Has the last three weeks of discussion left you wondering how you should spend your money? Or at any point did you wish you had a better grasp of some of the underlying issues? If you answered yes to either question, you are in luck.
I read Naked Economics: Uncovering the Dismal Science about two years ago and cannot give it a stronger recommendation. Much of what I read on a daily basis is best classified as educational (i.e. textbooks and research papers), and every now and then when I have time I read purely for entertainment purposes (Dilbert is funny). Naked Economics falls into the delightful and magical third category, edutainment. Much like the spooky wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics, edutainment describes the seemingly paradoxical relationship where things are simultaneously educational and entertaining!
The author explains what economics is all about in very fun to read, but highly informative way. No confusing graphs or mathematical equations (ok the book isn’t perfect, it’s not the Bible), but Charles Wheelan manages to give good insight into the how and why world the works using the principles of economics. The last two chapters are particular relevant to our discussions, talking about globalization and poverty.
There is a copy in the Hamilton public library. I first borrowed a copy on the recommendation of my brother who majored in economics, but today would gladly shell out the $15-20 for a copy of my own.
To quote Mike’s previous post: “Good intentions aren’t enough. Sound economic thinking is also necessary to build programs and policies to help the poor.” This book can go a long way in helping us produce right thinking.
Ok. Enough marketing for one day …. Seriously, BUY THIS BOOK ;>
I have been thinking over the course of the day about a couple of the conversations we had at large group today. It would be hard, strictly based on many of the conversations today, to walk out of The Vine to our cars, head to the restaurant for lunch at a $10/plate restaurant, and then go home to our computers and televisions without either (a) being enormously hypocritical or (b) feeling incredibly guilty about many of the choices we make. Now, perhaps we should feel guilty about some of the ways we spend money — I can definitely say that the last few weeks have challenged some of my expenses and/or my absence of spending in certain areas — but I think there was an element of balance to this story which might have been at least a bit understated today. Following are three stories from the life of Jesus which sprung to mind while I was reflecting on this topic. Please comment on what you think of each of these passages in the context of money and what God may consider a “wise use of economic resources” (feel free to debunk my slightly editorialized explanations of the passages as well if you feel it’s necessary):
1) John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana - particularly appropriate given our wedding registry discussion today, this is of course the story of a wedding feast (for invited guests only, as specified in verse 2) where — horror of horrors! - the wine ran out before the party did. So, Jesus’ mother comes to him, asking for help. Jesus’ response? It wasn’t “you fools, stop gorging yourselves and complaining about the lack of wine and go use the remaining food to feed those hungry just outside the banquet grounds”. It was to make around 150 GALLONS of wine out of water, save face for the party organizers, and keep the party going (with some ulterior motives, yes, but still).
2) Luke 15:11-31 - the parable of the prodigal son - we all know what happens here (two sons, one demands his share, leaves his father’s house, blows it all on sin, comes back poor and repentant, and is welcomed back into the father’s household despite his irresponsibility). The part of the story which struck me in the context of money is the father’s response (v. 22-23): “Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate!” In other words, no expense was spared to celebrate something worthy of celebration, even though the sure-to-be-hefty price tag could certainly have been used to feed, clothe, and house an enormous number of poor people.
3) John 12:1-8 - Jesus’ Anointing at Bethany - this is a really interesting case where Mary took a pint of expensive perfume (in the text, said to be worth approximately a year’s worth of wages) and poured it over Jesus’ feet. Judas — admittedly for all the wrong reasons, but still — questions Jesus regarding why that perfume was not sold and the proceeds given to feed the poor. Jesus’ response: “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me”. What do you think that answer means? Is it specific to Jesus as being God and thus worthy of anointing in this manner or can it be extended to, for example, spending money on the people we care greatly about even though they are not necessarily “in need”? Another example along this line: if the wise men were really so wise, why didn’t they sell their gold, frankincence and myrrh on the way to feed the beggars they no doubt passed by on the way?
