Sunday, April 05, 2009

Bank Bailout What Would Jesus Do?

Interesting isn't it. The banks and hedge fund gamblers are too big to fail, and those who are losing their homes get zilch. Where are our church leaders from all denominations who should be speaking up for their congregants as they suffer.
What would Jesus do. It's not hard to figure it out. He'd want the system to be fair and just. Here's his parable that seems to fit: Matthew Chapter 18 NASV


23"For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
24"When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
25"But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.
26"So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.'
27"And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.
28"But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, 'Pay back what you owe.'
29"So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you.'
30"But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.
31"So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened.
32"Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
33'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?'
34"And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
35"My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."


Granted Jesus is talking about spiritual forgiveness and is using a concrete example. He also exaggerates the money ammounts. But it would seem that if the taxpayers are expected to show mercy to the crooks who got us into this mess, there should be some relief for the people who are not only losing their jobs and their homes and paying the taxes these leeches are pocketing.

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