On my Economic Soap Box...

Are Americans really falling for the government's logic: "The only way to get out of debt and save this economy is to get into more debt by spending money we've (and you've) borrowed in order to jumpstart things!" How is this feasible, I ask you? It seems like little more than common sense will provide the answers we need. Do companies fail? Do people lose jobs? Is it a natural cycle and consequence for over spending, borrowing more than you afford, and lending to those who can't repay? YES! Will borrowing more money to buy things we can't afford correct the problem that we are in because of the aforementioned habits solve things, then? NO!
Are we in this mess because our country and economy is so fueled by consumerism and pride in ownership, egomanics, and finding value in what you own instead of who you are? Yes! Can we look to Scripture to see if we are handling things in the financial realm of our lives the way God would have us? Most certainly. We should look first to the Scriptures and then act in prayer and obedience to what they teach us. Can we please take a look at Proverbs 6 before we go and borrow $800 billion?

1My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
have given your pledge for a stranger,
2if you are snared in the words of your mouth,
caught in the words of your mouth,
3then do this, my son, and save yourself,
for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:
go, hasten,[a] and(C) plead urgently with your neighbor.
4 Give your eyes no sleep
and your eyelids no slumber;
5save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,[b]
like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise.
7 Without having any chief,
officer, or ruler,
8she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.

Proverbs 6:1-11 (emphasis mine)

My husband has taught on these Scriptures to individuals in debt situations. I am positive there was a time in the history of our government when they looked to these verses and held them in high esteem for they are the words of God. We should run like the gazelle to get away from the debt that will easily devour us. We must work hard and save like the ant. Our country--government and individuals--have learned their financial disciplines from a fat and lazy grasshopper. Let us be sluggards no more!

As Christians, we should become less and less like the world. Our finances and stewardship should be in direct opposition to that of the world's. We must remember that though we may tithe that "10%;" the other "90%" is truly God's too, and how we spend it, save it, use it, or waste it will directly reveal our heart's desire and inclination towards God.

Martin Luther said once,"In salvation, there should be a conversion of the heart, but also the pocketbook." That is definitely true. May God open our eyes and hearts to hear and see what God would have us to do to honor Him in our finances. May we be different than this "consume and enjoy" society we live in today.