Many of us keep calendars for noting and scheduling each of our activities, trusting everything will unfold as planned. But sooner or later – whether at work or within the home – unexpected crises disrupt our routine. Suddenly, important events must be cancelled, work commitments are put on hold, and everyday tasks are affected by circumstances beyond our control. In those moments, our financial and emotional stability can be shaken, generating uncertainty and concern. No person or community is exempt from these difficult challenges that eventually reach us all.

In every economic crisis we experience, we need to pay close attention to principles the Bible offers for managing our finances so we can live with peace and confidence as we work through our challenges. Throughout Scripture, God has given us wisdom for handling every resource He places into our hands. Here are some basic principles found in the book of Proverbs and other parts of the Bible:

1. Recognize our true situation. “Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor”(Proverbs 13:7). If company revenues or our family income has decreased, we must adjust our spending. For example, I know people whose businesses were struggling so they decided to trade in a luxury car for a more economical one. The apostle Paul said, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything” (Philippians 4:12). This helps us understand that there are times of plenty and times of austerity. We can be grateful to God in both circumstances. “So if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:8).
2. Distinguish between what we want and what we need. Before spending, it helps to ask: Do we really need what we are about to buy, or will it just take up space among unused items? There never is a right time to waste money on non‑essentials. There is wisdom in seeking counsel and advice before taking on loans we might not be able to repay. “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get” (Proverbs 21:20).
3. Be sensitive and generous toward others’ needs. Pray and help others as your faith leads. While trusting in God’s protection and provision for us, we also can become the answer to someone else’s prayer. “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord – and He will repay you!” (Proverbs 19:17).
4. Let us act with diligence and responsibility in our work. When facing economic pressure or uncertainty, we may be tempted to take shortcuts – cheating, avoiding responsibilities, or getting involved in dishonest practices to achieve quick results. However, the Bible encourages us to work with integrity and dedication, knowing steady and honest effort is a primary means through which God provides. “A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty”(Proverbs 28:19). Abandoning diligence to pursue the illusion of an easy solution can lead to painful consequences. On the other hand, when we work with responsibility, punctuality, and excellence, we honor God and open the door for Him to present us with new opportunities.

May God’s promises to supply every one of your needs fill you with peace and security. Remember the Bible’s exhortation: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I fail you. Never will I abandon you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

Yessica Moreno is a mentor to women in CBMC Mexico. She is the administrator of Emaús Comunicaciones, a business dedicated to publishing and professional training based on biblical principles. She has been married for three decades to Edgar Medina, Director of CBMC Mexico. Together, they have two young adult children.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. How do you typically respond when confronting a financial crisis, whether in the workplace or in your home?
2. When expenses exceed income, how easy is it to rely on credit to make up the difference? Why is reducing expenditures often regarded as a last resort?
3. What in your opinion is the difference between a ‘need’ and a ‘want’? When someone says, “I need a new car” or “I need a new TV,” how would you evaluate whether it is really a need, or simply a want? Can you think of a biblical principle regarding how God provides for our needs – as opposed to fulfilling our wants?
4. It is suggested that even when our financial situations are challenging, we still should consider the needs of other people and to respond with generosity. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? 

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13; Proverbs 11:24-25, 13:11, 15:16, 21:13, 30:8-9; Matthew 6:19-21,30-34

Challenge for This Week
Few things in our lives and our work are as sensitive and volatile as our finances. We worry when we feel we do not have enough, and we worry if we have enough but are fearful about losing it. This week might be a good time to re-evaluate your attitudes and actions regarding your finances, especially in terms of your relationship with God.

This could generate an excellent and enlightening discussion with a trusted friend, mentor, advisor, or small group in which you are a part. Consider how you can help one another gain a clearer biblical perspective on our money – especially in times of crisis.

By: John Gamades

When I ask men how they’re doing, I hear the same response over and over again. “Busy. I’m so busy.”

Busy has become a badge of honor, and pushing has become a way of life. There’s always one more thing to do, one more fire to put out, one more ball to juggle. The result? Every day, we become more like a frayed rope, pulled in two directions and beginning to come apart in the middle.

God’s been nudging me on this. Slowing down to walk with Him (and not running out ahead of Him) is one of those things He’s working on in me. It’s been challenging…

I’ve got routines. To start my mornings, I’m in the Word, I pray, and reflect. I start grounded, but as the day unfolds, I drift. The noise creeps in, and the world demands more. Like many of you, at home I’m a husband and a dad. At work, I’m a leader and an owner. Layered on top of that, I have an aging mom, siblings, and a circle of friends that I care about deeply. Each role comes with its own pressures, and before long, I find myself back out ahead of God instead of walking with Him.

Add to that a deluge of distractions. They’re everywhere. Facebook. ESPN. Fox News. YouTube. Netflix. Amazon. Then, there’s the constant grind of work, the comparison trap, and maybe worst of all, overcommitment. I don’t say “no” enough, and saying “yes” to everything pulls me off course.

They call it “paying attention” for a reason. There’s a cost when you give all your attention to all of the distractions. One pastor put it bluntly: “Satan doesn’t have to drag you to hell… he just needs to distract you from Heaven.” That’s what he does best. Satan keeps us busy, distracted, and running ahead of God instead of alongside Him.

