The economic crisis in Europe, launched by the calamity in Greece, caused me to realize we are a global economy. What happens anywhere on the planet can affect the whole world, and resources are limited. So, we all need to help. But what can an American Christian do to improve the situation?
The crisis in Greece nearly caused the nation to default on its debt. The euro, the official currency of Greece and 15 other European nations, lost value because of this fear. Stock markets around the world also dropped because of Greece’s struggles. Some economists feared that if Greece defaulted, other nations also would default.
Two other recent events illustrate how interconnected economies are. A BP-owned oil well spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The spreading oil hurt both the fishing and tourism industries in areas adjacent to the Gulf coast. So great was the possible economic loss that BP set up a $20 billion fund to cover damages.
On Aug. 5, thousands of miles away in Copiapo, Chile, 33 miners were trapped when a copper mine collapsed. Fortunately, it appears they will be rescued. What is telling is a statement found on a UPI press release following the disaster: the disaster “put lives of 33 miners at risk and raised concerns that copper prices might experience another spike. … This time the fate of 33 miners trapped underground since last Thursday remains in the balance while traders weigh the impact of the incident on the market. Chile is the world’s largest producer of copper.”
American Christians need to recognize that their spending and consumption patterns impact the global economy. The American lifestyle increases the pressure on companies to provide raw materials such as gas and copper. Living simpler lives will reduce the demand on natural resources like copper and oil. As we reduce our consumption levels, we can pray that others in our world may see in our actions that God can transform economic habits. We can purchase fair-trade products, build green and use resources more conservatively.
Christians need the support and encouragement of a like-minded community of faith to persevere in these kind of individual actions. Find a church and become a part of a church that shares your values and is working as a community to address these issues. Remember that there is power in numbers, which leads me to a final suggestion: Look for opportunities to get involved in the public arena. Many of the areas of spending and resource consumption have spawned groups that lobby governments for change and offer resources to help church and individuals make a difference. One such group is Texas Impact. You can access their web site at http://texasimpact.org/Lone_Star_Stewards.
David Morgan is pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Harker Heights, Texas. Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology. Contributors include writes in Virginia, Texas, Missouri and other states. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to [email protected].