Thrifty

In an article that David Brooks of the NYT recently wrote the rate of debt and spending in the U.S. is compared to the vice of smoking.  He sees the need to go after the institutions that promote debt in the same way advocacy groups have gone after tobacco companies.  An interesting read.  One sentence towards the end perked my attention.

With the rise of payday businesses that get 15 million customers every month that charge outrageous rates on fast cash, Brooks suggests this: “Foundations and churches could issue short-term loans to cut into the payday lenders’ business.”  Through listening to podcasts at Mars Hill I have heard of micro-loans to women in Africa in order to help them start businesses.  I have not heard of an organized ministry to provide affordable loans to people in our communities.  Certainly there are congregations that have the resources to do this and it would need to be with more discretion than what the payday businesses offer, but it makes sense.  

When my in-laws were newly married and looking for a home in St. Louis, they needed to borrow some money for the down payment.  Fortunately, they had an uncle who was wealthy enough to loan them the money with interest, but at a rate – get this – LOWER than what was available elsewhere.  Pretty amazing. 

How might our congregations facilitate these kinds of relationships with people in our community?  What would it take for our communities to use their money so blatantly and daringly for ministry?  Would you be willing to pool some cash, so a couple can put a down payment on a home and help rejuvenate a community?

photo by Tracy O.

~ by bsheets on June 11, 2008.