October 19--In God We Trust

Matthew 22:15-22

John Boehner spoke the fundamental truth in his floor speech just before the passage of the $700 billion rescue/bailout legislation a couple of weeks ago, regardless of how we feel about his politics. The House Republican minority whip reminded Congressional leaders that the motto on our money is “In God We Trust.” And he called upon God to help us through this crisis, concluding that God’s help was the only thing that would ultimately suffice.

He’s right. Separation of church and state, respect for religious pluralism, and implementation of just economic policies aside, John Boehner is right. If our lectionary study these past several weeks has taught us anything it is that God alone is worthy of our trust in the midst of economic uncertainty; God alone is our salvation; God alone has abundance to share . . . and expects us to share it in return.

Even The Boston Globe noticed that the lectionary texts over the past few weeks have focused on “God’s economy,” just at the time the rest of us have focused on the all-too turbulent machinations of our own global economy. “As Congress debated and President Bush signed a bailout for Wall Street,” the Globe reported on Saturday, October 11, “clergy have been pondering from the pulpit the pros and cons of capitalism, their reactions ranging from condemnation of financiers to soothing spiritual succor for average folks suffering financial setbacks” (“Subprime Thoughts in Sublime Settings,” B2).

God does have something to teach us about faithful economics, I would argue, just at the time we are all getting a crash course on commercial paper and market liquidity. God does have something to teach us about trusting God’s abundance and receiving it with gratitude . . . and then responding to that abundance with faithful stewardship of all we have been given.

In God’s economy, we have learned these past many weeks, those who govern can and will forgive massive debts . . . but they then expect such forgiveness to be extended to others (Mt 18, 09/14). In God’s economy, we have learned, every worker can and will receive a living wage, regardless of that worker’s perceived productivity (Mt 20, 09/21). In God’s economy, we have learned, a wandering tribe of outcasts escaping slavery can and will receive bread and meat and water that will only come when it is needed . . . but it cannot ever be hoarded (Ex 17, 09/28). In God’s economy, we have learned, our communal lives are ordered by a complete and utter devotion to a dynamic and mysterious “ground of being,” which limits the consequences of our greed and envy (Ex 20, 10/05). In God’s economy—and in our own economy—we have learned, the god of gold will never save us, but God’s steadfast love will endure forever (Ex 32, 10/12).

What more do we have to learn, as we approach another Sunday, as we approach another week of market turmoil, as we approach another month of recession and job loss and political uncertainty? What more do we have to learn, as we compare our economy to God’s economy and find ours wanting?

“Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?” Matthew’s type-cast Pharisees and Herodians ask of Jesus in our gospel text for the week. “We know you are an honest man and teach the truth of God’s way.”

They are not asking an honest question, of course. They are trying to trap him. The tax is a hated instrument of Roman power and is—debatably—idolatrous. It is also the law. If Jesus answers in the affirmative, he is discredited among his most avid followers. If he answers in the negative, he is handed over to Roman authorities. Can Jesus give an honest answer?

“Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s,” Jesus says. “And give to God the things that are God’s.”

This ends the conversation. But it is only just beginning. Because everything, of course, belongs to God.

So give to Wall Street the things that are Wall Street’s, Jesus might be saying to us today. And give to God the things that are God’s. Our economy is not God’s economy, he might declare to us boldly. But here is how we can put into practice what we have learned:

--We can plead with our rulers to forgive massive debts—and expect such forgiveness to be extended to all. We can plead with our creditors for mercy—and we can extend that mercy to those who owe us (Mt 18, 09/14);

--We can strengthen our social safety net to make sure everyone has access to the basic necessities of life, knowing that we are also included in that safety net (Mt 20, 09/21);

--We can accept with gratitude God’s generous provision for our survival, even if it pales in comparison with the luxury to which we have grown accustomed (Ex 17, 09/28);

--We can place our primary trust in the God who is dynamic and indefinable, not confined to our fears, not pinned down by our panic—and allow that trust to order the ethical relations of our common life (Ex 20; 10/05);

--We can repent of our worship of the god of gold and turn once more to the God who remains with us always, who gives us opportunity in the midst of chaos, who will not abandon us to the evil we create (Ex 32; 10/12).

Give to God the things that are God’s, Jesus says to us over and over. God has already given everything to you. You can trust in that. You can depend on that. And you can share that with everyone you meet.

May we who would be faithful have the courage to trust what we have learned and to share these lessons broadly. Now is the time.

Gusti Linnea Newquist


(additional lectionary texts for this week: Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)