These aren’t the only examples either (add more if you know of them!). The point I see from all of this is that, while Jesus certainly called us to be wise stewards of what we are given, the way we should do this is by no means spelled out and, based on these passages, it does not seem to necessarily involve always denying ourselves every pleasure of life or condemning all expensive gifts. I think the approach I have settled on is treating money as a blessing - that is, a gift from God which we are meant to enjoy but which also gives us enormous responsibility. It’s so easy to get caught in self-flaggelation on this topic and, as a result, in a sense deny yourself part of God’s blessing of wealth to you — that is missing the point entirely in my opinion. This is by no means to say indulge freely in the world’s luxuries if you have the cash to do so; however, I think these passages might suggest that this is by far more than a black-and-white issue where taking a balanced approach is really important.
- Todd
UPDATE: Just read a good quote from a Christian “money management” strategist which I kind of like in terms of defining our spending priorities as Christians: “Society tells us to spend, save, and give - in that order. We ask people to give, save, then spend”. The spending part is still there — it’s just a matter of where you rank it on your priority list.
P.S. if this post doesn’t generate comments based on the opinions expressed at large group today…
Yep, I’m finally writing about politics… flee, flee! As much as I would like to tell you exactly why you should vote for a certain party (and believe me, I do…, I fear I may violate Philpott’s tax-free status by doing so… as a result, all I will do is encourage you all to vote on Monday. I strongly believe that as citizens of a country who enjoy the amazing number of rights and freedoms (as we do in Canada) have an even greater responsibility to be involved in influencing the direction our country takes — and taking advantage of our right to vote is a fantastic way to do just that. It’s awfully easily to get cynical about politics — if you just got your information from the parties’ “educational” commercials you would think that Stephen Harper is going to put an armed guard on every street corner and Paul Martin is running some sort of international smuggling conglomerate — but I can’t help but think that the concept of “living in the world without being of the world” applies here in a very real way — it ain’t perfect, but it’s what we have and we need to participate. Or, if the patriotic “O Canada” argument isn’t enough to convince you to get a poll on Monday, you can check out the religious reasons why as Christians be at the ballot box — you could argue a couple of them are a bit of a stretch, but the point is still well made.
Sometimes it’s hard for we as the younger generation to really wrap our minds around what war is like. While Canadians are obviously serving abroad right now in Afghanistan, Haiti, and elsewhere, there has never in our lifetime been what could be called a “global conflict” in which the whole country is mobilized and on guard, when people we know personally leave to fight and never come back. It’s particularly hard when you don’t have a grandfather, uncle, or some sort of relative who was there and can really bring the stories to life concerning how horrific war is and the extent of the sacrifice so many people made. So how can we then truly appreciate what Remembrance Day is all about? Although we may not truly understand war, this interesting article points out that, as Christians, we do understand the concept of sacrifice on the grandest scale ever witnessed — Christ’s ultimate example of laying down His life on our behalf. Our response to Christ’s sacrifice should be awe, gratitude, and remembrance (through our prayer, our worship, and our act of communion). While the sacrifice made by war veterans is obviously not on the same level, they have still poured themselves out under horrible circumstances to protect the freedoms and prosperity we enjoy today — a sacrifice which most certainly also deserves our gratitude and reflection on this Remembrance Day.
So, seeing as it’s Canada Day tomorrow, I thought it would bring us all a warm and fuzzy feeling to post a blog about all the good things about our country.However, I was feeling lazy and didn’t want to write one.So, I whipped out trusty Google, thinking it would be pretty easy to find an appropriate website to link to.Not so much.Ten minutes later, after Googling every pro-Canada phrase I could think of, all I had found that was remotely a positive review of our country was from (wait for it) an American blogger (I kid you not – try it yourself!).Granted, based on watching our government in action for the past year, there have been prouder times to be a Canadian, but I think we all too often forget what a great deal we have living here and how much God has blessed us to have plunked us all down in this corner of his creation.So, I decided to shake off the lethargy and write down a list of Things I Love About Canada (some serious, some less so but still relevant I think) – please feel free to add to it in the comments.
1. I love that I can walk into a grocery store 24 hours a day and buy however much of whatever I want to eat.
2. I love that I can walk down the street without wondering if there’s a sniper in the window above me or a land mine further ahead on the sidewalk.
