As Greece dances in the streets, the world teeters on the brink of financial and political collapse. Irresponsible and narcissistic impulses have seemingly seized control of the nations financial system and correspondingly our world economy.
I watched in horrified amazement this week as the people of Greece celebrated their recent electoral decision to stick their collective tongues out at their creditors. In some ways they are like little Oliver Twist holding out their beggar hands saying, “Please sir, may I have some more.” The biggest difference is that the people of Greece are not saying “please.”
For those who may have missed the drama, multiple failed attempts to reign in spending has once again found Greece in the precarious position of defaulting on their national debt. Countries such as Germany, who have the financial stability to bail them out again, appear unwilling to throw good money after bad and many other nations cannot help as they themselves are just a few months from the same situation.
Things have gotten so bad in Greece, that the people are being limited to about $67 a day (US equivalent) from their ATM’s and there is talk of seizing bank deposits and cash from safety deposit boxes in the national interest – similar to what took place in Cyprus.
In this recent referendum, Greece responded to the demand of their creditors to get their financial house in order by reigning in spending. The creditors told Greece that this was the only way they would consider another bailout.
The Prime Minister encouraged the “No” vote, telling the people that if they would just stand together, he would have a stronger bargaining position with the creditors. His reasoning was that if the whole country resisted, the creditors would be forced to cough up more money since Greece is obviously, “too big to fail.” I am not convinced this strategy is going to work, but even if it does, it will only be a temporary fix as the hole in the boat is still not repaired.
As I have watched all of this unfold, I have been reminded of the first successful English settlement in America. In light of past failures and the fear of repetition, Captain John Smith, drawing from the Scriptures (2 Thessalonians 3:10) warned the settlers,
…think not that either my pains nor the adventurers’ purses will ever maintain you in idleness and sloth… the greater part must be more industrious, or starve… You must obey this now for a law, that he that will not work shall not eat (except by sickness he be disabled). For the labors of thirty or forty honest and industrious men shall not be consumed to maintain a hundred and fifty idle loiterers.” (Smith: “Journals of Captain John Smith”)
Interestingly, and possibly unknown to many, even Vladimir Lenin, leader of the Soviet Union understood the principle. According to him, “He who does not work shall not eat.” is a necessary principle under socialism. (Lenin: “The State and Revolution” 1917).
My concern for the people of Greece, though considerable, is not the only thing in play . The very location and culture that serves as the cradle for Western thought and development is now threatened by far more than economics. The industrious and motivated culture that once led the known world, now appears to be quickly becoming the ones who demand to be cared for by everyone else.
This frightening position opens Greece to influence from outsiders who may not be friendly to world peace and stability. The scenario could play out something like this:
- When the creditors finally tire of the bail-outs, they leave Greece to “learn their lesson”
- Greece responds by cutting ties with the European Community and begin printing their own money
- Money without collateral leads to inflation
- More money is printed to accommodate the rise in prices
- Hyper-inflation ensues that leads to complete and utter economic collapse
- Someone steps in to “save the day”
I fear that all of this makes Greece increasing vulnerable to the influence of other nations, who will be more than willing to help them out for the low low price of their collective souls.
If all of this happens, the situation fits snugly into the prophecy found in Daniel 2. Although most of this prophecy has already been fulfilled throughout history, we have yet to see the feet and toes come together. Could it be that the iron and the clay are a mixture of Europe and Sharia? What do you think?