Stocks Rise

MSNBC’s headlines Friday afternoon juxtapositioned: “Worst job loss since 1974 | But stocks jump”

I’ve seen such before – in the company I worked for and many others. Right after a layoff announcement the stock rose and the CEO received a bonus for cost cutting. When my own job headed across the Atlantic, I was not alone. Within a short length of time our company opened new offices, created new jobs and moved existing jobs to Argentina, India, China, Poland.

I wish I knew how many jobs left America before this recession. We had some wonderful employees from many of those countries. I worked with Chinese immigrants whose company I enjoyed and count them among good friends. More than half offered the opportunity to return stayed here in America. They now face what all Americans do – a lack of jobs.

I wish I knew how best to increase the value of a company without the cost of valued employees. Heck, I wish CEOs knew the answer to that one – they are in a position to do something about it while I never was.

But with all the difficulties we’re facing – recession, internal political divisions, global weather patterns, global political patterns, daily living – there are some God given truths we need to keep in mind.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

He shows this in Exodus, providing manna for the Sabbath: See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. (Exodus 16:29)

Abraham may have been placating his son, but his answer was prophetic when Isaac asked: Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: (Genesis 22:7-8)

God not only provided the sacrifice that day, but He did provide Himself as the Lamb of God, recognized by John: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

If one remains worried about life in general and the economy in particular, spend some time in Genesis with the life of Joseph – chapters 37 through 50. I recently wrote about his roller coaster ups and downs, none of which were of his doing. Then move on to Psalms.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1)

And this, from a man whose death was sought again and again. A man who hid in caves, went without food. A man anointed to be king, while a king yet lived.

So, we should follow the Biblical admonition, given so many times – fear not. Jesus told us to seek God first, then promised: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:34)