Yes, I do believe that Canada IS on the brink of economic collapse and here we are, just letting it happen.
Though I must admit, I felt a bit relieved after watching Pastor Mark Hughes’ sermon titled “Money, Money, Money – Pt. 1 Bringing Home the Bacon.”
Finally, someone else sees what is happening around us and can explain it! Let me take you to the beginning.
Pastor Mark said, “Because money is so important to our life. I don’t think you can overstate the importance of money to life.”
Having grown up in the same era as Pastor Mark, I understand the idioms and clichés our parents used, so I find his sermon title quite appropriate.
The following are the three points that Pastor Mark delivered his sermon around:
1. Work is a Blessing, Not a Curse
Deuteronomy 28:12: “The Lord will open to you His good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.”
Pastor Mark explained that it is a gift from God to be able to work, and He will bless the work of your hands, allowing you to have money. Humans work not only to survive but also because there’s something gainful and productive about it.
Work, Pastor Mark explains, is NOT a curse. It is a blessing. It’s a gift that God gave us. He Himself worked, creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh.
Exodus 20:9-10: “We shall work six days and on the seventh we shall rest.”
So, we have a mandate to work. But why do people dread it? Many people work solely for money.
“Life is too short to go through it doing something that you don’t actually love,” Pastor Mark stated. If you don’t like your job, find a new one that you do love, or learn to love your job.
The Protestant Reformation and Economic Awakening
The Protestant Reformation led to a spiritual awakening and an economic awakening, breaking the feudal system’s back.
In feudalism, serfs did all the work while others reaped the benefits, creating idle rich and idle poor.
With the Bible now available in common languages, people embraced the Protestant work ethic, started businesses, bought property, and thus, the middle class emerged.
This work ethic, as taught in biblical scripture, led to prosperity wherever the gospel went.
The Other Side of the Coin…
2. Work as a Divine Responsibility
1 Timothy 5:8: “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Taking care of your family is your responsibility alone, not the government’s, the church’s, or anyone else’s.
2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” It’s our responsibility to work and care for our family.
Pastor Mark emphasized that we are no longer living in the Christian country our forefathers established.
We’re now in a post-Christian culture embracing a secular humanistic socialism that is breaking down the Protestant work ethic.
He argues that socialism is historically rooted in atheism
And I agree with Pastor Mark’s argument, as years ago now, I used to support the NDP party until I discovered their selfish agenda.
Years later, I tried to warn others… but voters in the province of Ontario chose Bob Rae anyway, and he destroyed Ontario’s economy. NOTE: look where he is today!
Historical Context of Socialism and Its Impact
In 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote “The Communist Manifesto,” envisioning a utopian world through socialism or communism.
They believed that religion was an obstacle to Marxism, thus stripping people of their faith was essential for their vision.
Russia was the first nation to embrace Marxism, leading to communism.
The Russian Revolution in 1917 transitioned the country from feudalism to communism, resulting in significant suffering for common people.
Between 25 to 30 million citizens were murdered by their leaders to any crush dissent.
Similarly, Venezuela, once the richest country in Latin America (and 4th riches country in the world), embraced socialism and communism under Hugo Chavez in 1999, leading to extreme poverty and mass emigration.
The Relevance to North America
This history lesson is crucial for us in North America, especially Canada.
We are now in a post-Christian culture moving towards socialism without realizing it.
Massive centralized governments, uncontrolled spending, and using taxpayer money to buy votes are clear signs.
A great example of buying votes with taxpayer’s money is Canada’s Carbon Rebate!
Most agree on free universal education and medical care, but where do we draw the line?
Free daycare, dental, and pharmacare are pushing us further into debt.
Our national debt graph shows the sharp rise, proving our financial and political trouble.
Who will pay back over a trillion dollars of debt?
It’s time to think differently.
Work is a divine responsibility, and our family is our responsibility, not the government’s.
3. Work is a Get Rich Slowly Scheme
Proverbs 13:4: “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” You won’t get rich quick, but you can get rich slowly.
Pastor Mark shared a story of his cousin who, despite being deemed unintelligent, became wealthy by working diligently in a pulp and paper factory.
He retired early and was hired back on by the new owners earning double his salary when the company was sold, showing that hard work pays off.
For those of you who wish to really understand what I’ve shared with you here, perhaps you would like to hear from Pastor Mark himself (I sure hope so), so here’s a recording of the sermon I am referring to here.
| CAUSES FOR THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION | ||||
| SOCIAL | POLITICAL | ECONOMIC | RELIGIOUS | |
| * Humanism and secularism led people to question the Church.
* Printing press spreads critical ideas (critical thinking!) about the Church. |
* Powerful monarchs challenge the Church as supreme power.
* Leaders outside of Italy view the pope as a foreign ruler and challenges his authority. |
* Eurpean royalty were jealous of Church’s wealth
* Merchants resented paying taxes to Church |
* Some Church leaders had become corrupt
* Many people found the sale of indulgences unacceptable |
|
| Humanism | https://www.britannica.com/topic/humanism | |||
| secularism | https://www.britannica.com/topic/secularism | |||
| Church (2nd one stated) | https://www.modernreformation.org/resources/articles/the-state-of-the-church-before-the-reformation | |||
| of Church’s wealth | http://christcommunitystudycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Church-History-Before-the-Reformation.pdf | |||
| Merchants… to Church | https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/taxes-and-the-three-estates/ | |||
| jealous | https://www.worldhistory.org/Medieval_Church/ | |||
| resented paying taxes | https://www.edhs.org/ourpages/auto/2010/9/12/39978403/The%20Protestant%20Reformation%20Reading%20-%20Notes.pdf | |||
| … corrupt | https://worldhistory.us/medieval-history/medieval-church-corruption.php | |||
| sale of indulgences unacceptable | https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1902/medieval-indulgence–martin-luther/ | |||
| SOURCE: https://www.slideserve.com/marcella/protestant-reformation | ||||
Conclusion
If you want to succeed in life, you have to WORK because the Lord blesses those who are diligently working with their hands.
Pastor Mark made me realize that I’m not the only one concerned about the direction our country is heading.
By understanding the value of work and rejecting the allure of socialism, we can protect our prosperity and ensure a better future for our families.
Please, please, please… PEOPLE… WAKE UP?!
Credit for Header: Image by ChatGPT 4
