A Word on the European Financial Crises

Obviously the Church in Corinth felt superior, powerful, and was brimming with self-confidence. In this respect it reminds me of the spirit of our time. When I read about Germany’s economic strength in the newspaper and observe how the media often treat other European nations with contempt, mainly Greece, I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “What do you have that has not been given to you?” (1Cor 4:7)

This saying is true for us on three levels and can be applied to each of our lives. 1. On a national level: Even 70 years after the Holocaust, Germany is still living by the gift of grace. It was the wisdom and foresight of the politicians in the post-war era not to transform Germany into an economic wasteland. The American airlift to Berlin saved our capital of today. Our country flourished economically while many other European nations are still suffering under the guilt and burden of the German occupation today. It is a fact that Greece had to suffer under the occupation by Nazi Germany and was economically plundered to the extreme. So if somebody has been given something, he has no reason whatsoever to feel superior to anybody else and to “boast”. This is surely true first and foremost for us as Germans. If only Christians were to pray continually for their European neighbors in such an attitude of humility and brokenness, the economic crises could be over sooner than we think.

The 2. level is the level of our churches and congregations. Irrespective of which stream or form we come from, state or free church, young or old, we may feel strong or superior to others, and yet we do not realize how radically we disqualify ourselves spiritually. Paul speaks to the Corinthians as apostle whom God made “last” or “least” of all (1Cor 4:9), and who is only able to live by the gift of grace. I still remember one of the most formative experiences that I had with Jesus many years ago. After a time of inner crises and defeat I heard Him say, “Never forget that whatever you will experience in the future does not happen because of your power of abilities, but is a gift from me.” We are grateful for the opening of the new TOS Church and Conference Center this year. It is no symbol of strength or power, but of our dependence on God – and it is a gift.

The 3. level is the level of our personal lives. Many people live in a “consciousness of lack”. Our lives, gifts, and abilities, our family, perhaps their church or congregation, maybe even our job, nothing is good enough anymore. We find fault with everything. On the outside, however, the picture is totally different. We seem superior, strong, and self-confident, just like the people in the church in Corinth. As a counselor, Paul writes to them: Your life, your family, even the air you breathe – everything you see, experience, and maybe even have to endure – don’t you realize that you have been given all of this by God? We live by the gift of redemption and grace of Jesus. All who gratefully accept it can actively change their “consciousness of lack” into a “consciousness of gift” and will receive Paul’s promise to the church in Philippi: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19).