c. 1997 Religion News Service

(Dale Hanson Bourke is the publisher of Religion News Service and author of”Turn Toward the Wind.”)

UNDATED _”Don’t worry, be happy!”That was the essence of Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan’s recent message to Congress on the U.S. economy. His comments sent stock prices soaring and caused bewildered economists to search still harder for reasons to explain one of the strongest and longest growth periods in U.S. history.

What some once considered an economic blip has become a bonafide trend of slow but steady growth. Even the most pessimistic forecasters have stopped trying to predict when it will end.

So what accounts for our economic good fortune?

The fact is, no one really knows. Economists have tried explaining it and have found nearly every theory lacking. Greenspan has even suggested that our economy may have changed in a fundamental way, potentially ending our economic rollercoaster ride.

I have a theory of my own.

What if God has decided to give us a cosmic break? What if the Great Economist in the sky moved all the pieces around in just the right way, offering us a chance to take a deep breath, stop worrying so much about money, and decide what we truly value?

And what if now God is waiting for us to say,”Thanks. We didn’t really deserve this, but it sure is nice.” Or perhaps God wants to see what we’re really made of. If that’s the case, we had better start worrying again: This economic upswing has been characterized by great exuberance, but little gratitude; by much celebration, but minimal compassion. It has filled our pocketbooks, but emptied our souls.

During this time of sustained growth and good fortune, we have decided to get tough on welfare recipients and immigrants, while working on tax breaks for the wealthy.

As we experience record-breaking low unemployment, we have denied many non-citizens the opportunity to take jobs most Americans don’t even want.

And as the average American watches modest stock portfolios and retirement savings soar, the poorest Americans have simply grown poorer.

Americans, buoyed by the economic wave, have not noticed those drowning in its rising waters. It’s as if we have come to believe we deserve these economic windfalls, while those who haven’t benefited must have been too lazy, or too dull, to take advantage of this newfound wealth.

We have become like spoiled children, insatiable for ourselves and unwilling to share with others.

As Shakespeare observed in”The Merchant of Venice”:”They are as sick that surfeit with too much as they who starve with nothing.” For those of us who have benefited from the strong economy, it’s time to pause and reflect on these words from the Gospel of Luke:”Where a man has been given much, much will be expected of him.” The growth of the economy is not something we deserve, but since we have this breathing time, let’s consider what it is we truly value. Then, let’s act on the principles that have historically made this country great in good economic times and in bad.”It’s not just the economy, stupid,”should be our revised slogan. What matters is how we use our wealth and how we treat the weak, the young and the poor among us.

America has always been a place that takes care of its own and encourages everyone to move up the economic ladder, even when they need help getting started. And it has been a place where generosity is valued.

With Wall Street so bountiful, it’s time to increase the worth of our personal stock by reaffirming the values we hold dear.

MJP END BOURKE