3. I love that, when push comes to shove, we would rather pay a little more out of our pocket to make sure that the most disadvantaged people living among us have enough to get by.And I love that when disaster strikes anywhere, we want to be first in line to help.
4. I love that I can drive right through Hamilton on Main St. without having to stop at a single stoplight (come on, I know you’ve also taken perverse pleasure out of blowing by that punk who floored the accelerator off the previous stoplight only to have to stop at the next one while you drive the speed limit and never have to touch the brake)
5. I love that I can sew a Canadian flag on my backpack, go virtually anywhere in the world, and be treated with respect and often a little admiration.And I love that I’m proud to let people know where I’m from.
6. I love that I can worship God however and wherever I want and that the government protects my right to do so.I love that I can meet freely to discuss any issue with any group of people no matter how ridiculous it may be (welcome to my small group).
7. I love that we can grow cherries and I can pick cherries and eat them (my annual pilgrimage to E.D. Smith goes next weekend, feel free to join in)
8. I love that our lives are so easy and there is so little to really, truly complain about that it’s possible for three different groups of people on the same day to whine to an innocent produce worker in the grocery store that we had ruined their vacation because we had run out of Mott’s Clamato (true story, happened to me on Canada Day Weekend 2000
9. I love that I can walk into the Parliament building, sit in the public gallery within spitting distance of the guy in charge of our country, and listen to the representatives I have elected (for better or for worse) debate what’s best to do.And I love that every 4-5 years I can fire them if I don’t like what they decide and if enough people agree with me.
10. I love that we are the only country in the world to realize how much curling rocks (pun intended)
11. I love that our country spans three oceans and contains so many different cultures and geographies to experience - if you’ve never been to the Maritimes, it’s worthwhile going just to experience how different it is but how familiar it still all seems.
12. I love the weather – seriously, I didn’t suffer from a recent blow to the head – there’s nothing quite like watching a blizzard and the winds howling outside while you sit inside in a perfectly climate-controlled environment sipping a hot apple cider with friends or the elation of actually living to tell the story of a terrifying run down a toboggan hill.
13. I love that most people in our generation at least don’t really notice whether you’re black, white, brown, or whatever – you’re just another person to get to know.
14. I love that I can hop in my car, on a train, or on a plane and go virtually anywhere at anytime.
15. I love that we as a country value education, knowledge, research, and learning and aren’t afraid to invest in people (a selfish one for me maybe since I get paid by the friendly folks at a government agency, but still…
16. I love that whenever I leave Canada, I am always excited to come back.
You can complain again starting tomorrow – for July 1 though, let’s be thankful for what we have.Happy Canada Day.
(the whole “Church Marketing Sucks” blog this comes from is actually an interesting read, take a look)
I have attended (once anyway) a couple of Christian groups before where I felt that in the urgent rush to make Jesus seem cool and hip (not even entirely for selfish reasons perhaps, but certainly that was part of it), everybody had missed the whole reason that the message of Jesus was really relevant to us at all: hope, life, freedom. I think this is an important reminder (particularly to me as the web guy perhaps, but to all of us) not to “market” Jesus but instead be totally authentic with people about our personal experience with Him — both the joys and the struggles. It’s not only the honest way but it’s the way which will truly make people sit up and take notice — no more powerful ad campaign than a changed life.
(thanks to Jason Silver for pointing out this link from his blog)
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, I fear I may violate Philpott’s tax-free status by doing so… as a result, all I will do is encourage you all to vote on Monday. I strongly believe that as citizens of a country who enjoy the amazing number of rights and freedoms (as we do in Canada) have an even greater responsibility to be involved in influencing the direction our country takes — and taking advantage of our right to vote is a fantastic way to do just that. It’s awfully easily to get cynical about politics — if you just got your information from the parties’ “educational” commercials you would think that Stephen Harper is going to put an armed guard on every street corner and Paul Martin is running some sort of international smuggling conglomerate — but I can’t help but think that the concept of “living in the world without being of the world” applies here in a very real way — it ain’t perfect, but it’s what we have and we need to participate. Or, if the patriotic “O Canada” argument isn’t enough to convince you to get a poll on Monday, you can check out the 