What’s In Your Wallet?

The chances are very good that you are carrying with you - right now - a government document that mixes politics and religion.

Does that seem unlikely? After all, we’re told NOT to mix politics and religion. And some have stretched the fear of intertwined church and state to the point that our founding fathers would not recognize our nation today.

The truth is this - the founders fully intended for our nation’s government to honor and reflect God’s ways. I don’t mean just in theory, but to actually invoke His name at the highest levels of government and in our laws. If you don’t believe it, see this post for some incredible quotes from the founders, displaying their attitudes toward God and government.

Even as godless people insist that government should have nothing to do with God, you cannot get away from the history that our nation was founded on a desire to honor God and Jesus Christ. And that history is nowhere more evident than on every piece of coin and paper currency that we carry in our wallet, pocket or purse.

Find a dollar bill, and flip it over to the back. In prominent places, our money still says “In God We Trust” right on it. Every single penny, dime and dollar proclaims those words.

While still looking at the back of the dollar bill, look over to the left at the Great Seal – with the unfinished pyramid and the eye of providence above it. Above the symbol are the words “Annuit Coeptis”, which can be translated literally as “favors undertakings” and which the Seal’s creator explained means “He approves our endeavors”. The author also pointed out that the subject refers to the providence of God. It was not meant to be a generic “he” – the designer, and the committee who approved the design, meant for it to refer to the one true God.

Interestingly, when some of the original designs were requested, many of the founding fathers submitted designs of their own. Their sketches and descriptions point very firmly to their convictions regarding God. Thomas Jefferson’s design included an image of the Children of Israel wandering in the wilderness, being led by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night (directly from Exodus chapter 13). Benjamin Franklin’s design came from Exodus chapter 14 – a drawing of Moses extending his hand over the Red Sea, while Pharaoh and his army are engulfed. The caption above Franklin’s drawing read, “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God”. What a difference a couple of hundred years make!

I am proud of the inclusion of God into our government. Why would we ever choose to remove Him from our nation’s endeavors? The founders had it right when they gave the nod to “Annuit Coeptis”. When we recognize Him as the one true God, “He approves our endeavors”. Think about that every time you hand a dollar bill to someone. We were meant to be reminded of God’s providence and grace ever time we spend a dollar. And God has promised blessing on us if we remember Him with our wealth. From Malachi 3:10-12 -

“’Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land’”