Given the unchartered global economic waters we now seem to be in, and given everyone seems to have an opinion about what the problem is, I've been thinking about what Jesus might have to say if Wall St was prepared to listen for a few minutes. Surely a crisis of ‘Biblical proportions (as some have said), deserves some thought as to what the Divine might actually be thinking. So here’s a few thoughts about what Jesus would say.
Jesus would say, "Greed is dangerous"
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Now we all know that materialism is limited and empty, we know there are more things to live for than how many cars you can fit in your garage, but we are still so easily driven by senseless greed. Jesus again says in Luke 9:25
"For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" That is, there is something soul destroying about the storing up and pursuit of more stuff. What purpose does it serve? How does it actually help you? How can you go on accumulating more while others struggle to survive? What has happened to your soul if you keep pursuing this?
Jesus would say, "Money can’t bring security"
This is key to greed. Why do we want more and more and ever increasing returns? Because we want certitude, we want a grounding, we want security. And this is linked very closely to status, acceptance, social kudos, self-affirmation and importance.
For many, the key to success and enjoyment in life is, they hope, economic prosperity. But surely the very fact that people worry about money, is evidence that it is not secure.
So Jesus warns in the sermon on the mount
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matt. 6:19-20)
Imagine what Wall St would do with that advice? So many would be out of a job!
Jesus would say, "Give to bless and prosper others"
The Bible’s picture is to see people freed up from their love of money, because they are to love God and others more, and they use what they have for the blessing and prosperity of others. A radical generosity is what is urged.
What’s the point of having 100 cars in your garage? You can only drive one at a time. So get rid of the excess, and bless others. What good is being payed 2 million a year if you just buy yet another property that you might visit someday? How does that help anyone? How does it help you?
Problem: You can’t legislate generosity
Now that’s part of what Jesus would say, but it doesn’t actually do much good because you can’t legislate generosity. You can’t make people live this way, even if they know it’s right.
Problem: We can’t change the human condition
Jesus ultimately didn’t come to change economic policy, no he came to change something harder than that: the human condition. So what Jesus would say to Wall St is that the way you’re devoted to and worried about money is grounded in a deeper problem.
Jesus would say, "Greed is idolatry"
Ultimately what people have done is that they’ve put their confidence and hope in something that isn’t worth it and can’t actually help...it's idolatry, and it's diabolical! Idolatry is to build your self-image, your hopes, your future on something that is a God substitute.
We keep thinking money will bring that for us, it calls out to us, it looks so attractive.
But Jesus says,
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.(Matthew 6:24)
What a warning this is. You can’t ultimately trust both, one will rule over the other.
So if the condition of the human heart is to forsake God and create idols, and especially money in the west. And if you can’t legislate generosity so people will do what they should with their money what can be done?
The Jesus bail out: Jesus would say, "Get really rich!"
The only way I can change and see the world as I should is to realise that God offers me something better, richer, deeper and more lasting than Wall St. So the Jesus bail out is to get really rich, by grabbing a hold of what is far more valuable.
Don’t you love this picture we get in Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Jesus speaks about finding something so valuable, its’ worth is incomparable to all you have and you’d easily trade everything to have it. To know Jesus, to know you have his blessing and favour, to be in his family…well that is of far more value and importance than to know Wall St and to have it’s blessing and favour.
For Jesus brings and offers all the riches of heaven for eternity for free to us, but at the highest price to him. For he though God, became human and laid his life down, giving up his riches, to forgive our poor, idolatrous hearts. And if this be true, then to be connected to, to be part of the divine bail out is actually the best investment, the most beautiful and safest place to be.
Jesus would say, "What a difference I bring"
So what is the 'cash' value of all this? Well you can start treating money like money, rather than serving it as your God. It can now be used to bless and love others, it can be used to invest in things of eternal value. Indeed if I understand and am grabbed by the gospel, I want to put my money into the things that matter to Jesus, because nothing now matters more to me. And it means I've truly found happiness, joy, security, certitiude...all the things we long for.
Money, Wall St. is a brutal master. It will let us down and when you fail it offers no hope. Jesus, will never abuse you like this, cannot let you down, and when you fail will forgive and restore you.
Now there's a bail out plan we need.
