#62 “The Fiscal Cliff”

 Program #62 – The Fiscal Cliff – January 6, 2013

The “Fiscal Cliff” discusses the current expiration of the Bush tax cuts and the automatic spending cuts that were scheduled to begin on January 1st. Politicians are in gridlock because it is unpopular to either raise taxes or cut government spending; hence our elected officials are being forced by external pressures to bankrupt America. A Biblical parallel is the story of Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12. This king of Israel
was faced with the choice of either raising taxes or cutting spending. In the providence of God, he made the wrong choice. By raising taxes he started a civil war and ended the golden age of Israel. Nevertheless, God wanted His people to know that even Rehoboam’s foolish choice was “a turning of events of the Lord.” To punish ungodliness, God moves leaders to make unwise economic choices. We should not be worried or frustrated, for the end result of bad government policy is the protection and fruitfulness of God’s people. This does not mean we should not warn the people of the consequences of their choices, but do so only because it will go badly for them. We are safe, for God works all things together for our good.

Texts of Scripture referenced: Matthew 24:1-6; Kings 12; Deuteronomy 17:17, 28:19; Isaiah 29:14; Jeremiah 8:9; Isaiah 3:4-5