As our world enters the narrow and dangerous waters of social unrest, as major world powers move closer to WWIII, and when institutions we once considered stable are now in jeopardy, it is important to reestablish our understanding that God will forever be faithful to fulfill His promises no matter what we see happening in our world.

Last year the Lord had me begin researching national and global financial affairs. It was an assignment that would provide prophetic insight into something of which I had been previously uninformed. Following the trail of money and how it is spent tells a tale. It uncovers our naivety and reveals trails of deception. Hopefully, the following few paragraphs don’t travel too deep into the weeds of an explanation, but here goes.

The U.S. dollar is backed only by a promise. A dollar is called a “Federal Reserve Note.” It is a promise to back the value of the denomination printed on its face. In 1971 President Nixon took us off the gold standard leaving the dollar vulnerable without tangible backing. Once the gold standard was abandoned, out-of-control government spending began. Today, we continue to print money literally out of thin air with nothing of value to back the promise to pay “all debts, public and private.” This is happening as our nation’s debt is preparing to move past 32 trillion dollars.  It is a debt that will never be paid back. It has become a political can that continues to be kicked down the road into the future.

When we walk into our local bank a placard is prominently displayed informing us our deposits are backed by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). The sad truth is the FDIC only has funds to back only about 30% of total deposits. Because of what is called fractional banking, our banks no longer are required to possess in-house all the monies their customers have deposited. They have just enough for daily transactions. 

Our deposits have been loaned out to insurance companies and large corporations. If widespread social unrest, war, or a national disaster took place, like has happened in other nations of recent date, a run on banks would take place leaving the wallets of depositors empty. In other nations banks simply closed and ATMs shut down. What we once considered stable and always available, may not be present in the future.

I said all of that to make a point. In this very unstable world, the best of our planning can prove unreliable when we rely on unbacked deposits that someday may no longer be available and able to keep their promise of value and availability. While it is wise to consider investment options that are historically sound and will be there when something unexpected or imagined happens, our most important preparation must be our hearts, not in a financial portfolio. 

Guiding the most reliable of investments are the lyrics from an old hymn, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”  That unshakeable hope will never lose its value and will always be available when the systems of our world are no longer able to fulfill their promises. When the unimagined takes place, fear will create panic and disruption to the systems and institutions that we once trusted but are no longer able to fulfill their promises when we need them the most. All the promises God makes are backed by the death, resurrection, and enthronement of Jesus Christ. Depositing our hope in Him will never leave us wanting in times of need.