In the days when my hair was thicker and my voice higher nothing
exciting ever happened in our church. At least that’s how it seemed
to my young eyes, right up until the wonderful episode of the
reverend gentleman’s trousers. I had the perfect view, because those
of us who sang in the treble boy’s choir sat very close to where the
action took place.

After receiving the bags containing the collection money, the
reverend’s next task was to carry them on a large golden platter up
the steps into the chancel. This he accomplished with his usual
dignity. Then, all he had to do was hold the hopefully heavy plate
aloft, say a prayer and place it on the altar.

Normally all this was accomplished without a hitch. But on this
occasion the gloriously unthinkable happened. In the act of raising
high the plate the reverend gentleman’s trousers fell down. We, the
insensitive audience in the choir stalls, were beside ourselves with
mirth. Fortunately for him, this was a church where the clergy wore
cassock and surplus, and so the congregation in the distance, unlike
us, were unaware of the gravity/hilarity of the situation.

Well, he may have lost his trousers but he certainly hadn’t lost his
marbles. With commendable presence of mind he quickly dropped to his
knees in what looked like spontaneous prayer, fumbled under his
cassock until he had a firm hold of his trouser belt, and then, in
one movement, stood while dragging his trousers up at the same time.
His relief was matched only by our disappointment that the situation
had not deteriorated further.

When it comes to money and the church, stress is more common than
mirth. By and large money is still seen as very much a private
affair, and when issues of stewardship are raised in the pulpit or in
bible study groups the reaction is often one of discomfort and
unease. Indeed, it’s a topic which frequently generates much heat and
little light among Australian Christians, and when debate is entered
into the arguments are often shaped more by prevailing
ideological/economic doctrines than by the Scriptures.

The temptation, therefore, to avoid this issue because of its
capacity to create divisions and conflict within a congregation or
small fellowship group is strong. But the Bible does not run away
from the subjects of money, wealth and poverty. Indeed, few issues
are given more comprehensive coverage in its pages, and if we are to
treat the Bible with the respect it deserves as the authoritative
word of God and our manual for living, then it is essential that we
allow it to scrutinise our handling of money.

If the way in which all Christians created and used wealth was
determined by biblical principles, the impact upon the poor would be
phenomenal. For a start, there would be no poor within the world-wide
community of the Church, which means that for more than 200 million
Christians the struggle against poverty would be over. Moreover, the
Church’s capacity to respond to the needs of the poor outside the
Church would be multiplied beyond recognition, and for countless
millions the gospel message of God’s love would be powerfully
demonstrated.

For this to happen we need to follow the urgent advice of Paul. That
is, focus our ambitions on building up treasure in heaven rather than
on earth, be rich in good deeds, and generous and willing to share.

Steve Bradbury

National Director, TEAR Australia

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