The Obamas and Bidens released their tax returns this week. If you were wondering, President Obama made $1.7 million, well down from last year (I guess e-book sales really are hurting authors these days). The Bidens’ income was $379,000, though their charitable giving of 1.4% of their income is pretty poor if you ask me (including, by the way, $1000 to Westminster Presbyterian Church). In any case, the President and Vice President’s tax returns are now public.

In Norway, all tax returns are published online. All of them — not just those of public officials. I grew up the son of a pastor whose annual salary was posted on the bulletin board in the main hallway of the church. When I was hired as a pastor in Hallock, my salary was approved by the congregation and the presbytery. Openness. Accountability. Transparency.

Though some public positions require one’s salary to be posted for all to see, the general practice in the US is to be very tight-lipped about one’s salary. It’s fine to complain generally about paying too many taxes, but one doesn’t get too specific. In fact, even as a pastor whose salary is pretty darn public, I can’t recall ever having had a conversation with a friend about how much money we make.

With my peers it’s ok to complain about student loans. I’ve playfully fought over who should pay many a bar tab, but talking specifics of salary, charitable donations, retirement savings and that sort of thing. Well, we just wouldn’t do that.

I wish it were different.

I wish we had more open and honest conversations about money, giving, spending, and debt.

I wish we were like those in some spiritual communities who meet annually to hold each other accountable, spending included.

I wish we all posted our salaries on a public bulletin board, or online.

And I wish, when we did that, we might come to understand salvation comes from God not money.

I know it’s not particularly helpful to simply complain and wish for pie-in-the-sky happenings, but I find it difficult to do more when it comes to US conversations about money. Take this CNN poll that recently found Americans so far off in their estimations of US government expenditures that, upon reading the results, you either have to laugh or crawl up in a ball crying.

According to the poll, on average Americans think we spend 10% of the budget on foriegn aid — the actual number is close to 1%. They think we spend 5% on public broacasting while the real percentage is a tenth of 1%. They also mistakenly assume we spend many more times the actual dollar on low income housing and food programs.

So what is a thoughtful Christian to do? Well, first of all, one could check out the cool Federal Tax Receipt program at the White House website. Put in how much you paid in taxes this year and out pops the proportion of what went where. Pretty spiffy, really.

After posting the tax recepit calculator to my Facebook page this week, a pastor friend commented wondering if congregations should make similar recepts for stewardship campaign season. I thought that was a brilliant ideal. I’ll add it to my list of wishes. How much to buy three?

image by brainloc

Additional Resources from www.TheThoughtfulChristian.com

• “Should Churches Pay Taxes?” by Edward Leroy Long Jr. (Adult Study)
• “Why We Pay Taxes,” by Brent Waters (Adult Study)
• “The Tea Party Movement: A Return to Basic American Principles or a Radical Departure?” by Aaron Hoffmann (Adult Study)

When I was in high school, I used to hate it when older people spoke to me using phrases like, “Well, when you get to the real world…” Um, last time I checked, high school students do indeed live in the real world, and for many it’s a rather challenging world at that. So, when I wrote The Thoughtful Christianstudy, “Faithful Budgeting: Connecting Our Spending Habits to Our Beliefs” I wanted to make sure the study didn’t come across as condescending. Youth today, perhaps more than many adults, are in the real world when it comes to spending money.

Price of gas? Most youth with a car know that. Price of the new iPod? Youth know that too. Discussions on the values of buying name brands versus imitations? That’s a daily issue for many a young person. The tricky issues of money, spending, and values aren’t somehow hidden from youth culture — they’re part and parcel of growing up.

Think back to when you were in high school. What was the cool thing? Do you remember your biggest purchase as a young person? Before I drove, my biggest purchase was a Trek bicycle (my parents paid the orthodontist themselves!). After I drove, I bought a tool box for my pickup (bought by my parents) and slowly bettered my golf clubs. Thank goodness these were the days before iPads and MacBook Pros — things could have gotten ugly.

In high school, my friends approached money from several different perspectives. Some had wealthy parents who paid for practically anything they wanted. Others didn’t receive much money from their parents, but had well-paying after school and summer jobs. I worked as a soccer referee most every Saturday for most of high school, but my parents also gave me an allowance. My allowance didn’t depend on whether my room was clean or I mowed the lawn. Some of my friends, though, could earn more from their parents by helping out around the house. And the neighbors wondered why their parents’ cars were always so clean!

For better or for worse, the Bible does not tell us how many songs Jesus wants on our iPods (or other music-playing device), or whether to buy Chacos or Crocs. But, the Bible does give us resources to approach questions of money and stewardship. Jesus, after all, lived in the real world. God, very much, cares how we use our resources.

