K.Rudd Money and You

Amidst our current economic crisis and recession now a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’, it’s been little surprise that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s proposed stimulus package has been the talk of the town for many weeks now.

At the heart of the proposal is idea that anybody who paid any tax last financial year along with those who get family benefits from Centrelink will be ‘gifted’ with cash from the Rudd government. It is a gamble that will hopefully pay off and pump some much needed revenue into businesses everywhere. The “make or break factor” lies with the discretion of the public and that is really something that we must think hard about.

Many people, including myself have been thinking about what to do with this sum of money that we would otherwise not have. Some people have already started spending the money on flat-screen TVs and other gadgets in anticipation of its arrival to their bank accounts. Others are planning overseas or interstate holidays with the stimulus package as the budget for the trip.

That’s all good and well, but as Christians how should we be spending our stimulus package? Have you considered that this may have spiritual implications to it? As Christians we should know and understand that any money that we own is ultimately God’s money as He was the One who enabled and provided jobs for us to work (and in this case a government to give handouts!). We’ve been called to be good stewards of all that He’s blessed us with – grace, love, truth, but also money.

There are so many needs and places to be generous both in and outside the church; looking at our building alone reveals a much needed renovation and enlargement as we continue to grow steadily. Perhaps there is some merit concerning your offering to the church, since the Bible does speak about giving to God that which he has bountifully given to us. But I think there is another, perhaps more important, aspect that needs to be discussed.

As Christians we are supposed to submit to our government leadership as both Paul and Jesus taught (Matt 22:15-22; Rom 13:1-7). In light of this, we should be actively encouraging our churches to be spending the respective stimulus packages in order to achieve what our leaders need to achieve. It is to stimulate the economy, not to sit in our bank accounts and accrue interest. That would be defeating the purpose. I might even go as far as saying it is our Christian duty to spend this money! I say this with a disclaimer. If you are in desperate situations and need to pay off bills and loans be wise in your decision and do what is honouring to you and your family.

In spending this money, as with all things in the Christian life, we are bound to remain within the ethical laws that God has given us and that will mean that we are not reckless. With this I mean that we must abide by the laws of modesty, holiness, and respect. I won’t be surprised to see that there will be a dramatic increase in sales for all the vices that the world has to offer, drugs, prostitution, alcohol and the like. Spend that money freely, yes it is our duty, but remember to spend it on the right things in life.