The economic news gets worse by the day. People are out of work, and the housing market continues to tank.
The situation can be overwhelming, and many people fear there’s nothing to be done.
But each of us shares responsibility for this dismal state of affairs, which is partly the result of folks flashing credit cards for things they really can't afford.
Fortunately, there’s some good news: Our faith can save us from financial ruin.
As a Christian, I’ve found guidance in the New Testament, where I noticed that Christ wasn’t born into a wealthy family, and he didn’t live ostentatiously.
He also asked the telling question: “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?”
Gaining the world can mean being surrounded by luxuries we bought with credit cards.
But let’s face it: We won’t be wearing our dazzling jewelry or hauling our trendy TV with us when we meet St. Peter at the pearly gates.
And I suspect he won’t ask how much stuff we’ve accrued, but how many people we’ve helped.
One way to help, according to Scripture, is by feeding the hungry and clothing the naked.
But how can we be charitable if we’re drowning in debt? Here are some tips:
First, when we’re tempted to buy something, it helps to ask: Do I have the cash to pay for this? If not, put it back on the shelf.
I knew a lady who put her credit cards in a jar of water and froze them, to avoid the temptation of spending beyond her means.
She realized that charging things we can’t afford is ransoming our future. After all, Christ warned against building a house on sand because at some point everything comes toppling down.
Second, we must carefully distinguish between luxuries and necessities.
For some, a laptop is a must, since it’s needed for a job, but it could be a luxury for folks who only play games on it.
And you might require a car to get to work, but it needn’t be the latest svelte model with all the trimmings.
Third, we must pray for strength to control our spending.
When tempted by a pricey item, you might ask yourself: Do I want this to fill some emptiness inside? And when I get home, will I still be blue or restless or bored?
We often run to the mall when we’re yearning for something money can’t buy.
In truth, only a relationship with God can fulfill spiritual hunger, which may manifest itself as a craving for more stuff.
As St. Augustine put it, “My heart is restless, oh God, until it rests in thee.”
Christ said he came to serve others. And once we’ve put our financial house in order, we can follow him more closely by helping our neighbors, especially the poor.
Lorraine Murray’s latest books include “Death of a Liturgist,” a mystery about a layman who wreaks havoc at a small parish in Decatur, and a biography of Flannery O’Connor, “The Abbess of Andalusia.” Her email address is lorrainevmurray@yahoo.com.
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