The “Faithful Budgeting” study is designed to enable discussion on how youth spend their money, but also about how the broader culture approaches money. Check it out, and with youth and adults, ask (and maybe answer) questions like: Do you know how much the average U.S. family spends each year and on what? If you were a single mom with a young child, how would you prioritize among your child’s nutritional needs, rent, and vehicle costs? Is that expensive prom dress really essential?

High school, after all, is as real as real can be.

image by sanja gjenero

Additional Resources from www.TheThoughtfulChristian.com

Check out all of Adam’s studies on The Thoughtful Christian.

Sept 26, 2010

Living Richly

Luke 16:19-31 & 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Ben Affleck, who wrote, directed, and acted in the new hit movie The Town plays a convincing bank robber. I know if I worked in a bank and saw Affleck’s character Doug MacRay and his crew of thugs in masks carrying enormous machine guns, I’d hand over the money faster than the Red River rises each spring. The Hollywood prognosticators predictThe Town is Oscar bound. It’s not the best film ever, but if you can look past the violence, it’s an entertaining one for sure.

On the surface, at least, The Town is about robbing banks and making money. In Charlestown, Massachusetts, the art of bank robbing is passed down from one son to another as a family business of sorts. Most residents of Charlestown, all friends and relatives one way or another, learn to look the other way with knowledge of the heists. In Charlestown, bank robbery is king, and it first seems to be all about the money.

I won’t ruin the ending of The Town, but you could probably predict the plot. Affleck’s character and his cronies plan one last enormous heist, with dangerously high stakes promising an astronomical return.

But as the plot thickens, viewers sense it’s not really about the money after all. A woman pops up, of course. And the money takes a back seat to the relationships, family ties, loyalties, and of course, love. By the end, oddly, even for bank robbers, the money isn’t the point.

This theme could be called a traditional one of Hollywood these days. In fact, I asked my followers on Twitter Friday what movies they could think of which follow the same model of originally being about money and later being about more. My Twitter friends had no problem naming: Up in the Air, Richie Rich, Pretty Woman, Milk Money, Catch me if you Can, Charade, 10 Things I Hate about You, It Could Happen to You, The Money Pit, Family Man, and Trading Places. Either my friends just around watching movies all day, or there’s just plenty of examples.

Now nobody has made the parable of Luke 16 into a movie, but today’s story follows along those same basic lines. Ostensibly, it’s about money. And it is about money, to some degree. But I think Luke’s point is broader, bigger, more Hollywood than a simple, “wealth is evil” message.

Here’s the story. There was a rich guy dressed in purple (and his name was not Brett Favre). And by this rich guy’s big fence (which surrounded his enormous mansion), sat a poor and hungry man named Lazarus. Lazarus died and went to heaven with Abraham. The rich man died, and went to Hades, the underworld, where he looked up and saw Abraham and Lazarus in heaven. “Send Lazarus to give me some water, for I’m dying in these flames” the rich man demanded. But Abraham said, “Your earthly life was full of good things, and Lazarus’ life on earth was really tough. Now, the tables have turned. And we can’t really mess with people in Hades anyways.” Then the rich man said, “Well, can you at least send Lazarus to my old house and warn my brother of the right way to live?” And Abraham said, “They have Moses, they have the prophets, surely that is more than enough already.”

Like we said a few weeks ago, parables aren’t clear literal stories, they’re more like riddles to chew on. So the message of this parable is certainly not simply: all rich people burn in hell forever.

Did you catch the first thing the rich man says once he’s in Hades: he demands that Lazarus come bring him a drink! The rich man has been so warped by a view of the world where he is in charge, where people wait on him, where all the world revolves around him and if he has an issue, he just sends a servant to take care of it. So he’s thirsty. He’s in Hades. And the rich man snaps his fingers and demands Lazarus offer him a drink.

You know the type I’m talking about. Those Hummer drivers who take the short cut out of the parking lot and jump the curb just because they’ve got the big tires and horsepower. Those fliers in first class who couldn’t care less about us back in coach. Those celebrities who think they’re above the law. You know the type.

But before we start pointing all the fingers elsewhere, we should look in the mirror too. After all, we live in the wealthiest country on earth. At presbytery Friday, a delegation of pastors and elders from Kenya spoke of the problems they have farming a 200 acre farm with hand tools and in drought — their seeds can’t stand the dry heat and sandy soil, the only close source of fresh water is an old well that is broken. They rejoiced in the gift of one cow which has had several calves and is slowly changing the plight of the village. Before we start thinking the lessons of story of the rich man is only for billionaires, let’s not count ourselves out.

