First, an apology:

Okay, so I slipped a little.  I promised to keep my blog post updated and it has been several weeks since I posted last.  It seems that, with all the assignments, course readings, discussions, other papers to write, and the like- not to mention family and the needs they have, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep the blog site current.  The big ambition was to be able to write a new post every week.  The reality is becoming quite a different story however.  Nonetheless, I will still try- even if it is relatively sporadic at best, to keep posting new content. 

 

                                                                                                     

THEN and NOW

This week’s writing class introduced us to a little game called “The Box of Doom.”  Now, as intimidating as this title may be, the box actually favored me a little.  See, the sole purpose of this box was to collect, from our fellow classmates, a topic of doom.  We were to place in the box what we considered a hard topic to write on that was to be used by our classmates to construct their next blog post.  Well, as everyone else was pulling out topics that were more difficult, I reached in and drew the $1 that our instructor had placed in the box.  Thanks Adam, in this one single moment you doubled the amount I had in my wallet- AWESOME!  The adage of being a poor broke seminary student is no adage at all; rather it is a sad reality.  Therefore, rather than just take the $1 bill and run, I thought I would, for the sake of nostalgia, riff on this $1 theme for this entry.  Again, thanks Adam for providing the inspiration for this entry.

It is no doubt at all that a dollar bill just is not worth what a dollar used to be worth.  Inflation has quite literally stripped the dollar of its purchasing power.  Food, clothes, toys, health products, homes, cars, virtually everything has increased in price over time as the costs for production have also increased.  Modern living definitely has its advantages, but it comes as the cost of a dollar continually inflates.

Before we begin however, I must admit openly that neither finances nor money management are my strong suits.  In fact, aside from merely over-stating the obvious I have no idea really how inflation technically works.  I have no clue how to curb over-spending, aside from the obvious which is not spending more than you take in.  I am no economist, nor do I ever anticipate I will become one.  Therefore, this blog is not an economist’s approach to any sort of solutions.  Rather, this blog is simply a reminiscent look back at the value of things then versus their value now.  Then, maybe we can offer some theological insight as we close.  It is my hope, as always, to begin the conversation with you.

According to one report, “the cost of living in America has gone up about fifteen fold since the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.” (Charles B. Stockdale 2010) This may not come as any big surprise to you.  In this light, let us consider a few prices of some basic items and play them through from 1776 to the present.

In 1776:

• One ton of iron cost $63.73
•  A double-barreled shotgun cost three pounds (notice that in 1776 America was still using the British money system)
• One pound of coffee cost .13 silver dollars

In fact, in 1775 $1 was equal to $29 today.

In 1800:

• A dictionary cost $0.50
• A cow cost $10
• One pound of coffee cost $0.25

The money used was no longer British, as America had established its own monetary system.

Now, let’s fast-forward 100 years.

In 1900:

• A home in Brooklyn, NY cost between $7000-$12000
• An Oldsmobile car cost $650
• One pound of coffee cost $0.15, $0.10 less than it had in 1800

$1 in 1900 would equal $26.40 today.

In 1950:

•  A Corvette cost $3000
• The board game Monopoly cost $4
• One pound of coffee cost $0.79

$1 in 1950 would equal $8.91 today.

In 1975:

• A six pack of beer cost $1.49
• A ticket to the movies cost $1
•  A pound of coffee cost $1.49

$1 in 1975 would equal $3.98 today.

In 2000:

• A 12 pack of Bud Light cost $8.99
• A movie ticket cost $7.50
• A pound of coffee $3.54

$1 in 2000 would equal $1.25 today.

Today, 2012:

• A 12 pack of Bud Light costs $12.49
• A movie ticket costs $9.75
• A 12 ounce package of coffee $5.99

$1 today, is just that, $1.

You may be asking yourself why this all matters.  On the other hand, you may have completely glossed over as you read the information above.  Either way, one thing is certain; the value of $1 has and will continue to change drastically in our lifetime.  In fact, as the information above indicates, most likely the dollar will continue to lose its value.

Now, the theological perspective I hold is that Jesus owns it all.  The dollar may continue to lose its value because of increased competition and costs, but ultimately Jesus still owns it all.  He gifts us with what we have.  He does however require us to be wise stewards with what he has entrusted to us.  I believe the parable of the talents, as found in Matthew 25, points this out well.  With what he has gifted us come certain expectations, caring for the widow and the orphan (James 1:27), feeding and clothing the hungry and naked (Matthew 25: 31-46), and so much more.  The value of the dollar may be decreasing continually but the expectations Jesus places on us, as his disciples remains constant.

For this time, this is my view from the Open Road.

Works Cited:

Charles B. Stockdale, Michael B. Sauter, Douglas A. McIntyre. 24/7 Wall Street. September 16, 2010. http://247wallst.com/2010/09/16/the-history-of-what-things-cost-in-america-1776-to-today/ (accessed October 21, 2012).