Inflation

Richard Hollerman

Just today learned that the inflation rate is the highest since 1981 some 40 or 41 years ago. Yes, it was high at that time and it is high again today. I was living at that time and the news had it that the missiles of Russia were aimed at the United States (and I suppose that the reverse was also true). I don’t know what the case was in other parts of the world, but I’m just recounting the way it was here, some 40 years ago.

It seems that the president could do nothing substantial about this at that time and the same is true today. The American president (Biden) seems to be unable to correct this downward trajectory. In fact, so many factors seem to be exacerbating the situation—the raging influx of illegal aliens at the southern border, the increase of illegal drugs, the high death rate through drug use, the high gas prices, the war in Ukraine with Russia, and so much more. All of this has served to increase the costs of nearly everything and the result is the higher inflation rate.

We know that many or even most of our readers probably were not even born in 1981 or were so young that they had no idea what was happening. I don’t know what the situation in China, Japan, India, Iran, and other places may have been for I’m merely referring to America. The United States was in poor shape and the same is true today. We know that inflation and high prices were something that affected the United States then and it seems to affect the world at large now.

Scripture seems to reflect the fact that at other times and in other places, the cost of things skyrocketed. People didn’t know what to do then and today the same is happening. Those who are wealthy in America may not be affected as much, but there are millions who don’t have enough to eat and can’t afford to drive, or to handle their rent, or to pay their bills.

At a time like this, it is good to know that there is a God in heaven who loves and cares. He knows that this is for our good and will do all things well. If we eat less, this may be better for our bodies. If we can’t afford one location, maybe there is another one. If we can’t afford to buy new clothes, this may be better for our modesty. If we can’t pay our electricity or water, there may be positives even for this.

In other parts of the world, we really don’t know what the conditions are like, but we know that God knows. For the Christian (and, sadly, we realize that there are very few genuine believers), we have the promise: “We know that God causes all things to work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even these days of high inflation can and will be used by God for His purposes and for our good.

When will this end? And will it increase? We don’t know. At present, we know that house prices are high and increasing, so much so that many can’t afford to continue their payments. We couldn’t were it not for the fact that we were able to purchase this dwelling places years ago at half price, before the prices went higher and higher. Even to build a house, if we were to contribute some of the labor, the prices would be extremely high. We understand that in places like California a house may go for $1 million dollars! Even if we were all to move to the mid-west, the prices are high there also—but maybe not as high as in certain other more desirable places. Other countries may offer better prices but we assume that the costs there too may be prohibitive for many of us.

Let us do what we can and trust God to provide. Read again and again Matthew 6:19-33 for these verses should give us some help and encouragement. May God bless us and help us during these difficult days. He knows what He is doing. If you have a sizeable family of perhaps 8 or 10 or more children; if you have lost your job; if there is no way the government can or will help; if you are older and may not be able to find employment; we know that God knows and will help. He will see us through at this time as He has in the past.

We love you and let us trust in God the great Provider at this difficult time and at all times.