Economic Stimulus or Missional Stimulus?
I read recently on Al Hsu’s blog this post about how our economy depends on us buying things that we don’t need. That’s sad. Really sad.
As Al said in his post, “So what happens if people only buy what they actually need? The economy collapses, because it’s based on us all buying unnecessary stuff? So sad.”
Now is about the time where many of us will be receiving our “Economic Stimulus Checks.” To me, this is such a strange thing.
Now, I am fairly certain that this will work in some ways. There will likely be a lot of flat screen televisions, ipods, iphones and things like this purchased with this money. I guess that isn’t terrible. It’s kinda like finding a roll of 20’s in the winter jacket you haven’t worn for 2 years. A perfect opportunity to go and buy yourself something nice!
Well, in our house, we’re taking another approach. We’re paying off debt. Phew, that sounds fun. But, I’ll be honest, the biggest thing that keeps Melanie and I from giving more and having the freedom to make a missional choice on where to live is the amount of debt we are carrying. We’ve been praying that when we move apartments or buy a house it will be because of God calling us to a particular community or neighborhood. We currently unable to do that because of this load of debt.
So for us, the check we’re supposed to receive in the next few days is not an economic stimulus. Its a missional stimulus. It is going to help us continue on our way towards being more free to respond to the needs in front of us and more free to follow God’s call into the neighborhood where he calls us.
For those of you who don’t have debt, maybe there is something else you can do with it besides buying yourself something shiny.
I’m not trying to say that if you buy something shiny with the stimulus check that you aren’t a good Christian. I just want to encourage you to think carefully about what you choose to do with it.
Personally, I say we stick it to the man and pay off debt and help out the poor.
It’s sad when doing that is considered sticking it to the man…
Josh Frank said...
105/15/08 11:34 AM | Comment Link |
This is my idea exactly. See the Pentecost Project:
pentecostproject.org
Todd said...
205/15/08 11:38 AM | Comment Link |
Josh, awesome stuff! Thanks for the Link!
Carlos Griego said...
305/15/08 12:02 PM | Comment Link |
Todd,
I have been thinking about this too, in regards to what we are to do with this rebate check my wife and I will be receiving, At first we both agreed to simply put this money in savings towards eventually buying a house near the University in our town, so this was a missional minded motive I believe.
Another thought though was brought to me. This money from our government is not just free money, like finding that roll of 20’s, but money given with a specific purpose. The government is giving us this to spend to provide an immediate boost to the economy. We know that the bible is clear about honoring our government so long as it does not go against God’s law, so with that how are we to approach the stimulus? AND is NOT spending this money not honoring to those that have given it and therefore in some way being disobedient to God??
I seriously ask this without a real conviction either way and wanted to know your opinion, and anyone else’s.
Los
Bob Fisher said...
405/15/08 5:59 PM | Comment Link |
Hey, Todd… Yes, it’s sad that our prosperity comes from buying (and selling) stuff we don’t need, while so many can’t meet their basic needs. The stimulus checks just feed this cycle, and won’t help us address the root issue — we need to figure out how to have a working economy that doesn’t consume others’ resources. The idea of using the checks to help the poor is catching on… some bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are urging people to tithe the checks for that purpose (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=735804&format=print)
Hey Josh!
Bob
Josh Frank said...
505/15/08 6:24 PM | Comment Link |
Hey Bob! Good to run into you!!!
Tim said...
605/15/08 9:33 PM | Comment Link |
Hey Todd,
I have to agree with you on this. Unfortunately, we all seem to find ourselves in a position where we put ourselves into some form of debt. I do not think it is intentional. What would 300.00 - 600.00 do for me at this current moment? It would drop the amount of money I have wasted on my credit card near to “0.” It would also help me pay for my car payment; another “need” I gave myself. I do not like debt though I know for the majority of those in this great nation, it is something we often have to deal with. I am convinced that though we are given the money to go out and buy a TV or a bowling ball, we should probably help out our nation by reducing the amount of individual debt we have so that when push comes to shove, we can feel better about ourselves and our current position. Thanks for the post.
Deb said...
705/20/08 11:28 AM | Comment Link |
Here’s an interesting factoid from a survey done in February from CHH CompleteTax on how individuals are intending to use their stimulus checks. Apparently most Americans have no plans to actually spend their stimulus checks - only 21% said they would spend. 32% are looking to save theirs and then a whopping 47% are going to pay down existing debt. Leaves one to wonder how much economic stimuluation is it really going to provide?