PREACHERS WITH THE RIGHT STUFF RIGHT NOW

A NEW LEARNING
When economic times stumble and prosperity flows from the hole in the bucket and ordinary people are helpless in the midst of loss and concern, then the preachers of righteousness need to stand up to humbly speak for God that it’s not all about us or our money. This is about God and godliness and getting ready for heaven. Preachers should be agents of hope. So perhaps you can detect that I am utterly opposed to opportunistic preachers using the chaos of a downturned economy to pretend to be visionary prophets announcing something new. It is easy for compelling leaders to exploit hard times using fear and simplistic answers and empty promises. I am very supportive of preachers who do not ignore the times but speak about God’s omniscience and compassion and readiness to forgive and receive repentant people. It appears to me that scripture models for us that God’s representatives should be telling people not to let their hearts be troubled but rather put faith exclusively in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

For so long in the western world of nations we have become accustomed to a current reality of prosperity and exhilaration and progress and advancement. The focus for most of us, whether believer or unbeliever, has been upon pleasure and gratification. When that present reality develops an oppressive overcast sky and the wells dry up, the focus can easily become despair and discontent. Doesn’t it make biblical sense that God’s spokespeople should tell all who will listen that right now would be the time to improve our vision? Should we not be counseled to clearly look ahead and into the distance? The better place and the most secure future are not here but there. It seems that we only catch on when we experience some suffering and loss. Generations in the past understood as they set their hopes on things that are “above.” The glory that lies ahead should shape the way we live today.

Family – Economic Clash of Ideas

A NEW LEARNING
My approach to finances and financing is philosophically and diametrically different from those of my two children and their spouses. Even this part of my life makes me feel old. This entry is not speaking to which view is right and which is wrong. It relates to my inability to understand the next generation’s economics. Does it matter? Yes, because I worry for them. No, because it is their responsibility. Christine and I worked our buns off to be debt free and we are. To know my children are engulfed in a debt quagmire bothers me. Why should this make me feel old? Because I share my Dad’s approach to money, frugality and saving. My father died this past year at 93 years of age. He worked as a factory laborer until he retired at age 65. I wonder whether he ever earned more than $15,000 per year. His home cost him $10,000 in 1955 and he sold it for $60,000 in 1985. His company pension was pocket change yet his estate yielded $40,000. That’s amazing. He was a cash man. No plastic. So, like most of their peers, one of my young couples is mortgaged up to the yin yang but when requiring more cash are encouraged by the bank to increase the mortgage ceiling. It's common practice. Their peers do it. The other couple, having sold a house have needed to live off of some of that sale money before purchasing another home in our area where house prices are atmospheric. They too are unruffled about it. I grant you, it may be the resilience of their ages and the reasonable expectation of many years ahead to deal with debt. I am on the downside of the time line and I fret for them. All four of them are highly intelligent, confident, informed and conversant. I am sure they know what they are doing but then the American economy tanked last month and thousands of people have lost their homes, and I wonder whether this credit shattering scenario will visit us in Canada. If it does, then both my couples will be hosed. And then what? I suppose they all come to live on our property. Six adults and five children. I can always convert the garage into living space for Christine and me. I can build in a padded room. I can run away from home.