Right now, some people hope Kansas City will get more streetcars and tracks . . . and then more . . . and then more. But not everyone thinks this is a good idea. Two years ago, people in Kansas City took a vote. “Should we pay for three more streetcar networks?” Most people said, “No!”

A new network of streetcars would run toward the south and east sides of the city. People could easily ride to an expensive shopping plaza. They could travel to a college campus. Building the lines would cost taxpayers oodles of money.

But the U.S. government loves the idea of streetcars. The government has already given away $547.7 million dollars to cities across the country just for that purpose. Lines have started in Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, and Tucson. For the Kansas City line, the U.S. government gave $37.3 million. More money came from extra taxes paid by people living near the new streetcar line.

God likes it when things work in an orderly way. Government is a way for people to organize themselves so they can live together well. Do the new streetcars help with this? So far, people in Kansas City seem to like them. But they might not like paying for them. Will the government’s big idea actually help the city?

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. — 1 Corinthians 14:33