I bet you’ve noticed by now, Luke’s gospel addresses money and wealth a lot, setting a really high bar for followers of Jesus. Luke tells the story of the good Samaritan, the lost sheep and coin, and the father welcoming home the prodigal son. How one treats money, and how one shows compassion for others seems to be extra important for Luke. So maybe, the rich man just assuming poor Lazarus will be at his beck and call even in death, Luke means as a sure sign the rich man is lost and lacks compassion. David Lose asks in a commentary on this text, “Might Jesus be warning that riches can stunt our compassion by insulating us from the need of others?”

Nickolas Kristoff is what some refer to as an “advocacy journalist,” meaning his Op-Ed columns in the NY Times advocate for certain causes. Kristoff travels Africa often, and is a huge voice for empowering women and fighting AIDS/HIV. (In fact, he and his wife Sheryl WuDunn recently won the Pulitzer Prize for their book Half the Sky.)

I’ve heard Kristoff speak of something he calls, “compassion fatigue” — when we get overwhelmed with hearing about the needs of others and throw our hands up and say, “what can we do?” Kristoff explained, when he first got the job at the Times, he used to address huge overwhelming issues in broad terms. But after learning from physiologists and readers, he later found that the stories of individuals matter most. Kristoff could write five thousand words on AIDS in Africa and not accomplish a thing, but if he tells the story of one boy orphaned by AIDS and how he is growing up in a particular place with no parents and a bleak future, then people are more likely to feel compassion. When Kristoff narrows his columns and tells the story of one character, then our eyes our opened.

The rich man in the parable is blind to the needs around him. When on earth, his wealth so distorts his vision that he can’t see the need outside his gate. He can’t identify with poor Lazarus, or with anyone without his vast resources.

Forbes Magazine released it’s annual list of the richest people in America last week. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, moved way up to 35th on the list of the world’s wealthiest individuals. He was a billionaire at age 26! But also last week, the same week that the Forbes list debuted, Zuckerberg announced on Oprah! that he was giving $100 million to start a foundation in Newark, New Jersey to improve the public school system. I have no idea about Zuckerberg’s faith. (I’m not in fact Facebook friends with him.) But maybe giving away the $100 million his not so subtle reminder to himself, and to the world, that it’s not all about money. A message not to be blinded and lose compassion for one another because of misplaced priorities.

Today’s lesson from 1 Timothy addresses money straight on as well. At first Paul seems very suspicious about the dangers of money, warning “Those who want to be rich fall into temptations and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge into ruin and destruction.” Paul calls money the root of all evil and you get to thinking he’d have a heart attack if he saw our consumption today.

After this initial hardline, Paul gives some general instructions about good living and then comes back to money in 6:17, but with a softer message. It’s almost as if Paul realized the impractical nature of just saying, “Don’t be rich” so he writes, “Well, since some of your are rich, don’t be haughty or get your priorities confused with money rather than God. Do good with your money. Be generous. Share.”

Scholars say 1 Timothy was written before Luke, but it sure feels like Paul and Luke are in tune with each other. Both are highly suspicious of money saying it can drive our priorities all out of whack, blind us to what is truly important, push us to lose focus on God.

Ultimately, this parable in Luke is about right focus and compassion, about money, certainly, but about priorities and seeing rightly as well.

One of our own members was working on our national eyesight this week. Erik Younggren was in Washington, D.C. with an exhibit that made an amazing sight. The Wheat Foods Council set up a living wheat field on a cordoned-off street in the shadow of the US Capitol. They showed a quarter-acre of live wheat in pallets, a combine, flour mills, a bakery, and had helpful guys like Erik around to teach city slickers about wheat and farming. If you grow up and live your whole life in a city, you can easily start thinking wheat grows at the grocery store rather than through the sweat equity of our farmers.

Just like today’s parable, the wheat farmers sought to re-focus the vision of Members of Congress, urging them to set their priorities in fair and equitable ways.

Sometimes it may seem like life is all about the money, but Luke preaches a gospel that is stronger, richer, and more lasting. Serve God. Love God. Respond to the gift of grace given in Jesus Christ. And it turns out that living richly isn’t about the money after all. Amen.

I just got back from a meeting with Megan. Yes, I have meetings with my spouse. Scheduled meetings for particular purposes. It works brilliantly. About every few weeks Megan and I will schedule a meeting to sit down and go over our budget. We’ll look at the shape of monthly income and expenditures. We’ll chat about any big purchases on the horizon. And we’ll make changes to the budget accordingly. We usually meet in coffee shops so it’s a little more business-like than just chatting — and its the quickest budget entry ever — coffee into the coffee line.

