The news is out; the”economic stimulus” money from the U.S. Treasury Department has started flowing. Most of us will be receiving between $300 and $600 per person, meant to be used to boost our ailing economy and spur it on toward growth and away from the dreaded r-word…recession.
I was pleasantly surprised when I got an email from my bank on Saturday telling me I’d already been credited with my tax rebate. I’ve been mulling over what to do with said rebate for a few months now. My thoughts have gone something like this: I have some debt that I could pay down, but that wouldn’t really spur the economy on very much. Being a good citizen, it would be a much better idea for me to dump this money back into the economy. Translation: I should go buy some toys! Think of the fun I could have with an unexpected $300-$600! Or, I could be a little more practical and put that money into our wedding fund (I’m finding that weddings, surprisingly, can cost a lot). That would still spur on the economy AND it would help me out. Or maybe I could do a a little of both.
Recently, however, my thinking about finances, mammon (see Matt. 6:24), and the Kingdom have been challenged, particularly and practically in regards to the economic stimulus rebate (read this for some of Piper’s thoughts). As I look around and observe, as I am wont to do at times but not often enough, I see many needs/opportunities that could be helped by my rebate money. I find that it is interesting and telling though that for some time, I have already been clinging tightly to my rebate money as though that blessing is just meant to bring me more fun and pleasure. Truthfully, I’ve spent hardly any time since Congress passed the bill thinking about what Kingdom work could be accomplished with the extra bonus money. It is entirely on top of my regular earnings. It’s unbudgeted money, and my budget wouldn’t be hurt in the slightest if I didn’t spend a dime of it on myself. And yet I want to spend it all on myself. I may not worship at the feet of mammon (or maybe I do), but I certainly give him deference far too often.
I don’t write this trying to make anyone feel like they have to give all or even some of their rebate money away in order to be a good Christian. I don’t think that’s true at all. Maybe you need some things around the house. Maybe you’ve got home or car repairs that need to be done or diapers to buy. Maybe you do want to buy something fun. Or maybe you need some time away with your spouse or by yourself.
I think those things are just fine to do. I would challenge everyone to be intentional, however. Take some time to think, pray, and discuss with a friend or spouse the best use for your rebate. Be intentional about where you put that money. God can be glorified with it whether you spend it on vacation, donate it to charity, or do a little of both. Think it through. Below, I’ve listed a few possible venues for how our rebates could be used for Kingdom stimulus. Please reply in the comments with any more ideas you have.
- Sponsor a child for a year (or two)
- Invite your neighbors over for dinner
- Buy and donate supplies for VBS
- Donate to the Grace fund
- Give to the KSBC general fund (our giving is under budget for the year, so far)
- Donate to Ben & Janet’s adoption fund
- Support Tonya Small
- Give to the Vess’ relocation fund
- Find a widow/someone in need around KSBC and help them out
- Donate to Trinity Mission
- Donate to Bibles Unbound (sending the Scriptures to closed/persecuted countries)
- Donate to World Vision’s Myanmar cyclone relief
