In God We Trust

I recently heard a rumor going around stating that the government was about to release a one dollar coin without the phrase "In God We Trust." It was just a scam, but it made me think.

At first, I was a bit surprised and appalled by this. Who would have the gall to break this historic American tradition? It is such a good reminder that we are not to put our trust in money, but in God. And when our view becomes so fixated on wealth, prosperity, and retirement, there is the phrase etched into the very thing we covet, hoard, and are greedy for, saying, “NO, it’s in GOD we trust. Do not put your trust in money since it is temporal. But God is eternal!”

Then I thought further about it. Do we actually trust in God? Does our government put it’s trust in God, or does it trust in money, politics, technology, power, and military? As much as I desire to, I cannot honestly say that our country trusts in God. Do we trust in His faithfulness? His providence? His salvation? His sovereignty? I know many people who trust God, but our country as a whole has turned its back from Him. We trust in money and insurance instead of God's providence and faithfulness. We trust in knowledge and education instead of God's wisdom and Word. We trust in self-esteem and image instead of God's patient, forgiving, and unending love for us. We trust in science and empiricism instead of God's Word and guidance. We trust in government and military instead of God's almighty power and sovereignty. We trust our selves instead of God.

Perhaps it is best we remove the common slogan since it is simply a bold-faced lie. And perhaps someday we can reinstate it on our money, someday when we mean it, someday when it tells the truth.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own”
~Proverbs 3:5-7 (The Message)