Financial Crisis & Faith

The current economic downturn has been tough on many people. Our churches and members of our community are all hurting. Our government is doing what it can to help fix the situation. Now, I don't know if they have all the right answers or not - I'm not an economist or a financial wizard. What I do know is that Wall Street and corporate greed got us into this mess and someone has got to step up and make some sacrifices to get us out of it.

I read an article today about banks who now want to return the bailout money because they are being held accountable for how they spend it and that the government is putting too many restrictions on it. All I have to say is: "Tough!" Send the money back. It isn't yours anyway...it belongs to the tax payers and if you don't want to be held accountable, if you don't want to lose your perks, if you don't want to truly try to fix the mess you created, then give the money back and go bankrupt. That's what should happen anyway. We are not responsible for bailing you out.

With all of that out of my system, let me go on to say that this financial crisis is like every other financial crisis in history. Many factors caused it and many things will be needed to fix it. We all need to recognize that we have become so dependent on money and our over-stuffed lifestyles that we have lost sight of what is truly important. God has given us everything we need to live well and happy. We have simply forgotten what it means to be "well and happy." Greed has overtaken need and our culture is glutted with excessive consumption and wants that exceed reason. Pray more, desire less. God will take care of us.