The prescience of Thomas Jefferson

I'm not suggesting that he was predicting our current economic events, but I was intrigued to discover this quotation today:

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. "
- Thomas Jefferson

In the week when the G20 will gather in London, and we will see a range of demonstrations and protests, it would be good to give some thought to how we should engage with the current crisis. I don't work in the realms of high finance or in the competitive environment of the City, and I don't expect that there will be anti-capitalist protesters rampaging in the streets of Arbroath or Perth this week. But maybe that's a good starting point - to remember and pray for those who work in London who will have concerns about going to work this week.

I also think that we, the church, need to start thinking and talking about how we would like to see our economies after the crunch. Aye, we need to help those who are adversely affected by it now, but we also need to look ahead and begin to articulate an approach that we see as being consistent with Jesus' values. There is an opportunity here, if we are willing to accept it.