Winning Words 5/17/13
“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”  (Ronald Reagan)  I just tossed out a stack of requests for money to help various causes.  I feel guilty about that.  I’ve found that to give larger amounts to fewer causes is best.  There was a man in one of my congregations who gave beyond the tithe, but often did not pay his bills.  The deacons asked me to talk to him about it.  What would you do in such a situation?    ;-)  Jack

FROM DEACON ROBERT:  Been there, done that, and helped with the understanding. All along I don't think I really knew how much they were in arrears on their bills.  The debt equals sin shows the Law, but love as God first loves us shows the Gospel - committment to responsibilities. God's blessings on your day ====JACK:  As I recall...First, I thanked him for his love for God.  Then, I reminded him how God wants us to love others and be fair to them.  I did not report to the deacons on my conversation.

 FROM RI IN BOSTON:  I'd move to a different congregation.  (Just kidding!)  I suppose I would commend the man for his tithing, but just as he has a responsibility to support God's work, he also has a responsibility to pay his other obligations.  As Jesus stated, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."  How did you handle it?====JACK:  That's a good quote.  As I replied to Deacon Robert..."As I recall...First, I thanked him for his love for God.  Then, I reminded him how God wants us to love others and be fair to them.  I did not report to the deacons on my conversation." ====RI:  That "God wants us to love others and be fair to them" is a convincing response.

 FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  Sounds like it would require a long talk...or talks. But, I might talk about how we need to give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. I might talk about how we have obligations to others (organizations) with whom we have given our "word" (contracts, agreements, promises). I would say something to the effect that if he prefers to share his first fruits to God, that he will also need to reduce that which he takes from Caesar without its correspondingly required payment. For stealing from Caesar to give to God is no gift at all. Then I would watch his eyes glaze over and his look of frustration, and wish that the deacons never asked me in the first place.====JACK:  The individual was naive in many ways, including theology and business.  I tried to be kind (and pastoral) in my conversation with him.

 FROM PH IN MINNESOTA:  have you become an insomniac?   4:43 a.m.   i sometimes give smaller amounts to many causes because they then can show an expanded donor base which often impresses foundations, grant-givers, major donors, etc.  just my two cents (not literally!)====JACK:  If Jesus were walking and talking in Minnesota today, he mite use you instead of the widow, as an illustration.====PH:  i like  your play on words..."he mite"...   but i would likely drop a $100 bill in the plate and that would screw up the whole point of the story:)

 FROM WALMART REV:  ..sounds like an upcoming sermon or teaching series on stewardship at it finest! ====JACK:  Been there; done that!====REV:  ...so often the case...the sermon is always for another person than the one it would benefit the most if there were "ears to hear". 0:-/

 FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  Both - you have to give to the Lord (maybe a little less now) and meet your obligations.====JACK:  Sometimes a person's faith and common sense don't seem to mesh.

 FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS:  Interesting…I would ask questions.  There must’ve been a pretty significant reason for him to jeopardize his credit etc in favor of giving…====JACK:  The problem is...Your concept of credit is not necessarily the same as someone else's.

FROM LS:  I have learned you cannot give what you do not have to give.  That could be financial or spiritual.  It is a sin to not take care of the temple that houses out soul .  Part of that care to make sure we have the ability to care for ourselves   .  Until then we are not able to care for others .  Put the oxygen mask on yourself so you are able to help others!====JACK:  The man that I mentioned  had problems, beyond the financial.  That's the way it is many "problem" situations.  There are problems beyond the immediate problem.

 FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER:  I'd tell him to reduce his tithe and pay his bills do his debtors could also afford to tithe.====JACK:  I don't recall that he had a sense of humor.

 FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  What's hard for me and makes me feel guilty is when the person asking money for a certain cause asks me for even just $10 or $20 and I realize it grows their donor base but also realize it will grow their appeal to me, over and over in various ways, more telephone calls, letters, etc. Don't even want to get on their "list". My empathy goes out to your congregational member wanting to support God's work so much--we all wrestle with this and how to balance our giving.====JACK:  What do you suppose Paul meant when he wrote, "The Lord loves a cheerful giver."?

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  That is a big problem. I have never understood why some people spend money they don't have.====JACK:  Maybe your next "senior" college course should be Economics 101.

 FROM BS IN ENGLAND:  That is a difficult one, but doesn't charity begin at home after all?   If you do not take care of the bills your family could find themselves homeless-----not good.====JACK:  That makes sense, but to some, sense in non-sense.

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  Mega dittos.

 FROM MY FLORIST:  Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.  (Theodore Roosevelt)