Stimulating God's Economy:

It seems that Americans will soon receive some kind of rebate check as a way to stimulate the American economy away from it's downward trend. News agencies are beginning the hype of just how exactly consumers will save the day with more spending. CNN reported that consumer spending makes up 70% of the economy. Who knew Slim Jims and Slurpees could do so much for us on my daily commute?

I can't imagine how my buying a new flat screen TV will help the economy any further. I can imagine what God could do with the extra cash flow that I was counting on this year. I propose we exercise our work in 'patriotic stewardship' and use the money to stimulate ministry in God's economy of the kingdom. Consider this an opportunity to live the parable of the talents. Read the parable here for a quick upload.

Let's do some quick math. If the average person is to receive $600, what could be done with it? I've got some ideas for you.

#1a) I hear that in Haiti, people are eating dirt cookies for less than 5 cents to survive. Read the story here. If you're moved by it, donate some of your entrusted talents to the Haitian Timoun Foundation. I just returned from a trip to Haiti with this organization. They're equipping Haitians to lead Haiti out of its desperate situation. And the ones who are leading the charge are the children. A donation to them means kids eating dinner at night and having a place to go so they don't have to turn tricks on the streets.

#1b) Find a Seminarian and sponsor her for the month. Send your money her way so that she doesn't have to dig deeper into debt to lead God's people in the future.

#1c) Send it to the scholarship fund of your alma mater. I received scholarship moneies from my alma mater (Go Mustangs!), and it meant a lot to me at the time. It meant my not having to graduate with debt for an undergrad degree. Having others in a situation where they're not as confined by debt as we are is just as good for the economy as you buying that la-z-boy.

#1d) Sponsor a youth going on a mission trip this summer. His life will be changed greatly by the experience. Who knows what seed will be planted and will blossom later in his life? Your money could make it possible.

#2) Pay down the debt you owe and cut up your credit cards. (let me take the log out of my own eye here). We owe too much as a nation. We spend more than we earn. Here's a nifty little site that shows how you rate with the average home.

#3) Invest and add to it. Let's say you invest the $600 in a 4.25% interest bearing account. You also get the great idea to add to it every month with a modest amount of $20. (That's about 3.27 Chipotle burritos). In 10 years, you'd have $3881. In 20 years, you'd have $8856. In 30 years, you'd have $16,399.

You could do all of these by splitting your money up. You could do only one of them. You could do a combination of them. It's up to you. But, THINK before getting that next TV of what real stimulus in God's economy would look like.