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Tax Rebate
By Dave Liggett:Bio on April 16, 2008
This tax season most of us will be receiving a rebate check. I am sure many, myself included, are thinking of ways to use this unexpected rebate from the government. I would like to suggest that we at least take a good look at the story of Zacchaeus, on whose heart the Lord had gotten a good grip. He said to all those who had assembled at his house: “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor . . .” (Luke 19:8). Just think what would happen if all of us decided to follow this example of Zacchaeus and give 50 percent of this unexpected rebate to our local congregation, local WELS school or other organization, or to the synod. The result would be staggering.
Topics: Communications, Finance, GENERAL
April 16th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Just exactly what I’ve been saying! As soon as our check arrives, we will cash it so we can Give It Away.
April 16th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I know that the statistical report for the WELS shows the total membership in the WELS. Is there an estimate of how many family units are included in that number?
April 17th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Dear Rob,
We do not keep statistics on the number of families that belong to WELS. We keep stats on total mmbership and total communicant membership but not on # of families.
Thanks for the response to the blog.
May the Lord use this rebate as a blessings to our members, our congregations, our parachurch organizations and our church body.
Dave
April 17th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Thanks for the encouragement. But Zacchaeus did give to “the poor.” Perhaps that should be on our list of possible beneficiaries, too.
April 20th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I am not sure the passage quoted was the best to choose for giving money to the WELS.
We are using our refund to pay down medical debt from our daughter’s health issues, getting rid of debt is also Biblical.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:11 am
We consider the rebate a blessing from the Lord & will use it to help pay down our existing congregational mortgage. Our church needs a pre-K school & fellowship hall. Shepherd of The Valley, Surprise, AZ.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 am
Frankly, I find it rather tacky that my congregation, my area Lutheran high school, and my synod all are sending out pleas for tax rebate money. I expect that from the local furniture store and car dealerships (I’ve gotten their flyers too). If we are, on a regular basis, educating and motivating people properly in regard to stewardship, they will do good stewardly things with their resources. We ought not be hawking for the church’s “fair share” of their tax rebates. Let those who are motivated to give, give freely. As for those who aren’t yet motivated toward giving, these sorts of appeals only push them further from a desire to support the church with their gifts.
May 27th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I would agree with the comment posted by David (May 22nd, 2008). While I would expect that our synodical leaders would encourage godly stewardship from its members, and the tax rebate gives them another (and somewhat unexpected) opportunity to do just that, I would discourage our leaders from specifically “targeting” certain blessings from the Lord’s hand. I believe that Mr. Liggett’s encouragement to use the rebate only for “local congregation, local WELS school or other organization, or to the synod,” completely ignores the other areas of our lives where God expects faithful stewardship. He doesn’t mention family needs, the needs of the poor, our responsibility to the government (and remember that this rebate is, for the most part, an advance on next year’s tax return), and for our enjoyment, in addition to supporting the work of the church. His words would seem to suggest that using 50% of the rebate for some sort of synodical work is really the God-pleasing way to use it. Scripture (and certainly not Luke 19:8) never says anything of the sort, only that we be faithful stewards of all that belongs to the Lord and of which he had made us managers. I believe that such misapplication of Scripture not only mishandles God’s Word of truth but also potentially puts an unjust burden on the hearts and consciences of our people, and yes, may serve to drive them further away from godly stewardship, as it seems to border on legalism. How many of our people are at a level in their lives of faith that they can make such a heart-felt committment to the Lord? Some perhaps, but certainly not many. Let’s remember, Mr. Liggett, that Zacchaeus’ actions were an act of repentance and came from a heart moved by faith in his Savior’s unexpected gift of salvation to him, and he did not need Jesus to encourage him to do what he did. Let’s take a cue from our Lord and simply proclaim the Gospel faithfully, and then wait for it to move the hearts of our people. I’m sure the result will be equally unexpected!
God’s continued blessings on your work for Him.
To God alone be the glory!