Financial Crisis: A Moral and Spiritual Issue

As you probably know there are more Scriptural passages about finances, money, and the treatment of the poor than any other moral issue. Perhaps, some of the most well-known are, "The love of money is the root of all evil"; "You cannot serve two masters; God and Mammon (money) for you will love one and hate the other" or the famous passage of Jesus and the money-changers in the temple. This is without mentioning the numerous Hebrew Scriptures and the prophets on how countries should take care of the poor, widow, and stranger.

Jesus' words in the Gospels, "Where your treasure is there will your heart be also" ring true in every generation. Our fiscal commitments and stewardship are a sign of our priorities. Budgets are moral documents that reflect the priorities of churches, cities, school districts, and nations. In the midst of this financial crisis, spiritual leaders are served well in examining what we teach about our spirituality and economics.

First, I think that many of us must admit that greed or at least consumerism has permeated our way of being in the world. In a market that promised much many forgot about the grave risk in living beyond our means. There is plenty of responsibility to go around. Me, perhaps some On Faith readers, lenders, investors, ordinary people who lived beyond their means. As is the case with many crisis many people are reflecting and searching for answers. While the extent of this crisis is yet to be determined one thing is sure many have been and will continue to be affected.

From a pastor's perspective these are some immediate reflections:

1. Stewardship is in high demand and low supply. From our pulpits we must once again speak against the dangers of consumerism, predatory lending, and avarice (greed). We must not just preach it but also be challenged by how we individually and religious organizations are complicit in practicing or promoting these vices.

2. Financial Crisis and the Least of these: We must remember that when there is a financial crisis often the most-economically challenged are the most adversely affected. Remembering the poor, is not just an ancient adage, it is a moral and spiritual commitment.

3. Consumerism and materialism must be challenged as idolatry. This is not to say people should not have things or buy things. What I mean by consumerism is an insatiable desire to have more and more at any cost.

4. Systems, (economic, religious, political, familial, etc) should be held accountable when their practices contribute to large scale breakdowns or disparities. This accountability should also be informed by alternatives that seek the common good.

5. Accountability should move beyond blame to finding responses and solutions. While individuals and systems should be held accountable the next step is to seek moral-ethical solutions that move us beyond despair to authentic hope.

By Gabriel Salguero  |  September 21, 2008; 8:43 AM ET  | Category:  Morality
Share This: Technorati | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook
Previous: The Growth of Greed | Next: God's Economics

Posted by: Joselito | September 27, 2008 2:42 AM
Report Offensive Comment

The comments to this entry are closed.