I haven’t blogged much about money before, so what follows are a few random thoughts, and some questions for the blogosphere.

First, our relationship would not be nearly as peachy were it lacking our money meetings. If money issues aren’t addressed, money thoughts can become all-consuming. On the other hand, if money matters are never addressed, well, checks bounce and things can escalate quickly. We’ve found no better way to deal with such challenges than addressing them head-on, but in a particular place at a particular time (yes, we’re both pretty strong “J”s).

Second, we keep account of everything we spend (well, we try to get darn close at least). Megan’s been the one to do so over the first few years of marriage by using a spreadsheet, but I’m going to take the reins next month. So, I need to find a method to call my own. I’m not a huge spreadsheet guy, or at least, I’d prefer to find a bitter way if one exists. Here’s where the blogoshere comes in…

I’m looking at Mint.com, Wesabe, and Geezeo. Anyone have experience using them? I think the interface of Mint looks great, but I wonder if it’s smart enough to handle our budget (not that it’s a big budget, just lots of line items that can be tricky — e.g. toothpaste, even if you buy it at the grocery store, must not be counted in the food line item). I’d say budgeting is my top priority for these sites, and then other functionalities are bonus.  Any other sites/resources you’d recommend?

Finally, I’d just like to say in public how strange I think it is that folks don’t have more real conversations about money and budgeting. I mean, sure, people talk about it when they reach a breaking point. But I’d love for churches and groups of friends to offer safe places to have other types of conversations as well.

One of the ideals I love held by those who are members of the Iona Community is that they meet annually to check in, to pray, to keep each other accountable, and also to talk about how they are using their money to serve God and others. Maybe that’s a bit idealistic of me, or maybe it’s not. In either case, I’m happy to schedule a meeting with Megan and to talk it over.

image by sanja gjenero

I returned from Scotland in the midst of several local elections in Decatur. Local elections, because of fairly simply ballot access, tend to bring out, shall we say, “unique characters.”

There was Sally “Angry-Taxpayer” Jones.

And then this guy, whose name will remain secret.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution interviewed each candidate for a small fairly inconsequential local office, asking each candidate the reason they were running.

Most said something about civic responsibility and their gifts for the post. Mr. Smith, on the other hand, answered completely honestly.

My church ran a pledge drive last year for a new building. I pledged $100,000. I don’t currently have a job, so I figured I’d better get one so I could make the pledge. The salary for office would allow me to eat, pay rent, and support my church. Vote for me, I’m a loyal church member.

You can’t make this stuff up.

image by Ana Labate

(Yup, I’m the chin on the right.)

Several people have seen advertisements or previews for a strange music concert thing in which I used to take part and have asked for my take on it.

First a few disclaimers:

• I have no business experience beyond a largely unsuccessful lemonade stand.
• I know very little about college alumni boards, networks, or affiliations.
• I rarely attend live concerts, and don’t pay much when I do.

But….did I read this right?

St. Olaf College, my dear alma mater, is pumping their annual Christmas Festival to hundreds of movie theaters around the nation…on live satellite feed…and charging $20 a ticket? What?!

From the site (drum roll please):

And now this year — for the first time ever — the St. Olaf Christmas Festival will be simulcast live via satellite to select movie theatres around the country on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT from the St. Olaf College campus in Northfield, Minnesota.

I don’t wish ill of anything associated with St. Olaf–it is a top-notch college that offered me a fantastic broad-based education for which I’ll always be grateful–but do the powers-that-be really think enough people going to turn up in Hunstville, AL, Aventura, FL, or King of Prussia, PA to make the live feed cost-effective? (list of venues here. )

It was a privilege and joy to be part of past featured concerts broadcast on PBS, one recorded on an amazing three-week trip to Norway (buy the DVD here. ) But I’ve always suspected that most people unaffiliated with the college watch the PBS broadcast by accident, and certainly wouldn’t pay $20 to drive to the local theater.In the midst of fund-raising campaigns, a new science center being built, and rising tuition costs leading to record-setting student debts, I hope we don’t stand to lose big bucks if the crowds in Huntsville fail to impress. But if the Nordic voices don’t draw the church ladies, maybe we should give a discount on the movie theater popcorn.

More after the break below.

Random: Trying not to be too cynical, here’s a creative non-fiction essay on my experience in the St. Olaf Choir: Tradition in a Song

And here’s a Nike commercial with the choir singing:

Postscript: I wonder if it’s ok to use photos from St. Olaf’s website? Hmmm. Everybody does it, so that must make it ok, right?