IN GOD WE TRUST

This is a copy of a circulated $1 bill with “In God We Trust” MARKED OUT with a custom stamp

With so much going on in the United States about taking God out of this and that, I wonder how many of those people refuse to use money because of the words written on it. Unfortunately some people have defaced some bills with a stamp.

In 1956 by an Act of Congress “In God We Trust’ became the official motto of the United States. This was called the HJ. Resolution 396. In 1782 by an Act of Congress that was never codified by law E pluribus unum [one out of many or from many, one] was considered a de facto motto of the United States.

It is possible that the origin of In God We Trust is from the final line of The Star Spangled Banner written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key “…And this be our motto: “In God We Trust.” This song was also later adopted as our national anthem.

The motto first appeared in 1864 on the two cent coin. In the next few years by a number of Acts of Congress the Mint Director could place the motto on all silver and gold coins. Since 1938 all United States coins bear the inscription. By an act of Congress on May 18, 1908 made it mandatory on all coins on which it had already appeared, but could be placed on others with the Secretary’s approval.

I would like to include in this brief history that President Theodore Roosevelt strongly disapproved of the idea of “In God We Trust” on money. The following is his reason quoted: "My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege ... it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements."
The motto also appeared on paper money in 1957. First appearing on the one dollar Silver Certificate. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing was converting to a new printing process and during this conversion it gradually included In God We Trust in the back design of all classes and denominations of currency.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed and approved a law passed by the 84th United States Congress, on July 30, 1956. In God We Trust became the national motto of the United States. Some allege that this decision was a reaction to Communism which at he time was associated with atheism.

Today it is argued that the phrase is wrong because of Thomas Jefferson “wall of separation between church and state” and the First Amendment. The point they want to make is that the endorsement of any deity by the government is unconstitutional.

There are some who even say that the following scriptures back up the use of using the Name of God in this way.

Exodus 20:7 (King James Version)7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Deuteronomy 5:11 (King James Version) 11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Leviticus 19:12 (King James Version) 12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

I do not find that this applies in this case. We each have to draw our own conclusion on that, and it can be looked at many ways. For myself when I am walking alone and see a coin on the ground my first thought is to reach down and pick it up. To me it is a way for God to remind me to Trust in God at all times in all things.

No matter how many nationalities have come to this country; No matter what you like or don’t like about it; this country was founded on God and “In God We Trust” shall remain my motto forever.
Luke 20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

Everything I have is because of the works that God has done in my life. If there is one thing I know that does belong to Him it is my finances, my prosperity.

I shall render unto God what belongs to Him, and that includes my money.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG