One must find balance among spiritual, moral and financial
Scripture reading: Matthew 18:23-34. Text: Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if _HE_ _HAS_ _ENOUGH_ _MONEY_ to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, This fellow began to build and was not able to finish. Luke 14:28-30. As we close the old year and start the new one, on one hand, we look back to evaluate the last 12 months, and on the other, we wish to see into the future and plan accordingly. There are a few words that scare us, the buzzword is: DEFICIT. The repulsive word is: DEBT. The magic word is: BALANCE. The words of jubilee are PROFIT and SURPLUS. Why do I mention these words? Because in most cases, January 1 is the beginning of the new fiscal year and to balance the budget is a great challenge starting with the federal government down to our own household.
DOES THE FINANCIAL HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON WITH THE SPIRITUAL?
Directly not much. It is best if the church does not get involved into financial matters, however, indirectly, we will find strong correlation between the legal tender and our spirituality. The roots and fruits of what we earn and how we spend it have a far-reaching effect on us.
From the words I mentioned in the introduction, I wish to emphasize this one: DEFICIT. Almost on every level we cope with deficit. There are only three possibilities to eliminate deficit and keep the budget in balance: 1. to increase the present income; 2. to find new source of revenue; and 3. to decrease the expenses.
We do not wish to meddle in economics, it is not our field, however, we should ask ourselves, does the Bible have anything to say concerning our financial responsibilities and obligations? Concerning Jesus financial commitment please read Matthew 17:24-27. He had also encouraged the people to pay Caesar whatever is due, please see Matthew 22:17-21. Apostle Paul had the same opinion, see Romans 13:6-7.
WE FEEL A SPIRITUAL BALANCE SHOULD PRECEDE THE FISCAL ONE.
One of the most money-wasting lifestyle is immorality, dishonesty and lawlessness. I am just mentioning the keywords and please think what they mean in terms of expenses for the government and the society? Narcotics and law enforcement. Crime and investigation. Litigation and legal expenses. Unreported income and tax evasion. Price fixing and unethical business practices. Taking jobs overseas and asking for concessions. Irresponsible spending and wasting taxpayers’ money. Have you seen this program on the TV: “Fleecing of America?”
What are our humble suggestions in respect to these unhappy observations? Please increase, strengthen and/or raise the level of the following noble traits: honesty, consciousness, morality, community spirit and patriotism. Most of the people will agree that this recommendation sounds nice, however, when there is a price to pay to practice them, what will happen then? We like to display the flag of the U.S.A. as a token of our love for our country but will we go as far as to file an honest income tax return? We feel that not the pocket will touch our heart favorably, but our heart will affect our financial policies. We are convinced what the world suggests is not enough, namely let our head, stomach and pocket be full and that will make us happy, because we add to it, let the heart be full also with spiritual fruits: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23.
We definitely believe and profess that you deserve a decent honorarium for your hard and honest work, you have the privilege to use your income the way you wish, and you have the right to invest your savings, however, you should also meet your financial obligation toward your family, community, society, country, and faith.
Two Bible quotations should close this meditation: For the _LOVE_ _OF_ MONEY_ is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10, and: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, DO YOU TRULY _LOVE_ _ME_ _MORE_ THAN THESE? John 21:15.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.