When our Savior gave the instruction to His Disciples “to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and the things that are God’s to God”, He provided an amazing principle that should be handled carefully in the richness of its multi-faceted implications and applications all of which are beyond the scope of this article. But one inescapable implication is that “Caesar” gives with expectations.

It is safe to say I have been deluged with questions for pastoral counsel regarding how Christians should respond to the “Cares Act 2020” and with the recently increased resources provided to enlarge it, the questions have unsurprisingly intensified. But, by far the most asked question has been, “Should churches apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)?” We have been assured by members of the present Administration and by highly competent Christian lawyers that there is no legal reason not to apply nor are there any “hidden traps” if you do apply. So, should we or should we not apply? My counsel—No, do not apply. This begs the next question, “Why not?”

I fully recognize that we need to give one another latitude and the judgment of charity as we work through this issue. But my counsel remains—“No, do not apply.” Here are seven reasons why. But to be clear that while these reasons are determinative for our Session the reality is Briarwood and its ministries likely would not qualify anyway. But, if we did, here are the seven reasons we would not apply.

1. Ethical—More than one leader from different churches has said, “Pastor, this is ‘free money. It would be bad stewardship not to apply for it.” My answer is—There is no such thing as “free money” just like there is no such thing as a “free lunch.” The Bible clearly teaches that economic wealth has to be created and even wealth that is given was first created and like the proverbial “free lunch” ultimately comes with expectations.

In this case the “money” being distributed has two sources of origin. The first is taxation. The money is being drawn from taxes that either have been paid or the anticipation of taxes which will be paid. The second source is money now being printed. In reality, it is being printed at a rate far beyond the “stimulus bill” passed by the previous Administration as a means to fund a “stimulus” initiative. Printed money is not “free money” either. It adds to our national debt which will be passed on to our children and our children’s children to be paid in the future. So how is this an ethical problem?

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