In the first part of our analysis, we concluded from the Scriptures that before God brings peoples and nations to utter discipline and destruction because of their misplaced trust, He first allows warnings, inverse consequences, and disappointments. Invariably, these take the form of famine, drought, scarcity (all of these being types of economic troubles), societal deterioration, declining national standing, and debasement. The storehouses become empty; the cistern runs dry; the wombs are sealed up. All this occurs before the final destruction.
To the extent that these conditions can be observed in any country, we have the symptoms by which we can assess the nature of national trust. If so, what do the symptoms in America today say about trust? Is it a nation that trusts in God or in Mammon?
The Facts Proving the Trust of Our Day
We only need to review a few facts to settle the matter of whether America is placing its trust in God.
Consider these statistics about trends and developments in the United States. (Similar evidence also applies to other countries, such as Britain, Canada, etc..
- As recently as 1985, the United States was still a net lender to the rest of the world. Today (as of the end of 3Q 2025), this nation is the largest borrower in the world. According to the St. Louis Federal Reserve, net foreign borrowing amounted to $ 9.25 trillion.
- The population growth rate for the U.S. has been falling steadily since 1950. In that year, population growth was 2.07%. At the end of 2025, the growth rate registered 0.52% (one quarter the rate in 1950). In recent years, population growth was mostly attributable to immigrant inflows (Source: Census Bureau).
- Concentrated wealth: “The share of the U.S. wealth pie owned by the top 0.1 percent grew 59.6 percent from 1989 to 2024, according to an Institute for Policy Studies analysis of Federal Reserve data, while the share of the U.S. wealth pie owned by the bottom 50 percent of households has declined 26.1 percent, adjusted for inflation. This bottom half of households in America—66 million of them—had $4.1 trillion altogether at the end of 2024. The 905 billionaires in the United States hold a combined $7.8 trillion in wealth, according to Forbesdata from September 29, 2025.”
Source: https://inequality.org/article/billionaire-wealth-concentration-is-even-worse-than-you-imagine/
- In the early 1950s, all households combined had total debt (including mortgages) amounting to less than 25% of the annual amount of national income. Today, this figure is now much higher than 100% … more than four times as large in relative terms. As recently as 1974, the average American household was able to save more than 10% of income after paying their taxes. Today, the average household saves less than 2% of after-tax income. Given the wealth skew statistics already cited, what this really means is that today, the vast majority of American families experience negative savings each and every year.1
- The average wealth of retirees today is less than in the early 1980s. According to Edward Wolff, an economist at New York University, “Today’s near-retirees turn out to be a little poorer, in constant dollars, than the previous generation was when it approached retirement in 1983.” The net worth of the median older household declined by 2.2% during the period between 1983 and 2001.
- In 1950, only about 12% of married women with preschool‑aged children (under 6) were in the labor force at all. Even among all married women living with their husbands, only about 24% worked outside the home, regardless of whether they had children. Crucially, full‑time work for married mothers of young children was rare and socially discouraged; most working married women were either childless or older. Today (2024–2026), among married mothers with children under age 5, about 69% participate in the labor force. Over half (≈56%) now work full‑time. Married mothers of young children are now more likely to work full‑time than at any point on record.
More statistics could be cited. These are not trends that indicate that the floodgates of heaven are pouring out “so many blessings that you will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10b). It is exactly as the Psalmist says: “The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods” (Psalm 16:4a).
Let’s be frank: Despite the constant propaganda that America and other leading nations are becoming more prosperous and successful, something awry is occurring. These and other statistics suggest continuing deterioration, enslavement, empty storehouses, purses with holes, declining savings, financial weakness, barrenness, the beginnings of national debasement, and the rising influence of the foreign lender. Are these the symbols of trust in God or in other things?
In light of the aforementioned symptoms and principles found in the Bible, the evidence is overwhelming. These are the exact same and similar conditions that were prophesied to occur against God’s people through the Old Testament prophets. And we see that they are happening today … to nations that sought to model themselves according to Christian characteristics.
Points to Ponder
What does it all mean? According to the object lessons found in the Bible, it can only mean this: The object of our trust is not God but something else. In the case of the U.S., Canada, and other nations, it is “In Money We Trust.” And, because that is the case, God dictates that the very opposite result should occur than what people desire—that the reed should splinter and injure our hands as we lean upon it.
The very richest nations on Earth are not exempt … in fact, especially these countries are the most vulnerable, as their cultures display the most dedicated trust in prosperity, gain, and commerce.
We would see very different conditions if it were otherwise. God says, “I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your field will not cast their fruit” (Malachi 3:11). But that is only the case if we test Him and “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse” (verse 10a)—in other words, put our full trust in Him—and He will “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it” (verse 10b). While this text is often used as proof for the so-called “prosperity gospel,” it is no such thing. A trust that expects prosperity for its reward is no trust in God at all but is rather using Him to get what is really wanted.
“In God We Trust”? Who in our culture today truly understands the meaning of these words? This writer certainly struggles with the application of these truths. One must admit that one’s first thought at any hint of uncertainty or calamity concerns our bank account … how much savings one may have. We may think of our pensions, social security, and other government-provided safety nets. What about a credit line? Of course, these things can be blessings and can provide needed sustenance and material security, if not luxury.
Yet, in our increasingly rough-and-tumble economies—a time of rising corruption and financial violence—many are experiencing higher job insecurity, bankruptcies, and other difficulties. God can become very real in such times of need and individual despondency. But what few of us in our society today have truly tested God voluntarily?
Only a small number risk all for God, putting everything at His disposal as He leads us. How many today test God by bringing everything into the storehouse? Thankfully, there are still some that do. Even in the worst of times in Israel, God still had His remnant, being able to number every one that had not yet bowed to Baal.
We are not fooled by the contrite phrase stamped on America’s currency. For many nations, the exact opposite is true. How do we know that this is the case? Because many of the symptoms that God declares will result from this condition of misplaced trust are occurring today. Crucially, we must remember that only the “gentle” symptoms come first. If people and nations do not hearken to these warnings that God allows, much worse will occur—further national debasement, and then ultimate destruction. Assuredly, the developments leading to these outcomes can already be discerned as well.
What can we do as individuals? Only one thing: Put our trust in God fully, and strive to understand what this truly means. God will do the rest and lead us accordingly. We can draw comfort from the truths of Scripture.
“But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine” (Psalm 33:18-19).
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35-36).
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1 Federal Reserve Board. Statistics taken from Flow of Funds Z1 report, June 2004.
Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.
Do you have questions or other perspectives? You can contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com.