Pastor's Message

Pastor's Message

Can Religion Fatten Your Pocketbook? Do You Care?

"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over things, but you know both God and the way he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the kingdom itself."

From Luke 13, The Message, by Eugene Peterson

Massachusetts Institute of Technology economist Jonathan Gruber has found a statistical correlation between attending church and what he terms a "better economic outcome." This, and other attractive results that correlate with church attendance, were recently published in the National Bureau of Economic Research. Perhaps you'd be wise to show up a bit earlier this coming Sunday as the fast-buck set will, no doubt, wish to take advantage.

On average, Dr. Gruber's paper notes, a household with double the rate of religious attendance will have 9.1 percent more income. You might think sleeping in on Sunday might help you catch up on sleep after a tough week, but it may very well be hurting in other ways. Other benefits of extra participation in religious activity correlates with 16 percent less welfare participation than the national rate, 4 percent lower odds of being divorced and 4.4 percent increased chances of being married.

Over the course of my ministry I have heard many reasons for devotion to the life of the community of faith. I have even heard that certain persons choose a church because of its possible business and political connections. There are far more beautiful reasons, however. I recently pulled an old file out of my cabinet containing the written work of some 15 and 16 year-old Boy Scouts. They were working toward their God and Country Medal. Here are some of the things they had to say:

"Having faith helps me not be afraid of attempting something because I might fail."

"Being Christian makes me want to have an honest job in an honest company."

"Faith will help me in the future handle achievements and disappointments better."

"Without God, the difference between right and wrong are left to a popular vote."

"Christian love is loving people for who they are, not what they appear to be."

I'd rather come to church to hear more from souls like these than increase my household income by 9.1%.

Ogdan Nash quipped, "Certainly, there are things in this world that money can't buy, but have you ever tried buying those things without money?" Family finances can often be much less funny. God has blessed us with serious responsibilities. I hope that your life of faith, and your attendance at Swarthmore United Methodist Church, serve to enrich you. I hope the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes your life enormously fuller than the fleeting satisfaction of a fist full of extra dollars. The life of this community of faith provides abundant blessings for its members. And you can take that to the bank!

A joyous Eastertide to you all.