perhaps personal money Well, it is perhaps personal money Well, it is perhaps personal money anxieties that explain why we can be anxieties that explain why we can be anxieties that explain why we can be tempted to make small compromises at tempted to make small compromises at tempted to make small compromises at work, to stretch the truth, to close the work, to stretch the truth, to close the work, to stretch the truth, to close the deal, to fudge the numbers, to get the deal, to fudge the numbers, to get the deal, to fudge the numbers, to get the promotion. Next time, the danger of promotion. Next time, the danger of promotion. Next time, the danger of small compromises at work. And for that, small compromises at work. And for that, small compromises at work. And for that, Pastor John rejoins us in the studio. Pastor John rejoins us in the studio. Pastor John rejoins us in the studio. I'm Tony Reinke. We'll both see you back I'm Tony Reinke. We'll both see you back I'm Tony Reinke. We'll both see you back here on Monday. Thanks for listening.