Economic Stimulus Checks

I have had many (conflicting) ideas about how to spend the check coming from the Federal government. Part of me says "spend it on US-manufactured goods," which would seems to meet the money's intent... Another voice says "come February 2009 your TV (non-cable, no satellite) won't work anymore and there is probably some great sales on TVs about now..." What could be more American than a TV (made in Japan)?

Of course these thoughts are second to the my first thought to take a large portion (yes, more than 10%) for a one-time gift to a ministry.

Today's Desiring God blog has a great line which takes the discussion back a step:

We would have gotten on fine without [the check]. If we didn’t know it was coming, we wouldn’t even be feeling the desires we are feeling right now.

And so, knowing that giving is greatest antidote to greed, Becky and I plan to take more than half of it and put it into a project to bring the Scriptures to a people that have no access to it, and the rest will go into Savings (we're trying to save up for an addition which would give the house a 3rd bedroom).

Oprah's Big Give

Have you seen this show? The first episode was last Sunday. Had I blogged about it right away, I would have been able to share my thoughts regarding it. Now that a few days have passed and I am just making a quick entry here during a lunch break, I am only able to draw your attention to it and suggest you watch it this coming Sunday evening.

Like most reality shows, you can't help bu put yourself in the shoes of a contestant and think "what would I do?" Well, doing so in this show is an exercise I would encourage us to do. (Contestants are challenged to be a creative in raising funds for stranger in need.) Right up my alley.

~JH

Sir Richard Branson on Giving

One of my favorite shows on TV is "Charlie Rose" on PBS. I know of no better interviewer than Charlie. His questions open up the interviewee on many levels. Backdrop drenched in black... high-polish wood table... short cylindric glasses of good ole' H2O... The simple set accentuates the content. Where I live, it airs on PBS channel at both noon and midnight each day. Of course every episode is available for free, in its entirety online at www.charlierose.com

A few days ago, Charlie had Sir Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin. They spoke of global environmental issues, the Elders, and many other issues.

I draw your attention to his comments on charitable giving... The total conversation, available here, is about 33 minutes. If you scroll to 18:30 on the counter, it begins the part about his work and views on development work. As I listened, it was the part beginning at 19:49 that I thought readers of this blog might find quite interesting.

I realize [capitalism] is the only [economic] system that works. But it obviously has it faults. people like myself end up with extreme wealth.. so it is not a fair system... and therefore enormous responsibility comes to those people who are the recipients of that kind of wealth...

Then Charlie suggested maybe Branson would be in favor of government redistribution, through heavy tax on the richest people, to balance this out. To this, Richard replied:

I'm not sure that would work. It sounds right and fair, but the state is not that good at redistributing money. So it means that those of us who have got money really have to use it properly and put it to good use... you must employ great businesses, tackle problems in the world and as a result I'm sure the individual will get far more satisfaction.

On giving large portions of his wealth to his children after he dies, Branson said he was undecided:

Maybe I should hurry up and make up my mind before it is too late.