God’s Gift of Rest

Stay distracted long enough, and I’ve learned that God will get your attention. Sometimes, He uses hardship to slow us down. I’m not saying He causes it, but I know from personal experience that He can certainly use it. He’s been nudging me in this area, and lately, God’s been teaching me about Sabbath. He took me back to the scriptures…

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.” – Genesis 2:2–3 (NIV)

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy… Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” – Exodus 20:8–11 (NIV)

These verses got me thinking and asking this question: If God rested, and He commands us to do the same, then why do I resist it?

I decided to do something about this resistance, and I’ve been trying to practice Sabbath. It’s harder than I expected, which has been a powerful sign. I run a business and serve as a leader. Just like most of you reading this, there’s always one more thing to be done. For years, Sunday was my day to prep for Monday. When I stopped working and tried this Sabbath concept on for size, I felt like an addict detoxing. The work never left my mind, and I was constantly drawn to grab my laptop and get something done. Anything. That’s when I realized… I had a problem.

You may be thinking, like I did, “Sunday is my only day to catch up. You have no idea how busy I am.” I get it. Weeks into the process, though, here’s what I’ve found: God is faithful and He redeems the time. The work still gets done, and in the process, I’m learning to walk with Him instead of running ahead.

Bigger than that, I’m learning to trust… in Him, not in myself.

Don’t Wait

Men, don’t wait. Start walking more closely with God now, not tomorrow. If you’ve been running ahead, like I was, adjust your pace. Step back, and let Him lead. He’s right there, waiting for you to walk with Him.

“There’s no such thing as business ethics,” says renowned author John Maxwell. “There’s only ethics.” That is true – ethics cannot be limited to just one area of life. Unfortunately, it is a subject almost forgotten by institutions and organizations in many parts of the world – especially in an increasingly competitive world that is focused on immediate results. Under such pressure, acting with integrity can seem like a disadvantage. But in reality, it’s the opposite: ethics builds trust, and trust is the foundation of every solid and lasting relationship.

In the business world, trust is not built overnight; it is earned over time through consistent decisions, kept promises, and behavior grounded in firm principles. A customer, supplier, or colleague who sees integrity in our actions is much more likely to build long-term relationships, recommend us, and partner with us on future projects. Ethics is not only a moral value but also a strategic one.

This is why, although acting ethically is not always the easiest path, it is certainly the most profitable in the long run. Let’s look at some biblical wisdom:

1. Avoid shortcuts. There is no shorter distance between two points than a straight line; and no longer distance than a “shortcut.” “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).
2. Examine your true intentions. Human nature often leads us to self-deception; we justify ourselves and lie to ourselves. We must be willing to be held accountable and allow others to speak into our lives. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
3. Acknowledge your ethical failures. No one is perfect. Eventually, we all fall. The real merit lies not in never falling, but in getting up, taking responsibility, and apologizing when needed. “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes” (Proverbs 24:16).
4. Pay attention to warning signs. Lack of integrity never just appears overnight. The real failure is ignoring the signs that threaten our character. “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 22:3).
5. Don’t play with fire – you will get burned. “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” (Proverbs 6:27-28).
6. Seek counsel when making ethical decisions. Lean on people of integrity. “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers” (Proverbs 11:14).
7. Be willing to pay the price. Ethics is a strength built from small, consistent choices to do what is right. “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor” (Proverbs 21:21).

Our ethics are revealed through integrity – being the same person in all settings; doing what is right even if no one else is doing it; and refusing to do what is wrong even if everyone else is doing it. For today’s businesses and business leaders, the most profitable alternative is to become the kind of partner they would want to do business with. The path is called: Ethics.

Edgar Medina D. is the director of CBMC Mexico. He is an editor and writer. He has worked with hundreds of companies as a trainer and describes himself as someone who was born to communicate life. He is a member of the Executive Committee of CBMC Latin America and the Global Leadership Team of CBMC International. He was a disciple of Dr. Enrique Cepeda for 25 years. He lives in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico. 

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. What is your definition for the word “ethics”? Do you agree with the statement that there is no such thing as ‘business ethics,’ but only ethics that apply to any area of life? Why or why not?
2. In what ways can strict determination to uphold high ethical standards build trust?
3. How can consistent ethical practices prove to be profitable – for an individual, as well as a company or organization? What if decisions guided by ethical convictions result in the loss of a client or an important business deal?
4. Of the biblical principles cited that apply to integrity and ethical behavior, which stands out most prominently for you?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 10:9, 11:1,3,  12:22, 16:11, 19:5, 20:17,25, 21:6; Matthew 6:33

Challenge for This Week
Take some time this week to evaluate your own ethical behavior and standards. It might be helpful to meet with someone with whom you can be transparent – a mentor, trusted advisor, or a small group with whom you feel accountable. Ask their opinion about whether they see you as someone who consistently maintains high ethical standards.

Share with one another your commitment to maintaining ethical principles and pray that God will give you the strength not to compromise, even if it seems expedient to do so.