Sermons

I must admit that I often enjoy sitting through the sermons at my church in a state of half-listening and half-reflecting which combine to give me an overall sense of relaxation, perhaps even serving as an oasis from the hectic weekly family and work routine.

However, this last Sunday's sermon by our senior pastor really made me focus on his message since he made an impassioned pitch for every member to double our annual donations to the church so they could meet their budget and missionary commitments. While I hesitate to remind my own pastor of scripture it is worth mentioning that Jesus Christ himself told us via the Bible that we should -- "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto the Lord what is the Lord's..............." to which Father Robert Sirico, President of the Acton Institute (www.acton.org) told me years ago, "right there, Jesus tells us there is a limit to government.............."

Yes indeed Father Sirico -- Jesus only expects us to give 10% via the "tithe" yet the secular government expects nearly 50% of our personal incomes (once you add -- income taxes, Social Security taxes, sales tax, gas tax, etc................together" -- so I agree with your worldview not my local church which is an advocate of things like "fair trade" that merely create a trading regime that keeps poor farmers poor with just a few more coins in their pocket. If you don't believe me just review Paul Collier's book, "The Bottom Billion", since he is a supporter of World Bank development programs yet opposes fair trade.

Essentially I want my church (and any others who see the light) to call government greed exactly what it is -- immoral and sinful!! -- because requiring us to give 50% of the fruits of our labor to the Church of Big Government is a form of hell on Earth. Once government is cut dramatically I would gladly give a portion of what is returned to me to entities like my church although the Acton Institute would receive a check first.

Forgive me Father for I have earned,

Todd