Shaping the future

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It’s not uncommon for me to lapse into the false identity of someone who has no power to shape the future. That’s obviously “false” because my wife’s and my sharing/saving/spending practices are potential future-shapers. Where we choose to place our financial assets is one way we can affect the changes we hope will dawn as this pandemic gradually recedes.

Because we want to assist organizations that assist those who are poor, we will contribute funds, foodstuffs and household items. Because we want to defeat the policies of the present Administration, we will donate money to progressive political campaigns. Because we want to keep our congregation financially stable, we will maintain our annual financial pledge.

Because we hope to help ensure our children’s future economic stability, we will keep adding to our savings accounts. Because we worry about increasing health costs, we’ll invest money (and time) in healthy lifestyle practices now.

Because we want to help settle the world economy into a less-consumptive framework, we will purchase only what we need. Because certain companies are exemplary corporate citizens, we will buy their products. Because racial equity is important to us, we will patronize businesses owned by people of color. Because we want to stop the deterioration of the world’s climate, we will buy/use less plastic, drive fewer miles and refrain from over-warming or over-cooling our home.

We can see ourselves as part of the larger economy, one place where the future is shaped. Each of our financial decisions—sharing/saving/spending—provides power for change. However limited our resources, we can shepherd them carefully for maximum effect.

In doing so, we can set aside any notions of powerlessness, and we can be grateful for all our blessings.

And our future-shaping possibilities!

About the author

Bob Sitze

BOB SITZE has filled the many years of his lifework in diverse settings around the United States. His calling has included careers as a teacher/principal, church musician, writer/author, denominational executive staff member and meat worker. Bob lives in Wheaton, IL.

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By Bob Sitze

Bob Sitze

BOB SITZE has filled the many years of his lifework in diverse settings around the United States. His calling has included careers as a teacher/principal, church musician, writer/author, denominational executive staff member and meat worker. Bob lives in Wheaton, IL.

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