A message for the church in tough economic times

Below is a message that I sent this morning to leaders in the church that I am part of. Things have been a bit tight for my own family over the past few years because of our relocation to Seattle and our purchase of a house a year ago. But we're doing O.K. for the most part and there's a light not far off. I'm more worried about other people who are dear to us, and who are facing serious financial trouble because of medical insurance and other issues.

We need to be aware of what our congregation is facing in day-to-day life. I believe many people are facing trouble because they have been tricked into "keeping up with the Jones" even when the Jones are going into debt to maintain a higher standard of living. It is possible that America could experience a recession over the next year.

We should have a consistent message to the church membership that we need to:
1. Be content in every situation.
2. Save and be thrifty with the intent that we can be generous to God; people need to eliminate credit card debt so they can be free to bless the kingdom.
3. Share our blessings with those who may be in trouble.
4. Realize that true happiness, security, and joy is found in God, not in material things.

I was struck by a New York Times article today:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/business/05spend.html

Here is a summary:
"For more than half a century, Americans have proved staggeringly resourceful at finding new ways to spend money.

In the 1950s and '60s, as credit cards grew in popularity, many began dining out when the mood struck or buying new television sets on the installment plan rather than waiting for payday. By the 1980s, millions of Americans were entrusting their savings to the booming stock market, using the winnings to spend in excess of their income. Millions more exuberantly borrowed against the value of their homes.

But now the freewheeling days of credit and risk may have run their course — at least for a while and perhaps much longer — as a period of involuntary thrift unfolds in many households. With the number of jobs shrinking, housing prices falling and debt levels swelling, the same nation that pioneered the no-money-down mortgage suddenly confronts an unfamiliar imperative: more Americans must live within their means."

Thank you and God bless,

ts