Read Time: 5 min 00 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

ECONOMY

Tariffied

President Trump sent shock waves through Washington, Wall Street, and the entire world last Wednesday.

He called it “Liberation Day,” and he announced his more-aggressive-than-expected plan for tariffs (a.k.a. taxes on imports). He thinks many of America’s trade relationships with foreign countries are unfair. His goal is to level the playing field, raise some cash to fund the government, and boost American manufacturing. Here’s the plan:

• A base tariff of 10% for nearly every country

• After 90 days for negotiations, there will be higher tariffs for the 60 countries Trump considers the “worst offenders” of imbalanced trade (see each country’s custom rate here)

• A 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars

Since then, the White House says that more than 70 countries have reached out to strike trade deals. Some, like Israel, have been friendly about it. Others, like China, have been… less friendly. China’s total tariff is now at 125% (meaning everything with a Made-in-China sticker could cost more than double), and the country says it will “fight to the end.”

Stocks at home and abroad have been on a wild ride. Investors don’t love it when the future of the economy is uncertain. The tariff announcement sent markets tumbling, but the promise of a 90-day negotiation period had investors looking up yesterday.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
While the negotiations of countries’ leaders will determine the future of the global economy, they’re not nearly as significant as how God oversees his economy—no detail overlooked or asset unnoticed.

“The world and everything in it is mine.” 
Psalm 50:12 (CSB) (read full passage)

How can I model putting my hope and trust in Christ when discussing this story?
Believers’ joy and hope have nothing to do with the numbers on our bank statements.

Tariffs may feel like radically bad news or good news, depending on your circumstances. But as the prophet Habakkuk faced much bleaker prospects—the Babylonians destroying his home and people—here’s what he had to say: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food… yet I will celebrate in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! The LORD my Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!” (Habakkuk 3:17-19 CSB).

Our joy is rooted in the character and works of God… which won’t change no matter which way Uncle Sam’s economic policy turns. The Lord is a delivering, renewing, praiseworthy Father even when all our wealth lets us down.

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
Wise stewardship of God-given resources.

We can’t control the global economy, but we can control our faith and our stewardship (or “management”) of the financial resources we have. Here are a few principles to keep in mind:

• Everything we have belongs to God. He created and owns it all (Psalm 24:1–2)

• Hoarding resources for our own comfort and security rots our hearts (Luke 12:16-21)

• Generously, sacrificially giving to the Lord and others trains our faith muscles and stores up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

The world trains us and our kids to be tight-fisted with money, viewing it as a tool to get affirmation, success, security, and comfort. But the Spirit teaches us to trust the Lord for everything we need, generously giving to show that we trust him.

• Walk your kids through your family’s budget and explain why you spend where you do. Discuss where you’d like to grow in faith and generosity with your money as a family.

• Memorize Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (CSB).

• Pray that God would grow your family’s trust in him for your finances, helping you overcome anxiety about an uncertain future.

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WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

When in doubt… dance it out.