Dear
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I'm republishing this old e-mail because of our current national emergency. What Moses and Jesus command is not optional. This is a Christian problem. I pray that we take it to heart.
Yours in Christ,
Herb Swanson aka Augie
Quote
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Dear family,
I’ve been approaching this same problem from the Bible. This talk approaches the problem from an economist’s
opinion. I stumbled on it by accident. Very interesting, and informative. A few observations:
·
These guys are selling something,
it’s not free, get the book from your local library.
·
Take the information seriously,
but keep your hand in your wallet and don’t let go.
·
What they say about real-estate
investment is true enough; but your house changes value because it’s getting older,
not because the amount you can sell it for changes. Baring natural disaster, your house will be worth
tomorrow, what it is worth today, minus one day’s worth of wear and tear. It is a roof over your head, it keeps the vermin
out, and it keeps you from freezing and heatstroke. Keep it up as best you can. It’s not changing value very rapidly.
·
Kill off debt, before it kills
you first: by all means, credit cards first, cars next, house last. Get used to paying cash.
·
Yes, I agree, almost all investments
are worthless; but a roof over your head, a car that moves, a shirt on your back,
and food in your belly are tangible investments with obvious worth. The Bible says, “Having food and raiment, let
us be therewith content.” I think that includes
basic healthcare, car, and house, and some other stuff. You’re able to figure it out.
·
Fine, if you’ve got too much
house, trade down to a cheaper house; but be careful, when we looked at this we
ended up with a smaller house alright, with the same payments. If you can’t pocket cash out of the deal, it’s
a looser.
·
Investments: A few years ago,
the joke was going around, “I being of sound mind, spent it all.” You can’t eat paper money, bonds, gold, etc. A little common sense will help you figure out
where to invest, for example:
·
If your old washing machine
is on its last legs, study Consumer Reports and find a good replacement. When you can afford to pay cash, get it. If we still have electricity 20 years from now,
it should still be working, and you’ll still have clean clothes. Very practical.
·
Buy a bicycle. You’ll have exercise and transportation, and maybe
even entertainment in one bundle and no gas.
I’m assuming you have strength to peddle. Very practical.
·
Remember those food hoarding
programs? Don’t go there. But if you like, start a garden, learn to can,
raise rabbits or chickens, etc. Live a more
simple life. These are investments you can
eat, and even wear.
·
Of course, there are still risks. The raccoons killed our son’s chickens and destroyed
his budding egg business. Oh well, he still
has a roof over his head. Still very practical.
Just build a better chicken coop next time.
·
Help your kids, your
neighbors, your friends, or anyone else you love get out of debt. Very practical.
·
What else is left in life? Sex with the man or woman you love? I’m too old for that.
The bottom line is, we are in trouble as a nation. This debt-slavery is no joke. Please take it seriously. I still trust the solution recommended by
Moses and dozens of other prophets, and guaranteed by Jesus Christ, the Son of
God. Jesus, I trust. This investment scenario or any other, I
don’t trust. But I think the info is
right on target. The specifics change
day-by-day, but the long-term principles never change.
·
Get out of debt and stay
out of debt.
·
Show mercy, hate cruelty,
help others in trouble; love your neighbor as yourself.
·
Never forget where all
blessings came from, love God with all your heart. You have a job because He gave it to
you. Become a more thankful person.
·
Enjoy sunrises, sunsets,
and the simple pleasures of life and remember that your Creator gave them all
to you.
·
Go to Church on Sunday, and
remember that the most powerful person in the universe is still in charge of
this mess.
Yours in Christ,
Herb Swanson, aka Augie
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