I both enjoy and consider it part of my job to constantly be reading magazines and blogs to keep up with trends and conventional wisdom in our culture. As part of this, I came across the Time.com article entitled - ““How the Newly Prudent Consumer Is Killing the Economy””. The article argues that one of the largest issues facing the American economy is that ““Today’’s consumers are increasingly likely to pay off credit card bills in full, skip vacations, dine out less, hold off on buying big-ticket items like new cars.”” As a result, our economy is suffering a crisis of demand- not enough people are consuming, so companies lay more employees off which means even more people cannot afford to buy.
Based on my rudimentary understanding of economics, I can’’t argue with the math or the logic. It does seem logical that if we buy less, less is produced and thus less employment will be needed in those industries. While the author does stress that people should not buy what they can’’t afford, I do object to the idea that we have a moral obligation to consume. Do we really need one more influence telling us to buy more stuff? Already, we live in a society where worth is often measured by the size of our houses, newness of our cars, whether we are wearing the most up to date clothes or have the latest form of technology (confession time- that last one almost always gets me). If we add on top of that a moral obligation to buy, I’’m afraid it may overwhelm any resistance we have toward opting out of a crass, materialistic value system. Is there really no choice between a collapsing economy and buying stuff we don’’t need?
The Gospels were written during a time of tremendous economic upheaval. Excavations of the Roman Empire show clear signs of poverty, misery and destitution. The skeletal remains of many inhabitants show that malnutrition and disease were rampant and that most individuals could only eke out a meager living. Archeological digs indicate that the wealthy ruling class in Jerusalem had an astonishing amount of wealth compared to the lot of the farmers in the countryside (sound familiar?). It is in this context that John the Baptist decries the rampant injustice that is occurring all around him. When the crowds ask what they should do about it, John replied "If you have two coats, give one away," he said. "Do the same with your food." (Luke 3:11)
Let’’s return to the question- Is there really no choice between a collapsing economy and buying stuff we don’’t need? John announces a third option- when faced with economic crisis, we are called upon not to hoard or to consume, but to give. Giving is the third option. If we are worried about people having enough to eat in this economy, don’’t buy a rolex- give money to a food shelter. They will certainly spend that money and put it to good use. If you are worried about employment, don’’t buy a new car- donate to a micro-lending organization like Kiva that gives those out of work the opportunity to be entrepreneurial. Give to a friend or a colleague or an organization that will use that money right away to continue to bring about God’’s kingdom on this earth. When you adopt the practice of habitual giving (as opposed to habitual consuming), you’’ll be amazed at the change. It will do more then help stimulate a flagging economy or to change the life of a neighbor in need. It will change you! Rather then clinging to your stuff, you’’ll find the joy that comes in letting go of that which society tells you is valuable. Free of this obsession for things, we’’ll have more time to experience the true happiness that comes from our newly strengthened relationships with our family, our community, and our God. As our values change, we’’ll discover that the kingdom of God was there to be had the whole time. We just needed to get rid of all the stuff that was blocking our view!
Shalom,
Pastor Jared
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