In Luke’s gospel, John the Baptist is calling on the people to ‘repent.’  He wants them to turn away from their sinful ways and return to a relationship with God.  The people thought that they if they kept doing what they were doing- they were good.  But John has something else in mind.  He says “Just because Abraham is your ancestor doesn’t mean that you’re going to be fine.  You have to produce fruit!” 

The amazed people, say, “John- how do we do that?”

“John answered, ‘The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.’ 

Tax collectors also came to be baptized.  ‘Teacher,’ they asked, ‘what should we do?’ 

John said, ‘Don’t collect any more than you are required to,’ John told them.”  (Luke 3:10-13)    

So, the government came up with a bipartisan plan to bolster the economy.  I am not an economist, but like you I pay taxes.  I am not a politician, but I vote.  Because I pay taxes and I vote in elections, I feel that I have a right to share my opinion.  My opinion may differ from yours—and hopefully that’s okay.   Every now and then our government does something that requires even faith leaders to take notice. 

I don’t know if handing out 2 trillion dollars is a good solution.  I don’t have any idea what that even looks like.  If you had 10 stacks of a hundred billion dollars that would equal a trillion.  Or think of it this way: a trillion is equal to a million times a million.  You would have to make a million dollars, a million times and then you would have a trillion dollars!  Now do that again.  Two trillion dollars is an inconceivable amount.  Is that money even real?  Where does it come from?  Where will it come from?  If they can do it now to ‘save the economy,’ then why couldn’t it be done for other purposes.  Imagine what a 2 trillion dollars could have done for our school systems, health care, poverty, college debt, etc.     

These are political and economic questions that are far above my pay grade.  People much smarter and more connected are making the decisions.  So, what are the decisions we can make? 

Maybe, you’ll be the beneficiary in some way of the stimulus package.  Maybe you are a small business owner, or the CEO of some industry leader that won’t be able to recover your Q1 or Q2 earnings.  You might need a nice loan to help you through the tough times.  But what about the majority of people who are going to get $1200 (assuming that is the number).   If you are married with a child, perhaps you and your spouse will come into $2900.

What are you going to do with the money?  I think this says a lot about who we are and what we value.    

Do you go out and make a major purchase?  A TV, an appliance or a new computer would be nice.

Do you spend it on a much needed vacation?  Let’s face it, this social distancing isolation is really making us want to break loose and get out of our houses, far, far away from our houses.      

Do you stuff it under your mattress?  Can you trust the banks or financial institutions? Do you have faith in the Dow?

Some people might pay on their credit cards for purchases already made.  Think of how much you could run them up while sitting on your couch in a period of prolonged isolation and boredom.

Some people need the funds to get them through a period of under- or unemployment. 

You might spend it on an amazing entertainment opportunity- after all it’s ‘found money.’ 

You might even donate it to your favorite charity (the church for instance).

I think Uncle Sam wants us to spend it.  I think the plan is to get us all to put it back into the system.  I think the $1200 (or $2900) is supposed to grease the wheels of the giant locomotive.   It’s eerily similar to a former president telling us after a national tragedy to go shopping.     

I will say that I was a little disappointed when I thought I might not get this windfall.  After all, $1200 for doing absolutely nothing is kind of a dream.  I did not earn this money.  I did nothing to merit a check being deposited into my account.  I am not sure what the true cost will be.  Again, I am not a politician or an economist.  I am a faith leader and small time theologian.  I do care about the morals, value and faith of the people—and I pray that decisions we make will be fair and just for as many people as possible.     

Maybe I’m wrong but I think that if you looked at someone’s checkbook right now, that would tell you exactly what they plan to do with their sudden windfall.   I am relatively secure in my position, but I know that there are many who are not.   This is bridge money to sustain us through the uncertain times ahead.   I pray that we all have enough faith to sustain us through uncertain times. 

It is my hope that in the days ahead we will heed the wise words of the faith leaders that have come before us and we can live out the golden rule.   We can continue to be kind to one another because it cost us absolutely nothing and it is worth everything. 

What would John the Baptist say today?  Perhaps the man with two rolls of toilet paper could share a roll with the man who has none.