Not Only the "Heathen" Got Burned

One lesson of the Washington National Cathedral (see photo) that was lost on several other Washington-area churches is the wisdom of pay-as-you-go.

According to this morning's Washington Post newspaper, more than a few local congregations are in a bad way because of partnerships with property developers that -- in this challenging economic time -- have delivered far less than was promised. (Please click here to see the Post story.)

On a recent visit to the Cathedral, I was reminded that its construction was never permitted to get ahead of its financing. It may have taken 83 years to complete the job, but there is something to be said for both having a great house -- and no house payments.

I am more sympathetic than was one reader to the plight of the property-rich, but cash-poor, congregants featured in the newspaper story. Posting a comment in the online version of the story, "Bill," quoting Psalm 7:15, said: "He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, and has fallen into the hole which he made."

This story also reminds us that the current economic reckoning is adversely affecting even the kindest, best-intentioned, of souls, and that not only the "heathen" have gotten burned.