Price volatility increased last week. The European and Japanese stock markets closed sharply higher on reports of monetary easing by central banks.

U.S. stock prices followed in sympathy and closed the week stronger. New jobless claims are inching up toward 300,000 per week. Further central bank easing may cause more problems than solutions. Economic fundamentals have not changed.

As of last week, most global markets are still down sharply. Year to date losses include: the Dow Jones Industrial Average, -7.64 percent; the S&P 500, -6.70 percent; Nikkei, -9.66 percent; Germany, -9.10 percent; Shanghai, -17.05 percent; and March 2016 Oil, -15.62 percent. Expect volatility to continue to be high. Follow trends, instead of daily price movements, to keep abreast of the economy. Recently, the trends are down.

Endowments are an important source of financing for nonprofit organizations. Often, endowments are given with the stipulation that only the earnings can be spent with the original capital left intact to continue to grow. Income from these endowments are used to feed the poor and disadvantaged and help provide health care, employment training, education and a helping hand to those who would not normally have access. Endowment earnings will also send missionaries throughout the world. 

Endowment fund investments are usually very conservative. But there are still no guarantees. Harvard University's endowment lost nearly 30 percent of its value during late 2008 and early 2009. Very low interest rates have also reduced endowment earnings and limited investment alternatives. Nasdaq's Endowment Index, a measure of general endowment earnings, fell more than 3 percent in 2015 and, at this writing, is down more than 5 percent in 2016. 

As Christians, we have been given an endowment that was fully paid for at the cross. We have been called for a purpose. We have been assigned fruit to produce. No economic downturn, social injustice or political turmoil can keep us from accomplishing all that the Lord has called us to do. Our responsibility is to stay connected to the Source and observe all that He has told us to do.

"Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, neither can you, unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5, MEV).

"If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:7-8, MEV).

We need to be empowered. The disciples were told not to leave Jerusalem until they were endowed with power from on high. Before Pentecost, the disciples were not very effective. After Pentecost, they were filled with power to minister through radical obedience and the gifts of the Spirit (Acts 2).

When Peter and John prayed for boldness, healings, signs and wonders, they were refilled with the Holy Spirit, felt an earthquake and later shook the world (Acts 4).

As citizens of the kingdom, the Lord wants to use us to do more than we can think or imagine. It is not conditional on the economy or any other environmental factor. It is dependent on our willingness to follow and obey the Lord and the Holy Spirit. We have to be willing to use the endowment He has prepared for us and for which He so dearly paid.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us" (Ephesians 3:20, MEV).

Dr. James R. Russell is professor of economics and chair of the Undergraduate College of Business at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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