Whose Job Is It To Get Me A Job Anyway?

2012 is quickly approaching and with it a new election year. As Americans prepare to vote for their President one big question still remains: Will Barack Obama be a one-term or two-term President?

While watching most of the Presidential debates this year, and listening to many of the pundits on the news stations, it seems once again American’s are mostly concerned about one issue. Do you know what it is? It’s the economy stupid!

The reporters indicate that people are waiting for the “right” candidate to articulate a job growth plan for our country. I thought the main role of our government is to protect the righteous and punish those who do evil. I thought the main role of the President is to be the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.

When did it become the President’s responsibility to create jobs for Americans? It is frightening to me how much we rely on government to do for us. For example, we expect government to educate our children, take care of our elderly, meet the needs of the poor, and create jobs for the unemployed. The more government increases the more we lose our individual liberty and sense of self-responsibility. When this happens, our country fails to prosper because people lack a work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.

Sure, I understand a President’s policies can affect the economy, and I know there is a financial impact when a President leads a country in war, but it is never his responsibility to create jobs. I think we have made the grave mistake of looking to our President as our Provider instead of God our Creator.

The Parable of the Talents, in Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus teaches certain principles on prosperity. Let’s read a few of them (I encourage you to read the rest of this parable to see what happened to the two who were good stewards, and to the one who was not a good steward).

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money."

First, the parable instructs us that God is the owner of everything. The owner (who represents God) entrusts his property to his servants (us). We need to look to God as our Provider instead of our President.

Second, God gives us the resources on planet earth so we can prosper. We have plenty of materials to create or invent products, sell, trade or invest. It is imperative to understand that our current economic downturn in America is not a resource problem. We still have everything we need to prosper! Our lack of prosperity is a result of poor stewardship!

Third, God gives us ability to steward His resources and make an increase with them. We should work hard and be entrepreneurial with the ability God has given us. It is important to note that not every person has the same ability or the same resources to work with. God never intended for every person to be exactly equal. However, he does expect every person to work equally hard and be a good steward of what he or she possesses.

Lastly, God gives us opportunities to work. As we obey God, He reveals to us our calling. As we steward our abilities and resources well by working hard and bringing increase to that which we have been called, more resources are given, and more opportunities to work are created.

Unfortunately, too many Americans are like the man who received one talent and went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. In other words, he did nothing with what he was given to steward. He was irresponsible, negligent and lazy. Again, let me emphasize, he was not a good steward!

Do we really think that filling in a circle or box in 2012 next to a Presidential candidate’s name and putting it in the ballot box will change the condition of America’s economy? I hope we are not that deceived.

Instead, I suggest we turn our hearts back to God and look to Him as our Provider, repent for being poor stewards, pray, and make a commitment to practice the Lord’s principles of prosperity once again as a nation (Jeremiah 29:11-13). If so, maybe God will be gracious and give us a President who doesn’t want to increase his or her role, or the institution of government, but would rather faithfully fulfill his or her responsibilities while acknowledging the limitations of the President.

I had the chance to visit George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon last week while in Washington D.C. for a winter conference. During the tour, I was reminded of the humility and integrity of our first president. After serving two terms and having the opportunity to become “king” of America, President Washington chose instead to return to his estate at Mount Vernon as a farmer. No leader in history, anywhere in the world, who had led a revolution, had ever relinquished their power. His humble act was unprecedented and set an example that many in government should emulate today. It would be better to get out of the way!

Whose job is it to get me a job anyway? It is not you Mr. President. No offense, but I am going to trust God and steward my calling well by making the most of the opportunities, resources and abilities He has given me!