Stock market plummets 1,175 points: 3 biblical responses

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1,175 points yesterday, its worst single-day points drop in history. Coming on the heels of Friday’s 666-point loss, the Dow’s gains for the year have now been erased.

Markets are lower in Europe and Asia this morning, indicating that the US stock market could be in for another tough day today. This may be a short-term correction, or it may be a sign of more declines to come. But the recent plunge may already be affecting our health as well as our wealth.

During the Great Recession, online searches for stomach ulcer symptoms and headaches increased by 228 percent and 193 percent. A second study reported that sharp stock market declines are highly correlated to immediate spikes in hospital admissions.

A third study found the stock market crash of 2008 to be associated with an increase in the rate of heart attacks. And data indicates that while suicide rates increased slowly between 1999 and 2007, the rate of increase more than quadrupled during the Great Recession.

Three biblical principles can help us manage our health and wealth in these days of financial volatility.

Trust God with your financial health

God cares about every dimension of your life, including your financial wellbeing. Crown Financial Ministries has identified 2,350 verses on finances and possessions in the Bible. Clearly, our Lord cares about our finances.

Jesus encouraged us: “Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all” (Matthew 6:31-32). Our Lord healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed the leprous, and fed the hungry. He was concerned with the physical health of those he served as well as their spiritual condition.

His Father feels the same way about you today. Any loving parent cares holistically about his or her children.

Of course, God calls us to partner with him…