We are supposed to be big-hearted and smart-minded. Usually it is hard to be both, for we cannot read the thoughts and intentions of those who approach us. We should not give when it is foolish, yet who has all wisdom?

A woman comes to the pastor, weeping over the rape and murder of her daughter in Iowa. The funeral begins, and the truth comes out: no rape, no murder. Police say they suspect the bereaved woman just wanted money from the collection. She runs out, the media finds out, and everyone knows about it. Right here in Richmond.

I admit I laughed when I first read the story, not because I like what happened, but because I am amazed at the ongoing ability of my brother Ron Chappell to live a much more interesting life than me.

Yet did I laugh alone? I doubt it. Did others chortle for the reason I did? I wonder. Here is the snicker I fear from some: “There you go. Another church sucker story.”

On this subject, unlike others for which you may criticize me, I have some expertise.

Surely, far more than once, my church has played the dummy. No, I have not fallen for the fake funeral scam (as far as I know), but I am confident that me and mine have given some of the Lord’s money for less than holy causes.

To this I reply: It’s okay. Better a sucker servant than a snotty skinflint.

We have some decidedly inconsistent attitudes about churches.

On the one hand, some critics have a way of dismissing church people as nothing more than naves and fools. Even a few have claimed that we would all be better off without churches.

But then comes a need. Maybe it is an individual who wants help with rent or food, or even an organization that seeks our support or publicity. All of sudden, we are vital.

Yet what if we do not help? What if we cannot, or what if we believe we should not? Now we are hypocrites. Now we are heartless.

Now we are hurtful. Not always, but at times, that is the message we receive in return.

You throw this all together, along with this ultimately unfunny episode, and it makes for quite a stew of thoughts and emotions. We want to be good neighbors, yet we know at least some of those neighbors will play on those emotions to pursue their wants.

So what are we to do? I have taught this, and if I know the churches in this town, I believe most pastors teach this: err on the side of generosity. When in doubt, do it. If someone mocks us, let them make fun of our openhandedness, not our tightfistedness.

We are supposed to be big-hearted and smart-minded. Usually it is hard to be both, for we cannot read the thoughts and intentions of those who approach us. We should not give when it is foolish, yet who has all wisdom?

When I am not sure if I should, but if I can, I give. Then I say, “I wish God’s blessing upon you. He knows far more about you than I do, and he knows if your tale is true.”

Giggle if you want. But I will defend Ron and his friends in this way: it sounds to me like they were trying to be servants. May I gladly suffer that scorn.

Tom Stein is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and serves as senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Richmond. He writes a weekly column for the Richmond, Indiana Palladium-Item and it is used with his permission

Source: http://www.pal-item.com/article/20101119/NEWS03/11190318

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