What a great line Cuba Gooding Jr. delivered in the movie Jerry Maguire.  Show me the money.  I think Americans really grabbed hold of this line because I know very few people who don’t want more of it.

I recently read an article in Forbes Daily that Americans greatest stressor in life is money.  In a survey the Harris Poll conducted with 3,100 people, 72% reported feeling stress about money.  Every 3 out of 4 people you know are feeling stress about their bank accounts.  Shoot, I wake up every morning and see a guy a little stressed about money.

As I think about that, I think about the houses I’ve been to or see lined up in certain areas around me that have to be 3,000 square feet or more, most with pools and firepits with relatively new cars in the driveway.  There’s a lot of people out there with really big mortgages and car payments and they have to make lots of money to keep up.  Then there are those who have racked up so much credit card debt and have nothing to show for it.  Sadly, I know those type of people too well.

There’s lots of money out there, lots of debt out there, lots of homeless people out there and lots of smart people out there.  Doesn’t it seem we should be able to put all of that together and come up with some rules for society that makes life better for everyone?  While I know we cannot legislate morality, let me dream for a minute…

Anyone making more than 7X the average income in their area will either be taxed at 40% on that amount OR will not be taxed at all on that income if given to IRS approved faith based agencies that help the poor among us.

Crazy, I know.

Lenders who charge an interest rate higher than 5% over the prime rate will pay a 75% tax on the income over that amount or will not be taxed on that income if given to IRS approved faith based agencies that help the poor among us.

Crazy, I know.

My daughter tells me I’m crazy all the time.

Any American citizen giving more than 10% of their gross income to IRS approved faith based agencies will not be taxed on the amounts over 10%.

Crazy, I know.

Yes, I know there would have to be regulation on approved agencies.  Yes, I know it isn’t as easy as writing it down in a random blog.  Yes, I know people will try to find loopholes.  I know nothing is easy when it comes to money.

BUT, what if money started flowing to organizations that are striving to help the poor, the beaten down, the mentally unstable…the veterans who have served our country and come back with physical and mental problems I cannot begin to fathom?  What if?

What if?

Grace and peace.