Economical Turmoil

While I have been on maternity leave I've had the opportunity to spend plenty of time watching what is happening in the world around me on television while I bond and FEED my daughter. (She's quite a good eater, I might add...meaning I spend A LOT of time feeding her!) I've watched carefully these past few weeks as the economy has wobbled and the government bailed out this group and that. I've had a friend lose his job as a result of the latest market craziness. And our President came on television today to say, and I paraphrase, (I used the DVR 8 second button to make sure I heard him right) "we will persecute those (CEOS) who knowingly take advantage of investors." (He really did say persecute instead of prosecute. Yep, he is still our president until January.)
In her book Tribal Church, Carol Howard Merritt talks about the complex economic realities facing not only young people but all generations. Her words about how issues around money get lost in translation between generations is important for all folks in the Church to hear. She talks about how it is almost impossible for single young people to live on the salaries they make these days (which she points out is why many couples move in together before they marry-- it is a practical issue-- they can't afford not to!) She clearly states the way that Boomers are not willing to loan their children money to put a down payment on a house or to buy a sensible vehicle because they are scared to dip into their savings for retirement. (Though their parents loaned them the money at their children's age to do the same!) Since Boomers are living longer there is a need and desire to have adequate savings so that they can live comfortably into their golden years.
This brings me back to the rocky market and buyouts. Because of the way things have been handled, an already unsteady situation for many people in our pews has become even more so. As the Church, facing smaller tithes and offerings because of the financial hardship facing many faithful disciples, we are challenged to find ways to pay our bills and lovingly respond to the stewardship issues and crises facing our people. How do we respond when someone is about to lose their house because of the mortgage crisis? Are there ways for the Church to translate faithful stewardship in ways that doesn't sound self-serving?