That phrase is from the scriptures meaning three and a half years and indicating a time of tribulation and suffering.  Believers are called to wisdom when faced with such times in the Revelation of John.  We are also called to endurance.  Church, pay attention to your life during this season.  The American situation is worse than we think.  Our economy is being propped up artificially.  We are not surviving right now on good principles but on extreme measures. America has been devoted to living as pain free as possible. Thus we have accepted short term relief as a means of dealing with long term problems. Debt is the naïve assumption that the future will be better than the present. Thus it is a means of betting on future prosperity as a means of alleviating present distress.
 
Slow it down pastor, what are you saying.  I am urging you to be wise in your lifestyle right now.  Beware of quick fixes. Beware of financial partnerships.  Beware of people who promise big gain on investments. The world is full of unscrupulous people who will exploit you. Even more than that, the church is filled with naïve ones who believe anything. If something sounds too good to be true it likely is.  If good and proven people are warning you, pay attention to them even if you do not understand.  I am tired of wolves exploiting people.  They should be exposed to all.  Remember wolves use deception but devour those who give in to them.
 
It is time to live by good principles, minimize debt, take care with your assets. Realize that when people are under pressure they will do desperate things.  I have seen many believers seduced by such people who lie first to themselves and then to you. So live cautiously, wisely and with integrity.  Do not listen to schemes from unproven people. Especially distrust those who use the name of the LORD to induce you to join their schemes to find quick and easy riches. Obey the Lord. Stay close to his word. Spend wisely, give generously but not foolishly and put some away for the future.  Beware of selfish and lazy people who use spiritual words to cover themselves. False piety is often the means used by wicked people to cover themselves.  Those who will not work are not trustworthy and are unprincipled.
 
If you have a good job beware of discontent.  A secure position is better right now than a ‘dream job’ that comes with promises but not guarantees. Work with integrity.  Seek to make your employers prosper by your good efforts. Keep your promises.  In times like these short term difficulties are better than short term relief.  We are laboring unto the LORD.  We care about his name.  The favor of the LORD is our desire. Do not compromise yourself. Do not lie to yourself.  I am writing this for those who have ears to hear.  The scriptures warn us that lust and greed are a snare for us.  The scriptures warn us that the ‘love of money is the root of all sorts of evil.’   Let’s come through these times together.  I do not think I have ever written more sternly to warn people.  These are the words of a pastor who does not want to see his people deceived.  God bless you all as you consider these words.