The budget this week made for depressing news, a country loaded with debt for 10 years at least, and the attempts to cure the problem will certainly take their toll on people, tax rises and spending cuts.

Over the week I have listened to young unemployed people describe how unemployment makes them feel, and interviews with some of Chicago's worst hit families who have taken children out of college as it becomes unaffordable, and who line up for grocery parcels.

How can we help people in these times is the question which I keep coming back to? Each of us needs to be imaginative and open to giving what practical help we can, either individually or through church or local projects to help those in our towns and villages who have been badly hurt by this economic downturn.

Even just a listening ear.Jesus' sermon on the mount warned of the dangers of placing too much emphasis on material wealth yet, and we may yet learn that lesson the hard way, but this gives little comfort at present to our friends and families who are really struggling. I came across Paul's final words to the church in Corinth and it seemed that this may be all we can offer right now, along with a willingness to serve in any way we are called.

"Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. Do all your work in love."
1 Corinthians 16 vs 13