If it weren\u2019t so tragic it would be funny. \u00a0The news has been filled lately, whether on Fox, or CNN, or in the New York Times<\/em>, with average Americans <\/a>enraged <\/a><\/em>at the inability of our elected officials to manage our collective money. \u00a0Enraged! \u00a0 Hahahahaha!<\/p>\n The average American has three credit cards and is carrying, on average, $15,799 in credit card debt. <\/strong>We spend too much in our personal lives and reflect that problem when we vote for officials, some of whom promise cradle to grave security while others promise no new taxes, or even tax reductions. \u00a0Then you lock these wildly different views in a room and tell them to solve our national crisis, tell them to behave differently than the majority of Americans who put them there, \u00a0tell them to show some fiscal discipline. \u00a0When they don\u2019t we\u2019re angry? \u00a0We should be grateful. \u00a0They\u2019re holding a mirror up to our face to show us our collective national identity: undisciplined, and addicted to spending. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n You know we\u2019re trolling near the bottom of a new low when all the politicians involved celebrate the recent legislation as a victory for democracy and an example of bi-partisanship. \u00a0Victory? \u00a0In 15 years we\u2019ll be about 26 trillion in debt instead of 28 trillion. \u00a0Somehow I can\u2019t bring myself to throw a party just yet.<\/p>\n Here are the things that keep me from celebrating:<\/p>\n 1. Since it\u2019s a government of the people, we\u2019re getting what we deserve. <\/strong> We spend too much as private citizens, laying down our plastic on the altar of credit card machines so that we live beyond our means. \u00a0Why should we be surprised that those who rule do the same? \u00a0Until there\u2019s a profound culture shift, exposing the god of consumerism for the slavish taskmaster that he is, this sham will continue.<\/p>\n 2. Shopping our way out isn\u2019t a good answer.<\/strong> I say this because every time I read something about the economy, I hear that the problem is people don\u2019t shop enough, and this is why manufacturers aren\u2019t making more stuff. \u00a0Just this morning, someone gave the \u201calarming\u201d report that savings rates jumped last month. \u00a0While I understand that savings rates rooted in fear aren\u2019t ultimately healthy, the implication was clear: \u00a0if more people would shop, we would be in this mess. \u00a0\u201cReally?\u201d I ask. \u00a0\u201cWhat about the nearly 3 trillion dollars of existing consumer debt being carried by the public? \u00a0Do you think that increasing consumer debt is a long term solution?\u201d \u00a0If so, you should run for office.<\/p>\n The shopping solution is also unsustainable. \u00a0We already consume way more than our fair share of the planets resources, and the options of either increasing our share, or turning the developing world into consumers are both unpalatable and unsustainable. \u00a0There are other ways<\/a>, but nobody\u2019s listening.<\/p>\n 3. Real people get out of debt by addressing both sides of the equation<\/strong>. \u00a0Maybe they take out a 2nd job, at the same time that they cancel cable and stop eating out. \u00a0They buy their jeans at Costco instead of Nordstroms. \u00a0They don\u2019t buy a big new car with big new monthly payments. \u00a0Soon, they\u2019ve paid it down, and much quicker because they addressed the spending and income sides at the same time. \u00a0But Washington protects entitlements and<\/em> a small minority of officials think that addressing the income side by taxing people who send their children to camp in private jets, and Exxon<\/a>, will somehow destroy the country so new taxes are also off the bargaining table. \u00a0With entitlements and<\/em> taxes both off the table I promise you the problems will only get worse.<\/p>\n You and I can\u2019t solve this, but the recent months have had the uplifting effect of confirming what I already suspected: only the ethic of God\u2019s reign will offer any kind of decent alternative to the madness that\u2019s gripped our money loving world.<\/em><\/strong> Sure we\u2019ll vote later. \u00a0If you think entitlements are the biggest problem, you\u2019ll vote Republican. \u00a0If you think we need more taxes you\u2019ll vote Democrat. \u00a0And unless there\u2019s a gigantic paradigm shift due to some cataclysm, all the nonsense in the other Washington will continue unchanged, no matter how you vote.<\/p>\n Right in the midst of this culture, though, we can purpose to align our lives with God\u2019s kingdom ethics. \u00a0What does that mean?<\/p>\n 1. We\u2019ll live within our means.<\/strong> God promises that we\u2019ll always have enough resources to live the life to which we\u2019re called, and if that\u2019s true then I\u2019ll live within my means. \u00a0I\u2019m called to a Yaris, not a Lexus \u2013 called to bike more than I drive \u2013 called to cook great food in my backyard more often than I drop $80 at a fine dining establishment.<\/p>\n 2. We\u2019ll save enough to give some away.<\/strong> God\u2019s people have always been called to a life of generosity, freely giving of the resources entrusted to us so that we can be a blessing. \u00a0Sometimes it\u2019s time, sometimes it\u2019s money \u2013 but whatever it is, we say this: \u00a0\u201cfreely we\u2019ve received \u2013 freely we give.\u201d \u00a0That\u2019s a lot harder to do when credit card debt is whispering \u201cyou owe me\u201d in my ear.<\/p>\n 3. We\u2019ll think about how our purchases affect the world. <\/strong> I\u2019ve pretty much given up on hormone and antibiotic laced meat, and am increasingly trying to buy local food. \u00a0I know I buy stuff that\u2019s manufactured in unjust conditions, but I\u2019m trying to pay attention and do less of that. \u00a0I know that the endless growth paradigm of shopping our way to global prosperity isn\u2019t the answer. \u00a0I know there are people offering alternatives. \u00a0I\u2019m participating in those conversations.<\/p>\n