Paying the piper

In Britain this week all eyes have been focused on George Osborne’s budget. Well, all except the millions who watched England recover some semblance of respect by beating Slovenia and then throw it all away on Sunday. (Or did they?).

But back to the budget. Reaction has been varied. But the vox pops all seem to have one theme – we need to do this, but it shouldn’t affect me.

The bulk of the developed world has been living on borrowed money and borrowed time. The good times have rolled, and now the bill has been presented. It is larger than we would like.

In Greece crowds have taken to the streets to protest against the austerity measures and it may well happen elsewhere. But, like it or not, the piper has to be paid.

The letters to the churches, set in the context of the whole of Revelation, remind us that Christ is in control of human history. This gives us a positive message in troubled times.

But there is another side. The poor can end up paying the heaviest price. George Osborne has tried to avoid this, but there are questions – only time will tell.

Hannah and Mary celebrate a God who cares about justice and will bring equity. If we do not see it now, is it because we are not that bothered about kingdom values?

Who will speak for the woman I met recently in a Nairobi slum; over 70 with no income and struggling to bring up five great-grandchildren? Who today will dare to sing of a God who will bring down the rich and exalt the poor?
John Grayston