Covid-19 A time to reduce giving?

Covid-19 - A time to reduce giving?

Pierre and Jacqueline had retired a while ago. They had settled into what they expected to be many years of enjoying a slower pace combined with active service in ways fitting to their experience and abilities. There had been a trip of two and more local engagement than when they were employed. Life was good.

Then along came Covid-19.

They took care. Hands were washed and contacts with others, including some nearby family, were carefully managed. They remained physically close to one another and agreed that they went together through this in life or death. Their Christian faith left them unafraid to die, although not welcoming its untimely advent.

Their retirement income had been adequate to their needs, but a significant share was market-linked and suffered under the Covid-19 downturn. And so, after seeking advice they took a decision to reduce that income with a view to preserving wealth for the longer term.

That meant some belt tightening. But first a reckoning. They faced the possibility that some of their extended family could have reduced or no employment and might need support. A significant sum was pledged to various Christian agencies and their local church. Through their church they were also committed to share support for a local needy family.

What expenditure could be reduced? They reduced some unnecessary items from the household budget but still needed more savings. How about the external giving? Reductions there were an easy way to reduce outgoings

Some of the missionaries they supported wrote to suggest that the new time was tough for donors and they understood if people cut back. Other missionaries pleaded for increased giving because of the sudden and dramatic drop in their support.

However, Pierre and Jacqueline decided not to cut their giving. They knew that others would not have any choice in this, but they did. Meanwhile the needs of the causes they supported continued. The result of not cutting their giving was a threat to their own future welfare, but also a threat to the present welfare of others and to the increasingly urgent gospel task. They also knew where their rust-proof wealth was deposited, and they knew and trusted the One who promised to care for those who seek first his kingdom.

This was a time to give and to give again.