The S Word # 17

THE THEOLOGY OF MONEY # 17
The Crisis-Driven Syndrome
By Douglas Hambidge #17

Who can resist a call for help when a disaster strikes? Why should I resist it? There is a flood in Tanzania, a famine in the Sudan, a hurricane in South America. Surely the Christian will want to respond with a generous gift. In the event of the recent tsunami, people were incredibly generous. Surely that is not a bad thing.
It does have a problem, however. Here my giving is governed by the extent to which the crisis tugs at my emotions. If the need moves me, then I give. In other words, my level of giving is dictated by what I feel like giving. I want to respond to crises, but as a response to all that God has given me. My stewardship is governed by my need to respond to God --- whether there is a crisis or not.

The Fair Share Syndrome

You’ll find this kind of stewardship lurking in most parishes. It arises from the ideas that
if everyone paid their fair share of the budget, the budget would be met and the church would always have enough. The stewardship does not ask, “What is god calling me to give?” but rather “What are other people giving?” The theology fair share stewardship is summed up in this assertion: “I’ve done my bit. My giving is as good as anyone’s No one can expect more of me than that.”

The Same-as-Last-Year Syndrome

This has nothing to do with stewardship at all, and sees giving as a kind of membership
fee. Until I am told that the annual subscription has been increased. I’ll continue to pay at the
old level. The person who gives in the Same-as-Last-Year category is usually the one who expects nothing to change and who opposes anyone who tries to make changes. “If $1.00 a week was good enough for my grandfather, it’s good enough for me.” ‘If the church got by with my $20.00 a week last year, why should I give any more this year?

Continued Next Week with: BY FAITH WITH THANKSGIVING #18