How Will You Use Your "Economic Stimulus" Money?

Food for thought by Senior Pastor Mike Solberg

 
This week the government is beginning to send out “economic stimulus” checks to millions of Americans.  Most of us will receive between $300 and $1200.  I’m not sure this makes a lot of long-term economic sense, but who am I to argue?  This is about as close as it comes to getting “free money.”

The stated purpose of this money, of course, is to stimulate a sluggish economy.  Much as our government did after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the government is encouraging Americans to spend.  More spending leads to a more healthy economy.  A more healthy economy leads to happier people.  At least that’s the theory.

I wonder, though, if we shouldn’t take a moment to consider what really makes for happiness, or even better, joy.  Somewhere back in the old days, someone said “Money can’t buy happiness.”  It’s even been scientifically proven.  As I just read at Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/2004/09/21/cx_mh_0921happiness.html):

Surveys have found virtually the same level of happiness between the very rich individuals on the Forbes 400 and the Maasai herdsman of East Africa. Lottery winners return to their previous level of happiness after five years. Increases in income just don't seem to make people happier…
“The relationship between money and happiness is pretty darned small,” says Peter Ubel, a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan.

Why can’t money buy happiness?

“Part of the reason is that people aren't very good at figuring out what to do with the money," says George Loewenstein, an economist at Carnegie Mellon University. People generally overestimate the amount of long-term pleasure they'll get from a given object.

And that’s where I come in!  I have a book that has more than a 2000 year track record of increasing people’s joy: the Bible.  And in that good book St. Paul quotes Jesus himself, “In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Based on a combination of science and ancient wisdom, therefore, along with the words of Jesus himself, I think it is fair to conclude that if we all go spend our “economic stimulus” money at Best Buy or Zales Jewelers, it isn’t going to make us happy, and certainly not blessed.

So my idea is that we all turn our “economic stimulus” money into “generosity stimulus” money.
I have talked with our Mission Board and here’s the plan:

If we give our “economic stimulus” money to the church the church will use it to get our new Neighborhood Development Corporation off to a wonderful start.

Our Neighborhood Develop Corporation is going to be a powerful group dedicated to improving our neighborhood and helping people who live right here, within a few blocks of our church building.  Working with Court Street Methodist, Emmanuel Episcopal, and First Presbyterian, and God willing, we will soon be making a difference for people who, honestly, need “economic stimulus” much more than most of us do.

Of course, we ask that this gift be above and beyond your normal pledged giving to the church.  And we will naturally be thrilled with the gift, even if it only part of your government check.

Now I understand that not everyone will be able to do this.  As I was driving to the church building today I stopped for gas and paid $3.74 a gallon!  Gas may be even higher by the time you read this.  That high price is symbolic of how difficult things are right now for some people.  If you are facing real hardships, by all means, use your “economic stimulus” money as you need to.  That’s rightly doing what is responsible.

But if $3.74 gas is merely an inconvenience, not a hardship, then I strongly encourage you to remember Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and think of this check from the government as a “generosity stimulus” check.  Our new Neighborhood Development Corporation, our neighborhood, and you, will be “blessed” because of it.

                                                 Grace and peace,
                                                 Mike

P.S.  Be sure to somehow mark your gift “economic stimulus” or “neighborhood development” so we know to use it for the right thing.