With all of the current economic uncertainty it is important for the church to be continually instructing the people of God. Christ's sheep must be fed, not only the milk but also solid (meaty) food. The Bible gives a blueprint for how we can live our lives in humble obedience to God. These blueprints extend to the field of our personal, family, church and state finances. This is particularly the case for debt. Much of what we have experienced through the ongoing global financial crisis roots in misuse of debt; governmental (i.e. sovereign), individual and institutional (e.g. purchasing and selling packaged debt via an investment vehicle). Mainstream economists and most Christians follow some form of Keynsian economics. What is that you ask? Well, with regard to a depression/recession those economists who follow John Maynard Keynes "recommend deficit spending to moderate or end a recession, especially a severe one.

Tough times are being experienced across the developed world. Unemployment is high, companies are closing their doors and our buck doesn’t buy quite what it used to. What should we do in times like this? There are two options; be thrifty with what you have or spend what is yours (or even not yours). I think most would agree that when financial times are tough it is wise to tighten up one’s belt and stop spending. Perhaps I’m a simpleton. To me it is obvious; when times are tough household spending and debt levels should naturally reduce and savings increase. If the family does not know whether dad will have a job or the business will keep producing the same income; expenditure is cut wherever possible. Right? Does this make sense? It does to me. Well, hang on then. Why is it then that at the outset of the recent financial recession our government opened the spending and national debt floodgate? A future generation’s freedom has been mortgaged to provide the wants of a few groups now. Have I missed something here? I think I might have, perhaps the simpleton label will stick!