Should the Government Fix The Economy? A Case for Saying "No."

I really appreciate this article at politico.com arguing against the soon to be passed (it seems) government stimulus bill. I have been thinking more and more that the move just doesn't make sense for long term economic health. Here are some reasons I have.
1. The premise of all the stimulus is that we need consumers to borrow and spend so that the economy can run well. However, the billions of dollars of credit debt racked up by the average American household are not a sign of economic health in the affected households, and encouraging people toward more debt is the last thing they need. Whether we give people a check to spend, or give it to banks to loan, we are not addressing the fundamental problem of having an economy that relies on overspending.
2. The idea that investing in the nation's infrastructure is a good stimulus is ridiculous. How much of this money will get spent in the next few weeks and months? Estimates are that it will take at least 2 years to see half of it spent. How will that lead to economic recovery in the near term? Infrastructure improvements are a good idea, but they are not an economic stimulus.
3. Back to back trillion dollar deficits (expected if this plan passes, and certain if more "stimulus" is called for) will make long term economic health for the national economy unlikely.
4. Government money will lead to greater government control and regulation of banking, of investment, and of those contractors and businesses seeking to do the infrastructure improvements. Already some are objecting that the stimulus bill requires that only companies who verify the legal status of all employees may receive stimulus money. That may be a very good idea for all businesses, but why tie it to the stimulus? And who will enforce this? Will there be an "Office of Stimulus Regulation Compliance?"
5. The rush to pass this will lead to even more waste and mismanagement than most government spending plans. We haven't really thought this through, but various departments and offices will get millions and be told--"spend this now!" It will be a lot of fun for a few people for a little while, but can you imagine all the investigative reports that will be coming out on stimulus waste and how negatively that will affect the credibility of the program, not to mention the government?

This is a moment where people are slowing spending, and even thinking about saving. That is a good thing--a VERY good thing. Will it hurt banks and some businesses in the short and medium term? Yes, it will. But it might just change the fundamentals of our economic planning and policies to encourage living within your means, buying less on credit, and rewarding savings rather than debt. These would be good moves for the families of America.

There's no one as Irish as Barack O'Bama

This is just a little silliness for the day.

Tim Tebow Video on ESPN

The Florida Gator's QB is much more than a talented athlete. He is a committed follower of Jesus who spends much of his time in missionary ministry in the Philippines. Watch this video to see a slice of his life.

Follow Up on the Last Post

This article in the New York Times is a report on the ministry of Tim Keller and Redeemer Prebyterian Church. Note that they rent space in three buildings to meet--one of them is First Baptist Church on the Upper West Side (A side note--Dr. Arthur Williams once pastored this GARBC affiliated church; a rather sad report about the congregation's current needs is found here).

One of my favorite quotes in the story is about the church's approach to having an impact on its culture.

"If you seek power before service, you'll neither get power, nor serve," he said. "If you seek to serve people more than to gain power, you will not only serve people, you will gain influence. That's very much the way Jesus did it."

As a result, one of Redeemer's hallmarks has always been its focus on charity, something it emphasizes in its training of urban pastors. It operates a program called Hope for New York that arranges volunteer opportunities for people from Redeemer with 35 different partner organizations. Last year, 3,300 people from the church volunteered their time.

Read this book!

The Reason for God by Tim Keller is a refreshing and challenging book on speaking to a skeptical world about God. It is thoroughly engaging, and makes the reader want to know more about the very unique ministry Pastor Keller has in Manhattan--a growing and vibrant tradition PCA church in the midst of one of the most liberal and diverse cultures in the country. Go ahead--read it and let it make you think. You can also visit the website for the book here.

Beginning 2009 with the Glories of Jesus

A new year begins, but the focus of this year--as well as of our entire lives--ought to be the magnificence of Jesus Christ. I read Hebrews 1 this morning, and there in the first four verses the author gives us nine beautiful glories that make God's revealing himself to us in Jesus so amazing.

1. Jesus is the Son of God. No one else can claim this exalted role, nor has the love of the Father poured out upon him as Jesus does. Our Savior reconciles us not to a stranger, but to his Father.
2. Jesus is God's appointed heir of all things. There is nothing in his universe that is not given to Jesus to save or to judge. It is all his, and for his joy.
3. Jesus is the creator of the world. He made everything and holds it together according to the Father's plan (Col. 1:15-17). He owns all, including us, by virtue of creation.
4. Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God. If we ever want to understand how glorious the God is, we simply must look upon and meditate on Jesus as he is revealed in the Bible.
5. Jesus is the exact imprint of God's nature. The invisible God is fully manifested to us in the visible, incarnate Son.
6. Jesus upholds the universe by the word of his power. Not only does he make us and everything else, he sustains it with all that is necessary to continue to exist, to know, to love, to relate--everything.
7. Jesus is the one who made purification for sins. My sins and yours do not await purification. By faith the purifying sacrifice of Jesus is applied to us. And it is done--our past is truly past.
8. Jesus is enthroned in Heaven. We long for his coming to reign on earth, but he reigns now. He has completed the central work of history in his redeeming death and resurrection, and now he is enthroned next to the Father. He is not a coming, future King, but a King who is rules now from Heaven and will rule fully on earth.
9. Jesus is superior to all angelic beings due to his identity. His name, given to signify his work, identifies him as greater than beings so great that even apostles can't keep from wanting to worship them (see Rev. 22:8-9).

Such a Savior can and will have all people and angels worship him--even those who are compelled at the end of the age to do so against their rebellious wills (Phil. 2:9-11, Heb. 1:6). How amazing that he invites us to worship him freely and to experience the joys that come from belonging to him! No better start to a year exists than to choose to glory, to revel, to marvel in Jesus.